Mandatory Measuring Tips

Proper measuring of ingredients is important to successful cooking and baking. Some foods can be greatly affect by too much or too little of certain ingredients. Here are some Smart Samayal Tips for measuring techniques every cook must know:

• Never measure over the mixing bowl containing the other ingredients. You may accidentally spill the measuring device or the ingredients the mixture. This could ruin the whole batch. You must measure over the sink, another bowl, or a sheet of paper. 
• Measure the dry ingredients first and then use the measuring cups and spoons for the liquid ingredients.
• Store loose dry ingredients, such as salt, in a lidded container. The ingredient can then be spooned out and leveled, rather than trying to pour it into a measuring spoon and having it spill over the edges.  
• To help you remember easier which ingredients you have measured and added in the mixing bowl, place all the ingredients on one side of the mixing bowl and once you have measure and add an ingredient, move its container to the opposite side of the bowl. 
• Try to calculate approximately the small measurements of ingredient to save time. Pour the measured amount of an ingredient into the palm of your hand. Observe the look and feel of the quantity and then try to pour that same amount into your palm without measuring first.
• Do not use this method when measuring ingredients for baking. When baking, it is more critical to measure the ingredients accurately.  

Methods for measuring dry and solid ingredients  

• Here are some methods that should be used for some of the common ingredients measured using graduated measuring cups and spoons.  
• For flour, sugar, oats, cornmeal, cereal, baking Soda, baking powder, cocoa and breadcrumbs, add enough in the measuring cup so that it is mounding over the top, and using the back of a knife, push the excess ingredient off by running the edge of the knife along the border of the cup or spoon. 
• When measuring large ingredients such as shredded cheese, rice, coconut, chopped nuts, baking chips and other bulky dry ingredients, spoon them into the measuring device then pat them lightly to level the content.
• Do not pat down. When measuring brown sugar or solid fats, spoon the ingredients into the measuring tool and pack firmly to eliminate any air pockets. After firmly packed, level with a knife. The brown sugar will have the shape of the cup after removed from the measuring cup, if packed correctly.

Methods for measuring liquid ingredients 

• Use large transparent plastic or glass measuring cups, with pour spouts, to measure large quantities. 
• Use measuring spoons to measure small quantities of liquid ingredients. 
• When checking to see if the ingredient is at the desired level, have the measuring cup sitting on a flat, level surface and make sure it is  at your eye level.
• Do not hold the cup up to eye level because the cup may not be level when viewing and it may result in an inaccurate reading. 
• You can remove sticky ingredients by using metal measuring cups or spoons and filling them with boiling water for a few minutes and then pouring the ingredients in them.