Nigerian Kitchen Hacks: Save Time & Money

After cooking fresh fish or stockfish, your hands (and house) can smell for hours.

For Hands:
Rub your hands against a stainless steel spoon or your sink under running water. The steel neutralizes the sulfur molecules causing the smell. Alternatively, rub with lemon juice or vinegar.

For the House:
Boil water with cloves (kanafuru), cinnamon, or lemon peels. It acts as a natural air freshener better than any spray.

Dull knife and no sharpener? No problem.

The Mug Trick:
Flip a ceramic mug or plate upside down. The rough unglazed ring at the bottom acts like a sharpening stone. Run your knife blade against it at a 20-degree angle.

The Car Window:
In an extreme pinch, the top edge of a car window (rolled halfway down) is also rough enough to sharpen a blade. (But maybe stick to the mug method inside!).

Market runs are tiring, so make your veggies last.

Don't Wash Yet:
Never wash leafy vegetables before storing them. Moisture is the enemy. Wrap them in newspaper (yes, newspaper absorbs moisture better than plastic) and put them in the fridge vegetable drawer.

Reviving Wilting Greens:
Soak them in ice-cold water with a pinch of sugar for 30 minutes. They will crisp up again.

Did you burn the Jollof too much?

Soak with Ash (or Baking Soda):
If you have wood ash (from outdoor cooking), mix it with water to form a paste and scrub. It is the traditional way to shine pots.

The Vinegar Boil:
Fill the pot with water and a cup of vinegar. Boil it for 10 minutes. The burnt crust will lift right off without heavy scrubbing.