{"id":586,"date":"2018-05-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-05-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toh.test.rda.net\/12-timeless-cooking-tips-we-learned-from-grandma\/"},"modified":"2022-09-28T13:21:02","modified_gmt":"2022-09-28T18:21:02","slug":"12-timeless-cooking-tips-we-learned-from-grandma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/12-timeless-cooking-tips-we-learned-from-grandma\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Timeless Cooking Tips We Learned from Grandma"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\nWhen I think of my grandma, I think of her in the kitchen. Whether she was baking bread<\/a>, making rice pudding<\/a> or keeping an eye on her old-fashioned pressure cooker (who knew they'd become trendy again?), many of her days were spent over the stove or at the kitchen sink. A fabulous cook who lived to the ripe old age of 91, she passed her cooking tips down to my mom, who has done her best to share them with me.\r\n\r\nWhether we were born in 1900, 1950 or 1990, our grandmas learned to cook through hard work, trial and error, and hours upon hours in the kitchen. Just for fun, I polled a few foodies at Taste Recipes<\/em> for the tidbits of wisdom they got from grandma and still use today.\r\n\r\n \r\n1. Follow directions first; experiment later.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe first time you make a recipe, always follow the directions exactly. Then you'll know how to tweak it to your taste the next time.\r\n\r\n \r\n2. Take your time.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nRushing is only going to result in a big mess, skipped steps or ingredients, and maybe even the need for a Band-Aid.\r\n\r\n \r\n3. Make perfect gravy.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen you add a cornstarch slurry to a sauce (think turkey gravy<\/a>), add only a little bit at a time. You never know how thick your gravy will be until it comes to a full boil.\r\n\r\n \r\n4. Brown first.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen baking up a hearty dish, always brown the meat before you put it in the oven. It makes the meat so much tastier.\r\n\r\n \r\n5. Don't cry.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nAfter cutting an onion, rub your hands on a metal kitchen faucet to get rid of the smell and prevent tears. This one might be a myth, but it's so sweet that we'll give it a try. See the onion-cutting methods we've already debunked, here.<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n6. When in doubt, top with chips.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nToward the end of baking a savory dish, crumble potato chips on the top and cook it a few more minutes. The top of your dish will be beautifully browned with a nice texture and salty crunch. Test it out with this tasty hamburger casserole<\/a>.\r\n\r\n \r\n7. Take your frustration out on cucumbers.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nSmash cucumbers before cooking to remove seeds, tenderize the flesh and help them absorb flavor. Here's how: Cut cucumbers into 1-1\/2 to 2-in. lengths. Lay skin side up on a cutting board. Place the flat side of a chef knife (or a cleaver or rolling pin) over cucumbers and whack down firmly but gently with the heel of your hand, much like smashing a garlic clove. When you're done, use them in these delicious cucumber recipes<\/a>.\r\n\r\n \r\n8. Add some acid.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen making lentil<\/a>-, bean<\/a>- or broth-based soups<\/a>, add a little splash of vinegar (1\/2 teaspoon) or squeeze of lemon at the very end of cooking to brighten the flavors. The little touch of acidity brings the dish to life.\r\n\r\n \r\n9. Get creative with your eggs.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe secret to making creamy, soft scrambled eggs<\/a> with a rich, salty pork flavor? Add some minced Spam. Yep, Spam.\r\n\r\n \r\n10. Be prepared for last-minute guests.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWho can forget Grandma's old saying: If you drop silverware, it means unexpected company is coming. A fork means a female visitor, and a knife means a male visitor. That's why you should always have something on hand to serve unexpected guests. Here are a few recipes to get you started.<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n11. There's a smart way to do the dishes.<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nAlways clean your countertops before you do dishes, so if there's a big pot that won't fit in the rack, you know you have a clean place to set it. (Still searching for more room? Find ways to save counter space here.<\/a>)\r\n\r\n \r\n12. Clean the fridge (and what's inside it).<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nTo keep your refrigerator spotless, always wipe off the tops, bottoms and lids of your jars, food containers and milk jugs (don't forget syrup and condiments<\/a>!) just before putting them back in the fridge. This little step will help keep your fridge surfaces sparkling.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFinally, this is perhaps the best bit of wisdom passed down by any grandma: Cook for people and they will know you love them, and they'll remember it long after you're gone. So true. Thanks, Grandma.