Why is it that whenever I follow a recipe exactly, the food never turns out right?

Question

Are some people just destined to be horrible cooks?

Answer 1

I am sorry to say that I believe that some people just cannot cook. I have watched too many ruin a recipe in utter amazement. It is altogether possible that you just don't have the cooking genes, but the bright side is that you may have lots of other excellent qualities. That's the way these things work.
Although you don't say what you are cooking, I will assume that we are not talking about baking, as that requires a different set of talents. Baking requires lots of practice, much precision, and little variation from the recipes. Some great cooks make mediocre bakers.
One of the best examples is someone like Rachael Ray on TV who cannot bake but manages to combine food in an otherwise pleasing manner. It isn't just practice. Even Rachael had her mother show her how to do things. What I think you need is someone to show you how to do some of the basics. I suggest you enroll in a short term cooking class before you lose faith in yourself. While you may never become great, you may achieve a level of achievement with which you can live.. and others can eat without making faces.

Answer 2

It may be you, but it may also be the recipe.There are a lot of recipes out there that simply don't work or if they do work require skills that you may not have. You of course don't know this and you blame yourself for not being able to execute an intrinsically flawed recipe.
"Recipes are a guideline" is an axiom that anybody who has been to culinary school has heard a thousand times, and because of all the variables that come into play it's true.
I have taught hundreds of people how to cook.and a very small percentage have no natural aptitude for it. The rest of the students at the very least become competent cooks.
What separates the different levels of culinary competency is that really good cooks are very organized and pay strict attention to detail and nuance.You can't be great until you've mastered good.
What you need to do is make food that you are familiar with -perfectly,not simply OK But perfect . Once you figured that out then you expand your repertoire,
Of course I would suggest that you take some cooking classes at your local community college- they're well worth the money.
Good luck

Answer 3

One thing it looks like no one has mentioned is cookware. You can follow a recipe exactly, but if you don't have proper cookware you're temperatures won't be right or the foods may stick and fall apart, etc. A good set of pots and pans is a must. If you follow a recipe that says medium-high heat, but your pans don't give even heat distribution, you'll have area of the food that burn while other areas seem to not be cooking at all.

Also, buy a good, basic cookbook. Better Homes and Gardens makes one that is very popular and contains hundreds of recipes. Their books covers all subjects, from picking produce to how to mix properly and make substitutions. It also has a lot of illustrations to help you along. A better understanding a basics is key to creating better meals.

Anyone can learn to cook when taught the correct techniques. Not that everyone could be a head chef and design recipes, mind you, but anyone can follow basic recipes once they have the concepts down. Good luck with your cooking!

Answer 4

Perhaps some people are destined to be horrible cooks, but I've gotta say--I learned NOT to follow recipes exactly. Usually the sign of a creative cook! (Baking is another matter that requires precise measurements, but I don't like to bake anyway--so I'm home free.) Watch Rachel Ray on the Food Network sometime--
she isn't "locked" into anything. Sometimes combinations of herbs & spices, for example, just don't appeal to me, or I'll add something not in the recipe. Do what you feel right for YOU.

Answer 5

Recipes are more of a guide or a suggestion than an absolute rule. Following them exactly only give you an approximation of someone else's opinion.

Follow the temperatures as best you can. If there is an ingredient you like, use more, don't like - leave out or use less. Something you like, but is not on the list, if you think it will be good, it will most likely be a good addition.

Good cooks learn a method or way of cooking. Recipies are just sugestions.

Answer 6

not all ingredients are the same -- example when they say add tomatoes -- the difference could be enormous depending on where those tomatoes came from, that is number one issue. the ingredients. number two -- contrary to your thinking I like that that the outcome "be different" despite following the same recipe. It is a question of following your own natural intuition -- when they say put some salt -- I ignore. and so it goes with other ingredients -- if i miss an ingredient (not in season in the country i live in), then i replace it with similar one...ex. instead of truffle, i will include mushrooms etc. etc. the list is endless....be happy and eat what you have cooked you will improve -- bon appetit.

Answer 7

I never followed a recipe and had it fail. Take your time a study the recipe before you make it. It just takes practice to be a good cook good luck!

Answer 8

when I follow the recipe it always turns out. Make sure you are measuring properly and cooking things on the right temp. Also could be something to do wit h your elevation, sometimes you have to adjust some ingredients and coooking time

Answer 9

I don't believe that. If you are following the recipe exactly the same results will come out every time. That's why there's a recipe.

Answer 10

The thing about cooking is the best recipes are always made from whatever you like and whatever you've got!