Loading... Recipe writers and fans: what is your judging criteria for a well written recipe?

I want an interesting story to go with the recipe. It can be a couple of paragraphs, telling the reader where the recipe originated. I don't care to read recipes that stars with the ingredients right away. Tell me if you got it from grandma or if you made it up yourself or if you got it while vacationing somewhere. Tell me anything, but don't jump into the ingredients and make it a very short Hub. Give some history. It would help to include step-by-step photographs or photographs that illustrate where the recipe is from. Am I asking for too much? Not really.

What will catch my eye is the culture the recipe comes from or a good picture. A funny story will work too. I tend to not read recipes that just jump into the mechanics of food, unless the person sharing is known to me.

I look for the following:

1. A background story

2. A list of ingredients and equipment that I need to assemble.

3. A sequence of the steps I need to take. Photographs are nice at this step; but, not essential to me. If you have the option, use them.

I am used to English measurements; but, I don't mind the math required to convert the measurements. The most common difficulty I run across is the confusion between volume and weight measurements. This is especially in true in baking recipes where precision is required.

Enthusiasm adds credibility to the article. Then, just being clear is important and it always helps to have tips and tricks! Pictures are really helpful but don't go to crazy and don't put in pics where they aren't relevant. Otherwise, just don't forget to put the actual recipe in the article, don't make me get all mouth-watery and then have to hunt for it. ;-)

J

I think short, to the point (maybe with bullet points) with plenty of pictures.

It is important to write what you know. If you have eaten what you have produced and enjoyed it, you are truely informed and, therefore, informing others in a constructed way.

A good tip, I have found, is to add other recipes from the same variation. I did this with my gluten free cheesy quiche. The cheesy pastry in this could be used to make cheesy gluten free biscuits.

http://shazwellyn.hubpages.com/hub/Recipe-Gluten-F

like any instructions a recipe should be short clear, and to the point. It should also have been tested so that the home cook is not disappointed. Also as the French say you eat with your eyes first so a picture is a good thing.

I don't like recipes where every single step comes with a full-length paragraph. I agree with Arlene that I like some background to start, but if the recipe itself is too length and strays a lot I have trouble keeping up with it.

I also like the recipe itself to be clean (step by step descriptions in order) and I like the recipe to have at least one pictures. It needs to be visually enticing. If I find a recipe and it doesn't have a picture, it will be hard to draw me in. On the other hand, if the picture doesn't look appetizing I'm probably not going to go for it either.

part one of the question..i only submit recipes i have tried and can stand behind...

now addressing part of the rest of the question: if i am judging a recipe, i am looking for clear, easy to follow directions.

images of the steps are not necessary to make me want to try the recipe that i read ..if it sounds like something my family and i will like, i often give it a try.

i am of unclear about what is being asked in the whole spices thingie...i adjust spices to my taste...adding or omitting or reducing as needed....

I make sure the recipe is easy to follow and makes sense to the reader. I also judge the recipe by the finished product. My favorite recipes are the ones I enjoy cooking and eating :)

What makes a good recipe? Here's a list of important things to include when you publish a recipe online. keep reading →

For a well written recipe - it has to be easy to follow, like if written in a book. The persons enthusiastic delivery of a recipe is important too. *you know now if they like the darn thing or not.

I will change ingredients around to what I like :) Ha! It'll be eaten for sure and no leftovers.

I would never write a hub about a recipe I've never tried. And honestly I wouldn't suggest a recipe I didn't love. The recipes on my hubs are ones that I love and that everyone that eats them loves. I would hope other recipe writers do the same. Personally I judge a recipe based on the comments. When people try the recipe they tend to leave feedback. Esp if it did not turn out well.

As a writer of recipe hubs, I want them to still feel like a hub, so I add my own comments and little fun stories about the recipe or the ingredient to make it fun (in surrounding capsules, not in the recipe capsule) to read. However, I only share recipes I have tried, so that I know what I'm sharing is right. Besides, how can I really tell someone about the deliciousness of the recipe if I don't know. I try to include the texture and taste so the reader knows what to expect. As for the recipe, I try to keep it as simple as possible. I'm just an amateur cook and so if I don't understand a complicated recipe, how can I share it with others? For me, a recipe should be simple to understand, and to follow and relatively easy to complete. Most people don't have time to cook a five course dinner every night, so why should we write recipes that way?

I like when recipes tell the reader what type of occasion their meal could go with and what foods would be good to pair with the recipe. Being easy to follow is very important to me and having a pictures is a great way for readers to judge if they are following the steps correctly.

I try to use a variety of spices in my recipes rather than sticking to one or too staples. If I read that a certain spice is good for your health I try to incorporate them more.

Hi ytsenoh

My main criterion is that the list of ingredients and the procedure are kept separate. In addition, all quanitites should be specified exactly--i.e. no words like "pinch" or "dash" should be used.

Healthwriterbob

A recipe just needs to be short and easy to follow. Give precise amounts of ingredients. I often look at the ingredients listed to imagine what it would taste like. Include type and size of baking dish/pan, time needed to cook and oven temperature if appropriate. Of course, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and so it is with great recipes ... if food presentation isn't welcoming to the senses, people won't be as apt to try it. My best recipes are on plain old recipe cards ... tried and true, handed down through the generations.

I agree with arlene. A short story with a piicture or pictures of the finished product. How it tastes what are the strongest flavors and with easy to follow directions with exact measurements