How to multiply recipes for a family (it’s easier than it looks!)

Have you ever tried to double a recipe to feed the whole family and ended up with a hot, garlicky mess?

You might be surprised to learn that multiplying recipes for a family isn’t always as simple as doubling the ingredients.

But don’t freak out! These three commandments from our food and recipes manager Meg will help you navigate through most recipes.

1. Thou shalt season more sparingly.

If you’re doubling a recipe, veggies, proteins, binders and fats can all be doubled pretty safely.

But there’s no need to double all of the spices (especially not the chilli!). Same goes for the garlic, ginger, salt and pepper. “Season conservatively as you go, and add in just a little extra as you need,” says Meg.

In Sarah’s Vietnamese Chicken Curry, for instance, you wouldn’t need 6cm of ginger or four garlic cloves. “I’d stick to 4cm of ginger and three garlic cloves,” says Meg.

Sarah’s Vietnamese Chicken Curry

2. Thou shalt not add more liquid.

Cracking out your slow cooker? “If the recipe asks for a 1kg chicken, but you need to cook 2kg, there’s no need to add more stock into the base of the dish,” says Meg.

“Same goes for slow cooking meats in the oven. Usually a thin layer on the bottom of the pan is more than enough!”

Take this One-Pot Chicken and Parsnip Stew, for example. If you’re planning on throwing an additional 500g of chicken legs in there, don’t need to add more liquid. Unless you need another tray.

One-Pot Chicken and Parsnip Stew

3. Thou shalt increase the cooking time.

“The more you’re cooking, the longer the cook time,” says Meg. “So, if you’re cooking a 2kg chicken instead of a 1.5kg chicken, it’s going to take longer to cook.” There are some nifty meat cooking calculators online to help you figure out how much more time you’re going to need.

The same goes if you’re making a double batch of pancakes or these Pumpkin Pikelets. You’ll be spending much more time flipping and cooking. “This will increase cooking time, sometimes significantly,” says Meg. “So make sure to factor that into breakfast prep.”

Pumpkin Pikelets

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