Measuring Ingredients Module 1: Kitchen Basics Measuring Ingredients

Measuring Ingredients: Introduction To produce quality cooked and baked products, it is important to measure the ingredients accurately. Beginning cooks are advised to make the effort to measure accurately; more experienced cooks are often able to use more approximate measures for some recipes without affecting product quality.

Measuring Ingredients: Equipment Choosing the correct measuring equipment is the first step in making accurate measurements. The choice of which type of measuring equipment to use depends upon the types and amounts of ingredients that will be measured.

Measuring Ingredients: Equipment Dry ingredients, such as flour and sugar, are measured in plastic or metal measuring cups.

Measuring Ingredients: Equipment Dry measure measuring cups are designed to allow the cook to fill the cup to overflowing then level the ingredient off with a straight-edged utensil.

Measuring Ingredients: Equipment Liquids are measured in transparent glass or translucent plastic liquid measuring cups.

Measuring Ingredients: Equipment Liquid measuring cups have a spout for pouring and have space between the top-most measure and the rim of the cup so that liquids are not spilled while being transferred from cup to mixing bowl.

Measuring Ingredients: Equipment Small amounts of ingredients are measured using plastic or metal measuring spoons. Dry and liquid ingredients and fats may be measured using measuring spoons.

Measuring Ingredients: Equipment Measuring equipment may provide Metric measures, Imperial measures, or both.

Measuring Ingredients How to Measure Dry Ingredients

How to Measure Dry Ingredients Flour Because flour may settle and pack during shipping and storage, stir the flour in its container before you measure. If the recipe calls for sifted flour, spoon the stirred flour into the sifter, sift the flour and then measure it.

How to Measure Dry Ingredients Flour Spoon the flour into the dry measure measuring cup, filling to overflowing. Level the flour off by dragging a straight-edged utensil across the top of the measuring cup.

How to Measure Dry Ingredients Granulated Sugar Granulated (white) sugar does not pack, so no stirring is required before measuring. Measure granulated sugar using the same method as is used for measuring flour.

How to Measure Dry Ingredients Brown Sugar Brown sugar should be firmly packed into the dry measure measuring cup. You will know if you have packed the sugar into the cup properly if the sugar holds its shape when dumped from the measuring cup.

How to Measure Dry Ingredients Small Amounts When small amounts of a dry ingredient, such as flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices, are to be measured, measuring spoons are used. Overfill the measuring spoon and level off the dry ingredient with a straight-edged utensil.

Measuring Ingredients How to Measure Liquid Ingredients

How to Measure Liquid Ingredients Measuring cups for liquid ingredients must be placed on a level surface when measuring. Avoid lifting the cup to read the measure as it will probably tilt causing you to read an inaccurate amount.

How to Measure Liquid Ingredients Once the measuring cup is on a level surface add the liquid you wish to measure. Read the level of the liquid by bending down so that the measuring cup is at eye level. Read the liquid’s level at the bottom of the meniscus.

How to Measure Liquid Ingredients Small Amounts Small amounts of liquid ingredients may be measured using measuring spoons.

How to Measure Fats Oil Oil is measured using the method for measuring liquid ingredients.

How to Measure Fats Solid Fats Solid fats include butter, margarine, lard and shortening. Several methods of measurement may be used for solid fats, depending upon what kind of fat you will be measuring and how much fat you need to measure.

How to Measure Fats Soft Solid Fats Soft fats, such as spreadable margarine or softened butter, can be carefully pressed into a dry measure (avoid trapping air bubbles) and leveled off with a straight-edged utensil.

How to Measure Fats Firm Solid Fats Firm fats, such as lard, shortening, cold butter and baking margarine, may be cut from the block, if the package provides measurements for doing so.

How to Measure Fats Firm Solid Fats Some firm fats are pre-portioned. For example, some squares of baking margarine are wrapped in 125 mL or  cup portions.

How to Measure Fats Firm Solid Fats Firm fats may also be measured by water displacement. Select a liquid measure measuring cup which could hold at least twice the amount of fat to be measured.

How to Measure Fats Firm Solid Fats Add cold water to the measuring cup, ensuring that you leave enough “space” in the cup to hold the fat without causing the water to overflow. Note the volume of water that you have in the cup.

How to Measure Fats Firm Solid Fats Add the solid fat until the water level rises by the measure of fat that you need. Be sure that no fat is allowed to rise above the surface of the water.

How to Measure Fats Firm Solid Fats Pour off the water then use the fat as required.

Measuring Ingredients: Conclusion Accurate ingredient measurement is an important part of creating a quality food product. With practise, every cook can develop accurate measuring skills.

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