There’s no denying that Grandma’s cooking always seems to have that special something that we can’t seem to replicate, no matter how many times we try. But fear not, because some grandmas have decided to share their vintage cooking and baking hacks with us, and we’re spilling the tea (or should we say flour?) on all of it! So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and dive into the mouth-watering world of Grandma’s cooking secrets!
Peel Onions Under Running Water to Avoid Crying
Peeling onions can be a painful and tearful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. According to grandma’s wisdom, if you peel your onions under running water, the fumes won’t reach your eyes and cause them to tear up. So next time you’re preparing onions, simply peel them under running water and watch as the tears stay at bay. But what about that lingering onion smell that can be hard to get rid of?
Fear not, because grandma’s got a solution for that too. Simply rub the sink spout with your hands after peeling onions, and the smell will disappear.
Make a Perfect Pie Crust With Only 3 Ingredients
Learning how to make the perfect pie crust can elevate your baking skills to a whole new level. And with the 3-2-1 method, it’s never been easier! The secret to a perfect pie crust is in the right combination of these three ingredients. This simple technique passed down from generations of bakers requires 1 part water, 2 parts fat, and 3 parts flour. Before you know it, your pie crust will be delicious.
Grandmas know that the secret to a perfect pie crust is in the right combination of these three ingredients, and with her expertise, you’ll be making flaky and buttery crusts in no time.
Use Leftover Rice Water to Thicken Gravy
Look no further because we’ve got a game-changing tip that’s been passed down for generations, serve rice with your gravy! After cooking your rice, you’ll have leftover water that’s infused with all the tasty starches from the grains. Instead of tossing it out, use it as a key ingredient in your gravy. The starches act as a natural thickener, giving your gravy the perfect consistency without any added flour or cornstarch.
So the next time you’re making gravy, remember to serve rice with it and put this time-tested trick to the test. Your taste buds will thank you!
Cooking Bacon With Flour Is Grandma’s Secret to Making It Crispy
Bacon lovers, listen up! You may think you know how to cook the perfect crispy bacon, but we’ve got a secret weapon that will take your breakfast game to the next level. And it’s a technique that’s been passed down from our beloved grandmas. Next time you make bacon, try sprinkling a little bit of flour onto it before cooking. This simple trick will change everything you thought you knew about cooking bacon.
It keeps the bacon from shrinking up while also making it super crispy and reducing those pesky grease splatters. You’ll never go back to your old bacon-cooking ways again.
Flour Your Cake Before Frosting so It Spreads Smoothly
Frosting a cake can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but with grandma’s trick, it’s about to get a whole lot easier. As soon as you pull your cake out of the oven, sprinkle it lightly with flour. This will create a light barrier that will prevent your frosting from sticking to the cake’s crumbs, making it easier to spread and decorate. Once the cake has cooled down, you’ll be able to frost it easily.
So go ahead and sprinkle that flour on your cake, and let your frosting skills shine! And give thanks to grandma’s life-saving baking hacks.
Do Not Cover Your Green Beans While Cooking
Often times when cooking green beans, they turn from once-vibrant green veggies turn into a sad and brown mess on your plate. But we’ve got a secret tip from our grandmas that will keep your vegetables looking fresh and bright. The key is to cook your vegetables for as short a time as possible and to leave them uncovered. This allows the acids in the greens to remain stable and prevents them from turning brown.
Remember to follow your grandma’s advice, and your vegetables will look and taste so much better, truly making a world of difference.
Poke a Hole in a Lemon to Get the Juice Out Mess-Free
Have you ever needed just a tiny drop of lemon juice but didn’t want to waste a whole lemon for such a small amount? Well, now you don’t have to. Grandma’s trick is simple: prick the end of the lemon with a fork and squeeze out the amount you need. This way, the lemon is still ready to be sliced open and used again next time you need some lemon juice.
Not only does this trick save you money by making your lemons last longer, but it’s also a great way to reduce food waste and use up every last drop of your ingredients.
Splash Water on Your Pan to Ensure It’s Hot Enough for Frying
Are you tired of playing a guessing game with your frying pan? Are you unsure if it’s hot enough to start cooking your meal? Well, fear not! We have a foolproof hack that will save you from burning your fingers or undercooking your food. Instead of risking your hands, simply splash a few drops of water onto the pan. If it sizzles and dances, your pan is hot and ready to go.
But if the water just sits there, it’s not hot enough yet, so give it a little more time to heat up. This simple trick is a game-changer for home cooks everywhere.
Put Butter in a Bowl of Boiling Water to Make It Spreadable in Seconds
There’s nothing worse than realizing you need to use butter in a recipe, but it’s still rock hard from being in the refrigerator. But don’t panic – grandma has a trick for that too! To quickly soften up your butter, all you need is a small bowl and some boiling water. Simply fill the bowl with boiling water and let it sit for a minute or two until the bowl itself is hot.
Then, empty the water and tip the bowl over the butter, covering it completely. Within a few minutes, the butter will have softened up and be ready to use.
One Egg and Banana Makes the Best Whipped Cream Alternative
Are you in the mood for some delicious whipped cream but have run out of the real thing? Don’t worry because Grandma’s got you covered! All you need is a white of an egg and a slice of banana. Beat them together until they become stiff, and voila! There you have a tasty and healthy substitute for whipped cream that is just as tasty and satisfying as the real thing.
Plus, since the banana will completely dissolve, you don’t have to worry about any unsightly chunks or bits in your cream. So next time you’re out of whipped cream, don’t panic. Just whip up this quick and easy substitute, courtesy of your Grandma’s kitchen.
