Why You Need to Follow A Recipe the First Time

Are you one of those people who love to wing it in the kitchen? Do you swap out ingredients like it's no biggie? Listen, we respect your creativity, but we need to talk about something… following a recipe the first time you make it. There's a reason why it's crucial to follow a recipe the first time you make it. Here's why.

Measurements matter

When we're in the kitchen, we're all about precision. We've got to make sure we're measuring ingredients accurately, especially when it comes to baking. Measurements are typically for ratios. Failing to measure ingredients correctly can result in a cake that won't rise or a dish that's way too salty or bland. Save yourself time and money by following a recipe's measurements accurately the first time you make it.

 

Experimentation is good, but start with a base

We respect your creative spirit, and experimentation is essential in the kitchen, but it's always good to start with a solid baseline. The first time you make a recipe, let it be your guide. Once you have a feel for the ingredients and how they interact with each other, you can start making tweaks. Knowing your ingredients and understanding their properties is essential to successful recipe experimentation.

 

Learning new techniques

Recipes typically require a specific way of doing things. There's a reason why they require a specific technique. The first time you make something, pay attention to the instructions on performing each task, from chopping to simmering. Sometimes, a recipe will introduce a new technique. Making a note of it will enable you to recreate the dish in the future or even introduce the technique in other recipes.

 

Understanding the flavors

When cooking, everything is about flavor. The first time you make a recipe, it will give you a specific flavor profile. A recipe will tell you what vegetables and herbs go well with the protein you're using, whether a sauce needs salt, or if a recipe is sweet enough. Following the recipe will allow you to develop your palate and understand why certain flavors work well together.

 

Making Notes Empowers You to Make Changes

After you've followed a recipe once and made notes, it's time to start experimenting! This is where you can start making tweaks and substitutions with confidence, knowing that you have a solid foundation. When you make changes, take note of what you did and the results. That way, the next time you make the dish, you can adjust to the changes you made previously.