How to Follow a Recipe - Tips and Tricks

Following a recipe can be confusing for a beginner and even tough recipes can be hard to follow for experienced cooks. Most recipes are pretty straight forward but they can be messed up pretty easily if you're not prepared. Here are some tips you may find helpful when tackling a recipe for the first time or one that's semi-complicated or intricate.

Read the Recipe
Although it may seem like common sense to read the recipe first, many people don't and this is usually where most problems stem from. There's nothing worse than getting halfway through a recipe only to discover you don't have enough eggs, or the yeast isn't ready, or you don't have the proper supplies. By reading the recipe in it's entirety you will know before starting if you have enough of the right ingredients and all the right tools. When reading the recipe go through your cabinets and refrigerator to make sure you have enough of everything and that you have the right gadgets before beginning.

Prepare Ingredients and Supplies
When following a recipe, especially one you're not familiar with it's often beneficial to pre-measure ingredients and have all of your kitchen tools set up, and ready to use. By preparing ahead of time you won't have to stop in the middle of your recipe to measure ingredients or set up appliances. Make sure you have enough ingredients and pre-measure them into bowls or dishes so they're ready to use.

If you're recipe calls for eggs, butter, milk, or any other cold ingredients it is usually best to let them come to room temperature first. If the recipe calls for yeast prepare it ahead of time in a small bowl so you can just add it when called for. If the recipe calls for sifting flour or premixing dry ingredients you will also want to do this ahead of time. If you need to grease/flour any pans you will also want to do this before you start mixing ingredients or cooking. It is also recommended to preheat your oven when baking and preheat your pan if you are frying or using oil.

Recipes that call for chopped, sliced, diced, or otherwise cut up foods like fruits and vegetables you will want to prepare them before starting as well. Before cooking meats, trim away excess fat and remove bones from fish and poultry when necessary. It is also helpful to make sure any kitchen gadgets or appliances you need are set up and ready to use before beginning to cook or bake. Some recipes call for an electric mixer, food processor, deep fryer, or blender. Just make sure all the parts are set up and everything is ready to use; make sure they're plugged in. When it comes to gadgets it is often difficult to substitute what you need. Sure, mixing can be done by hand if you don't have an electric beater, but things like food processors and blenders can't really be substituted for hand work. If you have to borrow or buy something make sure you do it before starting your recipe.

Following the Recipe
Unless you are familiar with the recipe you're using follow each instruction exactly as written. Even with an easy recipe if one step is not followed properly it could be disastrous and ruin the entire dish. Often it's best not to double or reduce the recipe unless you have tried it before and you are sure it works. The same rule follows for substitutions like sugar, flours, eggs, and other dairy products. It is also helpful to have a good cookbook on hand like Better Homes and Gardens, McCall's, or Betty Crocker. The older versions of these cookbooks often have tips, guides, and cooking terminology. Use these sections of the cookbook to your advantage. Many versions of these older cookbooks also have substitution and measuring guides.