How many tomatoes are in a cup? How many tablespoons of juice are in a lemon? It can be frustrating when recipes specify a diced, chopped or other final form of an ingredient without even a hint of how much whole fruits and vegetables we need to begin with. For those who don’t have American measuring cups, I imagine it can be confounding.
When I was a rank beginner in the kitchen, I was constantly asking my mother how much of this or that do I need to buy. One day she gave me a small chart torn from a magazine — I don’t know which — that gave rules of thumb for various foods. I still refer to it from time to time and perhaps it will be useful to you too.
| When the recipe calls for this | You need this much |
| 1 tsp chopped garlic | 1 large clove |
| 1 cup chopped carrot | 1 large carrot |
| 1 cup chopped onion | 1 large onion |
| 1 cup chopped tomato | 1 large tomato |
| 1 cup diced celery | 2 large ribs |
| 3 TB sliced scallion, green and white | 1 large scallion |
| 1/2 cup mashed banana | 1 medium banana |
| 2 cups sliced strawberries | 1 pint berries |
| 1/3 cup orange juice | 1 medium orange |
| 3 TB lemon juice | 1 medium – large lemon |
| 2 tsp lemon zest | 1 medium lemon |
| 2 TB lime juice | 1 lime |
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, this is way cool! I wish I had this a couple of months ago when I’d agreed to bring 2 cups of chopped tomatoes for a homemade burrito bar! Fortunately, I bought 4, and just kept chopping until I had enough. Then, I could use the rest in salads.
What a nice and helpful little chart; thank you!
Good morning, Muse! Glad you like it and find it handy — it printed okay for me and I hope it did for you too. It is a handy little thing. Mashed bananas are always my bugaboo; I can never remember.
I think a home burrioto bar is lots cooler, though, and one of these days I’m going to steal your idea!
That’s so helpful! Ella, you think of everything!!! Thank you
Aw, thank you, Sunny! I’m happy you can use it. {{{Hugs}}} to you!
OMG… this list is great! Thanks. If you don’t mind, I’m going to link it next time I post a Fracas Friday Food Porn post.
fracas´s last blog ..Just In The Lick Of Time!
Hi, fracas! Of course I don’t mind – I’m delighted you think it’s useful. I hope you’re having a smashing summer!