Choosing A Recipe

What is a recipe?

• A set of instructions for preparing a specific food

A recipe should include…

• Listed ingredients• Amounts to be measured• Directions for mixing and handling• Baking or cooking time• Temperatures• Pan size• Yield• *Nutritional analysis

Recipe Success

• Read the entire recipe before you start• Make sure you have all ingredients• Gather all ingredients and cooking utensils• Check preparation time• Preheat oven when necessary• Follow Directions Exactly!!!• Measure amounts of ingredients exactly

Changing RecipesSome recipes can handle change

If the ingredient acts more or less independently of each otherEX: Fruit in a fruit salad or vegetables in a stir fry

Others can not handle changeBake goods are like chemical formulasCertain ingredients blended together to create a certain effect

If you change one amount or omit(leave out) one ingredient, the food may be ruined.

What you need to know about recipes

• Kitchen Equipment• Abbreviations• Measuring Techniques• Kitchen Equivalents• Cooking Terms

Abbreviations used in Recipes

Abbreviations used in Recipestsp. or t. teaspoonTbsp. or T. Tablespoonc. cuppt. pintqt. quart

gal. gallonoz. ouncelb. poundpkg. packagedoz. dozen

Measuring

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v-ulU_mi7o

Measuring Dry Ingredients

• Sugar, flour, brown sugar

• Measure dry ingredients in a dry measure cup

• Spoon the ingredient into correct measuring cup until its overfilled

• Using a metal spatula level off any excess

Using Measuring Spoons

• Use measuring spoons when measuring less than ¼ cup of dry or liquid ingredients

Measuring Brown Sugar• Press it firmly into a dry measure with the

back of a spoon (packing)

• Overfill and level with a straight-edge spatula

• Brown sugar should hold the shape when you dump it out

Measuring Liquid Ingredients

• Milk, water, oil, juices, etc.

• Set liquid measuring cup on a flat surface

• Bend down so that the desired marking is at eye level

Measuring Fats• Butter, margarine, shortening, lard, and

peanut butter• Stick of butter and margarine have

markings on their wrappers• Each stick is equal to 8T or ½ cup• Use a sharp knife to cut at the correct

marking

• Measure shortening and peanut butter in dry measure cups• Use a rubber scraper to press into dry

measure• Over fill cup• Level off with metal spatula• Remove with rubber spatula