12 Cooking Hacks – We’ve all heard that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. But the truth is, sometimes even after sweating it out in the kitchen for hours, we can’t quite achieve that “restaurant-quality taste.” Sometimes the salt is too much, and sometimes the paneer turns out tough and rubbery. Cooking isn’t rocket science; it’s all about the right techniques. If you want your family to lick their fingers clean, these 10-12 magical tips will be incredibly useful. Let’s find out how!
Secrets to Enhancing Flavor and Texture
Add a ‘Nutty’ Twist to Stuffed Vegetables: When making stuffed eggplant, bitter gourd, or tinda, add a little roasted groundnut powder to the spice mix. Believe me, this will double the taste and aroma of the dish.
📌 Also Read: Ram temple security breach, a Kashmiri man praying is taken into custody
The Secret to Velvety Paneer: Homemade paneer often turns out tough. Next time, instead of adding the fried paneer directly to the gravy, soak it in lukewarm salted water for 5 minutes. The paneer will become incredibly soft, like cotton.
Prevent Curd from Curdling: Whenever you add curd to a gravy, always add salt only after it comes to a boil. Also, keep the flame low while adding the curd. This will result in a smooth gravy and prevent the curd from curdling.
📌 Also Read: Monsoon Update - Heavy rain warning for 30 hours in 7 states
Perfectly Cooked Okra: To prevent okra from becoming sticky, always add salt only after the vegetable is fully cooked (at the end). Also, adding a few drops of lemon juice while cooking will keep the okra bright green and separate.
Smart Cooking Hacks
Forgot to Soak the Chickpeas? No Worries!: If you forgot to soak the chickpeas overnight, add small pieces of raw papaya along with the chickpeas in the pressure cooker in the morning. Papaya is a natural tenderizer that will soften the chickpeas quickly. Later, mash the papaya into the gravy; it will make the gravy thicker and tastier.
📌 Also Read: India rejected the US minister’s claim, said something big
Milk for Natural Color: When cooking spinach or other green vegetables, they often turn dark. To prevent this, add 2 teaspoons of milk while cooking. The vibrant green color of the vegetables will be preserved.
Keep this in mind when boiling vegetables: If you are boiling vegetables, be sure to add a teaspoon of salt to the water. This allows the flavor to penetrate the vegetables and prevents the color from fading.
📌 Also Read: Monsoon Update - IMD Issues Heavy Rainfall Alert for 10+ States over Next 48 Hours, Check Full Weather Forecast
When there’s too much salt or chili in your food…
Fix it with Cream: If you accidentally add too much chili or salt, don’t panic. Add a little fresh cream, ghee, or butter. This will balance the spiciness and give the gravy a rich and luxurious look.
Dough Balls: An old and effective way to reduce salt is to make small balls of dough and add them to the gravy. Remove them after one boil; they will absorb the extra salt.
📌 Also Read: Iran threatened by Donald Trump, says something big
New Hack – The Magic of Bread: If the dough doesn’t work, add a slice of white bread to the gravy. The bread acts like a sponge and absorbs all the extra salt. Just remove the bread before serving.
A Chef’s ‘Pro’ Touch
The Magic of White Vinegar: When heating oil or ghee, add 2-3 drops of white vinegar. This enhances the flavor of the food and also aids in digestion.
📌 Also Read: Makar Sankranti 2026 - Must Try These Delicious & Sugar-Free Desserts for Makar Sankranti
Royal Gravy Paste: To make your regular gravy restaurant-style, add a paste of poppy seeds and roasted almonds along with onion, ginger, and garlic. This will give the gravy a premium texture and an amazing taste.
By paying attention to these small details, you can make your daily cooking like that of a celebrity chef. So, the next time you’re in the kitchen, be sure to try one of these tips!