Three Kitchen Shortcuts I Can’t Live Without

As much as I love to cook, there are some culinary tasks that I just really dislike.  Luckily, I’ve found some amazing shortcuts for each that you should know about (if you don’t already):

1.  Frozen Chopped Onions

Chopping onions is at the top of my list of hated kitchen tasks.  I’ve tried every trick in the book to keep from crying while I chop, but none of them work.  I remember one particular time I made Crockpot Beef with Onions, a recipe that called for about 6 or 7 sliced onions.  My eyes burned for HOURS after I finished slicing those onions.

So what’s a girl to do?  A younger onion hating version of myself would have simply left the onions out.  I used to do that regularly.  But I now believe strongly in the flavor a little bit of onion can add to a dish.

Enter Frozen Chopped Onions.  What a lifesaver!   Less than a dollar for a 12 ounce bag (maybe around $.80?), and worth every penny in my opinion!

2. Minced Garlic

I also really dislike mincing garlic.  It gets all sticky and leaves my hands smelling for hours.  (Yes, I know there are tricks for that too, like rubbing your hands with coffee grounds.  But then your hands smell like coffee.)  I know there is something to be said for freshly minced garlic, but that big jar of already minced garlic is a great substitute!  You can find it in the produce section.  Note of caution: I’ve also seen some teeny tiny jars of minced garlic on the Italian foods isle…that cost way more money for way less garlic.

3.  Ginger in a Tube

I LOVE using fresh ginger, but trying to peel it and grate it or mince it can be tricky.  And supposedly you can freeze whatever you have left, but I always forget when I’ve done that and buy more anyway.  I’ve found this pre-minced ginger in a tube that I think is fantastic!  You just squeeze out a tablespoon or however much you need.  Done and done.  This does have an expiration date, but I typically go through it faster than it expires.  I find this in the produce section in my grocery store.

Do you have any kitchen shortcuts that you can’t live without?