More on food

If you are catering and using large pans, fill them with boiling water for an hour before adding food to keep the contents hot.

This method was used by restaurant caterers to maintain heat in large cambros.

one person who lived it

Sharpen one knife by running its blade up and down the back of another knife at a 45-degree angle, pulling towards you.

This causes the material's atoms to align and eventually gets rid of microscopic dents.

• Use carefully.

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Cut the onion submerged in water to prevent sulfur compounds from reaching your eyes.

The water dissolves the sulfur compounds so they do not enter the air.

• Some sources suggest adding vinegar or other acids, though plain water is sufficient for some.
• Running water is suggested by some articles but may be impractical.

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Inspect dried beans for stones and debris before washing to avoid damaging teeth.

Foreign debris like stones can be found in about 10% of batches.

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Do not use a vacuum sealer on shredded cheese.

Removing the air causes it to become a fat, lumpy mass.

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Ask for lettuce to be added last when ordering a Subway sandwich to prevent it from taking up too much space.

If added earlier, half of the sandwich can become just lettuce.

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Wear gloves when handling spicy or smelly foods to avoid lingering odors on your hands.

It prevents unpleasant smells like garlic from staying on your fingers for days.

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Use a hard plastic egg carrier with stacked trays and handles to transport deviled eggs without jostling.

The container sits flat and prevents the eggs from getting messy in the car.

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Wrap a turkey in bacon before roasting to keep it moist.

Bacon helps retain moisture even if the bird is overcooked.

• The bacon shrinks as it cooks and might fall off.

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Braise the turkey in a large Dutch oven.

It is considered a foolproof cooking method.

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Use an air fryer to make crispy fries at home.

One person found this ability helps a lot.

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Gently blow into a hard, crunchy cookie when taking a bite.

It will soften up.

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Place a plate or weight on corn soaking in water to keep the ears submerged.

Corn tends to float.

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Tie a piece of string to the tab hole of specific cans to mark them as distinct from others.

It marks the odd ones out with less work than marking the majority.

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Peel off the bad outer layers of lettuce or onions, rinse the remaining parts, and consume them.

Often only the outer leaves or skin have gone bad.

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Cook bacon on a George Foreman-style grill for more flavor and less grease than pan frying.

It is more flavorful than baking and less greasy than pan frying; it also reduces splatter and prevents curling.

2 people, independently

Work near the location where the onions will be used so you can move them away from you quickly after cutting.

This allows you to get the onions away from you faster.

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Reheat leftover pizza in a cast iron skillet preheated in the oven to restore a crispy crust.

Crispy crust again!

2 people, independently

Cook chicken breasts in a covered dish with water or broth and a stick of butter to keep them juicy.

Without added liquid, the meat might be dry; the liquid allows it to become tender as it cools.

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Spin an egg on a flat surface, stop it abruptly with your finger, and release it; if it starts spinning again, it is raw.

The fluid inside a raw egg continues rotating after the shell stops.

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• Rotate an egg sideways to check if it is raw or cooked; uncooked ones wobble, while boiled ones turn smoothly.3

When baking brownies from a mix, increase the temperature to 375°F and decrease the cooking time by 25% to get a gooey center.

Following box instructions will likely overcook them.

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Pull individual slices apart pole to pole to prevent dripping.

You won't get drips.

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Use briquettes strictly for heat in a smoker and add wood chips or chunks for flavor.

Briquettes provide consistent temperature and burn for better fire control.

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Verify with a thermometer that your Instant Pot reaches 180 degrees before adding the starter, as the 'Yogurt (high)' setting may fail to denature proteins properly.

if the protein is not denatured, the yogurt will not thicken right

• some Instant Pots do not always get to the necessary temperature

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To avoid bitterness, cool boiled water by mixing in a bit of room temperature water before steeping green tea for two minutes.

One person found this method produced a good result immediately.

one person who lived it

Rinse rice before cooking and check for stones.

Rinsing makes a dramatic difference in quality; stones are rare but possible.

one person who lived it

• Rinse rice before cooking to improve quality.1

Tap a buttered knife into the top crust of pancakes to create slits before adding syrup.

