Chapter 6: Tips for Food Preparation and Cooking 105
✓ If the ingredient is a solid food, like pasta or meat, and the amount is in
cups, it is a volume measurement. Use measuring cups.✓ If the ingredient is a liquid and the amount is in ounces, it is fluid
ounces, not weight. Use the liquid measuring cup.Measuring liquids
Measure liquids (anything that pours) using the liquid measuring cup. It has
a little spout to make pouring easier and leaves some room at the top so you
won’t spill the contents. Set the measuring cup on the counter and pour in
the liquid. You can’t get an accurate reading from looking down into the cup,
so get down to eye level to check the amount. The liquid level should be right
on the marking lines.Here are some handy measurements for wet ingredients:✓ 8 fluid ounces (fl. oz.) = 1 cup (c.)
✓ 16 fl. oz. = 2 c. = 1 pint (pt.)
✓ 32 fl. oz. = 4 c. = 2 pt. = 1 quart (qt.)
✓ 64 fl. oz. = 8 c. = 4 pt. = 2 qt. =^1 ⁄ 2 gallon (gal.)
✓ 128 fl. oz. = 4 qt. =1 gal.Have several liquid measuring cups of varying size. Getting a reading for^1 ⁄ 4 cup
in a 1-cup measuring cup is easier than in a 4-cup measuring cup.Measuring solids
Following are some common measurements for dry ingredients:✓ 3 teaspoons (tsp.) = 1 tablespoon (Tbsp.)
✓ 4 Tbsp. =^1 ⁄ 4 cup (c.)
✓ 51 ⁄ 3 Tbsp. =^1 ⁄ 3 c.
✓ 8 Tbsp. =^1 ⁄ 2 c.✓ 12 Tbsp. =^3 ⁄ 4 c.
✓ 16 Tbsp. = 1 c.✓ 16 (dry) ounces (oz.) = 1 pound (lb.)Measuring cups come in graduated sizes, usually starting at^1 ⁄ 4 cup and going
up to 1 cup. You can also find sets that give you a^2 ⁄ 3 cup and a^3 ⁄ 4 cup measure.