How to Write a Recipe

A recipe is a set of instructions on how to prepare or cook a particular food. It includes the following:

1. Name of the dish to be prepared.

2. The ingredients to be used and their quantity.

3. The method /procedure of cooking is given in steps, which include temperatures or time taken at every step.

4. Method of serving.

5. The number of people to be served.

Recipes are written using active verbs and the instructions should be clear and concise.

Features of a Recipe

1. Title

It is usually written in capital letters and underlined. 

For Example

A RECIPE ON HOW TO PREPARE A LEMON COCONUT CAKE.

2. Introduction

This gives the nutritional value of the food to be prepared. It also includes the nutrients present in the meal prepared and it can also mention the area or place where the meal prepared is popular.

3. Ingredients

These are the components required to prepare the food and their quantity.

4. Method/Procedure

These refer to the steps one should follow when preparing a meal. They include the time and temperatures required in each step. (only where applicable)

When preparing a recipe, the right register should be employed. Common words such as soak, slice, fry, boil, simmer, marinate, steam, grill, scramble, stir, chop, microwave, and strain should be used to describe the various steps in the preparation of the meal.

The utensils and cooking equipment are not part of the ingredients but they can be mentioned in the procedure. In spite of the fact that the procedure or method can be written either in prose or note/point form, students are encouraged to number their steps in the procedure or method.

Sample

A RECIPE FOR THE PREPARATION OF COOKIES 

Introduction

Cookies provide the body with the energy required for metabolism.

Ingredients

4 cups of self-rising flour

2 cups of margarine

2 cups of sugar

2 eggs

2 tablespoons of milk or water

A pinch of salt.

Procedure/Method

1. Beat the eggs into a cup. Add the milk or water.

2. Sift sugar, flour and salt all together.

3. Rub margarine into the mixture prepared in the two above.

4. Add the egg and milk mixture to the flour mixture and knead into dough.

5. Roll the dough onto the pastry board.

6. Cut the cookies into the desired shape for cooking.

7. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking pan.

8. Place the baking tin in the oven on the upper shelf and bake at 90 degrees Celsius.

9. Remove from the oven after 15 minutes and place on a cooling rack.

10. Serve when cool with either tea or juice.

Serving

Serve ten people.

Practice Exercise

1. Choose one of your favourite meals from your community and write a recipe on it.

2. Your friend who lives in Australia has sent you an email informing you that he is expecting ten guests at his graduation party. He has requested you to send him a recipe for the meal he can prepare for his guests. Write the recipe that you will send via the email.

3.You have invited your friend for dinner in your house. Write a recipe that you would use to prepare the delicious meal.

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