Add Vinegar to Your Pot to Combat Stinky Foods
Do you dread cooking cabbage or ham because of the unbearable smell that fills your home? Well, you’re not alone! These two ingredients are notorious for their unpleasant odor while being cooked. But what if we told you that there’s a simple solution to this problem? All you need is a few teaspoons of vinegar! Adding this magical ingredient to your cooking pot can neutralize the smell of cabbage or ham, leaving your home smelling fresh and clean.
You won’t even remember that you were cooking anything pungent! It’s a simple and affordable solution that will make a huge difference.
Rub Butter or Oil All Over Your Sweet Potatoes Before Baking
When baking sweet potatoes, so many times, they come out of the oven all dried up and lacking flavor. Well, we have the perfect solution to make your sweet potatoes extra delicious and moist! The secret? Rubbing a bit of butter or oil on your sweet potatoes before baking them! This simple step can make all the difference between a lackluster side dish and a flavorful and buttery delicious potato.
The butter or oil not only helps to keep the sweet potatoes moist but also adds a rich and creamy taste to every bite.
Check if Eggs Are Rotten by Putting Them in a Glass of Water
If you love cooking or baking, you know how important it is to use fresh ingredients. But what if we told you there’s an easy way to check whether or not your eggs have expired, and it’s something that grandmas have been doing for ages? It turns out that you don’t have to rely on the expiration date alone to determine the freshness of your eggs. Grandmas have a tried-and-tested method that involves a simple float test.
Fill a cup with water and gently place your egg inside. If it sinks to the bottom and lies flat on its side, it’s fresh and safe to eat. However, if the egg floats to the top or stands upright, it isn’t good.
Olive Oil Can Prevent Overflow of Water When Boiling Pasta
We have a simple hack that will prevent those pesky boil-overs and save you time and effort cleaning up. The secret to perfect pasta every time is to add a tablespoon of oil to the water before boiling. This will help to prevent the water from boiling over and creating a mess on your stove. Plus, the oil will also keep your pasta from sticking together, ensuring that each strand is perfectly cooked and separated.
You won’t believe the fantastic cooking hacks we have in store for you straight from your grandma’s kitchen! So buckle up and get ready for even more.
No More Discolored Cauliflower When You’re Cooking by Adding Lemon Juice
Cauliflower is a delicious and healthy vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But if you’re someone who loves to cook, you may have noticed that boiling cauliflower can be a bit tricky. The florets often turn brown or gray, which can be a real turn-off when it comes to presentation. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution to this problem, and it involves adding a splash of lemon juice to the water while the cauliflower is cooking.
Lemon juice is naturally acidic, and this acidity helps to prevent the cauliflower from changing colors and keeps it looking bright and appetizing. Not only does this trick make your cauliflower look more appealing, but it also adds a subtle hint of lemony flavor to the dish.
Store Apples With Potatoes and They’ll Never Sprout
Finding sprouted potatoes in your kitchen every time you buy them can feel like you’re wasting food and money. But we have the solution to all your potato problems! A few apples could be the answer to keeping your potatoes fresh and free from sprouts. Yes, you read that right! By simply placing a few apples in the same bowl as your potatoes, you can prevent them from sprouting and extend their shelf life.
So, don’t wait any longer! Head to your kitchen, grab a bowl, some potatoes, and apples, and start preventing those pesky sprouts from taking over.
Mix Sweet Milk and Vinegar to Make a Quick Alternative for Sour Milk
We’ve all been there – you’re in the middle of baking and realize you’re missing a key ingredient. In this case, it’s sour milk. But don’t worry, grandma has a trick up her sleeve that will save the day! To make sour milk when you don’t have any on hand, you only need one cup of sweet milk and two tablespoons of vinegar. Mix the two and let it sit for a few minutes before adding it to your batter.
The vinegar will react with the milk, creating that tangy flavor you need for your recipe. The best part about this trick is that it’s simple and easy to do.
Salvage a Cracked Egg by Wrapping It in Waxed Paper
Who knew that a cracked egg could be salvaged? Thanks to Grandma’s wisdom, we now know there’s no need to waste a perfectly good egg just because it’s a little cracked. In fact, there’s a simple trick to boiling a cracked egg that will leave it just as delicious as its intact counterparts. All you need is some waxed paper. Simply wrap the cracked egg in waxed paper and drop it into your pot of boiling water.
The waxed paper will act as a seal, preventing any leaks and ensuring that your egg is cooked to perfection. No more tossing out eggs at the first sign of a crack.
Soak Potatoes in Cold Water Before Peeling to Make It Easier
Peeling potatoes can be a chore, but luckily, grandma has a hack that will make the task much easier and less stressful. To make peeling potatoes a breeze, start by soaking them in salty cold water for a little while. This will help to loosen the skin and make it easier to remove. Additionally, before you start peeling, run your peeler under hot water for a few seconds to help it easily glide through the potato.
The next time you’re faced with a pile of potatoes to peel, remember grandma’s hack and make the task a whole lot easier.
Shake Donuts in a Bag of Sugar to Perfectly Coat Them
Who doesn’t love a sweet, sugary doughnut? But sometimes, getting that perfect coating of sugar can be a challenge. Luckily, grandma has a hack that will make the process a breeze! To evenly distribute sugar onto your freshly fried doughnuts, simply shake them up in a brown paper bag with the sugar. This trick ensures that every inch of the doughnut is covered in delicious sugary goodness. But the best part?
This trick isn’t just limited to doughnuts. It’s also a great way to salt your fries or coat your chicken in flour before frying. So next time you’re looking for a quick and easy way to evenly distribute a coating, remember grandma’s hack – it’s simple, effective, and delicious!