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15 Cooking Tips Everyone Born After 1999 Probably Doesn't Know

Time for a little refresher.

Whether you're a beginner cook, or simply need a reminder on some basic cooking tips, here are 15 things everyone should know for their everyday usage:

1. Rinse your rice before cooking it.

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Most rice is not meant to be cooked without at least one rinse. Give it a wash or two to filter out any debris and surface starches. More here.

2. Save the stems of herbs and add them to soups, stews, or stocks while cooking.

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If you're planning on simmering a stew or soup for a long time, add some leftover herbs. They'll add layer and complexity to the flavor. More here.

3. Use a bench scraper to easily transfer food from your cutting board to your pan.

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Instead of trying to precariously scoop up your chopped up veggies onto your pan using your hands or knife, use a bench scraper to neatly and quickly move your ingredients. More here.

4. Use a flexible spatula to neatly flip your over-easy eggs.

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Trying to flip your morning eggs with a hard metal spatula without breaking your perfectly circular fry is pretty difficult. To make it easier on yourself, get yourself one of these babies — the slits mean the egg won't stick to the spatula, and its long body mean you'll be able to handle the entire egg without breaking it. More here.

5. ...And for extra creamy scrambled eggs, make sure to stir them constantly while they're on the pan.

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Constantly stirring will homogenize the texture, break up pockets of uncooked egg, and make for a restaurant-style creamy scramble. More here.

6. If you want to brown something, don't crowd the pan.

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Listen, I know you're short on time and want to get right to the eating part of your night, but if you want to slightly brown and crisp your vegetables (and you definitely do), then it pays to cook your ingredients in smaller batches. If you try and dump all your food into a single pan, the temperature will drop, and you won't get that nice cooked outer layer you're aiming for. More here.

7. When making pie dough, use a cheese grater to get mini chunks of butter.

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It's perfect for you're making pie dough, where mini, intact chunks of coldish butter translate to a flakier crust. More here.

8. If you're cooking a recipe that calls for both onions and garlic, sauté the onions first.

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Onion takes longer to soften up, while garlic burns pretty easily, so it only makes sense to cook the former first. More here.

9. After you're finished cooking your steak, let the meat rest.

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Don't be so quick to cut meat that's fresh off the grill or pan, as doing so will spill out all of its delicious juices. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes and you'll secure yourself a juicy slab of steak. More here.

10. If you find a recipe you want to use online, check the comments for any tips or precautions.

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Learn from the mistakes of others and set yourself up for success by scrolling to the bottom of a blog post or recipe and checking for any warnings other reviewers might have for the recipe.

11. Salt your pasta water.

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Don't be afraid to salt your pasta water. It'll make your pasta taste better and help in bringing out the flavor of your pasta sauce. More here.

12. Season your food from a distance to make sure your food gets evenly covered.

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If you sprinkle too close to your food, you'll risk localizing your seasoning. More here.

13. Freshen up stale cookies by placing a piece of bread in your cookie container.

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If you want to revitalize cookies that have gotten tough, simply place them in a container with a fresh piece of soft bread. The cookies will soak up the bread's moisture in no time. More here.

14. Crack eggs on a flat surface instead of the edge of a bowl.

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When you crack an egg on the rim of a bowl or pan, you risk pushing a bit of the shell into your egg. Instead, crack it on a flat surface and separate the shell with your fingers. More here.

15. Sprinkle flour on your bacon to reduce grease splatters.

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It'll also make your bacon extra crispy. More here.

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