We bring you a handy cooking guide that will give you a clear understanding of the weights, measurements, temperatures and timings used in all the articles on our blog.
1. Weights
Weights are given in grams or kilograms (kg.) with the corresponding figure of ounces (oz.) or pounds (lb.) indicated in brackets.
In the bulk of the recipes, the weight in grams is rounded off to the nearest multiple of 25 grams for convenience and ease in weighing.
Where, however, weighing must necessarily be done accurately e.g. for cakes, pastries, biscuits, icings, etc., the rounding off to grams has been done to the nearest multiple of 5 grams according to the following conversion table:
Oz. | Exact conversion in grams (rounded off) | Corresponding grams rounded off to the multiple of 5 as given in the recipes |
½ | 14 | 15 |
1 | 28 | 25 |
1 ½ | 42 | 40 |
1 ¾ | 50 | 50 |
2 | 57 | 55 |
2 ½ | 71 | 70 |
3 | 85 | 85 |
3 ½ | 99 | 100 |
4 | 113 | 115 |
4 ½ | 127 | 125 |
5 | 142 | 140 |
6 | 170 | 170 |
7 | 198 | 200 |
8 | 227 | 225 |
9 | 255 | 255 |
10 | 284 | 285 |
11 | 312 | 310 |
12 | 340 | 340 |
For ingredients available in cans or packets, the net weights of the ingredients in grams have been indicated in brackets as a guide.
In most cases, it will not matter if a can or packet of slightly different weight is used. The exceptions are condensed milk and gelatine; and in the latter case, the use of strong gelatine (e.g. of any standard international make) is recommended.
2. Measures
Where actual volumetric measurement has to be done, the measures are given in millimetres (ml.) or litres with the corresponding figure of imperial fluid ounces (fl.oz.) or pints in brackets.
The approximate conversion rate of 30 ml. = 1 fl.oz. has been used.
Other measures used are:
a. Teacup
Measures full to the brim. The average Indian teacup is about 210 ml. (7 fl.oz.) and corresponding adjustments should be made if using larger size teacups.
b. Teaspoon
For liquids, measure full to the brim. For solids, use a heaped spoon unless the recipe specifically states level spoon. The volumetric content is about 5 ml. (⅙ fl.oz.)
c. Tablespoon
Measure as for teaspoon. The volumetric content is about 15 ml. (½ fl.oz.) or approximately equal to 3 teaspoons.
2. Temperatures
The recipes state whether the oven should be slow, moderate/medium, hot or very hot and give the indicative temperature in degrees Celcius or Fahrenheit as a guide.
The actual instructions of the oven manufacturer should be referred to for further guidance and adjustments made according to experience and results, where necessary.
Oven | °F | °C | Gas Mark |
Slow |
250-300 | 121-149 | ½, 1, 2 |
Moderate/Medium | 325-375 | 163-190 | 3, 4 |
Hot | 400-450 | 204-233 | 5, 6, 7 |
Very Hot | 475-500 | 246-260 |
8, 9 |
3. Times
The preparation and cooking times stated against individual recipes are merely indicative and are given purely by way of guidance for meal planning. Actual timings will certainly vary from individual to individual.
The time for cutting vegetables, etc., is included in the preparation time but the times for soaking, freezing, etc., as also the times for preparing ingredients in the form of recipes (e.g. cake mixture, pastry, etc.) has not been included.
[…] may feel intimidated by these slabs of meat, but you don’t really need a huge cooking guide to cook these. All it takes is knowing just a couple of […]