If your like me, not only do you like to try other BBQ people's recipes, but you like to modify them to your liking or even create your own from scratch. Here are some simple tips to help you capture the magic of the food you grill or smoke when you are creating a recipe.
1. Use catchy titles. Using a catchy title will make your recipe sound more interesting. It is more interesting to people when they see the title "Firecracker Pulled Pork with Jalapeños" rather than just "Pulled Pork". When you are writing a title for a recipe, try to think of not only what the final dish will be, but what makes it special as well. Your goal when someone asks you for your "pulled pork recipe" you know exactly which one they are talking about.
2. Be specific with your ingredients. For some cooks, "include a can of crushed tomatoes" in your recipe and they know exactly what you mean or maybe not. Tell them to include a 12 oz can of crushed tomatoes and everyone will know exactly what your recipe needs. Also try to list the ingredients in the order that they are used in the recipe.
3. Use step by step instructions. You might have made your Smoked Beer Can Chicken Spice Rub recipe a thousand times, but someone new will need detailed directions for how to do it. Remember to include pan sizes, cooking times, the order that ingredients are added and how to tell when a dish is done. Also adding how many servings a recipe can make will help with meal planning.
4. Add personal stories. One of the things that make a personal cookbook or recipe so important is that it helps to capture the family traditions. Include a story with each recipe about how you first were introduced to the recipe and when it is typically served in your household. It makes the recipe more interesting and more meaningful to later generations.
5. Photos make recipes come alive. Using images in your recipes can allow the person reading your cookbook to see what the final dish will look like and give then a guidepost to follow. Next time you make one of your special dishes and share it on AmazingRibs.com, snap a quick photo and add it to your recipe. Another idea? Add a photo of you in the kitchen or by the grill creating the dish.
Bill Rice loves his smoked and grilled meats and is Publisher of the Great Family Cookbook Project, a website that helps families and individuals collect and share food memories in the form of personal cookbooks.
1. Use catchy titles. Using a catchy title will make your recipe sound more interesting. It is more interesting to people when they see the title "Firecracker Pulled Pork with Jalapeños" rather than just "Pulled Pork". When you are writing a title for a recipe, try to think of not only what the final dish will be, but what makes it special as well. Your goal when someone asks you for your "pulled pork recipe" you know exactly which one they are talking about.
2. Be specific with your ingredients. For some cooks, "include a can of crushed tomatoes" in your recipe and they know exactly what you mean or maybe not. Tell them to include a 12 oz can of crushed tomatoes and everyone will know exactly what your recipe needs. Also try to list the ingredients in the order that they are used in the recipe.
3. Use step by step instructions. You might have made your Smoked Beer Can Chicken Spice Rub recipe a thousand times, but someone new will need detailed directions for how to do it. Remember to include pan sizes, cooking times, the order that ingredients are added and how to tell when a dish is done. Also adding how many servings a recipe can make will help with meal planning.
4. Add personal stories. One of the things that make a personal cookbook or recipe so important is that it helps to capture the family traditions. Include a story with each recipe about how you first were introduced to the recipe and when it is typically served in your household. It makes the recipe more interesting and more meaningful to later generations.
5. Photos make recipes come alive. Using images in your recipes can allow the person reading your cookbook to see what the final dish will look like and give then a guidepost to follow. Next time you make one of your special dishes and share it on AmazingRibs.com, snap a quick photo and add it to your recipe. Another idea? Add a photo of you in the kitchen or by the grill creating the dish.
Bill Rice loves his smoked and grilled meats and is Publisher of the Great Family Cookbook Project, a website that helps families and individuals collect and share food memories in the form of personal cookbooks.
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