Faded attic card for pickled beets has a smudged vinegar measurement.

I'm hoping to recreate this for my dad's birthday. Any tips on restoring old recipe instructions?

3 comments

3 Comments

Classic! Those old recipe cards are always falling apart when you need them most. Trying to guess the vinegar amount is like playing a culinary game of telephone. For your dad's birthday, you could just wing it and call it a "family secret" version. But seriously, maybe compare it to similar pickled beet recipes online to get a range. Just be ready for your dad to say it tastes "different" from his childhood memory. Good luck, and hope the beets turn out tangy, not tragic.

the_james1mo ago

Nah, @robin682, "family secret" risks messing up dad's nostalgia.

cameron3181mo ago

Read a blog post about this exact thing. They said to hold the card at an angle under a bright lamp. Sometimes the indent from the pen shows up even if the ink is gone. Try gently rubbing a pencil lead sideways over the smudge. Might reveal the original writing. Could also try a free phone app that lets you bump up the contrast on a photo. Saw someone restore a cookie recipe that way. Worth a shot before you start guessing.