Quick Kitchen Tip That Saves Time
If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that a few simple kitchen habits can save a surprising amount of time. Between homeschooling, caring for animals, tending the garden, and getting dinner on the table, I'm always looking for little shortcuts that make life easier without sacrificing quality.
The Peeling Trick We Use Every Time
One of my favorite time-saving tricks starts right in the garden with garlic. Garlic is one of the easiest crops we grow. We plant it in the fall, let it overwinter, and harvest it the following summer. It requires very little attention, and there's nothing quite like pulling beautiful bulbs of garlic from the ground after months of waiting. If you don't grow your own, this tip works just as well with store-bought garlic.
Peeling garlic can be one of those small kitchen tasks that feels surprisingly tedious when you're in the middle of cooking. Our solution is simple: Soak the garlic cloves in hot water for 2–3 minutes.
The skins loosen up and peel right off, making prep work much faster and less frustrating.
What We Do With Extra Garlic
This year, some of our garlic was ready to harvest while we were away on vacation. By the time we got home, it was past the point where it would cure well for long-term storage. So, we turned it into one of our favorite freezer staples.
After soaking and peeling the cloves, we chopped them up, mixed them with a little olive oil, and packed the mixture into ice cube trays. Once frozen, the cubes can be transferred to a freezer-safe container or bag. Each cube is about 1½ teaspoons of garlic, making it the perfect amount to toss directly into soups, sauces, stir-fries, and skillet meals.
Why We Love This Method
- No peeling garlic when you're rushing to make dinner
- Garlic is already chopped and ready to use
- Reduces food waste from a large harvest
- Works with homegrown or store-bought garlic
- Tastes way better than the "fresh" chopped garlic in a bottle in the grocery store
Sometimes the best kitchen tips aren't complicated—they're just small habits that make everyday cooking a little easier. A few minutes of prep now can save you time for months to come, and future-you will be grateful when dinner comes together with one quick grab from the freezer.
