PrintScaling a recipe and cooking times.
So I've got a recipe I want to make for a crowd. As written, the recipe says it serves 4. I need it to serve 18. I can handle the math when it comes to increasing the quantities, but is there any formula for calculating the new cooking time, or should I just resign myself to cooking them in separate batches? (If you're curious, the recipe will be for the braised short ribs for Alton Brown's Good Eats Beef Stew.)
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2 Comments:
Dave I don't see you changing the time to begin with, however I do see you doing it in 2 packs of 2 (double recipe in each pack) "Place the package into a metal pan" I don't know if you have a pan you can stick 2 packs on or if you will need 2 pans for that (depends on the size of your oven) Don't crowd the oven!. There are a lot of variables like your oven temp (is it good?). The bigger you make those packs or the more you crowd the oven the longer its going to take. 4 packs would be ideal if you have the space or a double oven. 2 packs per oven.
When you use a method where you keep the steam in you get the full benefit of that steam. Because you are sticking this in the fridge to cool there is no reason if you only have one oven that you just can't rotate the other packs in and out. "Allow the ribs to sit at room temperature while the liquid is cooling or if serving the next day, place in the refrigerator until ready to finish."
I think this is a great recipe. Let us know how it goes.
JerzeeTomato at 8:58AM on 12/24/07
I think the only time you need to change cooking times is when you change the actual volume of the item being cooked, like going from an 8" cake pan to cupcakes or a 2" steak/chop versus a 1" one. I try to find a similar size in a different recipe, e.g. find any cupcake recipe and then start with that baking time, and check often. If you have no similar recipe then it is shoot from the hip time. Just start checking early and often.
In this case, the ribs themselves aren't being changed, so Jerzee's advice to advice to adjust the # of packets is just right.
kjgibson at 11:48AM on 12/24/07