Literature contains many unique genres, and recipes are definitely a category of their own.  Recipes can be classified with a few distinct characteristics that most other genres of literature do not contain.  For example, many recipes include a personal introduction explaining the author’s relationship to the recipe, how they discovered it, and other details such as the history or culture behind the dish.  Secondly, recipes almost always contain ingredients.  While it is possible to be ambiguous on what ingredients to use, or leave the recipe open-ended for the reader, there still must be a list of base ingredients, whether it is the full recipe, a seasoning, or a recommendation.  Finally, recipes usually contain directions.  Without directions, it would be impossible to have a recipe, since many different dishes can be made with the same ingredients.  The directions give a recipe its uniqueness.  Directions and cooking techniques are vital for any recipe.

One example of a recipe that includes a personal introduction is this recipe for tandoori chicken burgers (which I have referenced in a previous post).  The author of the recipe lists her inspirations for the dish and the reactions of her family members.  She not only includes an introduction, but at the end of the recipe she includes a statement from her daughter.  By giving some insight into why, how, and for who she created the recipe, the author makes it much more relatable and achievable in the eyes of the reader.

The ingredients of a recipe also contribute to its classification as its own genre.  While some recipes may not include the specific ingredients, such as this gnocchi recipe, alternatives and classic renditions are listed, which gives the reader something to base it on if they aren’t feeling creative or overly ambitious.  Without a list ingredients, or at least a recommendation of ingredients, a recipe becomes too ambiguous, and instead may turn into a mundane instruction manual.

As important as the ingredients are the directions.  While some recipes may include the directions in the form of instructions, many may have some visual aid detailing significant points in the process of the recipe.  This recipe for Kung Pao chicken does just that.  The author takes their recipe to another level by not only including the instructions in text, but also pictures of the recipe during the preparation and cooking processes.

In order to understand why recipes should be considered their own genre, one must realize why authors write recipes.  There are a multitude of reasons for this.  Many recipe-writers enjoy doing so in order to share a creation of theirs for others to enjoy.  More forgetful folks may write recipes down simply in order to remember them.  For some, recipe writing can be a source of income, or even an entire career.  The list goes on and on.  To conclude, while there are certain specific guidelines for classifying a work as a recipe, there are countless reasons for why one would write a recipe.

The majority of recipes follow the same the rhetoric regiment. Recipes start off with a quick introduction about the dish that the reader is going to recreate. To then be followed by a list of the ingredients; great recipes will include exact measurements of the ingredients, as well as serving size. Next, recipes list the steps needed to make the rest of the dish. The instructions are written so readers can follow along; in certain recipe steps are numbered and easy to read, or are split into short paragraphs. Some recipes will list out the ingredients on top, while other recipes will format it so the ingredients on one side and the instructions on the other. Recipes are the gate way to interpersonal connections between anyone and the rest of the world. Over time they have been translated into multiple languages, and come with a variety of pictures so that anyone can comprehend the recipe. Taking something outside of your bubble, learning the ingredients, cooking the meal, and the experience you gain from one meal: oneJaffrey(1999)OkraTomatoes recipe. Madhur Jaffrey, born in India; is a television personality, a food/travel writer, and cook who has won many awards over the years. Being inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Cookbook Hall of Fame in 2006; she was recognized from bringing Indian cuisine to the Western world. In her book Madhur Jaffrey’s World Vegetarian, published in the 1999 this book contains preparation and the techniques for cooking the Indian based cuisines. This book contains about six hundred vegetarian recipe dishes for all over the world. The recipe entries each contain the original saying of the recipe, along with a little excerpt about the story of each recipe; next to the recipe title she offers a cultural implication about the origin of the recipe. One of Madhur’s recipes Okra with Tomatoes found on page 253 of her book comes with an passage that states “those of Indian-Muslim descent in Uganda, with a topping of scrambled eggs or even an omelet” (Madhur Jaffrey’s World Vegetarian) she gives the reader/possible chef some taste of where the recipe came from. Although the main audience of this cookbook is intended for vegetarians, it is suitable for anyone who wants to introduce flavor filled veggie based meals into their diets. Even the vegetarians would want to try different flavors and different recipes. This recipe has the potential to appeal to many types of people; I feel that authors pay attention to the wording of recipes. Madhur Jaffrey’s World Vegetarian cookbook does no appeal to college students, or may someone on a tight budget, due to the wide range of ingredient options and how you don’t find the words “quick” or “cheap” located throughout the book. Recipes allow people to get a glimpse in the author cultural lifestyle, like me Paula Deen was born and raised in the south and her recipes reflect that. A recipe that my family and I have mastered is her Lady and Sons Fried Pork Chops, a recipe that is located on the Food Network website. Recipes found on website today are wildly popular; people have access to so many recipes from all over the world. Recipes on Food Network allow people to rate and comment on all of the recipes, allowing the website to see what recipes are favored over others. Due to the power of media influence accessing recipes from various cultures is a breeze, you can type in any recipe and find a multitude of results. Food is something that people can agree with worldwide, something that connects us, food a social construct that allows society to flourish.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/lady-and-sons-fried-pork-chops-recipe.html

