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.
article_text... Read More
article_text... Read More
article_text... Read More
article_text... Read More
article_text... Read More
article_text... Read More
article_text... Read More
The easiest way to make rice well every time is to use a rice cooker... Read More
Ever been to a barbecue party where the 'chef' placed as much food as he could possibly fit onto the barbecue grill, every so often stabbing the food with a fork and juggling it around so that it cooks evenly? Ever noticed how, within a few minutes, the flames start gently flickering under the food, the chef proudly standing back admiring the char grill effect that he's creating? Ever notice the panic that sets in when the flames suddenly leap up and around the food burning it black on the outside and leaving it raw on the inside?The difference between great char grilled barbecue food and burnt offerings lies in a few small precautions... Read More
There's nothing better than the juicy, flavorful hard candy from your local gourmet candy shop ... Read More
As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially during the holidays, but baking Christmas cookies is a family tradition I'm unwilling to give up... Read More
Many bakers ask for tips and instructions on decorating cookies... Read More
Are you wondering if you have the time to bake homemade Christmas cookies this year? Every year at about this time we all start to get a little panicked that the holidays are coming up fast and we're not really ready yet... Read More
As one of the oldest children in a family of nine, I know that cooking for a crowd can almost be a full-time job... Read More