We all have recipes passed down from family and friends that we cannot live without. Unfortunately, many favorites are often enjoyed with a side of guilt. The thought of making over a recipe can be daunting. The benefits of even small changes to recipes are many and there are many options for ingredient substitutions. So how do you change a recipe and minimize the chance of making something inedible?
Recipe makeover success requires 4 simple steps
- Start by making a plan
- Pick the recipe you want to change
- List your goals for the change
- Research and list substitution options
- Change only one thing at a time
- One ingredient swap
- One quantity change
- One technique or cooking method
- Keep records of the results
- Record the changes you made
- Record the results
- Note any options for next time (as appropriate)
- Experiment and have fun
- Experiment with small changes
- Make smaller batches
- If results are less than ideal, revert to the last successful change and try something new
Patience and preparation
The process is not complicated but it does require patience. Smaller and gradual changes are more likely to yield results you want to eat along the way. Small changes also minimize the chance of inedible results. Preparation helps you avoid unnecessary stumbles along the way. People have been making over recipes for as long as there have been recipes. Many have graciously shared their knowledge of what works and to what effect with the world. There is no need to reinvent the wheel if there are handy substitution options available in the public domain.
While it may be easy to just take a suggested substitution and roll with it make sure that the option makes sense for what you are trying to accomplish. Some suggestions sound good but may not accomplish your goal. Not all butter substitutes result in lower calories or heart benefits (trading saturated fat in butter for trans fats in shortening results in zero health benefit to you). Honey is not necessarily a healthier option than granulated sugar so plan carefully.
Many options for successful recipe makeovers
There are many options and ideas for how to make over recipes successfully. If you want to learn more I recently gave a presentation on recipe makeovers to the Granby Public Library patrons. You can watch the replay here
My recipe makeover online course provides a deeper look at the topic and process as well as a collection of resources. You can preview and register for the course here. There are many ways to prepare food that satisfy your tastes and nutrition needs. A culinary degree is not required to modify recipes or create new ones. A little bit of preparation, some patience and a willingness to experiment are all that is needed to create healthy meals everyone will love to eat.
Our relationship with food is complex and unique. Despite popular belief guilt, deprivation and tasteless meals are not required to eat healthy and lose weight. “How to eat Mindfully and Mindlessly lose weight” and “Your food life” provide guidance and tools to make taking charge of your food life and losing weight easier. Pick up your copies today and say goodbye to food guilt and hello to enjoying food again.