7 shortcuts for home cooking

These tips from the kitchen will have you cleaned up and out of there in no time.

1. You can eliminate washing bowls, spoons and even pots by marinating meats and poultry in large self-sealing plastic bags. Open the bag and pour in the liquids and seasonings — soy sauce, ketchup, ground ginger, black pepper, crushed garlic, herbs, and so on. Zip the bag shut and shake it to blend. Now add the meat, zip the bag and shake. Refrigerate six to eight hours or overnight. Occasionally take the bag out of the fridge and shake it to redistribute the marinade.

2. Dab a bit of butter onto the spout of your creamer or milk pitcher and you'll put an end to the drips and dribbles.

3. Sticky liquids like honey and syrup are tough to measure and pour, and a little always remains behind. Oiling the measuring cup will make it harder for viscous liquids to stick and will give you a more accurate serving.

4. Want salt to stick better to hot-air popcorn? Give it something to cling to by lightly coating just-popped corn with vegetable-based cooking spray. Avoid olive oil cooking spray because the flavour can overpower the popcorn's taste.

5. Ginger ale will perk up tomato sauces, but be careful not to overdo it. A third of a cup of ginger ale added to a medium-size saucepan of marinara or a tomato juice–based beef stew will subtly enhance the flavour.

6. For fresher flavour in orange juice, add the juice of one lemon per two litres (half gallon). By the glass, squeeze in the juice of a quarter lemon, then set the rind on the rim for a bit of flair.

7. Bet you didn't know how easy it is to make your own garlic-flavoured potato chips. Just place a peeled garlic clove in a bag of plain chips, fasten the bag shut with a clamp or clothespin, and let sit for six to eight hours; shake the bag occasionally to even out the flavour. Open the bag, discard the clove, and crunch away.

These helpful cooking shortcuts will get you out of the kitchen faster, perk up your favourite recipes and have your family wanting more.

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