Be An Artist

Like a painter with a blank canvas, a chef’s plate becomes a work of art waiting to be composed. It’s all about creating a visual symphony that entices the viewer to savor each bite. Play with colors, textures, and shapes to add dimension to your dish.

Focus On Balance

Balance is the key to a harmonious plate. Consider the interplay of elements such as sweet and savory, crispy and creamy, or hot and cold. Contrasting flavors and textures can ignite the palate and elevate the dining experience to new heights.

Less Is More

Don’t forget the power of negative space either. Embrace the elegance of simplicity by allowing empty spaces on the plate. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides a sense of balance and allows the focal points to shine.

The post 3 Tips For Successfully Plating Your Dishes appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Old Cutting Boards

Old cutting boards usually have deep scratches and can be a breeding ground for bacteria. That’s why it’s important to replace cutting boards in your kitchen regularly.

Cutting Meat and Veggies Together

It’s advisable to have separate cutting boards for veggies and meat because cutting all food on the same board can lead to cross-contamination.

Using Glass Cutting Boards

Glass, slate, or marble cutting boards look pretty but they’re not very practical and are actually better for serving food. These boards are slippery and using them for cutting food can lead to injuries. Moreover, these materials can dull your knives so it’s better to use wooden boards.

Using the Dishwasher

Putting cutting boards in the dishwasher is one of the most common mistakes people make because it’s convenient. It’s better to wash them by hand though because the heat and chemicals can ruin the boards.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soundview Millworks (@cuttingboardguy)

The post Common Mistakes That Might be Ruining Your Cutting Boards appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

According to Raz’s video, all you need to do is rock the vegetable back and forth while cutting it. That is it, that’s the trick. And it’s genius.

Using the technique, Raz easily cuts through a squash without having to put much effort into it. The motions cause the knife to apply even pressure on the skin of the veggie, allowing it to easily slide through it.

The clip received three million views and attracted thousands of comments from other TikTok users. Many were never familiar with the hack before and were impressed at how it makes cutting way easier.

“My life will forever be divided into before this knowledge and after,” one user commented.

Of course, you don’t have to use the hack exclusively for cutting veggies. The rocking principle can be applied to thick-skinned fruit and other food products that are hard to cut.

The post This TikTok Hack Makes Veggies With Thick Skin Easier to Cut appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Spice and coffee grinders can be easily cleaned with something most households have at all times: rice. The hack comes from Reddit, where the user u/laurenwazenn wrote about it saying, “Clean a spice grinder, aka coffee grinder, by blending up some white rice inside. It will trap any leftover spices and aromas.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cook’s Illustrated (@cooksillustrated)

There are more useful tips in the comments, like the one saying that it’s better to use instant rice than traditional rice because it’s softer and won’t damage the blades. If you’re interested, it’s worth checking out the thread.

If you’re still not convinced you should put rice in your spice grinder, another idea you can try is using bread. It will absorb the leftover oil and particles, as well as the aromas. The best thing about this is that you don’t have to throw away the bread after use; you can make delicious toasted breadcrumbs with it!

The post Clean Your Spice Grinder With This Awesome Hack appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Broiler Drawer

Some ovens come with a broiler drawer, which is meant for roasting vegetables, browning casseroles, and desserts (like crème brulée). Although it can be very practical, caution is required when using it. Unlike the main part of the oven, it doesn’t have a window to see through so you need to open it often to check on your dish.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Home Decor (@bohoshoppers)

Warming Drawer

Some stove drawers are meant for warming up food or keeping the fresh food warm until you’re ready to take it out. This is great for holidays and all kinds of gatherings, as well as for the dishes that shouldn’t get cold before serving.

Storage Drawer

Your oven drawer may just be a simple storage drawer, but it’s still useful. If you store some of the bigger dishes there, you will free up the counter and cabinet space for more cute cups and bowls. They look better than pots and baking sheets anyway.

The post How to Use the Oven Drawer appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

However, there are some important safety tips that are easy to forget when using these appliances. Here are a few that you should always keep in mind to stay safe and healthy.