This exposes the light fluffy interior so the syrup can soak in while preserving the crispy bottom.

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Do not leave the room while actively cooking to monitor progress and prevent accidents.

For best results.

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Render bacon fat in a cast iron skillet before adding vegetables to add to flavor, improve the sear, and help season the skillet.

It adds extra flavor, helps season the skillet, and improves the sear.

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If you fear using a pressure cooker, practice until you become comfortable with it.

One person reported that overcoming the fear of its noise allowed them to use it frequently.

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Keep onion slices together in your hand or on the board while cutting to contain the gases.

Holding the onion together prevents gases released by initial cuts from escaping into the air.

• May only decrease tears rather than stop them completely if it fails.

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Pan-fry onions in curry powder before adding other ingredients to your slow cooker dish.

This activates the spices and prevents a raw, powdery taste.

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Brush bread with grapeseed oil and sprinkle with parmesan or Romano cheese instead of using butter or mayonnaise for grilling.

It avoids the need to eat mayonnaise.

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Sprinkle paprika on top of deviled eggs.

for color and flavor

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If you want to increase the volume of eggs for an omelette, beat them vigorously with a milkshake machine to inject air.

Injecting air increases the volume of the egg.

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Throw a few cocktail napkins into your takeout container.

They soak up condensation and keep food crispy.

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Cook stir-fry vegetables in small batches to avoid a soggy, slimy result.

Throwing all vegetables in at once results in a large, soggy pile.

one person who lived it

Place an empty container on a scale, hit tare, and measure ingredients directly into it to avoid math.

It simplifies the process.

one person who lived it

Limit the liquid added to food in a solar oven because liquid does not escape.

resulting in more gravy than expected

one person who lived it

Reheat pizza in a toaster oven to crisp the crust and heat toppings sufficiently.

It heats up fast, does not require preheating if short on time, and can make it taste even better than when bought.

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Place two slices of bread in a single toaster slot and use the bagel setting to toast only the outer surfaces.

The inner surfaces remain soft enough to absorb condiments while the toasted exterior provides structural integrity.

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If you load your sandwich with many ingredients, center them in the middle to prevent fallout when biting.

Gripping the sandwich pushes outward-centered ingredients out.

one person who lived it

Consider using a popcorn maker to roast coffee beans for more even roasting than a frying pan.

Even roasting is difficult to get with standard pans, and a popcorn maker may accomplish this depending on desired darkness.

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Scald milk by heating it to denature proteins before adding starter to prevent whey separation in yogurt.

Heating causes proteins to denature (unfold), which prevents whey from separating.

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Rinse can lids before opening them to remove accumulated dust, even if purchased recently.

Cans may have been sitting on shelves collecting dust for an unknown amount of time.

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Mash cold spread onto a flat plastic bag, then flick or roll the spread off the bag onto the bread.

one person who lived it

Toast English muffins before cooking fillings and assembling frozen breakfast sandwiches.

Prevents the muffins from becoming chewy and hard upon reheating.

one person who lived it

Broil pizza rolls briefly after microwaving or baking to toast any leaked filling.

Toasted pizza sauce is flavorful.

one person who lived it

Add extra cinnamon filling to each muffin tin cup before placing the cinnamon roll inside so it caramelizes in the oven.

It makes the result insanely good.

one person who lived it

Drizzle balsamic vinegar generously on asparagus at the end of cooking.

Adds good flavor.

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Measure ingredients by weight rather than volume for consistent baking results.

Weight provides better consistency.

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Spoon flour gently into measuring cups rather than scooping directly, to avoid compaction.

Scooping repeatedly compacts the flour, leading to inaccurate measures.

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Place asparagus perpendicular to the grill grate direction to prevent rolling and avoid the need for skewering.

No mucking about skewering

one person who lived it

Sprinkle brown sugar and/or red pepper flakes (or cayenne) on bacon before baking to add flavor and crispiness.

for added success, nice crispy unfurled pieces, or to make 'Millionaire Bacon'

one person who lived it

Baste vegetables like asparagus with bacon grease before grilling.

It makes them delicious.

one person who lived it

Eat tuna fish for lunch to result in less grogginess compared to meat-heavy meals.

