Cooking has a way of exposing what you don’t know. The instructions seem straightforward, but suddenly you’re questioning basic steps or ingredients. In those moments, Google becomes an essential kitchen tool, quietly solving dilemmas you’d rather not admit to anyone else. You’re not alone, here are the food mysteries that send everyone searching for answers.
“Can I eat this expired [insert food]?”
We’ve all stared at the expiration date, wondering if yogurt two days past its prime is dangerous or just slightly tangy. The truth? Many foods are fine past their “best by” dates—milk, eggs, and even bread. Sniff tests and a bit of common sense go a long way.
“How do I boil an egg?”
Seems easy, right? Until you Google “hard-boiled egg disaster.” From cracking them to timing it perfectly, boiling eggs is a surprising minefield. Answer: cold water, simmer, and a timer—Google saves breakfast again.
“What does ‘fold’ mean in recipes?”
If you’ve panicked at “fold in the cheese,” you’re not alone. Folding is a fancy term for gently mixing without deflating. You’re basically stirring softly, but hey, Google got you here, so mission accomplished.
“What’s the difference between baking powder and baking soda?”
Soda makes things rise when mixed with acid; powder has acid built in. Use the wrong one, and cookies turn into hockey pucks. That’s why you Google first—nobody likes rock-hard muffins.
“Why does garlic turn blue?”
You chop fresh garlic, and suddenly it’s Smurf-colored. Relax—it’s a harmless chemical reaction when garlic reacts with certain acids or metals. Weird? Yes. Unsafe? Nope. Eat away.
“How do I know if my chicken is cooked?”
Cutting into chicken mid-cooking feels awkward, but you do it anyway. Google says a meat thermometer is your best friend. And yes, pink juices mean you’re not done yet. Nobody wants to gamble with poultry.
“What’s the difference between a yam and a sweet potato?”
Spoiler alert: you’re probably eating sweet potatoes. Real yams are starchy and less sweet, but labeling confusion in grocery stores keeps this question alive. Google clears it up, again.
“Can I microwave this?”
Googling “microwave-safe” is the real MVP of meal prep. From foil to styrofoam, we’ve all questioned if our snack will survive—or if the microwave might explode. Thanks to Google, fewer fires happen.
“How do I cut [insert tricky fruit]?”
Pomegranates, mangoes, pineapples, dragonfruit—delicious, but they fight back. YouTube saves the day with tutorials that show you how to slice without wasting half the fruit (or needing a first aid kit).
“What’s the difference between broth and stock?”
Is there a difference? Yes. Broth is seasoned and ready to sip; stock is more basic and used for cooking. But Google’s here to save you when your recipe starts throwing out fancy terms like “bouillon.”
Our Parents’ Kitchen Hacks That Still Work Today
Looks like our parents and grandparents knew a thing or two about running a kitchen! Their clever tricks and simple hacks are still just as useful today. From keeping produce fresh to making meal prep easier, these timeless tips bring a touch of those simpler times into our busy lives without the need to order a new gadget off Amazon.
Read it Here: Our Parents’ Kitchen Hacks That Still Work Today
11 Embarrassing Kitchen Mistakes You’ll Definitely Relate To
If there’s one thing I’ve mastered in the kitchen, it’s finding new ways to mess things up. Somehow, those “simple” recipes always turn into a test of my patience and my smoke alarm’s battery life. Whether it’s a small oversight that snowballs or a habit I didn’t realize was actually causing problems, the kitchen is a minefield of mistakes waiting to happen. If you’ve ever found yourself frantically Googling mid-cooking crisis, you’re definitely not alone. Take a look at some of the classic kitchen blunders that get the best of us and figure out how to avoid them next time
Read it Here: 11 Embarrassing Kitchen Mistakes You’ll Definitely Relate To
*Select images provided by Depositphotos.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
