It is entirely possible to use a homemade reusable waxed packaging to replace aluminum foil and cling film. However, what are the alternatives for baking paper? Parchment paper is indeed essential so that pastries and other culinary preparations do not stick. It is also appreciated for cooking food in foil in the traditional oven or in the microwave. However, what should you do if you no longer have a roller or want a more eco-friendly alternative? Often, having a non-stick dish is not enough to avoid cakes that turn out poorly. After tips for replacing flour or replacing eggs in a recipe, grandmother explains how to replace parchment paper in your kitchen.
1) Invest in a pastry mat to replace parchment paper
To prevent cake from sticking to the oven tray, a pastry mat is one of the most practical options. Indeed, this Non-stick silicone canvas is easy to use and easy to clean. A simple wipe with a sponge is enough to clean this type of waterproof baking mat! With this solution, no need for fat: you just place the silicone cloth on the plate as you would for baking paper. Of course, this won’t suit those looking to banish plastic from their kitchen. However, it remains a more practical and reusable solution than parchment paper.
2) Grandma’s favorite methods to replace parchment paper
When parchment paper didn’t exist, grandmothers had to be inventive with what they had in the kitchen. Very often, they used a very effective method which consists of buttering the mold (or oiling it) then flouring it. And there you have it: in two minutes, your mold is ready for your recipe and for cooking in the oven! For certain recipes, you can also do the same with butter and breadcrumbs. Finally, to prevent the potatoes or fries (or any other savory preparation) from sticking to the cooking plate, you can also sprinkle some thin layer of salt.
3) Beeswax, the anti-clinging peel-off tip
For your sweet recipes, you can use beeswax to coat the mold. Thus, your preparation will not stick, and the wax will give it a very subtle aroma of sweet honey and sugar. However, be sure to use an edible, organic beeswax to rub the mold and plaque. This solution is as ecological as it is tasty! Think about it for your cookies, muffins, macarons or for a sweet cake.
4) Use edible leaves from the garden
The primary benefit of using parchment paper on molds and baking sheets is that they no longer need fat. In fact, using butter is not possible for those looking for a dietary alternative. However, it is also possible to line the mold with leaves from the garden : cabbage, chard, salad, violet leaves, comfrey, banana leaves (at the garden center or specialized store)… Simply wash them well in hot water and dry before lining the dish with them. If necessary, lightly oil the mold beforehand for better adhesion of the leaves. And what’s more, you can also make fish papillotes with to replace harmful aluminum foil! In addition to being original, this tip gives a beautiful presentation to the dish.
After parchment paper, how to replace plastic cling film, aluminum and freezer bags?
Food packaging (wrap type) and fabric covers beeswax coating are a great eco-friendly option to replace most of this polluting packaging. They are flexible, reusable many times, compatible with freezing and very easily washable. They can be used to package foods such as cheese, fruits and vegetables that you want to refrigerate, but also foods to be frozen. It can also be used to cover plates and pans before storing them in a cool place or putting in the dishes you want to eat during a picnic. In addition, you can very easily make them yourself or buy them at a very low price on the internet or in stores specializing in zero waste.
Otherwise, both for storage in ambient air and in the refrigerator or freezer, we can also adopt containers made of durable plastic, silicone, or even better glass or metal (like stainless steel) with tight-fitting lids. Just make sure they are suitable for freezer use and are BPA-free or other harmful substances. These containers are very easy to clean and can be reused for many years.
Ecological and practical alternatives to cling film in the kitchen
Make or buy reusable fabric dish covers to cover bowls and dishes in the refrigerator. They are machine washable and reusable many times. In addition to sustainable alternatives to cling film, such as beeswax wraps and airtight Tupperware-type boxes, there are also silicone bags that can be washed and reused several times.
Sustainable and greener alternatives to aluminum
In addition to airtight boxes, there are reusable parchment paperoften made of silicone, to cover baking trays or wrap food in the oven. It is washable and can be used several times. As with parchment paper, also use reusable silicone baking mats to cook foods in the oven, such as biscuits or vegetables to replace aluminum. They are non-stick, easy to clean and reusable for a long time.
To replace plastic freezer bags easily and efficiently
Here again, you can opt for silicone freezer bags or durable plastic to wash and use several times. Certainly more expensive at the time of purchase, these bags have zippers or snap fasteners to ensure watertightness and will allow you to save money in the medium and long term. Otherwise, opt for compostable paper bags to freeze your food. Just make sure they’re certified as compostable and can withstand freezing temperatures.