Back when I was a college student, I used to joke that if I could cook anything better than instant noodles, I’d feel like a culinary genius. Fast forward a few years, and I’ve picked up some tricks that may have taken my kitchen game from barely edible to downright impressive (my mom taught me some, too).

If you’re someone who loves to experiment in the kitchen or just wants to make cooking a bit easier and more fun, then you’re in for a treat.

Here are 11 strange but amazing cooking hacks that will transform how you cook and hopefully add a twist to your culinary adventures.

1. Flavor Your Pasta Water with a Stock Cube

The first hack is a game-changer for pasta lovers like me! Instead of just boiling your pasta in plain water, drop a chicken stock cube into the pot.

Two magical things come from this: it infuses the pasta with a rich, savory flavor and enhances any sauce you make by using the starchy, flavorful pasta water.

It’s like a double dose of umami goodness.

If you don’t have any stock cubes on hand, then throw in some herbs like thyme or rosemary into the water. The flavor will be subtle, but it will be there.

Trust me, once you try either of these hacks, you’ll never go back to plain water again. Sure, it’s such a simple step, but it makes such a significant difference to the final dish.

2. Scissors for Cutting Chicken

Last week I had a few friends over for dinner. Of course, I was delayed and only started cooking when they arrived.

But they gave me such strange looks for this hack: Use a pair of scissors to cut through chicken.

Scissors make it so much easier to cut through the meat and remove any veins. And if you’re a hazard to yourself when using a knife, this is a quicker and safer way.

It also makes snipping herbs or cutting up bacon into small pieces so much easier, too.

Trust me, go and get yourself a pair of chicken scissors.

3. Neutral Oil for Hot Peppers

As someone who wears contact lenses, this hack changed everything for me. I love cooking spicy food, but I also tend to rub my eyes a lot.

So, cutting up hot peppers can be a risky business for me.

But here’s the trick: when you’re done cutting your peppers or chili, rub a little neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil) on your hands, and then wash them with dish soap.

What’s the logic behind this hack?

The capsaicin found in peppers binds with the oil, and the soap washes it all away.

I guarantee you, there will be no more burning sensations or unfortunate bathroom incidents later. It’s a small step that can save you a lot of discomfort, making your pepper-prepping experience that much better.

4. Orange Juice in Baked Goods

Baked goods are the way to my heart.

But did you know that adding a splash of orange juice to your pumpkin or banana bread really heightens the flavor?

How?

The acidity in the citrus adds a subtle tang that balances out the spices and sweetness. Just a little amount can make a big difference.

Give it a try next time you’re baking some banana bread and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the bold banana flavor.

Those little citrus notes add a layer of complexity that will make your baked goods rival professional breads.

5. Baking Powder for Crispy Chicken Skin

Who doesn’t love crispy chicken skin?

Lucky for you, here’s a hack to ensure you have exactly that.

Before roasting your chicken, sprinkle a little baking powder over the skin.

Why?

The baking powder helps to draw out moisture from the chicken, resulting in a crispy finish.

It’s a simple trick of the trade that’s going to make the chicken look and taste as though it’s been cooked by a professional chef.

Yum.

6. Lemon Zest in Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is already delicious as is, and it’s a staple in my home.

But recently I’ve learned that adding a bit of lemon zest to your garlic butter can actually elevate it to a whole new level.

The zest adds a fresh citrus note that pairs perfectly with the rich garlic flavor.

It’s a tiny addition, but it packs a punch and a half.

7. Frozen Chopped Onions

I love eating home-cooked meals, but sometimes I just don’t have the time to deal with the preparation of it all.

Buying frozen chopped onions actually costs less than buying them fresh.

Also, did you know that frozen veggies are often more nutritious because they’re frozen within hours of being harvested?

This applies to other frozen fruits and vegetables, too. Farmed food meant for the freezer is prepared and frozen at peak freshness, making it a convenient and healthy option.

So, grab a bag or two and save yourself the time and energy (and tears, when it comes to the onions).

8. Big Cutting Boards

This one sounds a bit silly, but trust me, it will make a difference.

I had a tiny kitchen when I was at college, but investing in the biggest cutting board that I could fit onto my counter was the biggest change.

