If not would you tell the standards that you most stick to...
Mine is 2 cup of water for 1 cup of rice for pilaff...
2006-12-26 21:50:16 · 13 answers · asked by Remzy 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
I look at the recipe, but I don't necessarily follow it. I go by texture and by taste (for spices and salt).
When baking bread or cake, I follow the recipe exactly, because baking is more like chemistry--inaccurate ingredients lead to unpredictable results.
2006-12-26 22:00:43 · answer #1 · answered by Iris 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think rice is the only thing I don't eyeball for. Normally I'll use measuring cup to get an approximate idea of amounts, but I don't worry about getting it exactly right, and anything smaller then a 1/4 cup a don't bother. Even baking I approximate. If you're an American cook being anal about baking is pointless, a cup of flour will never have the same mass twice in a row, so no matter how exact you try to be, unless you use British recipes and a scale, it won't be the same recipe each time. Also, if you understand the theory behind yeast breads, you can alter the amount of yeast to determine how fast or slow it rises.
2006-12-27 19:04:20 · answer #2 · answered by Jessica B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably 99% of the time I eyeball it. You get an idea of how much of a certain thing is going to have what effect. And also, I like to have my meal be kinda random.
If I'm cooking something i've never cooked before I tend to stay more on the path, but even then I usually have a pretty good idea and eyeball the stuff.
2006-12-27 05:53:18 · answer #3 · answered by hum 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, for the most part I wing it. Except for baking, where you need to be more exact. But I often substitute my own spices and flavourings in cakes, and I add extra wheat germ, whole wheat flour etc, in bread. I just know when it "looks right".
My great-grandparents cooked in lumber camps, and the camps with the best cooks got the best lumberjacks, so they were always in demand. My grandmother lived on a farm, and cooked for harvest crews (not to mention hungry kids!) My English great - grandmother owned a private hotel, and did a great deal of the cooking herself, even though there was a chef. Guess I've got it in the genes. I've spent half my life feeding construction crews and teenagers.
2006-12-27 11:43:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mostly, yes. Especially if it's new, but I still fudge the spices. 2 cloves of garlic easily turns into 2 huge tablespoons. I'm getting a little bit better at messing around with my bread recipe without ruining it. It just takes time to know about what amount is what's needed.
2006-12-27 09:58:54 · answer #5 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Growing up in North Ga, that is the only way southern girls learn how to cook - watching mom & mamaw!! I do follow the measurements when baking since that is a scientific formula, otherwise just eyeball it & taste often til you get it right!!
2006-12-27 06:10:03 · answer #6 · answered by sandypaws 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
depends whether or not you have a good "formula" to start with. If someone gives you a recipe or you try a recipe you really like, measuring is the best way to get a feel for looks and taste. Otherwise, most cooks tend to develop their own methods and measures.
2006-12-27 06:06:12 · answer #7 · answered by chef.jnstwrt 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I eyeball recipes I am used to making often, follow the recipe and measure exactly for new recipes
2006-12-27 06:44:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i eyeball all the time if you make a mistake in the ingredients you will know what to do next time thats how you learn how to cook
2006-12-27 08:50:19 · answer #9 · answered by justme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When frying chicken, when it floats to the top of oil, it's done.....The only time I can't eyeball my cooking, is when I bake, that makes me nervous........
2006-12-27 19:10:54 · answer #10 · answered by Maw-Maw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