My grandmother Lois cooked huge, delicious meals for my extended family every Sunday. When my sister Whitney started cooking on her own, she asked for these recipes, but most of them were ingrained in Lois’ memory - not written on paper. So, Whitney would call Lois for particular recipes, who would dictate directions over the phone.??It may sound time-consuming or even tedious compared to the technology available today, but it was well worth it. I am so thankful that Whitney recorded these recipes. Now they are included in my family’s heirloom cookbook and will be there for future Walling generations.
One of the best ways to preserve family traditions is to put them to paper, especially recipes. But writing a recipe intended for years of use by many people requires a few extra steps beyond jotting down ingredients and directions. Consider the following tips:
Provide Special Instructions or Ingredient Notes First
There should be more at the top of the recipe than just its title. This is where you should include any notes that cooks need to be aware of BEFORE they start preparing the recipe. For example, certain recipes shouldn’t be made on rainy or humid days. Other recipes may require a great deal of time, such as bread recipes that must proof or other foods that must rest overnight. You may also want to include information on hard-to-find ingredients or suggest substitutions if certain ingredients cannot be located. Imagine choosing a family recipe for a special occasion that must be prepared in advance and not discovering that detail until the first five ingredients are in the mixer and the event begins in two hours!
List Ingredients in the Order they will be Used
You want to list ingredients in the order in which they will be used in the recipe. Each ingredient should be on a separate line. You may consider dividing the ingredients into parts. For example, the ingredients for my favorite sticky cake are divided: ingredients for the cake then ingredients for the icing.
Provide Detailed Measurements?Give detailed measurements for each ingredient. Remember to give the exact measurement or weight of any packaged items because grocery stores usually offer a variety of sizes. Also include how the ingredient should be prepared: chopped, diced, drained, seeded, etc.
Make Cooks Aware of any Special Equipment Required?Not everyone has an emersion blender or ice cream maker on hand. If any special equipment is needed to complete the recipe, you may want to mention it before listing step by step directions.
Start Directions with the Very First Step
Pre-heating the oven or pan is not the first instinct for all cooks. If an oven must be pre-heated, make this the very first step. If baking pans must be greased and floured, make this the second step. Part of writing a recipe is making it as simple to follow as possible for any cook; not just advanced or intermediate cooks.
Visualize and Describe the Process
? Think about every step you take when preparing your recipe. Write down every little thing you do highlighting specific tasks like mixing, sifting, beating or folding. Be sure to write your recipe to use time effectively. For example, you can make the icing for the cake while the cake is in the oven.
? Include notes about how the food should look at various cooking stages. For instance, there is a point when making lemon curd where it looks like you’ve just curdled the entire mix and ruined it. This is the way it is supposed to look, but for a first timer, they may think the worst!
Provide Cooks with the Benefit of your Experience
If you’re the one writing or dictating the recipe, chances are you’ve made it a hundred times and have discovered a few short cuts or tricks that make preparing it simpler. Pass this wisdom on to future cooks by describing your favorite methods.
If you’ve tried something that did not work, include that information as well. The more details future cooks have about your recipe, the more likely they’ll be able to duplicate it, which is the whole point in passing down family recipes. You may even include recipe variations or presentation tips at the end.
What Makes this Recipe Special?
If this is someone’s favorite birthday cake recipe, or the main dish served at a particular family event, let future cooks know. Understanding the significance of a recipe is part of what makes it such a treasured family heirloom.
Share these tips with your friends and family, and share your recipes! There is nothing more comforting than a favorite meal to brighten someone’s day. Taking the time to preserve the beloved recipes of a family member who won’t always be there to prepare it is one way to honor their memory and maintain family traditions.