Having that ample space to work saved me time and reduced the risk of accidents in the kitchen. It’s actually incredible how much more efficient you can be when you’re not trying to chop vegetables on a tiny board.

Remember, with more room to work, you can prep multiple ingredients at once, making your cooking process smoother and more enjoyable.

9. Frozen Ginger

Yes, it’s another frozen tip.

Keep ginger in the freezer and use a grater to grate it into your dishes. You don’t even need to peel it first as there’s a lot of flavor in the skin, too.

Just wash the ginger before getting it into the freezer, and grate as you need it.

The logic: frozen ginger lasts longer and is easier to handle, making it perfect for adding a burst of flavor to sauces, stir-fries, and more.

This hack also means that you’ll always have fresh ginger available without worrying about it going bad.

10. Vegetable Scraps for Stock

Sustainability, my friends. Don’t throw away those vegetable scraps!

Save your onion skins, your garlic ends, bell pepper heads, carrot peels, celery leaves, herb stalks, tomato cores, and even mushroom stems if you don’t use them.

Keep all items in a freezer bag, and constantly add to the bag until it’s full.

When it’s full, turn the scraps into your homemade vegetable stock.

Why?

Because this stock can be used to cook rice, quinoa, lentils, and more, ensuring that extra flavor is added to your dishes.

It’s a win-win for your kitchen and for the environment. But also, making your own stock allows you to control the seasoning and ingredients, ensuring a healthier and personalized stock.

11. Microwaving Your Potatoes

Look, I love my microwave. It makes my life so much easier, especially when it comes to speeding up the process of cooking potatoes.

For baked potatoes, just wrap them up in plastic wrap and microwave them for 5 minutes before throwing them into the oven for 15 minutes.

They’ll be perfectly cooked in a fraction of the time, but with all the satisfaction of a long cook.

For crispy breakfast potatoes, toss chopped potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then microwave with a lid for 5 minutes before crisping them up in a cast-iron pan or the oven.

It’s a quick and easy way to get delicious potatoes every time.

Save your own time, guys.

These hacks may seem a bit unconventional, but they’ve changed the way I cook for the better. From enhancing flavors to saving time, these tricks have made my kitchen adventures more successful.

Give them a try, and you might find a new favorite technique to add to your culinary repertoire. Cooking can be fun and creative, find your own niche.

Happy cooking, and let me know how these hacks work for you!

If you enjoyed this article, read about how a woman transformed a couch into something profitable.

My Stepmother ‘Gifted’ Me an Old, Smelly Couch — When She Saw What I Did With It, She Demanded $2,500 From Me

When Nicole’s stepmother calls her saying that she has a gift for her, Nicole goes over excitedly. But when she discovers what the gift is, Nicole is torn between keeping her father happy or retaliating. Finally, she accepts it and plans to transform it into something completely different. In the end Nicole is ready to claim the rewards of her hard work.

Ever have one of those moments where you should’ve just trusted your gut? Yep, that was me, standing in my stepmother’s basement, staring at the ugliest, smelliest couch I’d ever seen.

My stepmother, Susan, called me earlier that morning with a grand gesture for my birthday. She insisted that she had a “priceless” gift that was too big for her to move alone.

“You’re going to love it, Nicole!” she said. “It’s absolutely priceless! Come over later today, and we’ll show it to you.”

Now, this is the point when I tell you that Susan and I had never been close. In fact, if I’m being honest, she barely tolerated my existence. So, imagine my absolute surprise when she offered me a gift.

“Curiosity killed the cat, Nic,” I said to myself as I got into the car.

I just wanted to see what it was, and I hoped that, for once, she might actually be genuine.

So, I get to my dad’s house, and he tells me that Susan’s busy.

“She’s sorting out the basement, honey,” he said. “Susan is finally cleaning out her clutter. It’s about time, to be honest. Come, have a cup of tea.”

“No, let me check out the gift first, Dad,” I said. “I’m so curious!”

He chuckled, oblivious to my nerves. Susan had a knack for random gifts. Last year, she gave me water bottles and socks for my birthday. I wondered if this year would be any different.

Read the full story here.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.