Yes, we all appreciate the authentic and old ways of cooking, managing and serving. But the truth of the new world is that we just don’t have time or sometimes- patience to do it ‘The right way’! This is where the legendary food hacks save the day. From cooking, freezing and managing hacks, these prove to be extremely useful when it comes to the kitchen of a chef or anyone who loves to cook!

Here are some world-famous hacks you have to know as a home chef-

Herbaceous Hack

Use kitchen shears to mince herbs. Trim the leaves from the stem and put in a small bowl. I then ‘chop’ the leaves by pointing the shears down into the bowl and scissor the leaves until desired mince received.”

Perfect Shred

“When I shred chicken, I do it with cake beaters instead of a fork. Super fast and it makes a perfect shred!”

Faux Buttermilk

“Adding a dash of white vinegar or lemon juice to your cream will make almost instant buttermilk. A great trick for baking!”

Do the Shake

“Do you have a bunch of garlic to peel? Pile the cloves into a metal bowl, top it with another bowl, and SHAKE! The skins slip right off.”

Guac Time

“I love to make a big bowl of a guacamole before a party, but the idea of mashing a bunch of avocados with just a fork seems daunting and counterintuitive. A potato masher makes quick work of not only guacamole but homemade tomato sauce as well!”

Use a spiralizer for perfect baked curly fries.

This twirly tool should not be reserved for zoodles alone. Spiralize a russet or sweet potato into thin ribbons, then toss with a tablespoon of oil and your favorite seasonings. Spread out evenly on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan and bake at 425 degrees until golden brown, about 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to avoid burning any pieces.

Bake a cake in a mug.

Steer clear of double-serving temptation by baking one cake in a mug (rather than a whole pan). Coat a mug or ramekin with nonstick spray, then crack an egg inside. Whisk until even inconsistency, then stir in ¼ cup nut butter or nutella. Microwave for 60 seconds for an ooey-gooey healthy-ish dessert.

Peel ginger with a spoon.

No need for a special tool to de-skin this oddly-shaped root. Because the peel is fairly thin, simply scrape a metal spoon down the side and around the tricky rounded edges of the ginger to flake the skin away.

Store mise en place in a muffin tin.

Slicing and dicing ingredients before starting to cook is a tried-and-true chef strategy so you can stick to the recipe timeline—and avoid under- or overcooking any component. Read the recipe entirely and prep the ingredients according to instructions. As each item is recipe-ready, place it in a muffin tin cavity. Once your mise en place is complete, carry the tin from the cutting board to your cooking space and you're ready for your quick-fire challenge.

Use rules for perfectly-even pie crust.

Fool everyone into thinking you're a Great British Baking Challenge contestant by serving them a pie with exactly the right amount of homemade crust. Place a ruler (or two thin wooden dowels) on each end of your pastry dough, then roll until the dough is big enough to cover your pie pan and until you hit the guides on each side. The result: Crust that cooks evenly and looks Instagram-ready.

Remember, these hacks can make a huge difference if you are a home chef!