When you cook do you use exact measurements or do you "eyeball it"

1. 36

   ChristinSposted 12 years ago

   When you cook do you use exact measurements or do you "eyeball it"
   
   I'm really bad about using measuring cups/spoons.  Cooking comes naturally to me and I rarely if ever follow a recipe as is and I almost always just add ingredients by looking at them.  How about you? Do you cook without your measuring cups/spoons or do you prefer an exact recipe and measurements?

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2. 60

   faith_love_hope32posted 12 years ago

   It depends.  Sometimes I measure, sometimes I eyeball it.  Depends on what I'm making and my mood.    I have certain herbs that I use a lot for meat and chicken, with those I will eyeball it.  If I'm making a homemade barbecue sauce or a macaroni salad, I'll measure important ingredients that you don't want too much of or too little of.

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3. 89

   ThelmaCposted 12 years ago

   I used to publish a recipe newsletter and I always stressed to my readers the importance of measuring.  But I have to admit that most times I "eyeball" it!  Unless I am baking.  Then I measure flour, baking powder, etc. very accurately for the best results.  I never bother to measure spices but just add them as my taste dictates.

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4. 61

   LaThingposted 12 years ago

   I usually measure the ingredient if I am making it for the first time. After several try I start to eyeball it. But there are certain dishes that can't be done by eyeballing them, such as the choux pastry, those i try to stick with the measurements.

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5. 70

   Trish303posted 12 years ago

   I eyeball everything. I have to measure my items when I post recipes on here or other sites. I never fallow a recipe to the letter I always got to spice it up a bit.

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6. 94

   vespawoolfposted 12 years ago

   I always measure when I'm baking cakes or cookies. Otherwise, I eyeball it. I think dishes turn out better that way! Even with baking, though, I almost always modify the recipe. But cakes are especially tricky for me.

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7. 86

   randomcreativeposted 12 years ago

   It depends what I am making. If I'm cooking, it's rare that I do exact measurements. If I'm baking, I will when I feel that it's necessary.

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8. 86

   Sherry Hewinsposted 12 years ago

   I was going to say... I measure when baking. With cooking I usually just eyeball it or improvise. I have to admit though, often a dish will not taste the same every time.

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9. 89

   bwhite062007posted 12 years ago

   I agree...cooking I normally eyeball but with baking I do the exact measurements.

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10. 60

    mio cidposted 12 years ago

    I'm an eyeballer,and with the salt I've developed this method of three , for whatever I'm cooking I put three amounts that I dump in my hand and depending on the size of the meal I'm cooking i just make the three bunches bigger or smaller.

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11. 86

    Mama Kim 8posted 12 years ago

    I do a mixture. For some items like flour I quickly measure. My flour bin has a 1/2 cup measuring cup in at all times that's used to scoop so I just add it up in my head and use it even if the recipe calls for thirds. For small quantity items like baking powder or spices I measure them into my palm. It also depends on the recipe. If its something I've made many times I know how much and what it should look like. If its a new dish I like to measure so I know how its suppose to come out. Then the next time I make it I don't have to measure ^_^

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12. 69

    jenbeach21posted 12 years ago

    I have to use exact measurements. I am not confident enough in my cooking abilities to just eyeball it.

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13. 68

    sarahmooseposted 12 years ago

    I measure most thing, but when it comes to things like curry or chilli, I like to do it 'to taste', so I eyeball this bit!! My hubby improvises a lot more than me, but he is a lot braver (and better) in the kitchen than me.

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14. 93

    ChitrangadaSharanposted 12 years ago

    There are certain things in cooking, you learn with experience. I have been cooking since long. And for everyday cooking, I do not use measurements, but for some recipes. I do write recipes for a site called, Tasty kitchen, where I have to mention everything in exact quantity. If I am teaching my children to cook some recipes, I do encourage them to measure the ingredients, for good results.

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15. 64

    rfmoranposted 12 years ago

    My inclination is to eyeball it, but that sometimes results in a bad tasting result. It's not hard to measure, so we should do it, unless of course you are experimenting.

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16. 70

    GiblinGirlposted 12 years ago

    I rarely ever follow a recipe exactly and I usually eyeball the ingredients.  I'll confess that sometimes it's simply because I don't feel like getting a measuring tool dirty - I love baking but hate doing dishes.

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17. 90

    MizBejabbersposted 12 years ago

    Both, it depends on what I am cooking. I know exactly what a teaspoon or 1/2 teaspoon of salt or other granulated substance looks like in my palm, also a pinch. As far as cooking times go, my ovens never seem to correlate exactly with the recipe's time, so I use it as a norm and keep a close watch. I use a small electric convection oven unless the dish is too big, then I use the oven on my new gas range, which costs much more to fuel. The cooking time is different for each one also.

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18. 68

    mvillecatposted 12 years ago

    I do both depending on the recipe and ingredients. I know in baking you are suppose to be exact but it does not always happen.

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19. 84

    Denise Handlonposted 12 years ago

    Both...If it is a new recipe I make the exact measurement.  If it is something I've cooked and am familiar with I usually eye ball it.  Also, if it is a recipe that is not a baked item I may eyeball it more than if it is a baked good. 

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20. 61

    Rhonda Morrisonposted 12 years ago

    I use measuring cups and spoons when I am writing recipes or when I want to duplicate a flavor that has been a winner in the past.  Why mess with success?
    
    In casual cooking, I eyeball it.  I cook for three teen-age boys and a husband of 17 years most of the time.  The only pressure I have is to make the food appear.  Flavor is not so much an issue.
    
    When I am in a hurry and still want "Mom's best dish" results, I use the old Justin Wilson method of measuring in the palm of my hand.  When I cup my hand, I know where on my palm dry ingredients measure to.  I can measure 1/4 tsp. to 1/4 cup with accuracy. I will measure in my hand for 1/2 cup but it is not as consistent.   Yes, I have big hands.

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21. 61

    catalinafrposted 12 years ago

    I usually eyeball unless exact measurements are required (like, strictly 2g of salt, otherwise it won't taste;)

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22. 59

    Pauline Davenportposted 12 years ago

    I always 'eyeball' as  my weighing scales are never where I want them to be. Using the same mixing bowls and baking tins  helps as you get to know just how much stuff to use - i guess that's cheating though really isn't it in the the spirit of the question? I think that once you've got the basics of a recipe in your head, it's nice to add a 'little bit of this and that' as well, and this does negate strict measuring procedures. It's nice to have a bit of excitement - mostly it works but just sometimes can be a disaster - ah well.....

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23. 67

    miss1maginationposted 12 years ago

    My nan was a chef, she always told me to "eye ball it" which I continue today(sometimes). But many times I like to get the right consistency, if the recipe doesn't turn out! I guess it's practice:)

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