I am NEVER without a roll of waxED paper. I use it to wrap dough, I sift flour onto it, I use a waxed paper-lined baking sheet to set meatballs on after I roll them. My mom used it all the time, too. A great kitchen staple to highlight!
I love this! Just the other day I was grating cheese over wax paper, grabbed the corners, lifted it and put the cheese in pastina. Every sandwich in my lunch box was wrapped in that paper. Wonderful, Amie, and love the illustration! xx
A beautiful ode to wax paper! One note...some were coated with PFAS to make them grease- and water-proof. Even with packaging phase outs, some fluorochemicals are still used as alternatives, so check the label https://customwaxpaper.com/does-wax-paper-have-pfas/ - some will designate chemical-free
Aww, I miss your mom’s writing. I haven’t used waxed paper in a long time, but her argument has inspired me to go buy a roll. Seems less toxic than plastic wrap.
This is so great! Thanks for the giggles while reading! And yes, I love and use waxed paper often for all the same reasons and more, and despise the clingwrappy stuff which I use maybe only once a year. Waxed paper, though? Wonderful invention to be sure.
I had to pull out my roll of Reynolds Kitchens Cut-right to check and discovered it’s labeled “wax paper.” Technically and grammatically, I think it should be waxed paper as it is actually waxed on each side but not actually made of wax. As a former copy editor, I can only imagine the heated discussions we might have had about it back in the day. But now we’d probably just ask AI, which claims that both are grammatically correct! But I do wax on and on…
PS: Thanks also, Amie, for including the Passover quote from the Milwaukee cookbook, an excellent metaphor for the deeper meaning behind removing all leavened products from the house before the holiday.
I had to pull out my roll of Reynolds Kitchens Cut-Right to check and discovered it’s labeled “wax paper.” Technically and grammatically, I think it should be waxed paper as it is actually waxed on each side but not actually made of wax. As a former copy editor, I can only imagine the heated discussions we might have had about it back in the day. But now we’d probably just ask AI, which claims that both are grammatically correct! But I do wax on and on…
PS: Thanks also, Amie, for including the Passover quote from the Milwaukee cookbook, an excellent metaphor for the deeper meaning behind removing all leavened products from the house before the holiday.
I use waxed paper in the kitchen. It is also great to teach kids about conic sections in math class -- Google waxed paper folding conics. My husband prefers plastic wrap. I can't stand the stuff. It sticks to itself too much.
Fascinating! But is it wrong that I've always used parchment paper, a close cousin to waxed?? I think it's because it's more readily available here in Canada and feels more environmentally virtuous although I'm afraid to google that! Either way, both are FAR superior to plastic wrap in my opinion. (Plus, there's that thing we used to do with ironing autumn leaves in between waxed paper.) Loved this!
Your mother not only wrote a fun article about "waxed paper", which does seem a more accurate description of the product; but she was ahead of her time in using fewer plastic bags and plastic film. Both are harmful to the planet and so little recycled. Thank you for sharing.
I am NEVER without a roll of waxED paper. I use it to wrap dough, I sift flour onto it, I use a waxed paper-lined baking sheet to set meatballs on after I roll them. My mom used it all the time, too. A great kitchen staple to highlight!
Meatballs! Never thought of this. I’m going to compile a comprehensive list of uses for waxed paper; reader input has been brilliant!
That’s a great idea. I also line my cookie tins with waxed paper before filling them!
I love this! Just the other day I was grating cheese over wax paper, grabbed the corners, lifted it and put the cheese in pastina. Every sandwich in my lunch box was wrapped in that paper. Wonderful, Amie, and love the illustration! xx
How cool you used this for the pastina! And I loved the little wrapped sandwiches in my Brady bunch lunch box. Like a special present!
Exactly! I think your book is going to bring back Wax Paper! xx
Your mom makes some good points! I do have a roll in the kitchen. It has to be better for the environment than baggies.
I’m glad I gave it another try—it really is good for so many reasons!
A beautiful ode to wax paper! One note...some were coated with PFAS to make them grease- and water-proof. Even with packaging phase outs, some fluorochemicals are still used as alternatives, so check the label https://customwaxpaper.com/does-wax-paper-have-pfas/ - some will designate chemical-free
Good to know; thank you, Ellen!
Aww, I miss your mom’s writing. I haven’t used waxed paper in a long time, but her argument has inspired me to go buy a roll. Seems less toxic than plastic wrap.
I miss her writing, too, but so happy I have 30+ years to share with readers old and new…This is one of her wittiest pieces!
I use waxed paper in ALL the ways your Mom did - my husband gets such a kick when I wrap sammiches for a road trip in the gift wrap method. 😄
This is so great! Thanks for the giggles while reading! And yes, I love and use waxed paper often for all the same reasons and more, and despise the clingwrappy stuff which I use maybe only once a year. Waxed paper, though? Wonderful invention to be sure.
I’m still trying to find the edge of my cling wrap 🤭
I mostly give up lol!
I had to pull out my roll of Reynolds Kitchens Cut-right to check and discovered it’s labeled “wax paper.” Technically and grammatically, I think it should be waxed paper as it is actually waxed on each side but not actually made of wax. As a former copy editor, I can only imagine the heated discussions we might have had about it back in the day. But now we’d probably just ask AI, which claims that both are grammatically correct! But I do wax on and on…
PS: Thanks also, Amie, for including the Passover quote from the Milwaukee cookbook, an excellent metaphor for the deeper meaning behind removing all leavened products from the house before the holiday.
I had to pull out my roll of Reynolds Kitchens Cut-Right to check and discovered it’s labeled “wax paper.” Technically and grammatically, I think it should be waxed paper as it is actually waxed on each side but not actually made of wax. As a former copy editor, I can only imagine the heated discussions we might have had about it back in the day. But now we’d probably just ask AI, which claims that both are grammatically correct! But I do wax on and on…
PS: Thanks also, Amie, for including the Passover quote from the Milwaukee cookbook, an excellent metaphor for the deeper meaning behind removing all leavened products from the house before the holiday.
Good to have you in our corner, Ruth! I wholeheartedly agree with your rationale.
Waxed paper has always been in my drawer, right next to the foil. Can't be beat for so many things, but especially rolling out dough.
I use waxed paper in the kitchen. It is also great to teach kids about conic sections in math class -- Google waxed paper folding conics. My husband prefers plastic wrap. I can't stand the stuff. It sticks to itself too much.
Fascinating! But is it wrong that I've always used parchment paper, a close cousin to waxed?? I think it's because it's more readily available here in Canada and feels more environmentally virtuous although I'm afraid to google that! Either way, both are FAR superior to plastic wrap in my opinion. (Plus, there's that thing we used to do with ironing autumn leaves in between waxed paper.) Loved this!
Love reading Karyl’s stories. You’ve inherited writing skills from both sides of your family. Keep it up and the cooking skills also. ❣️
Another fun read! This newsletter inspires me every time!
Your mother not only wrote a fun article about "waxed paper", which does seem a more accurate description of the product; but she was ahead of her time in using fewer plastic bags and plastic film. Both are harmful to the planet and so little recycled. Thank you for sharing.
Coincidentally, I’ve been using WAXED paper layely! Kind of thrilling.
I truly love waxed paper and despise Saran Wrap though I use it and then wonder why I tortured myself. This was a beautiful ode!!