Never Microwave Metal or Plastic

Microwaves are not meant to have any sort of metal or plastic inside of them. Metals can spark and cause a fire, while plastic can be melted by microwave energy—releasing toxic fumes and particles into the food you are warming up.

Cover with a Paper Towel

If you overheat food in a microwave oven, it can result in an explosion and possibly a fire that could be devastating to your home and kitchen. It sounds hard to believe, but just covering up your food with a paper towel when heating it can stop it from “spitting” and potentially causing a fire.

Protect Your Hands

The same rules that apply to taking food out of a conventional oven also apply to microwaves. Protect your hands with oven mitts or gloves when removing a hot plate or container from a microwave oven to ensure you don’t burn your hands!

The post Tips for Safe Microwave Use appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Instead of using unnecessary resources like plasticware to store foods we have prepared and bought for our kitchens, the planet thanks us if we instead opt to reuse the containers that were used to package things we have consumed in the past. Here are some great ones you can try yourself.

Jelly Jars

Glass jars used as packaging for jellies and jams are a great reusable kitchen option. These medium-sized containers are perfect for storing homemade sauces, jellies, jams—and even dry goods like candy and popcorn.

Glass Bottles

Another piece of glassware you can reuse are glass bottles. These are commonly found as the containers for sparkling water, some sodas, and some alcoholic beverages. Use them as a receptacle for chilled water in your refrigerator or for homemade juices you want to store.

Plastic Tupperware

It’s become more and more common recently to find food products in the supermarket that are sold in plastic tupperware containers. While this isn’t the most eco-friendly packaging out there, you can at least reuse this tupperware to store leftovers and food you want to refrigerate instead of buying more of it.

The post Reuse These Containers for an Eco-Friendly Kitchen appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Here are 5 reasons you might want to consider investing in a food processor.

Quick

Food processors can prepare food in a fraction of the time you can by hand.

Simple

To use the food processor, you simply need to put the machine on the right setting and then feed the whole vegetables, cheeses, meats or dough into it. The processor will do the work so you don’t have to.

Consistent Results

Food processors can prepare the food much more evenly and consistently that can be done by hand. They can prep food like a pro in minutes.

Safe

Food processors also help prevent injury. They reduce the need to use sharp knives, graters, grinders or lighters.

Versatile

The great thing about good food processors is that they can perform a great variety of tasks for maximum convenience. They can chop, dice, slice, puree, crush, grind, mix, and knead dough. This can help give you the confidence to be more creative and adventurous in the kitchen.

The post Why Use a Food Processor? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Wipe Everything Down

After a day full of cooking and preparing food and drinks, your countertops and stove are probably going to have some residue on them. So, instead of waiting days for this dirtiness to accumulate and look unpresentable, just do a quick wipedown every day.

Sweep!

No one likes the feeling of stepping on a forgotten potato chip or an undiscovered sprinkling of coffee grounds on the floor, which means that it’s essential to sweep your kitchen every day. It’s no one’s favorite task, but you’ll appreciate how much cleaner your kitchen feels if you do it.

Keep Things Smelling Good

It’s easy for unpleasant odors to take over a kitchen if you aren’t careful. With this in mind, empty the garbage on a daily basis as soon as it fills up, and make time to spray the kitchen every day with a nice scent or by making a stovetop potpourri in order to keep things smelling nice.

The post Easy Daily Steps to Keeping a Spotless Kitchen appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Microwaving

You’ve probably heard that you can microwave a wet sponge in order to sanitize, but that’s not exactly a good idea. Sponges are made of synthetic materials that can easily catch fire and you definitely don’t want to put them in the microwave if they have metal fibers.

Using For Too Long

Generally, you shouldn’t use a single sponge for longer than a week. Make it a habit to throw away the old sponge and get a new one every week, or every other week for rarely-used sponges (if your dishwasher does most of the job, for example).

Using One Sponge for Different Things

Don’t use the dish sponge to wipe down counters or to clean something else. The dish sponge should be used only for dishes, and you can use different cloths or paper towels for other jobs around the kitchen.

