Rachael Ray's Brilliant Swap For Rolling Pins In A Pinch

A well-stocked kitchen means you'll never want for anything, but it also means your kitchen might be packed with miniature kitchen tools and all the best appliances in addition to spices and food. But if you don't have room for everything and you happen to lack certain essential baking tools in your kitchen, Rachael Ray has come to your rescue. For instance, instead of using a rolling pin, you can swap in a wine bottle in a pinch. "Just roll it with a wine bottle," she says in a YouTube video on the "Rachael Ray Show's" channel, where she teaches the hack to her studio audience.

It makes sense, too. The bottle's curves definitely do the trick when you need it, flattening the dough in no time without sticking. "There's something so kind of quaint about it, and it works great," Ray says. She doesn't specify between a full or empty bottle, though both would probably work just fine. The trick works best for dough that needs to be formed into a circular or oblong shape.

Rachael Ray explains how to use the bottle as a rolling pin in the video. "You sort of put the thinner edge — the neck of the bottle — around the outside, and look what's happening," she explains as she rolls dough in a circular motion. She keeps the base of the bottle in the middle of her dough and rolls it around, forming a pretty neat circle. describing the motion as being similar to driving a car.

If you decide to try this hack, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you'll want to make sure the bottle is clean. Wash it with soap and hot water, then dry it completely before using it as a rolling pin. You also might want to place some parchment paper between the bottle and the dough, especially if you're working with a delicate dough that will be affected by any lines and creases created by the label.

When it comes to choosing your bottle, you might have the best luck with Bordeaux and pinot grigio bottles because they have a more tubular, rolling pin-like shape compared to other bottles. And of course, if you're using an opened bottle, take care that no wine drips onto your dough. "It works amazing, it's absolutely brilliant, and it rolls it out nice and even. I just love it," Ray says as she finishes her demonstration.