It results in less grogginess.

one person who lived it

Season black beans with Tajin for added flavor.

It elevates the dish.

• This reflects one person's preference.

one person who lived it

Chop spinach very finely before cooking it into bean dishes to mask the taste.

The fine chop makes the taste disappear, especially after cooking.

• This is based on one person's experience who dislikes raw spinach.

one person who lived it

Dumpster dive to add variety to your food sources.

It can be fun and adds variety.

one person who lived it

Serve habanero mustard with finger foods.

It is hot and pairs well with them.

one person who lived it

Use lots of fresh herbs when making turkey stock.

It helps make amazing homemade stock.

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Add lemon juice to any soup.

It improves the taste.

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Roast cabbage in slices like Brussels sprouts for a tasty side dish.

Tastes almost the same.

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Add salt at the start of cooking tough root vegetables if you want them to cook faster.

Salt helps cell walls break down quickly.

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Blend two slices of white bread with crusts removed into soup or sauce to thicken it without using dairy.

• Useful if you cannot handle dairy

one person who lived it

Layer meat and vegetables with liquid in a slow cooker in the morning to have dinner ready when you return home.

It requires minimal effort.

2 people, independently

Add flax seed to anything you're cooking for Omega 3s.

Flax seeds are high in Omega 3s.

one person who lived it

Avoid putting cabbage in stock.

It makes the stock very bitter due to chemical reactions.

one person who lived it

Add jalapeno or crushed red pepper to meals.

It makes the food so much better.

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Add thyme, black pepper, paprika, and a tiny bit of cayenne to bean and bacon soup.

One cook found this combination incredible.

one person who lived it

Add dried mushrooms from Asian markets to chicken stock to add umami richness.

They provide extra umami richness and are cost-effective.

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Mix a small amount of mayonnaise into sour cream and soup mix dip before serving.

This prevents the sour cream from overwhelming the seasoning.

one person who lived it

Blend whole spices and herbs in a blender until powdery to create custom mixes.

It is cheap, easy, and delicious.

one person who lived it

Add garbanzo beans to instant rice to increase the nutritional value and substance of the meal.

It pumps up the nutritional value.

one person who lived it

Sauté onions, garlic, and peppers as a base for beans to add to flavor.

Using a sofrito or refogo base improves taste.

one person who lived it

Make soup from scratch instead of buying canned or refrigerated versions.

It is better in quality and cheaper than store-bought alternatives.

one person who lived it

Add chopped okra early in the cooking process so it dissolves and thickens the dish.

It adds a depth of flavor that is difficult to get otherwise.

one person who lived it

Keep powdered milk on hand as a useful staple.

it is useful

one person who lived it

Make homemade hamburger helper by browning ground beef with seasonings, simmering egg noodles in water with bouillon, mustard, and ketchup, then stirring in sour cream.

It creates a cheaper, larger meal than boxed mixes.

one person who lived it

Add beans and lentils to potato-based meals.

To increase protein content.

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Use smaller plates and bowls to engage sight, and add fragrant ingredients like zest, cinnamon, peppers, or broth to engage scent.

Satisfying multiple senses before tasting helps hunger become easier to satiate.

one person who lived it

Mix tuna, mayonnaise, macaroni, and sweet pickles into a salad and eat it the following day for better flavor.

It tastes best when eaten the next day.

one person who lived it

Add a small pinch of nutmeg to sauces.

It enhances the flavor profile.

one person who lived it

Use Knorr tomato bouillon to color and flavor rice for bean dishes.

It gives the rice an orange-ish color and is described as a secret to great rice in Mexican restaurants.

one person who lived it

Start with simple recipes like mug brownies, grilled cheese, omelettes, or spaghetti.

It builds cooking confidence.

one person who lived it

Buy a rice cooker to simplify cooking, save time and dishes, and ensure consistently well-cooked rice.

It reduces effort and produces reliable results.

one person who lived it

Simmer a parmesan rind in pasta sauce to add to the flavor.

2 people, independently

Use garlic, cumin, and Italian seasoning mix to add to the flavor of home-cooked meals.

