The food hacks we swear by
You can barely open your social media without being confronted with yet another so-called food hack . Always edited so cleverly that it looks as if the food hack in question really works. But by now, we know better: some food hacks don’t work at all.
And that’s why it was high time for a different list: the food hacks we really do swear by and that will make your life, even if only a little, easier.
The food hacks that really work
1. Banana bread in one minute
Especially if, like me, you live alone, this food hack is truly brilliant—and delicious, too. During Covid (remember that…) I, like the rest of the Netherlands, often baked a large batch of banana bread, but of course, there wasn’t much else to do back then. Fortunately, things are different these days, which is why I swear by this breakfast when I’m short on time, craving something sweet and looking for something filling. Pour some maple syrup over it and you’re done. Also highly recommended: with a little peanut butter.
2. Poached egg in one minute (in the microwave)
Another top food hack for breakfast or lunch, because these days I never make my poached egg any other way. It’s very simple: crack the egg into a mug that’s already filled with water (roughly halfway). Then put the mug in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, after which you can remove your poached egg with a spoon. The cooking time depends on how you like your egg best. But seriously, a smashed avocado with a poached egg has never been this easy.
3. Boil eggs in the kettle
Especially when you have a small kitchen, like I did in my previous home, this is a top hack. Put your eggs in the kettle with water, wait until it switches off and then leave your eggs in the water for another fifteen minutes (if you want a hard-boiled egg)—then run them under cold water to shock them. It saves on washing up, and you don’t need to use your gas or induction hob. Win-win.
4. Mayonnaise on the outside of your toasted sandwich
I think pan-fried toasted sandwiches are seriously underrated anyway, but even when you make your toasted sandwich in a sandwich press: spread mayonnaise on the outside! Trust me, once you’ve tried this, you’ll never want anything else. Some people do this with butter, but mayonnaise really makes it better, tastier and creamier.
5. Pesto eggs sunny side up
With a mild to major hangover, this is my standard go-to breakfast. It takes just as much effort as frying an egg with ham or making an omelet, but it’s deliciously salty. You don’t need to use any extra oil either, because the pesto provides that already. I love a sunny side up, but you can also make an omelet with pesto or even scrambled eggs. I’ve surprised several people with this at breakfast or lunch, and everyone immediately loved it; it still feels like a slightly more special meal than the usual, while requiring zero extra effort.
The editorial favorite du jour is a fried egg in crispy chili oil. The spicy version is at least as delicious—and you guessed it: just as easy to make! Use the oil from the jar for frying, and when your egg is almost ready, spoon the crisp over it. A tip from FavorFlav’s Sharon: whisk Parmesan into your egg mixture—a delicious combination with the crispy chili oil.
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