So recently, I asked theBuzzFeed Communityto tell me about afamily cooking tip or recipe hackthey swear by.
Here’s what people had to say!
“When making potato salad, add a splash of dill pickle juice as the final ingredient.
My Polish grandmothers, both immigrants, taught me this trick.”
“My grandmother made the best sugar cookies, and the trick is to use lard.
Lard makes for the best cookies, pastries, and biscuits.
It adds subtle flavor and a distinct body to baked goods that shortening can’t touch.
It also beats butter since butter tends to make things a little tough.
back up your butter for frosting!”
Claire
3.
“Use seasoned rice vinegar instead of lime juice in your guacamole.
you’re free to thank me later.”
“Three words: Lipton.
Add one of these to dishes like meatloaf, beef stew, or potatoes before roasting them.
I add it to so many recipes, and people always wonder what the secret is.
A Lipton onion packet is the game changer ingredient passed down from my mom and aunt.”
Kara, Tennessee
5.
“I thicken my New England clam chowder with instant potatoes.”
It will pour right out, and you won’t leave any behind."
Meeesh
7.
“Always secure your parmesan rinds!
Keep them in the freezer and throw them into soups before you hit the simmer stage.
It’s perfect in Italian soups like pasta e fagioli, or tomato-based soups.
you might even add a rind tochicken noodle soup.
It’s such a nice background flavor that will amp up your dish.”
Also, always add more vanilla extract to cookies than is called for.
If a recipe says one teaspoon, I change it to one tablespoon!"
Joe,New Jersey
9.
The dressing adds a wonderful flavor."
“We sharpen knives using the bottom of ceramic bowls.
Anonymous
11.
The result is so much tastier.”
“Save the water from boiling potatoes to use in the gravy.
It’s a great thickener and tastes amazing.”
Elisabeth
13.
Onions ‘melt’ into the recipe and blend better.
Along the same lines, use your cheese grater for egg salad with a better mouthfeel.
It’s fast work, has better consistency, and has a more appealing look.
“Add a splash of Sprite or club soda to pancake batter.
The carbonation makes them lighter and airier, and you might’t even taste the soda!”
Don’t worry, it won’t taste like vinegar or sake at all."
“Soak Cuban bread in warm water, squeeze the excess, and add it to your meatball recipe.
You will have the most moist and tasty meatballs ever!”
“My sister taught me this quick egg salad recipe I swear by.
She scrambles some eggs, and while they are still quite wet, she adds some garlic powder.
Then, she finishes scrambling until the eggs are almost dry.
She takes the pan off the heat, adds mayo, and mixes it all up.
It tastes delicious, hot or cold.
you could also add chopped ham, some onions, etc.”
Just a little bit will get rid of the excess liquid.
It works every time."
Brad, Ohio
19.
It makes the flavors blend more smoothly."
“My mom always put sugar in the cooking water when boiling fresh corn.
The corn always comes out sweet and juicy.”
Rose, Florida
21.
This makes the difference between tough, relatively tasteless meat and meat that falls apart with a fork.
I spent too many years making mediocre beef stews and roasts and couldn’t figure out why."
The shells will just peel right off.
It’s seriously a game-changer!"
Courtney, Oregon
23.
“My grandmother loved to bake.
She had the best cakes, which she made from boxed mix.
I’ve followed this advice for years, and it works.”
“Marinate chicken in pickle juice for GREAT tasting fried chicken.”
“Using kitchen scissors to trim chicken breast is much easier than using a knife.
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