In a world where convenience is often more important than tradition, some golden nuggets of culinary wisdom from the past still stand the test of time. Here are 17 cooking tips from the past that not only still work wonders today but can also elevate your cooking game. You might be surprised!

1. Butter Wrappers for Greasing Pans

Who needs cooking spray when you’ve got butter wrappers? People in the past didn’t let anything go to waste, not even the paper that butter was wrapped in. These wrappers are perfect for lightly greasing pans. Just grab one from the fridge, hold it by the corners, and let the residual butter work its magic.

2. Sugar for Better Tomato Sauce

Sugar might not be the first thing you think about adding to your tomato sauce, but trust us, it’s a great idea. A teaspoon of sugar can balance the acidity of tomatoes and can give your sauce a smoother, richer taste. It’s especially a good idea if you’re not a fan of tomatoes, as it’ll make the sauce taste far nicer.

3. Ice Water for Fluffier Pancakes

For pancakes that are as fluffy as clouds, the secret is ice-cold water. Instead of using liquid that’s at room temperature, a splash of cold water in the batter will make your pancakes rise to the occasion in the best way possible. Forget those pathetic and thin ones – these pancakes are to die for!

4. A Potato to Fix Over-Salted Soup

Over-salted your soup? Don’t worry. Toss in a peeled potato and let it simmer. The potato will work like a sponge and soak up the excess salt. After about ten minutes, remove the potato, and no one will be the wiser. Your soup’s reputation remains intact, and the potato has fulfilled its destiny.

5. Hot Knife for Perfect Cake Slices

The secret to clean cake slices isn’t a fancy knife, but the temperature of the tools you’re using. Dip your knife in hot water, dry it off, and then slice. The warmth will help the knife to glide through the cake like a hot car through butter. It’s a simple trick that’ll make you feel like a professional cake slicer.

6. Aluminum Foil as a Funnel

Try using aluminum foil as a makeshift funnel when the real thing is nowhere to be found. Simply shape the foil into a cone with a small opening at the bottom, making sure it fits snugly over your container. You’ll find that the foil will hold its shape and help you to funnel things pretty darn easily.

7. Coffee Grinder for Fresh Herbs

Got an old coffee grinder lying around? Don’t throw it away – you can use it to grind fresh herbs! Of course, you’ll need to thoroughly clean it first to remove coffee residue, then add your herbs. Pretty soon, you’ll have finely ground herbs ready for cooking without having to fork out for some more.

8. Vinegar for Perfectly Poached Eggs

If you add a little vinegar to the water when you’re poaching eggs, it’ll help the whites coalesce more effectively. This way, they’ll stick together instead of spreading out. Your poached eggs will be beautifully shaped and firm, making for a meal that looks good and tastes delicious. What a treat!

9. Stale Bread for Freshening Up Brown Sugar

After a while, brown sugar will solidify, and most people will throw it out. Don’t make this mistake! Instead, try the stale bread trick. Shove a piece of stale bread in there overnight, and boom, your brown sugar is as soft as a cloud in pajamas. Who knew that bread could be the one to save your dessert?

10. Milk to Revive Stale Bread

So, your bread’s gone as stiff as a board, and you’re about to give it a Viking funeral. Hold up! Dunk those slices in milk for a bit, then toast them. You’ll be shocked as they come back to life, softer and ready for a second chance at breakfast glory. Suddenly, it’s not just toast – it’s a toast with a backstory.

11. Freezing Cheese to Grate Easily

Finding it hard to grate cheese? Skip the gym and pop that block of cheese in the freezer for about 20 minutes. It’ll make grating as easy as sliding into your favorite pair of jeans, and it also means you’re less likely to accidentally grate your fingertips. This way, you can make dinner while also keeping all ten fingers intact – bonus!

12. Salt to Clean Cast Iron

Your cast iron skillet has seen everything from seared steaks to crispy bacon. But cleaning it? That’s where salt comes in. Scrub with salt and a bit of water, and watch as it goes from grimy to gleaming, all without losing its seasoning. Think about all the money you’ll save from not buying a new one!

13. Rice to Sharpen Blender Blades

If your blender’s blades are so dull they couldn’t cut through a smoothie, it’s time for some rice therapy. Toss in a handful of raw rice and blend away. Soon enough, the blades will come out sharper than a tack. Now, they’re ready to tackle everything from ice to those fancy frozen fruits you spent a little too much on.

14. Rubbing Garlic on Toast

Want to impress someone with homemade garlic bread, but all you’ve got is toast and a garlic clove? Rub that clove right on the toast. Forget what people say – it’s efficiency, not laziness. Plus, when you tell the story, you’ll look like a culinary MacGyver, turning the ordinary into gourmet with nothing but a clove and sheer willpower.

15. Eggshell for Removing Eggshell

Okay, this sounds strange, but trust us on this one. If you’ve dropped a piece of eggshell in the bowl, then you should use a larger piece of shell to scoop it out. The curved edges make it a lot easier for you to get the shell out than using your fingers. Just remember to take out the larger piece afterward!

16. Heating Citrus for More Juice

Lemons or limes not giving you enough juice? Then zap them in the microwave for 10 seconds to show those citrus fruits who’s boss. Suddenly, they’ll gush with juice, ready to zing up your dish or drink. Just like some people, all you need to give them is a little warmth for them to open up!

17. Peeling Ginger with a Spoon

Forget about using a knife and potentially losing half your ginger in the process. Grab a spoon and use its edge to scrape off the skin. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly the peel comes off, leaving you with all the ginger goodness you need for your dish. You’ll also get to keep all your fingertips, which is always great.

Keys to Greatness

Who knew that the keys to culinary greatness were hiding in the wisdom of the past? These 17 tips show the creativity and resourcefulness of generations before us. They remind us that sometimes, the best solutions are the simplest ones, so the next time you find yourself having a kitchen problem, remember these pearls of wisdom.

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Tamila McDonald

Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.