Asian millennials like us are constantly reminded of how incredibly fortunate we are.

Growing up, we rely on our parents and domestic helpers who were able to prepare food for us whenever we wanted and somewhere along the line we just got too used to the motion of things. Now that adulthood is drawing close, many of us will eventually have homes of our own and it is crucial that we possess some form of cooking skills to get by with.

Fret not, because cooking is a lot easier than it sounds, so here are a few tips and tricks you can adopt to make cooking fuss-free and simple.

Photo Credit: Tankycompany.com

#1 BUY A WHOLE SALMON INSTEAD OF INDIVIDUAL CUTS

Buying salmon fillets off supermarket shelves is quick and convenient. However, we are actually paying a lot more for less. Instead, consider buying a whole salmon and fillet it yourself at home.

While it requires more effort to fillet the whole fish yourself, it saves you a lot more money. A whole salmon can be bought at a fishmonger for S$30 to S$40, and easily feeds 10 or more people.

#2 GETTING PESKY EGG SHELLS OUT 

Nothing feels more frustrating than having bits of egg shell in your yolk. To remove it without all the mess, simply use one-half of the already broken shell to scoop up the tiny bits of shell.

#3 PEEL GARLIC IN LITERALLY SECONDS

First, pick off the garlic cloves from the bulb and lay it on one side. Then, with one hand holding the knife handle, lay either side of the knife on top of the garlic clove and smash it gently.

The skins should tear open, making it a breeze to peel off.

#4 MARINATE MEAT IN ZIPLOC BAGS INSTEAD

Save on all the unnecessary washing by marinating your meats in Ziploc bags instead. Not only do the flavours penetrate the meats better, you also save more space in the fridge for storing.

#5 CUT SOFTER FOODS USING DENTAL FLOSS

Using a knife to cut soft food with fillings such as Swiss rolls and cakes will no doubt leave you with a dirty knife that requires washing. To do it more efficiently without the mess, use a dental floss instead.

#6 COOK RICE IN BULK

Never be afraid to cook extra rice because rice kept overnight is perfect for making fried rice as opposed to freshly cooked rice. When refrigerated, moisture from the rice grains evaporates, leaving you with fluffier grains that are less likely to clump together.

Photo Credit: pioneerwoman.com

#7 MAKE AND STORE HERB BUTTERS

Herbs and butter can be used for many things such as vinaigrettes, poaching liquids, finishing sauces and even as a spread on toast.

For those who enjoy herb butter, you can stock up on it by placing chopped herbs in an ice cube tray and covering them in melted butter before leaving it in the freezer to solidify.

#8 DESHELL A HARD-BOILED EGG IN SECONDS

To deshell hard-boiled eggs quicker, use a spoon instead of your bare fingers.

First, crack a small hole at the base of the egg to create an opening for you to slide your spoon in. Once the spoon finds its way through, gently rotate the egg around the spoon to allow the curvature of the spoon to naturally slide through the shell and remove it.

Photo Credit: Thespruce.com

#9 PREPACKED MEALS THAT CAN BE COOKED IN MINUTES

To minimise effort, wrap a piece of fish in aluminium foil along with your desired flavourings—lemon slices, herbs, spices, olive oil and so on—and store it in the fridge.

Thereafter, simply pop it into the oven for 10 to 15 minutes and voilà, a delicious baked fish is served.

#10 MAKE STALE BREAD CRUNCH AGAIN BY ADDING WATER

Adding water to bread to make it crunchy again may sound illogical and ridiculous, but it is not.

If you have a baguette or a loaf of bread that is getting a bit stale, just run it through some water and put it in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also wrap it in a damp towel and then pop it in the oven; it will be fresh and crunchy as if you just baked it.

#11  OPEN STUCK JARS / BOTTLE LIDS WITH A RUBBER BAND

To successfully open a jar that is sealed too tightly, all you have to do tie a rubber band around the lid and twist. The friction should allow you to open lid with relative ease.

#12 SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR TO IDENTIFY FRESH FISH

Firstly, look at the fish’s gills. It should be bright red. This is a sign that the fish was recently caught and is fresh.

Secondly, gently press against the flesh of the fish. If it bounces back, this is an indication that the flesh is still firm and intact.

Lastly, a good way to tell if a fish is fresh is through looking at its eyes. They should be clear and not cloudy.

