1. GRAB THEIR ATTENTION: THE TITLE

The title should be interesting and clearly describe the recipe, without being too cutesy. You want your readers to be able to easily search for recipes on your website (and in a Google search, too): “Kale and Pomegranate Salad” works better than “Christmasy Salad.”

Some recipes include a headnote, or tag line after the title. This is great time for enticing your readers to make your tempting recipe. My blog recipes are always led by a short story or vignette about why or how I created the recipe or something else interesting, like an unusual ingredient or cooking tip. This is where I do my storytelling and have the most fun writing.

2. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE AND HOW MUCH WILL IT MAKE?

Prep time, cooking time and the number of servings, or the serving size, should be at the top of every recipe. Your readers want to know how long it will take them to make the recipe and if it will feed their entire family.

I’m VERY guilty of leaving out how much a recipe will make or serve because, a lot of the time, I just don’t like preaching about portion control. A 9-inch pie technically should serve 12 people. But it all depends on how you slice it. In my house, it’ll serve 8. Or 4, if it’s a Coconut Cream Pie. Or one.

3. WHAT YOU’LL NEED: INGREDIENTS

The ingredients should always be listed separately and in the order that they’ll be used. Unless it is the first ingredient used, don’t put the main ingredient at the top. If something needs to be thawed, softened, melted or drained, let your readers know!

It is important to be really specific with ingredient measurements by calling out the size, weight and volume. If possible, give your readers two different ways to measure an ingredient. For example, write, “1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup).” Calling out the weight of certain ingredients is also helpful, like “1 butternut squash, (about 2 pounds) peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces.”

Always make sure you tell your readers whether something should be diced, sliced, crushed, chopped or grated BEFORE or AFTER measuring. A cup of almonds is different than a cup of chopped almonds.

If necessary, the ingredients should be grouped, such as “for the salsa”, “for the fish”, “for the shells.” This makes the recipe easier to read and follow.

Offering a substitution for an ingredient is also mega helpful. If ground turkey will work just as well as ground beef, let your readers know!

Oh, and let go of those measurement abbreviations, they’re just too confusing!

4. YOUR TIME TO SHINE: STEP BY STEP

Writing the recipes steps, or method, is where your readers can really see (hear?) your blog voice and style. I like recipes that sound like we’re hanging out and cooking together in the same kitchen. Many recipes leave out articles (“a,” “the,” “an”), but I like a more easy-going type of writing. You decide what works best for your blog.

Include everything you need to do to make the recipe: “Line a cookie sheet with foil;” “Place oven racks 4 inches from the top;” “Heat the oven on 425°F.” “Chill four glasses.” Call out specific size pans and dishes and anything that needs to be done in advance.

The recipe steps or method should still be simple, clear and accurate. Think about this:

Verb-subject-equipment-treatment-time-technique-visual cue

or:

“Sauté onions in a small saucepan over medium heat, for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until translucent, not brown.”

Numbered, highlighted or bulleted steps make the recipe appear simpler and easier to make.

5. DOUBLE CHECK: READ AND EDIT

You’ve written and tested the recipe, but before you publish, read it again. And again. Spell check is wonderful, but auto-correct can sometimes sink a recipe.

As you read, try to visualize the Recipe Steps using each of the ingredients. This helps you see if you’ve included all of the ingredients, and that you’ve written the proper amounts. It also insures that you haven’t left out a step!

Join me at #BlogHerFood15 for more tips and insights into creating recipe enchantment on your blog or website!

Holiday Bacon Cheese Straws

prep: 20 minutes
bake: 15 minutes

makes about 24 straws (depending on the thickness and length!)

you’ll need…

6 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped (about ½ cup)

¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 sheet or ½ package (17.03 ounces) puff pastry dough, thawed

let’s get to it…

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut another piece of parchment paper the same size and set aside. Stagger oven racks so that they are in the middle of the oven. Heat oven to 425°F.

Sprinkle half of the bacon and cheese on a large cutting board. Place 1 sheet of puff pastry on top of the bacon and cheese. Sprinkle the rest of the bacon on top of the sheet of puff pastry. Place the reserved piece of parchment paper on top. Roll the dough with a rolling pin so that the cheese and bacon are embedded in the dough. The dough should be about ¼-inch thick.

Cut the dough into long thin strips, either horizontally or vertically, depending on the length you want. Gently hold the dough at both ends and twist. Place on one of the parchment-lined baking sheets. Make a hook (to resemble a candy cane) on the top of the dough and press it onto the parchment paper (this will hold the twist). Repeat until all of the dough is twisted and formed on baking sheets.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool and store in a re-sealable plastic bag.