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?