In this modern world, culinary trends ebb and flow. But there’s a charm in Grandma’s tried and tested kitchen tips, tricks, and hacks.
With age comes wisdom, and that’s true with every Grandma. Grandma is the unsung culinary hero of the household, possessing a treasure trove of knowledge. In fact, as kids, we ran to her when our parents scolded us. Even mothers look up to her for life advice.
In today’s article, let us delve into a few of the grandmother’s kitchen tips that can shape our cooking experiences today.
1.Sugar
Sugar often forms lumps in humid or wet conditions. To prevent clumping, add a few cloves, which absorb the moisture.
One of my favorite cooking tips involves sugar. Adding a small pinch of sugar to your curries or chutneys helps balance the flavors. I have tested this trick with paneer butter masala and bitter gourd fry, and the result was a delicious dish.
2. Onions
We've all experienced tears while cutting onions, and you might be familiar with the hack of placing a matchstick between your teeth. However, here are a couple more tricks you can try:
Holding a piece of bread in your mouth while cutting onions can absorb the sulfur compounds that cause tears.
Another approach is to cut the onion into two pieces and soak them in cold water before slicing. This pre-soaking helps prevent the tears from flowing.
3. Idlis:
In my early years, I often marveled at how my grandma achieved the softest idlis. Here's a valuable tip she passed on:
Do you want to achieve the utmost fluffiness and softness in your idlis? Consider adding cooked or puffed rice to your idli batter.
Here's another intriguing suggestion, even though the logic may not be immediately evident. Try placing a clean cloth in the idli mould before pouring the batter. Voila - Impeccably soft idlis are ready to enjoy.
4. Copper Utensils:
A common sight in most South Indian households is the copper utensils passed down from their ancestors. Copper utensils not only add aesthetics but come with numerous health benefits. However, with regular usage, their shine can fade away. Here’s a quick tip.
You may be familiar with the tip of using lemon and salt, but have you considered trying tamarind? It is a staple ingredient in every South Indian household. Take a ball-sized tamarind. Now dip it in salt and rub it against your copper utensils. Voila – Your copper vessel is all new and shiny.
5. Rice:
Rice is the staple food of South Indian cuisine, featuring in everything from everyday meals to elaborate biryanis. Store rice in tightly sealed containers to prevent bugs and insects from entering. However, even with these precautions, the presence of bugs may occasionally require you to engage in thorough cleaning. Here's a valuable kitchen tip from Grandma to keep your rice bug-free:
Place a few bay leaves (readily available in most Indian households) inside the containers of loose rice. This simple step can help prevent contamination.
No bay leaves on hand? No problem! Place 4-5 dried red chilies in the rice container.
Sunlight – The greatest enemy of Bugs. If you discover bugs in a bag of rice, expose it to direct sunlight. The bugs will crawl toward darker and moister areas, leaving your rice insect-free.
6. Curd:
In days gone by, it was a common practice to make fresh curd daily at home. Curd was an essential ingredient in cooking but also found its place in various beauty hacks. In today's age of abundant beauty products, the efficacy of natural remedies from Grandma's Kitchen still remains unmatched. Here are a few tips and tricks from Grandma's kitchen:
To ensure your chicken remains tender, marinate it with curd, salt, and the necessary spices 10-15 minutes before cooking. This simple step guarantees a super-soft dish.
Dealing with the sticky nature of a lady's finger can be challenging. Address the undesirable stickiness by adding a tablespoon of curd. The lady's finger will transform into a wonderfully crispy delight.
If you desire exceptionally soft and supple skin, consider making a face pack by combining curd with besan (gram flour). This blend can work wonders on your skin.
7.Turmeric:
Turmeric, a potent herb commonly found on every kitchen shelf, serves multiple purposes beyond its culinary applications. Its utility extends to being an effective kitchen hack.
Do you find an ant army in your kitchen every now and then? Drawing a line with turmeric powder on your kitchen shelf can act as a natural antiseptic barrier. The odor of turmeric keeps ants away.
Are you dealing with dull skin? Turmeric holds the solution. Create a face pack by combining turmeric powder with milk and applying it to your face for 15-20 minutes. After rinsing, you'll see your skin looking fresh.
Now that you have equipped yourself with grandma’s kitchen tips, its time to integrate these into your daily routine. The next time you find yourself in the kitchen, consider following these practical tips. By doing so, it can enhance the ease of our lives.