We recently discovered a gold mine of kitchen hacks which frankly, we feel the need to share the ones that blew our minds!
We’re talking making curried egg in a bag, caramel sauce in just 10 minutes and heading to Bunnings for a few simple materials to shred your leek quicker than Martha Stewart. Get ready to LEVEL UP.
The crew at 5-Minute Crafts are the geniuses behind these hacks which we’re sure will come in handy in your home. I mean, who DOESN’T want a thick caramel sauce late at night in just 10 minutes?
**Watch the video below to see these clever kitchen hacks in action – including a chicken cooked in a whole watermelon!**
20 Kitchen Hacks You Didn’t Know You Needed
1. Even tomato slices every time
Use a fork to guide you into cutting perfect, even tomato slices every time! No more chunky tomato sandwiches. YES!
2. Separate eggs with a plastic bottle
Separate eggs by squeezing a clean plastic water bottle to gently ‘suck’ one whole yolk up at a time and transfer into a different bowl.
3. No more tangled, ripped plastic wrap
If your plastic wrap won’t unroll easily, freeze the roll for a few minutes then try unrolling it again. MAGIC!
4. Cheesy mozzarella pockets
Sandwich a disc of mozzarella cheese between two slices of bread and use a glass to act like a cutter, pressing down to cut a circle. Dip in beaten egg, followed by bread crumbs and shallow fry for 5 minutes until golden. Melted, oozing cheese goodness!
5. Baked cloud eggs
Using separated eggs, whip egg whites until fluffy, spoon a ‘cloud’ for each yolk onto a lined baking tray, leaving an indent on the surface for the yolk to sit. Bake in a 180 degree Celsius oven until egg white is golden. Sprinkle with salt and pepper for a delicious egg brekkie!
6. Frozen whole eggs
Freeze eggs whole! Cut in half and fry from frozen. WHO KNEW?
7. Separate eggs with a funnel
Use a small funnel to separate eggs. Place the funnel over the top of a bowl or glass and break the egg into it. The white slips straight through into the bowl. GENIUS!
8. Capsicum egg rings
Thickly slice a capsicum to create rings, pulling the seeds and core from each ring. Put the capsicum rings in a hot pan and break your eggs straight into each one to cook. Yum!
9. Fancy pants egg roll
Using separated eggs, whisk the egg yolks and fry in a skillet. Once set, gently begin to roll the egg halfway, moving it to the side a little. Pour in the egg white. When the egg white is cooked through, continue rolling. Transfer to a board to slice and serve. So fancy!
10. Cookies and cream ice cream
Take a box of Oreo snack packs and break them up in their packets. Stand the individual packets up on their ends in a container. Pour milk into each one and add a pop-stick. Freeze overnight for delicious ice creams. Unwrap and dip in melted chocolate. #nomnomnom
11. Cut boiled eggs with dental floss
For when a straight cut boiled egg just won’t do! Use a toothpick and dental floss to gently slice a boiled egg in any direction. (This one might take a few practices!).
12. No mess egg sandwich filling
Place boiled eggs into a sandwich bag. Add a squeeze of mustard/mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper (or add curry powder). Seal the bag, squeezing the air out. Mash the ingredients together by man-handling the bag a little. Snip the corner off the bag and pipe straight onto bread.
13. Caramel sauce in just 10 minutes
Tip sweetened condensed milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Sit the bowl in a larger bowl of water, so the water just comes up to the sides of the condensed milk bowl (water bath style). Microwave for 10 minutes or until caramel in colour. Voila!
14. Trays of frozen eggs
If you have eggs nearing their expiring date, you can freeze them! Break them into an ice cube tray to use later. They stay fresh in the freezer for two months. You’ll always have eggs on hand for baking!
15. The no-stick wonder!
For a super easy clean up on ANY pan, line it with baking paper before cooking eggs, fish, marinated meat – ANYTHING that sticks. No more scrubbing! #winningatlife
16. Shredded veggies in seconds
Bunnings could well substitute for a food processor. Nuts, a sturdy bolt and Stanley knife blades to the rescue! Thread the blades on to the bolt, securing with a nut between each one and presto, a multi-blade knife!
17. Omelette in a bag
Using a heat-proof zip-lock bag, crack eggs into the bag. Add diced red and green capsicum, chopped parsley, grated cheese and salt and pepper. Seal the bag and give it a massage to blend the ingredients together. Lower the bottom of the bag into a simmering pot to cook, sous vide style. Tip out of the bag and eat!
18. Unique icing technique
Drag a piece of cotton thread through gel icing and then across a cake surface for unique marble effect icing details. One colour of three – it’s up to you!
19. 5-minute homemade jam
You can make your own jam in minutes! Combine fresh fruit, sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice to a bowl and fork mash together into a pulp. Cook in a microwave for 5 minutes over high heat. Instant jam!
20. The 1-minute toad in a hole
Yes, just ONE MINUTE. Take two pieces of bread, make a hole in one and layer together. Place on a plate and break an egg into the hole. Microwave on high for 1 minute, season and eat.
Want even more hacks? Here’s 10 MORE totally clever kitchen hacks every busy mum needs to know!
