I JUST LOVE HACKS

Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker

Food hacks are clever tricks to make food preparation easier, faster, or more efficient, ranging from kitchen techniques like getting a jar lid off, uses of vinegar for cleaning and  even frugal methods like making simple two-ingredient smoothies. I always look for ways to do things easier; but sometimes forget to think of them.

One thing I like doing is cooking corn on the cob in the microwave. No more boiling on top of stove, but just remove husks then put on a microwave safe plate and cook for 5 minutes. Quicker, easier and tastes great.

Following are some other hacks to try:

Place an onion in the freezer for 30 minutes before peeling and no more tears.

Put a small amount of olive oil over garlic before mincing to prevent it from sticking to your knife and fingers, or add a pinch of salt for the same effect.

Want a richer tasting cake? Add an extra egg and melted butter to get that homemade flavor.

For gourmet tasting mac and cheese, stir in about a cup of panko bread crumbs with some parmesan cheese at the end. Yum!

For a simple frozen dessert: Spread Greek yogurt on a tray, drizzle with honey, and frozen berries and chopped nuts to make a delicious, frozen yogurt bark.

VINEGAR

Vinegar (white or apple cider) has so many uses that it’s really good to have some in your pantry.

Vinegar can be used in sauces and marinades and also in making salad dressings.

I recall my grandma making a lettuce salad with mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. In fact when growing up I thought that was the only thing you ate on lettuce.

Vinegar is also used in pickling and will work on tenderizing meat.

I did not know this but you can add vinegar to milk and make a buttermilk substitute.

There is nothing better to eat than French fries at the fair. Of course they wouldn’t be as good without that malt vinegar to put on them. That sounds so good!

Vinegar can also be used to descale faucets and shower heads; coffee makers; and is a good liquid to mop floors with.

Vinegar will also absorb odors in the fridge, garbage disposals, and laundry, is effective on stains from coffee, tea, and even sweat or rust, works as a fabric softener, brightens clothes, and removes soap scum from laundry, and its acidity can effectively kill unwanted weeds in your garden.

Now one thing I don’t care for when getting old is brown or age spots. I recently read that vinegar will lighten those spots on your arms and face. I am going to try it but do you think I will smell like a pickle? Hmmmm. I don’t know if this is a Pennies about hacks or the promotion of vinegar. But I knew a man who drank tea with sugar and vinegar twice a day and lived to be close to 100. 

What hacks do you use? I really like hearing and reading about them so if you let me know some of your hacks I will give you a Penny for Your Thoughts.