9 Tiny Kitchen Hacks to Save You Time

Here in the test kitchen we’ve found a few things that give us that same dollar-in-a-coat-pocket feeling. By accomplishing small tasks now, you’ll save yourself time and energy later. 

1. Grate your favorite block of cheese in your food processor at the beginning of the week, save it in the fridge, and use as needed throughout the week.

2. Make a bottle of simple syrup and save it for use in cocktails, iced coffee or tea, and more.

3. Before cooking, line your rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. When you’re done, throw the used foil away. All you need then is a quick wash instead of scrubbing for minutes.

4. Start a soapy soak in your sink or in a big basin. As you cook, throw dishes and utensils in the soapy water. When you’re ready to clean up, the dishes will have been “marinating” in soapy water and will come clean easily.

5. Measure water and weigh coffee the night before you want to brew. That way, in the morning all you have to do is turn on your coffee maker.

6. Store individual unbaked cookies in your freezer for when you’re craving something sweet.

7. Store cooked rice in your freezer to get dinner on the table faster.

8. Make herb ice cubes with your past-their-prime herbs. Just blitz them in a blender and freeze them in ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop them out and store them in a zipper-lock bag, ready to add straight to pan sauces, soups, stir-fries, or anything that needs a little herbaceous boost.

9. Try “lazy preserving” and freeze your fresh-from-the-farmstand vegetables to use throughout the year.