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Kitchen Tricks and Tips

Published on August 29, 2011 By Emily. Updated on July 7, 2013

Thanks to all of you who emailed and tweeted me yesterday to see how Brian and I were weathering the storm.  Though Irene did less damage than anticipated in coastal areas, we got hit pretty hard in the Berkshires.  While I know it could’ve been worse, it certainly wasn’t good.  Having all of our town’s roads closed, seeing photos of my friends’ streets washed out and yards filled with water and watching the street by our apartment turned into a river isn’t something I’d like to experience again.  But today is warm and sunny and most things are back to normal.  People are still pumping out their basements and the roads that washed out are still closed, but Brian and I are fine. 

Since it’s Monday, and school is starting again soon, and I’m still recovering from the surreal day that was yesterday, I thought I’d just offer a few of my favorite kitchen tips to help your day go a little easier.

IMG_5539

Buy spices in bulk

Spices are expensive.  They also have the ability to make a meal.  So, whenever possible (and I can only think of one instance in the past couple years where this didn’t work), I buy our spices from the bulk jars at our local food co-op.  I’ve bought a jars worth of herbs for 17 cents, which is a vast improvement over the 4 or 5 dollars you’ll pay at the supermarket.  And you don’t need to buy new spice jars either, we just refill our supermarket jars.

Freeze fresh ginger

This tip is from my mother-in-law and it’s served us well.  Don’t be afraid of buying a big piece of fresh ginger at the supermarket because your recipe only calls for an inch (or, worse yet, avoid the recipe entirely).  Buy it, use what you need and then store the rest of the ginger in a sealed plastic bag in your freezer.  Next time you need ginger, just take it out.  I don’t even defrost it before grating it.

…and nuts

Maybe everyone else already knew this, but it was a long time before I discovered that nuts can go bad.  So now, any nuts I’m not using live in our freezer.  Even better, we can buy nuts when they’re cheap (or we’re at Trader Joe’s) and then use them when we need them.  I generally don’t defrost them before use either.

Use yogurt

I don’t think I’m going to buy sour cream anymore.  Why? Because I’ve realized that the plain Greek yogurt that’s almost always in our fridge is practically the same thing.  What’s the point of that?  Next time, I’m just using the yogurt.

I don’t usually ask, but does anyone have a favorite kitchen tip or trick they’d like to share?

Related Posts

Highlights: The Most Useful
Meals in a Pinch
The Time I Was Out Of Coconut Milk
Getting Started with Flexitarianism
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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: advice

« Highlights: Irene
Thoughts on “168 Hours” »

Comments

  1. Cynthia (It All Changes) says

    August 29, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    If you are freezing extra portions of meals: use ziplock and freeze them flat. Then you can stack them for easy storage until you need them. Bonus they defrost well in warm water.

    • Heather says

      August 31, 2011 at 4:34 pm

      this is a great tip!

  2. Heather says

    August 31, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    you are brilliant times one million.

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Emily
It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
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Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shir Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shiredonuts, Poseidon Coffee, the Ashwillticook Rail Trail, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams Free Library and beautiful flowers.
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I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, in its new location on Main Street in North Adams. The shop is incredible - the displays are great and the plants are delightful. There's a refill station with bottles and jars for soaps, detergents and other products, a terrarium bar, and an abundance of sustainable and beautiful products. I'm now in the process of pondering who I can purchase Plant Connector gifts for in the coming months.
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This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuse This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuseum is a great visit for all ages. The current Voyage to the Deep exhibit, which involves an interactive Nautilus submarine that my 5 year old spent literally hours in.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the Aquarium and Berkshire Backyard. Highly recommended - we'll be back soon!
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My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
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One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
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