Unusual recipe layout

I bought a copy of 'Cooking for Geeks' at our library's second hand store. It shows a more visual way of laying out a recipe that almost resembles a programming flow chart (and DH says this is how he was taught to program). I think it's very effective. The author got it from a website called 'Cooking for Engineers'.

I can see how that would speak to engineers, but my technical writing teacher wouldn’t be a fan as it leaves out detail.

I get it! Not sure that this is the way that I would want to receive recipes in general. But I get it

It seems like that book only captured the ingredient and key instructional steps. The actual website "Cooking for Engineers" photographs all the steps with clear instructions. I think the chart is a recap to quickly see when ingredients are added.

Here is an example: Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff - Recipe File - Cooking For Engineers

Step by step recipe instructions for beef stroganoff complete with photographs and reader comments and discussion

www.cookingforengineers.com

marilynfl said:

It seems like that book only captured the ingredient and key instructional steps. The actual website "Cooking for Engineers" photographs all the steps with clear instructions. I think the chart is a recap to quickly see when ingredients are added.

Here is an example: Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff - Recipe File - Cooking For Engineers

Step by step recipe instructions for beef stroganoff complete with photographs and reader comments and discussion

www.cookingforengineers.com

Click to expand...

LOL! This excerpt just validates that I think like an engineer.
If I am giving a recipe to someone, even experiences cooks, I detail instructions like your example so nothing is left to the imagination.

I prefer the details as well, but one friend who always wanted to be an engineer loved it and plans to rewrite her recipes! (Our headmistress told her she wasn't intelligent enough to be an engineer so she became an anaesthetist!!)

I do think that this works well when you are used to making a recipe but need swift reminders if your memory is as appalling as mine is. I made a mistake in ingredients in a recipe I amalgamated from many others and have made for years, and wondered why it tasted different.

I only write that way if I've made the recipe many times and know how to fill in the blanks as I prepare it. It's more of a memory safeguard, so I don't forget ingredients or steps...