\r\n\r\nCelebrate Grandma with something sweet. Grab your fork and check out these timeless desserts.<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGrandma (and Grandpa) know best with these 60 heirloom recipes.<\/div>\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t1 \/ 49<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Peanut Butter Cookies<\/a>We cream shortening instead of butter for this dough, resulting in an ultra-rich-tasting version of traditional peanut butter cookies. Also nice? They take less than 30 minutes to prepare.\u00a0<\/span>Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Deep-Dish Sausage Pizza<\/a>My grandma made the tastiest snacks for us when we stayed the night at her farm. Her wonderful pizza, hot from the oven, was covered with cheese and had fragrant herbs in the crust. Now this pizza is frequently a meal for my husband, our family and me. \u2014Michele Madden, Washington Court House, OhioGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Grandma\u2019s Honey Muffins<\/a>I can remember my Grandma Wheeler making these delicious muffins\u2014we'd eat them nice and warm, fresh from the oven! She was a \"pinch of this and handful of that\" kind of cook, so getting the ingredient amounts correct for the recipe was a challenge. Now it's a family treasure! \u2014Darlis A. Wilfer, West Bend, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast<\/a>I've always tried to make cooking fun\u2014for myself, my daughters and my grandchildren. Cooking teaches children the importance of following directions and being organized. This recipe is easy to make, and kids really like it. \u2014Flo Burtnett, Gage, OklahomaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Scalloped Corn<\/a>This comforting scalloped corn casserole features sunny corn kernels blended into a creamy custard. By the time the serving dish leaves the table, it will be scraped clean!Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Italian Meatball Buns<\/a>These soft little rolls come with a pleasant surprise inside\u2014savory Italian meatballs. The apps are wonderful dipped in marinara sauce, which makes them fun for my grandkids\u2014and adults too. I love how easy they are to put together. \u2014Trina Linder-Mobley, Clover, South CarolinaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Brown Sugar Cutout Cookies<\/a>Our neighbor made these for me when I was little, and now I make them for my kids, my grandkids and the children at school. Serve them with milk for the kids and tea for the grown-ups. \u2014Nancy Lynch, Somerset, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Grandma\u2019s Rosemary Dinner Rolls<\/a>My grandma (I called her Baba) made these in her coal oven. How she regulated the temperature is beyond me! She always made extra rolls for the neighbors to bake in their own ovens. My mom and aunts would deliver the formed rolls at lunchtime. \u2014Charlotte Hendershot, Hudson, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pizza Macaroni & Cheese<\/a>My grandma made this for us once when she came to visit and I never forgot just how good it was. Since my kids love anything with pepperoni and cheese, I thought they'd enjoy it just as much as I did. \u2014Juli Meyers, Hinesville, GeorgiaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Blueberry Ice Cream<\/a>If you churn only one homemade ice cream this summer, it should be this blueberry ice cream. Each scoop has a subtle tart, floral flavor and intense purple hue.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Divinity Candy<\/a>Like fluffy clouds from up on high, divinity candy truly earns its heavenly moniker.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Blue-Ribbon Doughnuts<\/a>What could be more delicious than a warm homemade doughnut? I've been making these tasty treats for my children and grandchildren for many years. \u2014Kay McEwen, Sussex, New BrunswickGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Grandma Russell's Bread<\/a>I remember as a child always smelling fresh homemade bread and rolls whenever I walked into Grandma's house. The warm slices were delicious and melted in my mouth! \u2014Janet Polito, Nampa, IdahoGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Contest-Winning Sugar \u2018n\u2019 Spice Nuts<\/a>My daughters, grandkids and just about everyone who visits me look forward to this mix of crunchy spiced nuts recipe during the holidays. And tucked in colorful tins, it makes a handy last-minute gift idea for busy hostesses or drop-in visitors. \u2014Joan Klinefelter, Utica, IllinoisGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Tandy Cake<\/a>Our tandy cake recipe makes a copycat version of the nostalgic packaged sweets. Even if you didn\u2019t grow up with them, any chocolate-peanut butter lover will devour a slice of this tandy kake.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes<\/a>Our grandkids love these cupcakes and don't believe us when we tell them there are veggies in them! I'm always asked for this recipe, which makes a tasty treat after school, packed in lunches or served as dessert after dinner. \u2014Carole Fraser, North York, OntarioGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Grandma Schwartz\u2019s Rouladen<\/a>This was one of my Grandma Schwartz's recipes. Grandpa Schwartz was a German butcher and this was one of his (and our) favorite meals. It's an extra-special beef entree when served with mashed potatoes made with butter and sour cream. \u2014Lynda Sharai, Summer Lake, Oregon\r\n\r\nGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Meatballs<\/a>Our baked meatball recipe shows you how to whip up this delicious comfort food quickly and easily.