Modifying Your Recipes, More or Less

You just found that great recipe that you have been trying to find for over year. And now you're dancing around your kitchen in glee!

That's when you notice that it makes enough to feed a small army, but you only need to feed two.

Or perhaps, it only makes enough for two; and that's just not going to cut it for your family of five.

You REALLY want to prepare that recipe for your family and/or friends. So what's a cook to do?

Well, you'll be happy to know that it's a cinch to reduce a recipe or increase a recipe. And most of the time you only need to reduce the ingredients by half for less or double the ingredients for more.

Reducing Recipes to make half a recipe...

It's pretty easy to reduce a recipe by half, you just use half of each ingredient. If the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons, you would use only 1 tablespoon.

It can get a little tricky with ingredients like eggs though. I mean, it seems kind of hard to come up with half of 1 egg, at first. But here's the trick...

If the reduced recipe calls for less than 1 egg, beat one whole egg. Measure out what you need with a tablespoon to divide. You can use the egg that is left in scrambled eggs, sauces, or discard (but if you're like me, you hate to waste food).

Remember, the size of your baking pans must be reduced also. The pans should measure about half the area of those for the whole recipe. Oven temperatures won't change. However, approximate baking time will be the same or maybe slightly less if the proportions of the pan are different.

Increasing Recipes to double a recipe...

When doubling a recipe, you do just that - double it!

You'll use exactly twice the amount of each ingredient. And you'll need to add an extra minute of beating for cakes.

Remember, when doubling recipes, you only add the top numbers of the fraction. For example, 2/3 cup plus 2/3 cup equals 4/3 cup. If you're good with numbers, then you can convert this to 1 and 1/3 cup.

However, if you're terrified of fractions like a lot of people, simply use a 1/3 measuring cup and measure out your ingredients until you have filled your 1/3 measuring cup 4 times and added to the recipe.

You will need to use twice as many pans of the same size indicated for the original recipe or a pan double in area. The batter should be the same depth in the pans so that the same baking time and temperature may be used.

Have Fun!

Grab your copy of "The Ultimate Cookbook Collection", featuring 20 e-Cookbooks, lifetime updates, and more. Check out all the collection has to offer at http://ultimatecook.notlong.com

You may reprint this article on your site or in your ezine as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and the resource information remains intact.

---

Cut The Take Out

A long hard day at work. You get home and... Read More

Troubleshooting Cookies

If your cookies are too tough . . . You... Read More

Secret of Light and Fluffy Biscuits and Pancakes

Would you like to lose some weight -- in your... Read More

The Wonderful Wok: Stir Frying Basics

Want to enjoy the tantalizing taste of Asian food at... Read More

Using Bread Machine Mixes in Your Oven

You don't have to own a bread machine to enjoy... Read More

Cookware ? Whats In It?

Have you ever wanted to buy new cookware but didn't... Read More

10 Simple Kitchen Organizing Tips

A lot of the times we mean to get in... Read More

Grilling Tips ? Safety Comes First at the Barbecue

You're standing at the gas grill in the hot sun,... Read More

Preparing Lobster Tails

Lobster, once the food of poor farmers, is now considered... Read More

Barbequing, a Fun and Convenient Way to Make Dinner

"There's nothing more enjoyable than having friends and family gathered... Read More

A Cookie Assembly Line: Efficient Cookie Baking for Busy Cooks

As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially... Read More

The Art of the Marinade

It's a sad fact that these days it has become... Read More

Prepare the Best Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Would you like to prepare the best Garlic Mashed Potatoes... Read More

The Right Grill for Your Barbecue

Barbecue is a mix of talents. There is the choice... Read More

How to Make a Cajun Roux

The process of preparing Cajun food is in no way... Read More

Peppercorns & Ways To Use Them

New and exciting varieties of peppercorns are becoming available to... Read More

Storing Fats and Oils

The human body requires the intake of six types of... Read More

Cake Baking Tip Guide

Successful cake decorating is all about preparation. Baking and preparing... Read More

Family Meal Planning Made Easy

As moms, we have hectic lives. Whether we work out... Read More

Slimming Secrets From The Kitchen

To get the svelte figure, start in the kitchen. Slimming... Read More

Wok this Way! (Part 3 of 5) Seasoning Your New Wok

Seasoning is the most important thing you can do to... Read More

Kitchenaid Stand Mixers ? A Kitchen Work Horse

Kitchenaid stand mixers are very popular in today's kitchens and... Read More

How to Bake: Bread on the Grill

One of the slickest tricks we know is baking bread... Read More

Reductions: Proving Less is More

Any liquid can be reduced just by heating it -... Read More

What?s the Thick on Roux? Thickening Soups and Sauces

Soups and sauces can be thickened in a variety of... Read More

Low-Budget Meals In a Minute

Ever go home and look in the fridge only to... Read More

Seasoning An Oven

Untreated cast iron rusts, especially around water. To prevent metal... Read More

To Fry Or Not To Fry?

Here's a little known factoid - did you know that... Read More

Digital Kitchen Timers ? Never Burn Another Dish

Digital kitchen timers come in many shapes and sizes. Timers... Read More

Alone In the Kitchen: Stirring Up Mindfulness

Put on your apron! It's time to stir up a... Read More

Two for One Dinners: Ham

If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More

Two for One Dinners: Beef

If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More

How To Eat Fresh Vegetables ? Ideas for Working More Veggies Into Your Diet

Fresh, uncooked veggies are so healthy and it's important to... Read More