Cooking tips and tricks for aesthetic, quick, and flavorful food, kitchen hacks, and ways to improve your meal with Pretty Platz
Scoop leftover tomato paste into a plastic baggie, separate into portions with your fingertip, and freeze flat. Break off a chunk when needed. This also works for chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
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Chop big pieces of lettuce quickly by using a pizza cutter directly in the salad bowl for easy slicing.
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Clean a microwave faster by heating 2 cups of water for 2 minutes, then wiping the inside. Add lemon for extra cleaning power.
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Freeze soft cheese like mozzarella for 15 minutes to make it easier to slice or shred.
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Strip kale leaves easily by pulling the stem through your fingers from bottom to top.
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Cut cupcakes and fill them by removing a cone shape from the center, adding filling, then replacing the top.
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Use a garlic press so you don’t need to peel garlic cloves manually.
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Slice herbs like basil by stacking leaves, rolling them, then cutting into thin ribbons.
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Rinse quinoa in a sieve that has been pre-wetted to prevent grains from falling through.
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Clean grill grates by scrubbing with crumpled aluminum foil before heating.
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Flatten chicken breasts with a rolling pin for even cooking.
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Peel hard-boiled eggs while they are still warm for easier removal.
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Let dough rise on a heating pad set to low for consistent warmth.
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Use a cookie scoop to portion pancakes and muffins evenly.
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Microwave hard squash for 1–2 minutes before cutting to soften it.
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Use separate cutting boards for meat, vegetables, and gluten-free foods to prevent cross contamination.
Do not over-muddle mint to avoid bitterness.
Cover baked dishes with foil if the top browns too quickly.
Cook bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet with a rack for crispy, mess-free results.
Crush cereal in a bag with a rolling pin to make homemade breadcrumbs.
Slice cherry tomatoes through the middle for cleaner halves.
Use a bottle and straw method to remove cherry pits easily.
Freeze spinach and use it later in smoothies for a cold, healthy boost.
Freeze herbs in olive oil cubes for easy cooking additions.
Cook quesadillas side-by-side for easier flipping.
Peel kiwi by scooping the fruit out with a spoon.
Freeze parmesan rinds and use them to flavor soups and stews.
Create roasting racks using rolled foil.
Line baking sheets with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Peel ginger using a spoon instead of a knife.
Use a plastic bag around the sink to collect food scraps while prepping.
Dalkin, Gabby. “The Perfect DIY Chipotle Burrito Bowl - What’s Gaby Cooking.” Whatsgabycooking.com, 3 May 2023, whatsgabycooking.com/diy-chipotle-burrito-bowl/#recipeJump.
Firkser, Rebecca. “Smashed Potatoes with Bacon & Eggs.” Food52, Food52, food52.com/recipes/85382-smashed-potatoes-with-bacon-and-eggs-recipe. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
McKenney, Sally. “Cozy Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls (Perfect for Christmas Morning).” Sally’s Baking, 19 Dec. 2025, sallysbakingaddiction.com/gingerbread-cinnamon-rolls/#tasty-recipes-114509. Accessed 6 May 2026.
---. “Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole - Sally’s Baking.” Sally’s Baking, 13 Nov. 2019, sallysbakingaddiction.com/everything-bagel-breakfast-casserole/#tasty-recipes-78000. Accessed 6 May 2026.
---. “Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies with Naturally Pink Swirls.” Sally’s Baking, 5 Feb. 2026, sallysbakingaddiction.com/raspberry-cheesecake-brownies/#tasty-recipes-115471. Accessed 6 May 2026.
---. “Raspberry Sweet Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing - Sally’s Baking.” Sally’s Baking, 9 Aug. 2023, sallysbakingaddiction.com/raspberry-swirl-sweet-rolls/#tasty-recipes-76641. Accessed 6 May 2026.
Olson, Michelle Doll. “Silky Sicilian Mushroom Penne Tossed with Veggies in a Cream Sauce.” HelloFresh, 4 Feb. 2020, www.hellofresh.com/recipes/silky-sicilian-mushroom-penne-5e39c13ff1e8243dda35c94f. Accessed 6 May 2026.
Wilkes, Krysten. “Pellet Grill Smoked Turkey.” Cooks with Soul, 5 Oct. 2024, cookswithsoul.com/pellet-grill-smoked-turkey/#recipe. Accessed 6 May 2026.
Woodard, Jazzmine. “Southern Baked Chicken Dinner - Dash of Jazz.” Dash of Jazz, 8 Oct. 2025, www.dashofjazz.com/southern-baked-chicken-dinner/#recipe. Accessed 6 May 2026.
Porter, Kristin. “40+ Favorite Kitchen Tips and Tricks.” Iowa Girl Eats, 24 Oct. 2014, iowagirleats.com/40-favorite-kitchen-tips-and-tricks/.