Recipe Formatting Rules
When formatting or creating recipes, ALWAYS follow these rules:
1. Ingredients First
- List ALL ingredients at the top before any steps
- Format:
- {amount}g {ingredient}or- {count} {ingredient} ({weight}g), {prep} - Always include gram weights (even for items like "4 cloves garlic" add "(20g)")
2. Dual Units
- Weight: Always grams (g)
- Temperature: Always Fahrenheit (°F)
- Volume for liquids: ml or cups (with ml in parentheses)
3. Coupled Ingredients in Steps
- REPEAT the ingredient amount inline when used in a step
- Format:
Add **200g spaghetti** to boiling water - Bold the ingredient + amount for scannability
4. Efficiency Optimized
- Order steps to minimize idle time
- Call out parallel tasks: "(while X cooks)" or "(start this first)"
- Front-load passive tasks (boiling water, preheating oven)
- Group prep work that can happen during wait times
5. Step Structure
Each step should have:
- Bold action title - 2-3 word summary
- Clear instruction with coupled ingredients
- Time estimate where relevant
- Temperature where relevant
Template
### {Recipe Name}
**Ingredients**
- {amount}g {ingredient}
- {count} {ingredient} ({weight}g), {prep method}
- ...
**Steps**
1. **{Action}** - {Instruction with **Xg ingredient**}. {Time/temp if relevant}.
2. **{Action}** ({parallel note}) - {Instruction with **Xg ingredient**}.
...
Example: Garlic Butter Pasta
Ingredients
- 200g spaghetti
- 60g butter
- 4 cloves garlic (20g), minced
- 30g parmesan, grated
- 10g fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt to taste
Steps
-
Boil water - Bring large pot of salted water to boil (start this first while prepping).
-
Prep while water heats - Mince 4 cloves garlic (20g), grate 30g parmesan, chop 10g parsley.
-
Cook pasta - Add 200g spaghetti to boiling water, cook 8-10 min until al dente. Reserve 120ml pasta water before draining.
-
Make garlic butter (while pasta cooks) - Melt 60g butter in large pan over medium heat (350°F). Add 20g minced garlic, sauté 1-2 min until fragrant (don't brown).
-
Combine - Toss drained pasta in garlic butter. Add 30g parmesan and splash of pasta water. Toss until creamy.
-
Finish - Top with 10g parsley, salt to taste. Serve immediately.
Example: Roasted Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs (800g total)
- 30g olive oil
- 5g salt
- 3g black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic (20g), smashed
- 2 sprigs rosemary (5g)
- 1 lemon (60g), halved
Steps
-
Preheat oven - Set to 425°F (start first).
-
Season chicken - Pat 800g chicken thighs dry. Rub with 30g olive oil, season with 5g salt and 3g pepper.
-
Prep aromatics (while oven heats) - Smash 4 cloves garlic (20g), halve 1 lemon (60g).
-
Arrange pan - Place chicken skin-side up in baking dish. Scatter 20g smashed garlic, 5g rosemary, and 60g lemon halves around thighs.
-
Roast - Bake at 425°F for 35-40 min until skin is golden and internal temp reaches 165°F.
-
Rest - Let rest 5 min before serving. Squeeze roasted lemon over top.
Common Conversions Reference
| Item | Typical Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 clove garlic | 5g |
| 1 egg | 50g |
| 1 cup flour | 120g |
| 1 cup sugar | 200g |
| 1 cup butter | 225g |
| 1 tbsp olive oil | 14g |
| 1 lemon | 60g |
| 1 medium onion | 150g |
