Cooking can be fun, but little challenges often slow us down. Here are 10 smart kitchen hacks to save time, reduce mess, and improve your meals effortlessly!  

### 1. **Revive Stale Bread with Water**  

Sprinkle a few drops of water on stale bread, then bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5–10 minutes. The steam will restore its freshness!  

### 2. **Peel Garlic in Seconds**  

Place garlic cloves in a jar, seal the lid, and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. The skins will separate instantly.  

### 3. **Keep Brown Sugar Soft**  

Store brown sugar with a marshmallow or a slice of bread in an airtight container to prevent hardening.  

### 4. **Quickly Ripen Avocados**  

Put unripe avocados in a paper bag with a banana or apple. The ethylene gas speeds up ripening in 1–2 days.  

### 5. **Prevent Boiling Water from Overflowing**  

Place a wooden spoon across the top of your pot. If bubbles rise, the spoon will break them and stop spills.  

### 6. **Easily Remove Eggshell Fragments**  

Wet your finger before touching a stray eggshell piece—it’ll stick to your finger instead of the egg.  

### 7. **Slice Cherry Tomatoes Faster**  

Place tomatoes between two plastic lids, then slide a knife between them to cut multiple tomatoes at once.  

### 8. **DIY Buttermilk Substitute**  

Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using in recipes.  

### 9. **Keep Ice Cream Soft**  

Store your ice cream container in a sealed plastic bag to minimize freezer burn and make scooping easier.  

### 10. **Test Egg Freshness**  

Drop an egg in water: if it sinks, it’s fresh; if it floats, it’s spoiled.  

**Final Tip:** Keep these hacks handy for stress-free cooking! Which one will you try first? 🍳