These spices make everything taste better.

one person who lived it

Trust tested recipes in good cookbooks over random internet recipes.

Cookbook recipes are tested and known to work, whereas internet recipes can be hit or miss.

one person who lived it

Chew raw asparagus stems as far down as physically possible.

It strengthens jaw muscles and avoids wasting edible parts.

one person who lived it

Season sliced tomatoes with salt and olive oil to add to their flavor.

Salt interacts with glutamate in tomatoes to improve flavor.

one person who lived it

Add alfalfa sprouts to various dishes if you want to experiment with flavor.

One person found them delicious and versatile.

one person who lived it

Simmer vegetable stock for about 45 minutes instead of several hours.

Vegetables do not require long boiling times to release flavor.

one person who lived it

Avoid using large quantities of cilantro powder to prevent bitterness.

Large quantities make food bitter.

one person who lived it

Try simple Indian vegetarian recipes like Toor Daal for diverse, filling meat-free meals.

Indian cuisine offers food diversity and is recommended for those eating vegetables.

one person who lived it

Make gravy from turkey drippings by whisking flour into the juices until thickened.

It is frugal and utilizes delicious juices.

• Some recipes use cornstarch, broth, and offal for more nuance.

2 people, independently

Squeeze lemon juice into Harira or similar stews before eating for extra flavor.

For extra pizzazz.

one person who lived it

Combine boiled ramen with sautéed vegetables from a food pantry to create a vegetarian meal that meets most nutritional requirements.

It hits most nutritional requirements.

one person who lived it

Keep backups of versatile staples you already eat regularly, such as lentils, rice, and canned tomatoes, rather than stockpiling new items.

These items are generally versatile and you know you will eat them.

one person who lived it

Brush tomato paste onto vegetables before roasting them for stock.

It achieves a deeper flavor profile.

one person who lived it

Combine potatoes with tiny slivers of meat, onion, and milk in a bowl to make scalloped potatoes.

one person who lived it

Add canned gravy to turkey sandwiches for an affordable meal.

one person who lived it

Simmer pork loin in milk until tender, allowing the milk to reduce into a caramelized, custardy sauce.

The milk tenderizes the lean meat and transforms into a concentrated sauce.

one person who lived it

Buy live calves locally until you gain experience rather than attempting to raise them yourself.

Manufacturing calves involves dangerous interactions with bulls or invasive procedures on large animals.

one person who lived it

Buy dry beans instead of canned beans to save money.

Bags of beans are cheaper than canned beans.

one person who lived it

Buy one-pound boxes of spices from food service warehouses instead of small supermarket jars.

They cost the same as 1-ounce jars in supermarkets.

one person who lived it

Buy unsliced smoked turkey from restaurant supply stores and cut it into portions to freeze.

The price per pound is lower than sliced grocery store options.

one person who lived it

Use a bread maker to mix flour, water, yeast, olive oil, and salt for pizza dough by pressing a button.

It produces enough dough for two pizzas and is described as much better than other methods.

one person who lived it

Ignore arbitrary sell-by or use-by dates on bread and rely on taste and smell to determine if it is still good.

Bread is not automatically bad just because a date has passed.

• Be smart about safety.

one person who lived it

Purchase dry beans at dollar stores when listed as special buys.

They can be a good price.

one person who lived it

Buy double loaves of Dave's Killer Bread at Costco for a lower price per loaf than typical grocery stores.

Double loaves cost around $9 at Costco versus $6 each at other stores.

one person who lived it

Find out where the largest local ethnic minority shops, as it is usually cheaper than big-name stores.

It's usually cheaper than the big names.

one person who lived it

Buy frozen fruit at the dollar store if available, as it offers a great deal for smoothies and snacks.

4 people, independently

Sort through dented and bruised produce in deeply discounted sections to find good items.

It is worth the effort to find gems among the damaged goods.

one person who lived it

Buy overripe bananas at half price specifically for freezing and baking.

Many stores sell overripe bananas for a huge savings on discount produce shelves.

one person who lived it

Purchase the largest bag of regular rice available at the grocery store for better value.