The post 3 Things You Should Never Do With a Kitchen Sponge appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Be An Artist

Like a painter with a blank canvas, a chef’s plate becomes a work of art waiting to be composed. It’s all about creating a visual symphony that entices the viewer to savor each bite. Play with colors, textures, and shapes to add dimension to your dish.

Focus On Balance

Balance is the key to a harmonious plate. Consider the interplay of elements such as sweet and savory, crispy and creamy, or hot and cold. Contrasting flavors and textures can ignite the palate and elevate the dining experience to new heights.

Less Is More

Don’t forget the power of negative space either. Embrace the elegance of simplicity by allowing empty spaces on the plate. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also provides a sense of balance and allows the focal points to shine.

The post 3 Tips For Successfully Plating Your Dishes appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Old Cutting Boards

Old cutting boards usually have deep scratches and can be a breeding ground for bacteria. That’s why it’s important to replace cutting boards in your kitchen regularly.

Cutting Meat and Veggies Together

It’s advisable to have separate cutting boards for veggies and meat because cutting all food on the same board can lead to cross-contamination.

Using Glass Cutting Boards

Glass, slate, or marble cutting boards look pretty but they’re not very practical and are actually better for serving food. These boards are slippery and using them for cutting food can lead to injuries. Moreover, these materials can dull your knives so it’s better to use wooden boards.

Using the Dishwasher

Putting cutting boards in the dishwasher is one of the most common mistakes people make because it’s convenient. It’s better to wash them by hand though because the heat and chemicals can ruin the boards.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soundview Millworks (@cuttingboardguy)

The post Common Mistakes That Might be Ruining Your Cutting Boards appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

According to Raz’s video, all you need to do is rock the vegetable back and forth while cutting it. That is it, that’s the trick. And it’s genius.

Using the technique, Raz easily cuts through a squash without having to put much effort into it. The motions cause the knife to apply even pressure on the skin of the veggie, allowing it to easily slide through it.

The clip received three million views and attracted thousands of comments from other TikTok users. Many were never familiar with the hack before and were impressed at how it makes cutting way easier.

“My life will forever be divided into before this knowledge and after,” one user commented.

Of course, you don’t have to use the hack exclusively for cutting veggies. The rocking principle can be applied to thick-skinned fruit and other food products that are hard to cut.

The post This TikTok Hack Makes Veggies With Thick Skin Easier to Cut appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Spice and coffee grinders can be easily cleaned with something most households have at all times: rice. The hack comes from Reddit, where the user u/laurenwazenn wrote about it saying, “Clean a spice grinder, aka coffee grinder, by blending up some white rice inside. It will trap any leftover spices and aromas.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cook’s Illustrated (@cooksillustrated)

There are more useful tips in the comments, like the one saying that it’s better to use instant rice than traditional rice because it’s softer and won’t damage the blades. If you’re interested, it’s worth checking out the thread.

If you’re still not convinced you should put rice in your spice grinder, another idea you can try is using bread. It will absorb the leftover oil and particles, as well as the aromas. The best thing about this is that you don’t have to throw away the bread after use; you can make delicious toasted breadcrumbs with it!

The post Clean Your Spice Grinder With This Awesome Hack appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Broiler Drawer

Some ovens come with a broiler drawer, which is meant for roasting vegetables, browning casseroles, and desserts (like crème brulée). Although it can be very practical, caution is required when using it. Unlike the main part of the oven, it doesn’t have a window to see through so you need to open it often to check on your dish.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Home Decor (@bohoshoppers)

Warming Drawer

Some stove drawers are meant for warming up food or keeping the fresh food warm until you’re ready to take it out. This is great for holidays and all kinds of gatherings, as well as for the dishes that shouldn’t get cold before serving.

Storage Drawer

Your oven drawer may just be a simple storage drawer, but it’s still useful. If you store some of the bigger dishes there, you will free up the counter and cabinet space for more cute cups and bowls. They look better than pots and baking sheets anyway.

The post How to Use the Oven Drawer appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

However, there are some important safety tips that are easy to forget when using these appliances. Here are a few that you should always keep in mind to stay safe and healthy.