#13 SAVE CITRUS PEELS

Citrus peels can be stored and used to flavour cocktails, infuse teas and even as marinades for meat and vegetables.

#14 A DAMP TOWEL COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

There is nothing more hazardous than a rocky cutting board. One accidental slip and you might find yourself needing stitches.

To prevent your cutting board from slipping, put a damp cloth under it. Not only is it safer, but you will also feel more confident cutting on a board that does not wobble.

Photo Credit: Seriouseats.com

#15 ATTACH SPEED POURERS TO COOKING OIL BOTTLES FOR BETTER CONTROL

Speed pourers are common bar tools that allow bartenders to carefully measure out desired quantities of spirits or liqueurs. Similarly, you can use it at home on cooking oils.

This gives you more control, preventing you from accidentally adding too much oil when cooking a particular dish.

I had the chance to take part in the Food For Life TV Cook-off Challenge, and it was a very memorable experience. My job has given me priceless opportunities to try out many interesting roles – from leading food tour overseas to visiting a cognac factory in France, but to be filmed cooking live Master Chef style? Now, that is a first.

For those of you who do not know, Food For Life TV is Singapore’s very own food channel and it features a range of food-related videos like product reviews, celebrity recipes, kitchen products, and simple recipes that you can try at home. Watch the bloggers’ cook-off challenge at www.foodforlifetv.tv and read on to find out more what happened behind the scenes!

Initially, I was both curious and apprehensive about the Food For Life TV Challenge because I am usually on the other side of the fence writing restaurant reviews. But for the challenge, I was required to cook two dishes while facing the cameras.

Even though I cook occasionally at home, it is usually simple stuff like steak, pan-seared fish, and simple stir-fried Chinese dishes. Let’s just put it this way: I am more talented at eating than cooking. So, cooking is not really my strong suit.

After the briefing by the folks behind Food For Life TV, knowing that it will be a friendly banter between my friend Kaykay and me, I felt more at ease because I know that it will be more of having fun.

There are two elements in the contest. The first challenge is a modern Pad Thai recipe. Being a fan of Pad Thai, I was excited to have my hands on the wok to prepare this dish personally. We were each given the chance to use a secret ingredient to complement the dish. I decided to choose pineapple as it is an essential ingredient in Thai cuisine, and I believe that the natural sweetness of the tropical fruit will accentuate the flavour of my dish. Apart from the fun, it was quite a fruitful attempt, and my dish turned out better than I had expected. To find out who won the first Pad Thai challenge, remember to tune in to episode 3 on 30 Jan!

The second part is a mystery box challenge that had us finding out the actual ingredients only on the day itself. It was nerve-wracking because we did not know what to expect. When I watched Master Chef, I did not think much of the mystery box challenge, but when it was my turn, I finally understood how the uncertainty and stress the contestants must have felt.

We were given many beautiful ingredients, and we were required to include three of them in our dish. I was dumbfounded for a few seconds – go ahead and laugh at my reaction when you watch the video – before I started digesting the ingredients and made a plan on what to prepare… Want to know what happened in the end? Go to www.foodforlifetv.tv to find out!

Food For Life TV is a wonderful platform for all food lovers, and I am really happy that Singapore finally has a food channel to call its own. What I love about Food For Life TV is how the contexts are always so relatable. Yes, it showcases celebrity recipes from chefs like Gordon Ramsay, but it is much more than that. You can find many food videos with a local theme, such as recipes for nasi lemak and roast pork belly. With Chinese New Year just around the corner, you can also find recipes for sugar free pineapple tarts, double boiled chicken & burdock root soup.

Recipes aside, there are so many videos to enlighten and let you in on easy tips and tricks in the kitchen, popular TV shows, and product reviews. Not to mention that there will be plenty of giveaways, contests and special discounts for members too. The best part? You can sign up for a free subscription – the process is fuss-free, all you need to do is to log in with your facebook account – and enjoy these exclusive member benefits.

I had a very fun time on the Food For Life TV cook-off challenge. There are four episodes of our Bloggers’ Cook Off. The first episode is already out, and the remaining three episodes will be launched on 23 Jan, 30 Jan, and 5 Feb. Remember to tune in to www.foodforlifetv.tv and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more updates!

This post is brought to you by Food For Life TV.