The biggest bag costs $10 and yields approximately one hundred servings.

one person who lived it

Knead fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme into store-bought pizza dough before baking to create a flavorful crust that mimics homemade quality.

Guests were convinced the dough was homemade and raved about the result.

one person who lived it

Buy Daniel Boone Inn sliced country ham at the dollar store for high-quality meat at a low price.

The ham is described as very good quality and dirt cheap compared to typical country ham prices.

one person who lived it

Ask a bakery to slice a loaf horizontally and lengthwise, roll it with filling, refrigerate it wrapped in plastic, and slice into spirals for fancy sandwiches.

It yields more individual sandwiches at the same cost and looks fancy.

one person who lived it

Focus on buying dry rice, beans, onions, and potatoes over canned foods, storing onions and potatoes separately.

They do not need refrigeration.

one person who lived it

Cook 1-2 extra servings with every meal to use as portion-controlled lunches.

It saves money on daily food costs.

one person who lived it

When dining with a toddler, ask for their meal to be served alongside the adult entrees rather than first.

Children may lose interest, get bored, and become difficult if they finish eating before the adults.

• This is based on one person's experience with their kids.

one person who lived it

Use grocery pickup apps to sort products by price and review your total before checkout to avoid impulse buys.

It helps you find the best deals and reduces impulse buying.

one person who lived it

Use the McDonald's app to find coupons for free fries or discounted multi-burger deals, then combine them with low-cost drinks and sides for a cheap meal.

Combining these specific deals results in a very low total cost for multiple items.

one person who lived it

Bring lunch to work to avoid paying for meals.

packed food tastes better than eating out regularly

one person who lived it

If receiving excess food gifts, freeze portions in a silicone muffin pan to create single-serving lunches.

It creates perfect lunch portions and allows you to appreciate the gift.

one person who lived it

Plan meals that you actually really like eating.

It resists the temptation of impulse restaurant meals.

one person who lived it

Check grocery store circulars for offers that provide free items when purchasing a certain amount of food.

Stores often run promotions giving free goods with large purchases.

one person who lived it

Call local food pantries to ask about fresh produce availability.

Some pantries have excess fresh produce that they cannot distribute before it spoils.

one person who lived it

If someone covers your meal, offer to pay the tip yourself by expressing gratitude for the covered meal and noting that you wish to keep a good reputation with the staff.

To keep a good reputation management and express appreciation for the covered meal.

one person who lived it

Limit eating out or takeaway to a maximum of four times per month.

one person who lived it

Check if local temples serve prasadham (religious offerings).

They are totally free.

one person who lived it

Visit a local Sikh temple (Gurudwara) for free hot meals, as they welcome everyone without judgment.

3 people, independently

If the children's menu is unsatisfactory, ask if the restaurant will provide a smaller 'starter' portion of a main meal.

Some restaurants offer this as a smaller and cheaper alternative when kids' options are poor.

one person who lived it

Stop buying or buy less of any vegetable that you typically toss away.

This eliminates food waste rather than eliminating foods entirely.

one person who lived it

Include the business name in delivery notes for orders sent to commercial addresses.

Business signs are often larger than street or suite numbers, which helps drivers locate the building faster.

one person who lived it

Lower your expectations for food by viewing it merely as sustenance to keep you alive rather than a composed meal.

one person who lived it

Donate items directly to the Gurdwara.

It will be appreciated.

one person who lived it

Order sushi, real French fries, or complicated bakery items from restaurants.

These items require skills or equipment not typically available at home.

one person who lived it

Order appetizers from Asian or Indian restaurants, as they tend to be more reasonably priced than those at pubs or general restaurants.

they tend to be more reasonably priced

one person who lived it

Filter cheap vodka through a Brita filter 14 times to improve its taste.

It is supposed to taste like expensive vodka.

one person who lived it

Blend leftover cold coffee with cream and sweetener to make an inexpensive iced coffee treat.

It was surprising how good it tasted and how inexpensive it was.

• One user expressed hesitation about drinking coffee that has been saved for up to six days.

one person who lived it

Mix pickle brine with vodka and sparkling water to make a non-sweet alcoholic drink.

