Many recipes call for pounding pieces of meat thin for quicker, more even cooking. No meat mallet? No problem. Here are five common household items that work just as well in a pinch.

Makes sense. But what if you don't have one of those in your back pocket, either? Then choose...

...because somehow you always seem to have one of those around.

Think Anna Karenina, A Tale of Two Cities, or Lonesome Dove. See? Yet another reason e-readers can't replace books!

It even has a handle!

Use both hands to avoid wrist injury.

#Protip: Make sure to wrap the meat in plastic wrap, wax paper, or a zip-top bag and place on a cutting board before you commence pounding to keep things tidy.

Two household items NOT to use

It's too small a surface and will shred or tear the meat (trust me on this).

More often than not, you'll wind up denting it. Or your fingers. Game over either way.