Never Microwave Metal or Plastic

Microwaves are not meant to have any sort of metal or plastic inside of them. Metals can spark and cause a fire, while plastic can be melted by microwave energy—releasing toxic fumes and particles into the food you are warming up.

Cover with a Paper Towel

If you overheat food in a microwave oven, it can result in an explosion and possibly a fire that could be devastating to your home and kitchen. It sounds hard to believe, but just covering up your food with a paper towel when heating it can stop it from “spitting” and potentially causing a fire.

Protect Your Hands

The same rules that apply to taking food out of a conventional oven also apply to microwaves. Protect your hands with oven mitts or gloves when removing a hot plate or container from a microwave oven to ensure you don’t burn your hands!

The post Tips for Safe Microwave Use appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Instead of using unnecessary resources like plasticware to store foods we have prepared and bought for our kitchens, the planet thanks us if we instead opt to reuse the containers that were used to package things we have consumed in the past. Here are some great ones you can try yourself.

Jelly Jars

Glass jars used as packaging for jellies and jams are a great reusable kitchen option. These medium-sized containers are perfect for storing homemade sauces, jellies, jams—and even dry goods like candy and popcorn.

Glass Bottles

Another piece of glassware you can reuse are glass bottles. These are commonly found as the containers for sparkling water, some sodas, and some alcoholic beverages. Use them as a receptacle for chilled water in your refrigerator or for homemade juices you want to store.

Plastic Tupperware

It’s become more and more common recently to find food products in the supermarket that are sold in plastic tupperware containers. While this isn’t the most eco-friendly packaging out there, you can at least reuse this tupperware to store leftovers and food you want to refrigerate instead of buying more of it.

The post Reuse These Containers for an Eco-Friendly Kitchen appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Here are 5 reasons you might want to consider investing in a food processor.

Quick

Food processors can prepare food in a fraction of the time you can by hand.

Simple

To use the food processor, you simply need to put the machine on the right setting and then feed the whole vegetables, cheeses, meats or dough into it. The processor will do the work so you don’t have to.

Consistent Results

Food processors can prepare the food much more evenly and consistently that can be done by hand. They can prep food like a pro in minutes.

Safe

Food processors also help prevent injury. They reduce the need to use sharp knives, graters, grinders or lighters.

Versatile

The great thing about good food processors is that they can perform a great variety of tasks for maximum convenience. They can chop, dice, slice, puree, crush, grind, mix, and knead dough. This can help give you the confidence to be more creative and adventurous in the kitchen.

The post Why Use a Food Processor? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Wipe Everything Down

After a day full of cooking and preparing food and drinks, your countertops and stove are probably going to have some residue on them. So, instead of waiting days for this dirtiness to accumulate and look unpresentable, just do a quick wipedown every day.

Sweep!

No one likes the feeling of stepping on a forgotten potato chip or an undiscovered sprinkling of coffee grounds on the floor, which means that it’s essential to sweep your kitchen every day. It’s no one’s favorite task, but you’ll appreciate how much cleaner your kitchen feels if you do it.

Keep Things Smelling Good

It’s easy for unpleasant odors to take over a kitchen if you aren’t careful. With this in mind, empty the garbage on a daily basis as soon as it fills up, and make time to spray the kitchen every day with a nice scent or by making a stovetop potpourri in order to keep things smelling nice.

The post Easy Daily Steps to Keeping a Spotless Kitchen appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Microwaving

You’ve probably heard that you can microwave a wet sponge in order to sanitize, but that’s not exactly a good idea. Sponges are made of synthetic materials that can easily catch fire and you definitely don’t want to put them in the microwave if they have metal fibers.

Using For Too Long

Generally, you shouldn’t use a single sponge for longer than a week. Make it a habit to throw away the old sponge and get a new one every week, or every other week for rarely-used sponges (if your dishwasher does most of the job, for example).

Using One Sponge for Different Things

Don’t use the dish sponge to wipe down counters or to clean something else. The dish sponge should be used only for dishes, and you can use different cloths or paper towels for other jobs around the kitchen.

The post 3 Things You Should Never Do With a Kitchen Sponge appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.