It avoids the sweetness found in many other drinks.

one person who lived it

Make homemade mayonnaise by processing 1 egg yolk, about 1/2 tsp salt, about 1 tsp lemon juice, about 1 tsp mustard, and 1 tbsp water, then slowly drizzling in a cup of oil while the processor is running.

It is cheap and takes about 2 minutes.

one person who lived it

Do not tap the top of a shaken soda can to prevent exploding, as this method does not remove bubbles stuck to the sides.

Hitting the top vibrates the side but does not knock the bubbles off.

one person who lived it

Substitute pickle brine for olive brine in dirty martinis when olive juice runs out.

One person found it phenomenal and their new go-to drink.

one person who lived it

Use an immersion heater/circulator in a water bath with quart canning jars to heat and ferment homemade yogurt without needing to watch or wash a pot.

It eliminates the need for constant monitoring and washing pots, replacing older methods like using a picnic cooler with warm water.

one person who lived it

Make your own marinara sauce using tomato, garlic, basil, and salt to save money.

It is cheaper to make yourself than to buy.

one person who lived it

Place diet and regular soda cans in water to distinguish them by buoyancy.

Diet soda cans float while regular soda cans sink due to density differences.

one person who lived it

Buy double-concentrate tomato paste in tubes instead of cans to reduce waste and improve storage.

It adds extra flavor intensity and the tube format prevents wasting half the product, potentially paying for itself.

one person who lived it

Use distilled or chlorine-free water when brewing kombucha.

Chlorine can interfere with fermentation.

one person who lived it

Pour wine into an empty spaghetti sauce jar and shake to retrieve remaining sauce.

Tomatoes contain alcohol-soluble flavors that add another dimension when using wine.

one person who lived it

Make lemonade with basil.

It's really refreshing.

one person who lived it

Add frozen grapes to fizzy water or soda for a refreshing drink.

3 people, independently

Cut lemons and limes lengthwise from end to end rather than across the middle to extract more juice and prevent squirting.

Lengthwise cutting yields more juice and reduces splashing into eyes.

• One user prefers cutting limes across the middle to avoid the tough white lining.

one person who lived it

Suck on frozen grapes until they thaw slightly before eating them whole.

Eating them fully frozen may hurt teeth.

3 people, independently

Pre-freeze coffee mugs to serve ice cream in.

It prevents the ice cream from melting as quickly.

one person who lived it

Eat bananas that still have a little green in the tips for a less mushy texture and slight tartness.

This stage is described as having the best taste.

one person who lived it

Thaw turkey in cold water rather than an ice bath.

An ice bath will not thaw the bird.

one person who lived it

Choose seedless red or green grapes for freezing; avoid globe or black grapes.

Globe and black grapes do not freeze well.

one person who lived it

Freeze pepper jack cheese slices before shredding them.

Freezing makes the cheese brittle and easier to shred.

one person who lived it

Wash and dry seedless grapes thoroughly before freezing.

They will freeze with a sorbet or sherbet texture rather than becoming icy.

2 people, independently

Freeze roasted Hatch chiles in ice cube trays for practical storage.

It is much more practical.

one person who lived it

Make loaves of banana, zucchini, or carrot bread, slice them, and freeze them airtight.

To use up excess zucchini; it thaws fantastic.

2 people, independently

Roast beets whole instead of boiling them.

Roasting results in a sweeter taste and better color retention.

one person who lived it

Include canned or frozen produce in your diet alongside fresh items.

Blanching and freezing preserve nutrients that break down as produce ripens on shelves, while fresh produce retains nutrients that processing might remove.

one person who lived it

Clean grapes, coat them in Jell-O powder, and freeze them for a tart-sweet snack.

5 people, independently

Add a small amount of water to leftover wine before freezing it into cubes.

This helps the wine freeze properly and prevents the cubes from becoming slushy.

one person who lived it

Buy commercially flash-frozen fruit for better texture.

Flash freezing creates smaller ice crystals, causing less cellular rupture in the fruit compared to slow domestic freezing.

one person who lived it

Select pineapples that yield slightly to pressure.

