Writing a recipe in English is an essential skill for any aspiring chef or food blogger. Whether you’re sharing a family favorite like Matar Paneer or a healthy breakfast option like Besan Chilla, clear and concise instructions are key. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of writing a recipe in English, from the ingredients list to the cooking instructions.
Understanding Recipe Structure
Before we dive into writing a recipe, let’s understand the basic structure:
Briefly introduce the recipe. You can include information about its origin, any special occasions it’s associated with, or why you love it.
Ingredients
List all the ingredients needed for the recipe. Make sure to include measurements (e.g., cups, teaspoons) and specific details (e.g., chopped, diced).
Matar Paneer Recipe
- 1 cup green peas (matar)
- 200g paneer (cottage cheese), cubed
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- 1-inch ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Besan Chilla Recipe
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 tomato, finely chopped
- 1 green chili, finely chopped
- 1/2 inch ginger, grated
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- Water as needed
- Oil or ghee for cooking
Instructions
Provide step-by-step instructions on how to make the recipe. Start with any preparation that needs to be done before cooking, followed by the cooking process itself.
Matar Paneer Instructions:
- Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
- Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Add ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Sauté for a minute.
- Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they turn mushy.
- Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add green peas and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add paneer cubes and garam masala. Mix gently.
- Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with rice or naan.
Besan Chilla Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, add gram flour, chopped onions, tomatoes, green chili, ginger, coriander leaves, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
- Gradually add water to make a smooth batter.
- Heat a non-stick pan and grease it with oil or ghee.
- Pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan and spread it evenly to make a thin chilla.
- Cook on medium heat until the bottom side is golden brown.
- Flip and cook the other side until golden brown.
- Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve hot with chutney or ketchup.
Tips and Variations
Offer any tips to make the recipe better or suggest variations to suit different tastes or dietary restrictions.
Tips for Writing a Great Recipe:
- Use simple language that everyone can understand.
- Be specific with measurements and cooking times.
- Include any special techniques or tricks.
- Offer suggestions for ingredient substitutions or dietary restrictions.
Variations:
- Add cream to Matar Paneer for a richer texture.
- Add chopped vegetables like capsicum or carrots to Besan Chilla for extra flavor and nutrition.
Writing a recipe in English is all about clarity and precision. Whether you’re writing a traditional recipe like Matar Paneer or a modern favorite like Besan Chilla, following a structured format will help ensure your readers can recreate your dishes with ease. So, get creative, and start writing your own delicious recipes today!