Creating a Recipe

Creating recipes on FourFork is designed to be intuitive and comprehensive. Whether you're sharing a family recipe or documenting your latest culinary creation, this guide will walk you through every step of the recipe creation process.

1. Getting Started

There are multiple ways to create a new recipe on FourFork:

1.1 Creating from Scratch

• Click the green floating action button (+ icon) in the bottom-right corner of any page
• Select "Create Recipe" from your profile dropdown menu
• Navigate to "My Recipes" and click "Create New Recipe"

1.2 Importing from URL

Save time by importing recipes from other websites:

1. Click the green floating action button
2. Select "Import Recipe"
3. Paste the recipe URL from a supported website
4. FourFork will automatically extract the recipe details
5. Review and edit the imported recipe before publishing

Note: Imported recipes should be reviewed for accuracy and attribution. Always credit the original source.

2. Basic Recipe Information

Start by filling in the essential details about your recipe:

2.1 Required Fields

• Recipe Title: Clear, descriptive name (e.g., "Classic Italian Pasta Carbonara")
• Description: Brief overview of the dish (2-3 sentences recommended)
• Servings: Number of portions the recipe yields
• At least one ingredient
• At least one instruction step

2.2 Time Information

• Prep Time: Time needed for preparation (chopping, measuring, etc.)
• Cook Time: Active cooking time (baking, simmering, etc.)
• Rest Time: Passive time (cooling, marinating, rising, etc.)

The system automatically calculates total time by adding prep and cook time.

2.3 Classification

• Cuisine Type: Select from world cuisines (Italian, Mexican, Thai, etc.)
• Meal Type: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snack, or appetizer
• Difficulty: Easy, medium, or hard
• Cost Level: Budget, moderate, or expensive

2.4 Additional Details

• Equipment: Special tools needed (stand mixer, food processor, etc.)
• Recipe Notes: Storage tips, serving suggestions, or general advice
• Source/Attribution: Credit original creator or cookbook if applicable
• Source URL: Link to original recipe if imported or adapted

3. Adding Ingredients

FourFork features a comprehensive ingredient database with nutritional information and smart unit conversions.

3.1 Using the Ingredient Autocomplete

1. Click "Add Ingredient" in the recipe form
2. Start typing the ingredient name (minimum 2 characters)
3. Select from the suggested ingredients in the dropdown
4. If not found, you can request it to be added to the database

3.2 Specifying Quantities

• Amount: Enter the quantity (e.g., 2, 1.5, 1/4)
• Unit: Select appropriate unit (cups, grams, tablespoons, etc.)
• Preparation Form: Select how the ingredient is prepared (chopped, diced, minced, sliced, etc.)

3.3 Available Units

FourFork supports multiple measurement systems:

• Volume: cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, milliliters, liters, fluid ounces
• Weight: grams, kilograms, ounces, pounds
• Count: whole units, cloves, slices, pieces
• Special: pinch, dash, to taste

The system shows only appropriate units for each ingredient based on how it's commonly measured.

3.4 Preparation Forms and Notes

• Prep Form: Select from standard preparations (chopped, diced, minced, sliced, julienned, etc.)
• Ingredient Note: Add specific details (e.g., "room temperature", "plus extra for dusting")
• Optional Flag: Mark ingredients as optional if they can be omitted

3.5 Ingredient Grouping

For complex recipes, organize ingredients into groups:

• Use section headers (e.g., "For the Dough", "For the Sauce", "For the Topping")
• Reorder ingredients by dragging them
• Keep ingredients in the order they're used in instructions

3.6 Linking Store Products

For ingredients with multiple product options:

• Click the "Link Product" button next to an ingredient
• Search for specific store products (requires store integration)
• Select a preferred product to help with shopping cart pricing
• Users can see product options when adding to their shopping list

4. Writing Instructions

Clear, detailed instructions are the heart of a great recipe. Follow these guidelines for best results:

4.1 Step-by-Step Format

• Break the recipe into logical, sequential steps
• Each step should represent a distinct action or phase
• Number steps automatically for easy reference
• Keep steps concise but complete

4.2 What to Include in Each Step

• Action: What to do (preheat, combine, whisk, bake, etc.)
• Specifics: Temperatures, times, and techniques
• Visual Cues: What to look for (golden brown, bubbling, doubled in size)
• Tips: Helpful hints or common mistakes to avoid

4.3 Best Practices

• Use active voice ("Mix the flour" not "The flour should be mixed")
• Be specific with temperatures (e.g., "350°F/175°C")
• Include timing (e.g., "Cook for 10-12 minutes")
• Explain why when it helps (e.g., "to allow gluten to develop")
• Mention when to start the next step while waiting

4.4 Example of Good Instructions

4.5 Reordering Steps

You can reorder instruction steps by dragging them up or down. Steps will automatically renumber.

