Easy cooking hacks for when you are always this close to loosing it.
Some kitchen hacks and pantry tips for when you are hanging on by a thin thin thread.
Hello guys, happy 2024. Like most substacks I’ve been taking a break – not from burnout – but I don’t want to write things and pop into your inbox unless I have something useful or interesting enough to contribute. You know I overshare enough on my Instagram already.
This comes to the topic of today! I’ve been randomly putting out some cooking hot tips as my rec on PI’s. latest site and fully enjoying things I’ve learned and can spit out whenever the voices in my head tell me to.
So let’s get into it! I’ve been cooking for myself since coming to the United States, it has been a bumpy ride but I’ve developed a few lovely hacks that fit perfectly for when you crave some Asian flavors but might be in a pinch, asian grocery store is too far, or don’t have the budget to buy specific items and need to prioritize.
ADDING THE BULDOK SPICY CARBONARA SEASONING PACKET INTO MY BURGER PATTIES
Insane flavor, perfectly spicy, and cheesy, mixed with chopped onion/shallot, green onion, white pepper, salt, a bit of cornstarch, and some panko. Yes, the sauce too, although I used only half of the sauce cause I might die Eating the entire thing.
Don’t even need to sear them, bake them in a shallow bake dish and you’re good to go!
CRACK YOUR EGGS ON A FLAT SURFACE INSTEAD OF THE EDGE OF THE BOWL
It helps make a more intact crack and eliminates the possibility of shells in your egg when you crack it. Fun tip
SOY SAUCE AND DASHI POWDER
We all know the dashi soup base sauce a lot, but what happens when we don't have them on deck? they're more expensive and more flavorful so sometimes you have to prioritize buying soy sauce and other stuff cause you're a poor millennial( like me) or H-mart is way too much work and travelling just for a jar of that.
Hondashi dashi powder and soy sauce combined will make it taste the exact same. fun alternative when you're in a pinch and might be your last straw too!
RICE FOR FRIED RICE
Don't have time to leave the rice overnight? You forgot to make the rice the night before but you crave fried rice, which might just be your last straw.
Instead of lukewarm water, use your Brita water from the fridge, it'll make your cooked rice a bit less. I'd say soft and perfect for frying rice. OR! Add just ever so slightly LESS water than your normal water level, the rice will be cooked still but more separated so you get the perfect fried rice texture.
Another pro tip for fried rice I learned from my chef uncle is, to mix your rice with some sesame oil after taking it out from your fridge. before adding to your wok/pan, it'll coat the rice with oil and loosen it too! Make sure the stove isn’t too hot when you warm it, you’re not sauteing the rice, but by doing so you can break them loose without drawing out moisture so when you add the rice into the wok it won’t make it too soggy, and end up burning the meat or veggies because you want to reduce the liquids.
FREEZE YOUR FIRM TOFU
A great way to properly ensure you have a robust tofu rotation is one in the freezer and one in the fridge.
Stop using the silly method of pressing them to draw the moisture out, when you freeze your firm tofu it forces the water content from the tofu cause you know, they froze.
So when you defrost them you will be left with a tofu block that has better texture, better consistency, and little internal holes that soak up sauce perfectly.
PRE-COOKED FROZEN SEAFOOD
I stand by this as a staple pantry item, this is a hill I’ll die on!
They are cooked and most of them are cleaned. I'm talking clams, Cod fillets, shrimps in various sizes, and mussels. I've tried various types in my cooking era and honestly, it's a great alternative kitchen staple for when you just wanna make some seafood dish but don't have the capacity to go through the entire cleaning, cooking, picking out, and taking care of the rest process.
I could be dead wrong though but I hope these tips can help make your life in the kitchen a little bit easier. Remember, you are the god in your kitchen, you’re the one restocking it and you are the one placing all the cookware where it is. You are powerful, food is powerful, regain your control in life in the kitchen is the most re-centering thing one can do.
YOU GOT THIS! Pookie your breakfast/lunch/dinner is looking absolutely fire today!