Most cooking mishaps aren’t usually from a lack of skill, but from misreading the instructions. Whether you’re new to the kitchen or a master cook looking to sharpen your culinary skills, learning how to read a recipe properly is a game-changer.
We’ve created a guide to break it down step by step so you can approach any recipe with confidence!
A step-by-step guide on how to read a recipe properly
1. Read through the recipe at least twice
Think of it as the old saying “measure twice, cut once”. A quick read-through might give you the cooking basics, but it’s easy to miss key terms, methods, times, and preparations that make or break the dish, especially when baking.
Familiarise yourself with new ingredients, terms, equipment, and methods to avoid surprises mid-cook!
2. Understand the format
What is the correct format for a recipe? Does it matter? Most chefs and recipe developers follow a standardised global format, designed to give consistent results no matter when or where you’re cooking. Standard formats follow this order: recipe title, yield, the time needed to prep, rest, and cook, ingredients list, equipment list, and method.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check the yield with the number of people you’re cooking for: you don’t want to end up serving slithers of cake for 12 people, when the recipe is meant for 8!
- Note the time it takes to prepare, the time for resting, and the time it takes to cook to plan when you can serve (don’t start an overnight recipe an hour before your dinner guests arrive!)
- Notice the use of commas in the ingredients list. Commas indicate which ingredients need to be measured first, and then prepared. I.e. “1 tablespoon almonds, chopped”
- Ingredients are listed in the order they’ll be used in the method. Measure and group them accordingly, to make cooking organised
- Remember to read the method thoroughly to find out what equipment needs to be prepared or preheated beforehand. I.e. “Line the cake tin with butter and castor sugar” or “Preheat the oven to 200ºC”
3. Make a checklist of ingredients and equipment
Do yourself a favour and make a checklist of all the ingredients and equipment you’ll need, before tackling the recipe head-on. This way you’ll know which ingredients and equipment you’ll need to buy from the shops and avoid any surprises mid-cook.
4. Make a checklist for do-ahead tasks
Mise en place is a cook’s best friend. Spend some time preparing ingredients and equipment before starting the recipe. It keeps you organised and on track (not to mention ticking tasks off is oh-so-satisfying), especially for intricate recipes like Beef Wellington or Crème Caramel. Think: chopping onions, preheating your oven, and sorting spices into ramekins.
5. Keep to the order of things
Chefs and recipe developers have done the heavy lifting for us. They’ve meticulously weighed ingredients, tested different methods and equipment, and ensured a foolproof result, promising the same outcome every time. Keep to the order of preparing, resting, and cooking ingredients. They all contribute to the result.
How to tell a good recipe from a bad one
We’ve all been there: investing time, and effort (and ingredients!) into a recipe only for it to end up as a flop. You might end up asking yourself “Can this be prevented?”. Or “How do you evaluate a recipe?”.
To avoid this in the future, we’ve put together steps to help you sift out good recipes from the duds:
- Check the source: Trusted sources, like chefs, cookbook authors, and experienced food bloggers, have tried and tested recipes. Avoid recipes without a named author or credible source. You want to know the person behind the method!
- Read the whole recipe: Is the method clear? Are the steps organised? Make sure the recipe provides specific instructions, instead of vague ones.
- Scan the ingredients list: Have they been listed in order of use? Look out for odd ratios, missing quantities, and obscure ingredients.
- The method needs to flow logically: Does the timing make sense for the type of food? Are the steps clear and easy to follow?
- Read the reviews: Most online recipes are rated by followers (even Google). Work your way through a few top-ranking recipes, and choose one that resonates with your cooking style.
Set yourself up for success
Reading a recipe might sound obvious, but there’s a real skill to it. Take the time to upskill yourself and learn how to read a recipe properly to decode instructions, understand kitchen terms, and spot quality recipes from the duds. You’ll save time, avoid kitchen disasters, and enjoy better results! Next time you start chopping, take a minute to read through the recipe—properly.
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Feature image credit: Unsplash
