How to follow a recipe

When following a recipe be sure to read the recipe all the way through before you begin, then lay out the ingredients and measure them out one by one. Then begin the steps of the recipe, which will be a lot more enjoyable because the work is already done. I have seen many cooks get frazzled because they are trying to measure ingredients, while their butter is burning on the stove.

Always test a recipe before you try it on guests. I can give three different people the same recipe and I will usually get three different finished products. The reason for this is everyone will have different techniques, one may stir more gently or one may not use a timer, as what is golden brown to me, may be light brown to another. So be sure you have it the way you want it before using it for guests.