5. Adding Photos

Photos make your recipe more appealing and help others know what to expect.

5.1 Uploading Images

• Click the "Upload Image" area in the recipe form
• Select a photo from your device
• The image will be automatically optimized for web display
• You can upload multiple photos to create a gallery

5.2 Photo Tips

• Use natural lighting when possible
• Show the finished dish from an appealing angle
• Keep the background simple and uncluttered
• Include a sense of scale (plate, utensils)
• Photos should be in focus and well-exposed
• Consider showing key steps or technique photos

5.3 Supported Formats

FourFork accepts JPG, PNG, and WebP image formats. Maximum file size is 10MB per image.

6. Dietary Tags and Allergens

FourFork automatically determines dietary compatibility based on your ingredients, but you can also manually adjust tags.

6.1 Automatic Dietary Detection

The system automatically tags recipes based on ingredients:

• Vegetarian: No meat, poultry, or fish
• Vegan: No animal products
• Gluten-Free: No wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients
• Dairy-Free: No milk, cheese, butter, or dairy products
• Nut-Free: No tree nuts or peanuts
• Egg-Free: No eggs or egg products
• Soy-Free: No soy products
• Shellfish-Free: No shellfish
• Fish-Free: No fish

6.2 Lifestyle Diet Tags

Additional lifestyle diet compatibility:

• Pescatarian: Vegetarian plus fish/seafood
• Keto: Low-carb, high-fat
• Paleo: Whole foods, no processed ingredients
• Low-Carb: Reduced carbohydrate content
• Low-Sodium: Reduced salt content
• Sugar-Free: No added sugars

6.3 Manual Tag Overrides

If automatic tagging isn't accurate (e.g., optional ingredients), you can manually override tags in the recipe settings.

7. Recipe Visibility and Publishing

7.1 Visibility Options

• Public: Visible to all FourFork users, searchable, and shareable
• Private: Only you can see and access the recipe

You can change visibility at any time by editing the recipe.

7.2 Publishing Your Recipe

1. Review all information for accuracy
2. Ensure all required fields are complete
3. Set your preferred visibility
4. Click "Save Recipe" or "Publish Recipe"

7.3 Draft Mode

You can save a recipe as private while you're still working on it, then make it public when ready. Recipes don't have a separate "draft" status - simply keep them private until complete.

8. Editing and Version Control

8.1 Editing Published Recipes

• Navigate to your recipe page
• Click "Edit Recipe"
• Make your changes
• Save to create a new version

8.2 Version History

FourFork automatically tracks recipe revisions:

• Each edit creates a new version (v1.1, v1.2, etc.)
• View version history from the recipe page
• Compare changes between versions
• Revert to previous versions if needed
• Users who added the recipe to their calendar see updates

8.3 What Triggers a New Version

Significant changes create a new version:

• Changing ingredients or quantities
• Modifying instructions
• Updating cooking times
• Changing servings

Minor edits (fixing typos, updating description) may not create a new version.

9. Tips for Great Recipes

9.1 Recipe Writing Best Practices

• Test your recipe before publishing to ensure accuracy
• Write instructions assuming the cook is a beginner
• Include both metric and imperial measurements when possible
• Explain technical terms or techniques
• Mention common substitutions for hard-to-find ingredients
• Add timing details throughout (not just total time)
• Include storage and reheating instructions if applicable

9.2 Making Recipes Discoverable

• Use descriptive, searchable titles
• Write engaging descriptions that highlight what makes the recipe special
• Upload high-quality photos
• Tag cuisine and dietary information accurately
• Respond to comments and questions from users
• Update recipes based on feedback

9.3 Building Your Recipe Collection

• Organize similar recipes (e.g., all pasta dishes, all desserts)
• Create variations of popular recipes
• Link to related recipes in your notes
• Share your culinary journey and personal story

10. Requesting Missing Ingredients

If an ingredient isn't in our database:

1. Click "Request New Ingredient" in the ingredient search
2. Enter the ingredient name and details
3. Admins will review and add it to the database
4. You'll be notified when it's available
5. You can then edit your recipe to add the new ingredient

Creating recipes on FourFork helps build a community of food lovers. Share your passion, document your creations, and inspire others to cook! If you have questions, visit our Help Center or contact support.