While not every recipe is written the same way, nor are there any formal rules that govern recipe-writing, there are several text components that are frequently seen with most recipes. The first element is the introduction. The introduction is typically written to familiarize the writer with what they are about to prepare. This may include content such as the flavors of the dish, the best times to eat the dish, the origins of the dish, the authors experiences cooking the dish, etc. One example of a recipe with a good introduction is the Gong Bao chicken recipe by Fuchsia Dunlop. This introduction gives the reader a background regarding the origins and name of the dish. It also includes a written description of what the dish looks and tastes like.  The next part of the recipe is the ingredients list.  The ingredients are typically listed in the order in which they are used and are accompanies by their measuring units and numerical quantities (whole numbers and fractions). Sometimes the serving size is also included under or above the list. Next comes the list cooking instructions themselves. They are listed in the order that the author intends for the reader to prepare them in. The steps give specific detail about what to do with each individual ingredient and how to use each one in creating the final product. I thought that this recipe for beef tips and gravy from Uncle Jerry’s Kitchen does an excellent job of going into great deal on all of the steps and offering tips/things to look out for while you are cooking the dish. Finally, the end of the recipe may include some variations or ways of altering the dish. In my opinion a high-quality recipe would include all of these things, listing the steps in great detail while providing some person insight from the author in the introduction. I think a high-quality recipe should also include pictures of the dish. A picture catches the reader’s attention and can incentivize him or her to prepare it. Brown’s “Eat Well for $4/day: Good and Cheap” includes vivid pictures for each recipe, and just the pictures alone made me want to prepare several of the dishes myself.  A low-quality recipe may leave out small details in the that contribute to the overall value of the dish. For example, if you were frying something, a low-quality dish leave our small tips how much oil to use in the frying pan; these details may not be essential, but including them would lead to a smoother preparing and possibly a better tasting product. In addition, a low-quality recipe wouldn’t provide any special background or insight about the dish.

When searching for a recipe, one might find that recipes are often sorted and categorized by certain topics or themes. These can include foods to prepare during certain seasons, foods that are prepared for certain events, foods that are all based upon a central ingredient, etc. For example, in a cookbook it is common for all of the desserts to be grouped together. I also visited a webpage on AllRecipes.com that had recipes that were all made using bananas.

In terms of purpose, an author may have any number of motives for writing a recipe. An author may choose his/her audience based on culture, taste preferences, access to resources, financial statues, age, etc. An author may simply write a recipe for the simple reason of wanting to share something delicious with other people. Just like books that you would read for fun, recipes and cooking is considered an art by many. Just as a painter likes to share a portrait with the world, a cook wants to share his/her recipe.  Another reason might be to help a certain demographic. For example, for those people with limited amounts of money, an author may write a recipe that is made from cheap ingredients so that less-wealthy people have meals that they can make. Or, say there is only a limited amount of ingredient resources in a certain part of the world. An author may write a recipe for people who have no idea what to make with limited ingredients. Recipes may also serve as a means for an author to share his/her own with culture with the rest of the world, giving others a way to experience their customs in a such a way that is available to all.