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Healthy Kitchen Hacks #7

Healthy Kitchen Hacks #7

Healthy Kitchen Hacks is a weekly series on Teaspoon of Spice. We share fellow bloggers’ and our own favorite cooking shortcuts, kitchen tricks and “aha” ideas for making healthy meals a snap.

#HealthyKitchenHacks: How To Use Regular Lasagna Noodles in No Boil Recipes, How to Keep Potatoes from Sprouting, How to Make Homemade Jerky, How to Keep Parchment from Rolling Up, 5 Minute Mustard via @tspcurry

The last few pile of snow are melting around here and I’m gearing up for a St. Patty’s Day parade this weekend. If you’re catching spring fever, don’t miss last Wednesday’s green edition of Healthy Kitchen Hacks #6 – or our most popular Hacks post #5. Here’s the full list:

Healthy Kitchen Hacks #1
Healthy Kitchen Hacks #2
Healthy Kitchen Hacks #3
Healthy Kitchen Hacks #4
Healthy Kitchen Hacks #5 – Homemade Protein Powder
Healthy Kitchen Hacks #6 – Green edition

Now, for this week’s time-savers:

1) How to Use Regular Lasagna Noodles in No-Boil Recipes
via Sally @Real Mom Nutrition

#HealthyKitchenHack: How to use regular lasagna noodles in no-boil recipes

I’m pretty sure I fell off my chair when I first read Sally’s tip. What? No need to search out ‘no-boil noodles’?? And no need to cook regular noodles first? As Sally explains, when using regular lasagna noodles in no-boil or slow cooker recipes, just add a little extra liquid. In my recipe, I added about 8-10 ounces of extra tomato sauce and covered my dish tightly with foil. The result was better than expected: No mushy noodles!

2) How to Keep Potatoes from Sprouting
via Jennifer @Peanut Butter & Peppers

#HealthyKitchenHacks: How to Keep Potatoes from Sprouting

Since it’s almost St. Patricks Day, potatoes are on sale everywhere – so buy a big bag. But after you make Irish Colcannon or Deanna’s Mashed Potato Donuts, keep the extra spuds from sprouting by storing them with an apple. I keep my potatoes in a dark cupboard in a brown paper bag and now…with an apple. No sprouting yet.

3) 5-Minute Homemade Mustard
via Rebecca @Strength & Sunshine

#HealthyKitchenHacks: 5 Minute Homemade Mustard

Spicy mustard is the classic condiment for corned beef and cabbage. And if you have mustard seed, you’re set; the other ingredients are pantry staples. I used Rebecca’s recipe – but didn’t soak the seeds overnight as suggested. Instead, I just popped the mustard seeds, vinegar and water in the microwave for about 1 minute on high power. Then whizzed them with the other ingredients (and a sprinkle of salt.) Done.

4) How to Keep Parchment Paper from Rolling Up

#HealthyKitchenHacks: How to Keep Parchment Paper from Rolling Up

I use parchment paper for lining the bottom of pans for my kids’ birthday cakes, to quicken clean-up after roasting veggies or pumpkin seeds, and even for covering the table when kids use play dough. No more frustrated kids (or moms) from a piece of parchment that won’t stay put: Just crunch it into a loose ball and then smooth out. It stays flat.

5) How to Make Homemade Jerky

#HealthyKitchenHacks: How to Make Homemade Jerky

Spring has almost sprung and that mean out door activities abound. Homemade jerky is a favorite on-the-go snacks. And yes, it really is easy: Just slice slightly frozen meat into thin slices, sprinkle with seasoning and roast in a low oven. Talk about protein-power. My kids (and husband) beg me to make this snack often.

Would you try any of these hacks? Any healthy kitchen or healthy living shortcuts to share? Shoot us an email ([email protected] or [email protected] ) or share below and we’ll try them out.

Rick

Wednesday 29th of November 2017

I need a tip on tearing off saran wrap!!!

Serena Ball

Sunday 3rd of December 2017

Ha! Thanks for stopping by Rick. I hope you liked the parchment paper hack...and I'll work on a plastic wrap hack! Do know I've had better luck tearing off the actual Saran Wrap brand plastic wrap, than the store-brand plastic wrap. Store-brand plastic wrap seems to still much worse!

Sues

Wednesday 11th of March 2015

I love the parchment paper advice!!

Sonali- The Foodie Physician

Wednesday 11th of March 2015

Another great set of tips! I'll definitely be trying the parchment paper trick, could really come in handy with food photography :)

Sally @ Real Mom Nutrition

Wednesday 11th of March 2015

Thanks so much for including my lasagna noodle tip. I like the parchment tip--going to use that one for sure!

Serena Ball

Wednesday 11th of March 2015

Thanks for the brilliant tip Sally. So excited it worked so well!

Min

Wednesday 11th of March 2015

What? I, too, am surprised by that the no-boil noodles are unnecessary!! And I shall definitely be crunching those uncooperative parchment papers from now on ;).

Serena Ball

Wednesday 11th of March 2015

Now you can use whole grain lasagna noodles for any recipe! (:

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