Beautiful recipes on our screens capture our attention for a reason. According to writer and recipe developer Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, “Being an adult means being in charge of feeding yourself all the time, and the less mundane and more inspired this task can be, the better.” Cooking videos showcase the recipe from start to finish in a matter of seconds, providing instant gratification and inspiration.
While the internet offers access to new techniques and cuisines from around the world, it also makes it challenging to discern if these recipes will taste as good as they look. Unlike recipes in magazines or chef websites that are extensively tested, social media recipes may lack this rigorous process. It can be difficult to differentiate between a visually appealing recipe and one that actually tastes good amidst the push for aesthetics on social media.
5 Tips for Identifying Good Recipes on Social Media
1. Check the creator’s credentials and background
Verify the background of recipe creators to see if they have the necessary experience and training in recipe development. Culinary school, work in test kitchens or restaurants, and having recipes published by reputable sources can be positive indicators.
2. See if similar recipes exist elsewhere
If a recipe seems entirely unique, it might be a sign that the ingredients or cooking method are not successful. Look for similar recipes to gauge the potential success of a new dish.
3. Assess the recipe’s ratios
Familiarize yourself with basic cooking ratios to identify potential recipe errors. Incorrect proportions, such as excessive amounts of certain ingredients, can indicate a flawed recipe.
4. Look for creators who share failures
Creators who openly discuss their kitchen failures demonstrate transparency and a high standard for the recipes they share. Learning from mistakes can make a creator more trustworthy.
5. Use social media recipes as inspiration
View social media recipes as a starting point for culinary creativity rather than strict guidelines. Experiment with flavors and techniques to tailor recipes to your own preferences.