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Gingersnap Cookies<\/a>This gingersnap cookie recipe results in fluffy, delicious cookies that'll satiate your sweet tooth.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pennsylvania Dutch Funny Cake<\/a>I can still remember my grandma serving this delicious cake on the big wooden table in her farm kitchen. Every time I bake this unusual cake, it takes me back to those special days at Grandma's. \u2014Diane Ganssle, Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Grandma's Lemon Poppy Seed Cake<\/a>This is from a collection of family recipes. My granddaughter, Riley, likes that it tastes like lemons, but is sweet. It\u2019s always moist and wonderful. \u2014Phyllis Harmon, Nelson, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Jam Biscuits<\/a>My teenage granddaughter, Holly, and I have enjoyed cooking together since she was 4 years old. We like to make these golden biscuits for holiday gatherings. Fill the centers with homemade jam, orange marmalade or cheese. \u2014Mary Lindsay, Dunrango, ColoradoGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>French Onion Soup<\/a>This rich and comforting French onion soup recipe is surprisingly simple to make at home. And it rivals the soup you\u2019ll find at any restaurant.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Sugar Cone Chocolate Chip Cookies<\/a>If I could make a batch of cookies a day, I'd be in baking heaven. I made these for my boys when they were growing up, and now I treat my grandkids, too. Everyone loves the tasty blend of chocolate chips, crumbled sugar cones and sprinkles. \u2014Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Pirate Pasta Shells<\/a>Grandfather loved pirate stories and good pasta. When we make his stuffed shells, it reminds us of his favorite tropical places and adventures. \u2014Kathy Noll, Laureldale, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Grandma Nardi's Italian Easter Bread<\/a>My Grandma Nardi\u2019s bread with dyed Easter eggs represents family and tradition. I fondly remember how she taught me the recipe when I was a little girl. \u2014Pat Merkovich, Milwaukee, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Lemon Cake<\/a>This four-layer lemon cake uses lemon juice, lemon zest, a sweet-tart lemon syrup and a lush cream cheese frosting to make sure there's a sunshiny taste of citrus in every bite.\r\n\r\n\u00a0Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Southern Collard Greens<\/a>Cooking collard greens is easier than you\u2019d think. This southern collard greens recipe is full of smoky, savory flavor, and the broth is good enough to drink. You\u2019ll want to dunk a piece of cornbread in it!Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Breakfast Buns<\/a>My grandmother taught me to bake these breakfast buns 70 years ago. Now my granddaughter makes them! This batter is like a biscuit dough and can be made up in a short time. There's no nicer way to wake up in the morning than to the aromas of biscuits baking and coffee perking! \u2014 Dorothy McGinnis, West Haven, ConnecticutGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Whoopie Pies<\/a>Baking a fun treat is a must when my four grandchildren come to stay for \"grandma camp.\" Sometimes the grandkids help by piping the cake batter. \u2014Linda Schend, Kenosha, WisconsinGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Corn Pudding<\/a>This sweetheart of a side is delicious, rich and perfect on a weeknight table or as part of a holiday spread. If you want to step up your side dish game, this triple-corn pudding is an excellent choice.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Icebox Honey Cookies<\/a>My Grandma Wruble always had a batch of these cookies in the cookie jar and another roll in the refrigerator ready to slice and bake. Their honey and lemon flavor is delicious! \u2014Kristi Gleason, Flower Mound, TexasGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Black Bean Chip & Dip Burgers<\/a>I finally invented a healthy quinoa burger that wasn't dry and crumbly or really boring. These fit the bill\u2014even my grandkids prefer them over hamburgers. They taste like chips and dip in a burger! \u2014KT Rehrig, Allentown, PennsylvaniaGo to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese<\/a>Classic old-fashioned baked macaroni and cheese comes together with just a little patience and a lot of butter, milk and cheese. Let it bake until bubbly for the most comforting meal ever.Go to Recipe<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>Wendy's Apple Pomegranate Salad<\/a>My grandparents grew pomegranates, pecans and walnuts and would send us some each year. Some of my best memories are the days I used to spend with my grandmother learning how to cook with her. Whenever I make this, it's like having lunch with my grandmother again. \u2014Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan