It’s an age-old conundrum, really. The greatest philosophers of all time have likely pondered it.

I’m certain it’s been an age-old conundrum, to be sure. In fact, it may have been part of the reason we left Britain to start our own country, y’all.

A’ight, maybe not.

But with wedding / graduation party season among us, it seems relevant — at least in the tiny gray matter floating around in the mind of PK.

For some reason, I have just always been perplexed by parchment paper. Not the stuff you use to write on with a calligraphy pen for the invites. I mean the paper on which you bake cookies.

It looks, feels and just overall seems to be just like waxed paper, doesn’t it? But it isn’t. In fact, it’s some kind of beneficial imposter of sorts.

According to a recent article in “Southern Living”: “When it comes to baking, a roll of parchment paper is one of the most versatile tools you can have in the kitchen. Not only is it nonstick, but it’s also heat-resistant, resulting in perfect texture for most baked goods.”

Hmm. Who knew? The article went on to extol the virtues of the weird stuff.

“Lining a sheet pan with parchment paper can ensure cookies and other items cook evenly and the bottoms don’t get too brown, or place a piece inside your square or round pans for brownies and cakes that will pop out easily after they’re baked,” says Kristen Tomlan, founder and CEO of DO, Cookie Dough Confections.

Also, a pro tip was offered therein when using parchment for baking: “Spritz your pan with nonstick spray before laying the parchment down, which will help prevent it from rolling up.”

As the story goes, “In cooking, parchment comes in handy for making easy, healthy dinners in the form of individual packets. This is a method used by the French known as ‘en papillote.'”

Huh? I thought this was like an aluminum foil situation? Leave it to the French to confuse me even more than I am in my natural state.

It seems that another surprising use for parchment paper is that it works in helping to keep a kitchen clean. How, you ask?

Go right ahead and ask. I mean, I did, after all?

“Simply add a small piece to the top of your kitchen scale, panini press, waffle maker or any other kitchen gadget to avoid scrubbing that innards of that item later.”

Ew, I don’t know that I’m all that comfy with the whole “innards” mention. Sort of reminds me of the icky stuff on the inside of the Thanksgiving turkey that only crazy cousin Eddie might eat?

What, so “Christmas Vacation” is one of my favorite movies. It’s not a crime, yo.

But what is a crime, again at least in my tiny noggin, is going to a wedding or graduation party and not indulging in the cookies that likely came to be, most likely, thanks to the handy dandy stuff.

Life’s short. Live a little. Pile up on those parchment-paper-aided morsels at a wedding reception or graduation party situation near you.

Kimerer is a columnist with an odd thought process but who has a good heart — and wants everyone to enjoy a good cookie every now and again. Contact her at pkimerer@zoominternet.net.