Kitchen

[Carmie]

I never watched my grandmothers cook anything.

I watched my mother cook and she mostly used flour.

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at age 30.  I have been cooking with cornstarch since then.  I cannot eat wheat, rye or barley.

[Mz iMac]

I do not know how to make gravy from flour.  One of my aunts found this out & showed me how to make gravy from corn starch.  She didn't know how to make gravy from flour either.

I will forever be greatful to my maternal aunt for enlightening me.  This same aunt taught me how to cook a NON-GREASY duck/goose.

[buyerreview]

My grandparents used both depending on the dish and gravy needed. I am comfortable using both.

[Kachina624]

@ECBG.  I don't know about grandma, but I frequently use cornstarch as a thickner.  It makes sauces and gravies clearer, less opaque, which I prefer.

[SaveTheTurtles]

My mom and grandma both used cornstarch as do I. I am not the best gravy maker and find cornstarch works better for me.

[spumoni99]

Cornstarch is also used to tenderize meat in Asian cooking.

[proudlyfromNJ]

I also use cornstarch for gravy.

[cindyNC]

My mother always used flour.  I switched to potato starch after watching Jaque Pepin.  It will thicken graview without having to bring them back to a boil

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Before changed my way of eating I used to use either AP flour or cornstarch, depending on what I was thickening.  I had one recipe for beef stew that called for tapioca beads. Nowadays I don't use any of those.  Xanthan gum is my thickener now.  

[cheriere]

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@spumoni99 wrote:

Cornstarch is also used to tenderize meat in Asian cooking.

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I didn't know that.  Thanks for the tip.💝. If I may ask, how far in advance does this need to be done?