Cooking Basics

Cooking Methods

If you are on the hunt for a healthier recipe, look for cooking methods that don’t require additional fat.

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putting a casserole in the oven to bake

No Added Fat:

  • Baking: To cook in an oven 
  • Grilling: To cook from direct heat that is below the food 
  • Broiling: To cook from direct heat that is above the food, typically in an oven or toaster oven.
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sauteing vegetables on stove

Needs Added Fat:

  • Frying: To cook by submerging at least part of the food in a skillet of fat 
  • Sautéing: To cook quickly over high heat with a little fat 
  • Stir-Frying: Similar to sautéing. In stir-frying, the food is constantly moved around by stirring or shaking the pan.

How to Measure Ingredients

Make sure your recipe turns out great every time by measuring your ingredients correctly.

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measuring cups for dry ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • Dry measuring cups are meant to hold the exact amount of an ingredient when they are filled to the top.
  • Spoon your dry ingredient into the measuring cup. Do not scoop the measuring cup directly into the ingredient. Overfill the cup and then level off with the flat edge of a butter knife. 
  • Do not pack down, shake, or tap dry ingredients while measuring. Brown sugar is different. Recipes often call for brown sugar to be packed down.
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liquid measuring cup

Liquid Ingredients

  • Liquid measuring cups typically have a pouring spout and a handle. Liquid measuring cups will show multiple measurement lines on the side of the cup.
  • Fill the liquid measuring cup to correct measurement line. 
  • Be sure to place the cup on a flat surface and check the amount by looking at the liquid at eye level. 
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measuring spoons

Measuring Spoons

Measuring spoons can be used for wet and dry ingredients when you are measuring very small amounts.

Measurement Conversions

Changing the size of a recipe can mean lots of extra math. Check out these handy tools that can help take the guesswork out of doubling or halving any recipe!

Liquid Measurements
CupsTablespoonsTeaspoonsMillimetersFluid Ounces
1/8 cup2 T6 tsp30 ml1 oz
1/4 cup4 T12 tsp59 ml2 oz
1/3 cup5T + 1 tsp16 tsp79 ml2 2/3 oz
1/2 cup8 T24 tsp118 ml4 oz
3/4 cup12 T36 tsp177 ml6 oz
1 cup16 T48 tsp237 ml8 oz

Solid Measurements

CupsTablespoonsTeaspoons
1/8 cup2 T6 tsp
1/4 cup4 T12 tsp
1/3 cup5T + 1 tsp16 tsp
1/2 cup8T24 tsp
3/4 cup12 T36 tsp
1 cup16 T48 tsp

Weight Measurements

GramsOunces
14 g1/2 oz
28 g1 oz
113 g4 oz
227 g8 oz
340 g12 oz
454 g16 oz
Volume Measurements
GallonsQuartsPintsCupsFluid OuncesLitersMilliliters
1 gal4 qts8 pt16 cups128 fl oz3.78L3785 ml
1/2 gal2 qts4 pt8 cups64 fl oz1.89L1893 ml
1/4 gal1 qt2 pt4 cups32 fl oz0.95L946 ml
1/8 gal1/2 qt1 pt2 cups16 fl oz0.47L473 ml