The biggest question here: Where do the breaks go? Where does step 1 end and step 2 begin? A good rule of thumb is that, when you start a new task, start a new step. Whether it’s the latest cookbook from Chrissy Teigen or the first work (yet a cooking technique masterpiece) from Samin Nosrat, there’s a cookbook to fill any void. Even Snoop Dogg has a cookbook, yo. This cookbook is a symbol of our family’s love for food. Here’s a recipe that’s been passed down for generations.” Fall is finally here, which means the weather will get crisper as the days pass. So naturally, people will stay indoors to cook and bake. Most of us will grab the most recent issue of Bon Appetit or simply search for “best pumpkin pie recipe”—but what about those who have recipes scribbled on scratch paper that have been passed down from their ancestors? Or those who want to write a cookbook and are using their home as a test kitchen? Yes, you could write the person’s name, your name, date, and the name of the event (like here with Christmas Eve 1981), but why not pen a more enjoyable read?

I’ve shared this image before of a handful of cookbooks I own with a message inside. I love discovering a gift message.Extra space for additional notes (such as source of the recipe, why it holds special meaning to you, and etc.) If the person you care about is going to San Francisco, then mention San Fran in your handwritten message. Consider a cookbook gift that includes a collection of cookbook recipes revolving around San Francisco. For example, I’d highly recommend the classic San Francisco Chronicle cookbook (Volume One) (1997) or Volume Two, or Williams-Sonoma San Francisco (2004). This is still one of my all-time favorite cookbook notes. Notice the date? This was a Valentine’s Day cookbook gift. A great gift for foodies, friends and family members who love to cook and need to record and catalog their delicious culinary creations – everyday meals, soups, appetizers, main courses, desserts, pies, beverages, and more.

Whether you’re writing recipes for your friends and family, a blog, or a cookbook, this template will help! 1. The Recipe TitleServing suggestions are good headnote fodder, too: If that beef stew is great with bread or egg noodles, say so. Putting this information in the headnote keeps your ingredient list and recipe steps clean and concise. 3. Ingredient List When writing a cookbook, consistency is key. The best way to ensure this is to write yourself a style guide, which should include info on how to call for certain ingredients, whether your recipe steps should include articles (e.g. a or the), appropriate abbreviations, etc. One caveat: Breaking your recipe into too many steps can make it seem intimidating, so try to combine simple tasks into one step. A cookbook is a great way to boost someone else’s excitement about a new cooking technique they’ve discovered or a genre of cooking they want to explore. It’s also an easy way to help someone else learn the joy of cooking at home. The best way to ensure your recipe is flawless is to have someone else make it. A friend or family member will be able to point out omissions, points of confusion, and other small errors you may have missed.

Handy kitchen references to help you with measurement equivalents, substitution suggestions, temperature conversionLet’s walk through the essential pieces of any recipe: The title, the headnote, the ingredient list, and the recipe steps. Recipe Template But no matter what type of recipe you’re writing, there are a few things you should always keep in mind: Shortening Ingredient Names

Consider starting your headnote with a short anecdote. Tell the reader why you’re including this recipe in your book. For example: You could also write that you love Chrissy Teigen or Samin Nosrat books. “Turn your kitchen into a test kitchen with a new way to cook from your favorite chef (or food writer) x. If you need help with recipe testing, I’m here for it.” If cooking is an art form, then so is writing a recipe. Recipes need to be precise, and they also need to use language that’s easy to understand. They need to include each and every step while not providing too much information. Dishes are made up of specific amounts, so they can turn out wrong just by a small incorrect measurement. If you are thinking of gifting a cookbook, do so for the right reasons — and make it a great cookbook. This is not the time to regift a shoddy or error-filled cookbook to a couple of newlyweds. If you enjoy cooking or baking (or both) and want to pass on your great good love, then gifting the right cookbook is the way to go. Always end the recipe with basic serving instructions. If the dish should be eaten right away, you may want to say, “Serve immediately,” but if it needs to be completely cool, say, “Allow to cool completely, about 2 hours, before serving.” If it’s ok to serve something either hot or at room temperature, mention that too. Don’t forget about plating instructions, but keep them simple, as in “Sprinkle with parsley and serve.” You don’t need to go into great detail about how to swoop sauce across plates or how to position sliced steak atop a bed of greens. Writing a Cookbook

A headnote is a short paragraph that precedes the recipe and acts as a sort of introduction. Think of the headnote as an opportunity to let your personality shine, both as a cook and as a person. Pen in the event’s name. Is this a birthday gift for your son or your go-to wedding present for the special couples in your life? Is it for Father’s or Mother’s Day, Christmas Eve, or a pretend holiday like Sweetest Day? It’s easy to close your inscription with a “Happy Birthday! With love, X.” Even if you have a recipe memorized by heart or had it jotted onto a notecard and passed down by your grandma from years before you were born, you can make a recipe even more meaningful by writing it as clearly as possible for others’ execution.