I started writing my own recipes many years ago. Even if I was following just one recipe online, I’d copy and paste it into a Google Doc so I didn’t have to deal with the annoying recipe websites’ recipes, pop-ups, scrolling, etc. I could also take notes on exactly what settings and times works for me, substitutions, variations, etc.
One thing I’ve realized is that the vast majority of recipes on websites and in books are missing some very helpful information.
Equipment
I like to note which pot or pan worked best and any other extra equipment the recipe needs. I will not list cutting board, knife, measuring glasses, etc. since these are staples that should be in any kitchen. But if the recipe requires a pot, blender, stand mixer, etc., then those will be listed.
Ingredients
This one’s fairly straight-forward, although I will try to include alternatives and variations as much as possible. I will try to get all measurements listed in both standard and metric, but I’m not there yet.
Prep
This is a critical section that I’ve never seen in recipes before. Without it, you’re required to know enough about cooking to know what to prep and what can wait. By breaking down the prep steps that need to be done before you actually begin cooking, you can make the cooking process itself go much faster and more smoothly, without risk of getting stuck or distracted right in the middle of things.
Instructions
This is the usual section describing the actual cooking steps. By splitting out the prep more clearly, it allows the instructions section to be more concise and short, sometimes shorter than the prep!
Notes
I will try to include as many relevant notes as I can. These may be specifying something about ingredients, background information, tips and tricks, etc. I’ll link to related posts as well as relevant external links as well.
I Need Your Feedback
I can easily write recipes that work for me, but I can’t always get it as clear as it should be for others. If you’re ever uncertain about how to do something or what something means, please don’t hesitate to ask.