Understanding the Recipe

Understanding the Recipe

First things first: Read all the way through the recipe before you do anything else.  It sounds like a no-brainer, but when you’re eager to get cooking, it’s easy to jump in before you realize you don’t have an ingredient you need.

Before you start, ask yourself:

• Do I have all the ingredients to make the recipe?
• Do I have all the tools and equipment to make the recipe?
• Do I understand the directions within the recipe?
• Do I have the time it takes to make the recipe?

When you can answer “yes” to these questions, go ahead and start the recipe.  For recipes that require baking, check your oven and make sure the racks are where you need them.  This usually means the rack should be near the middle.

The first time you make a recipe, it’s a good idea to follow the directions and ingredients exactly.  Once you taste the results, you’re in a better position to tinker with the ingredients.  Don’t be afraid to make notes on the page as you go.  Want to up the garlic level next time?  Write it down.  The more you cook, the more you’ll learn about ingredients and how to make changes that suit your taste.

Lastly, while no one looks forward to cleanup, you’ll find it’s a lot easier to wash utensils or rinse and put them in the dishwasher as you use them.  That way, when you get to the end of the recipe, you can focus on the fantastic food you’ve just prepared and not the mess you left in the kitchen.