A slight squeeze indicates the rind has dispersed sugars and nutrients into the fruit.

one person who lived it

Add milk or cream to dishes only after defrosting them from the freezer.

Adding dairy before freezing causes it to separate.

one person who lived it

Let citrus sit at room temperature for twenty minutes before juicing to improve yield.

Warmth loosens the juice; this achieves similar results to microwaving but slower.

one person who lived it

Fry ripe bananas in butter until caramelized, refrigerate, and serve with custard sauce.

This method keeps the bananas good for at least a few days.

one person who lived it

Freeze other fruits like peaches, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, orange slices, or mandarin segments for snacking or chilling drinks.

These fruits provide similar benefits or add to beverages like coffee and sangria.

6 people, independently

Select avocados with smooth skin rather than wrinkly skin for a creamier texture.

Wrinkly skin indicates less fat and more water content.

one person who lived it

Try bananas at various stages of ripeness, from under-ripe to over-ripe, to find a texture without sliminess.

Somewhere in that spectrum, there is likely a point with no sliminess.

one person who lived it

Expect variable bread quality at Subway due to fresh preparation.

The bread is freshly made rather than pre-baked, which can result in either poor or exceptional quality.

one person who lived it

View kneading bread as a workout and stress relief.

It provides physical exercise and emotional release.

one person who lived it

Avoid microwaving citrus if preserving fresh flavor and tartness is a priority.

Heat causes citric acid to break down, reducing tartness and altering flavor.

2 people, independently

Be patient when regrowing plants.

You may not notice growth for days before it suddenly explodes.

one person who lived it

Be aware that cilantro bolts easily.

Once it flowers, it loses its flavor.

one person who lived it

Accept that managing avocado ripeness is difficult and adapt your plans around when they are ready rather than trying to force control.

one person who lived it

Strip old seasoning from cast iron pans by spraying them with heavy-duty oven cleaner, placing them in a plastic bag, and leaving them overnight.

The lye in the cleaner turns tough seasoning into sludge.

one person who lived it

Use cooking spray rather than plain vegetable oil in a spray bottle.

Cooking spray contains lecithin, which helps adhere fats to surfaces.

one person who lived it

Clean oil spray nozzles regularly to remove buildup that causes clogging.

Oil creates buildup that clogs the nozzle, making it difficult to clean and use properly.

one person who lived it

Use wooden spoons or rubber spatulas with nonstick electric skillets to avoid scratching the surface with metal utensils.

Metal spoons scratch nonstick finishes quickly.

one person who lived it

Buy Trader Joe's White Cheddar Mac & Cheese.

It is Annie's repackaged at a lower price.

one person who lived it

Use preserves instead of jam for yogurt if you want more chunky goodness.

More chunky goodness.

one person who lived it

if you prefer better-tasting tea and butter, try Yorkshire Gold tea and Cornish butter

they taste better than PG Tips

one person who lived it

Use the specific type of sugar called for in a recipe rather than substituting white for brown or vice versa.

Molasses in brown sugar affects texture, making cookies chewier; using the wrong sugar can cause cakes to melt into goop.

one person who lived it

Mix Rooster Sauce (Sriracha) with Ranch dressing to create a Yum Yum sauce substitute.

One person found this mixture tastes better than the original.

one person who lived it

Consider Burger King, Wendy's, or Arby's instead of McDonald's for better deals.

McDonald's quality has declined and prices have risen since their dollar menu ended over 5 years ago.

one person who lived it

Try Better Than Bouillon as a flavor base, remembering to refrigerate it after opening.

It is described as tasty.

• Must be refrigerated after opening.

one person who lived it

Make your own frosting instead of buying canned versions.

Homemade frosting is better quality.

one person who lived it

Use powdered peanut butter as a lower-calorie alternative to regular peanut butter.

It has fewer calories because the oil is removed.

one person who lived it

Try Brummel and Brown yogurt-based margarine as a butter alternative.

It tastes better than butter.

one person who lived it

If you want fluffier pancakes, try using vinegar as a substitute for buttermilk.

The vinegar makes the pancakes fluffier and the taste is not detectable.

one person who lived it

Use milk as the base for sausage gravy if that is your family's tradition.

one person who lived it