It’s time to put the leaves in the table, pull up some more chairs, and make a lot more food than we normally do! Although most recipes and ingredients may be doubled perfectly, a few ingredients require special attention. Follow our guide for sure success.

SPICES AND HERBS 

Do not double spices and herbs. To make two batches of a dish, use only one and a half measures of the spice or herb. For instance, if your original lasagna calls for 1 teaspoon of oregano, use 1 ½ teaspoons of oregano when you make two batches of lasagna.

YEAST

When making two batches of yeast bread, there is no need to double the yeast. One and a half measures of yeast will make a double batch of bread rise beautifully. So if your bread recipe calls for 1 envelope—or 1 tablespoon—of active dry yeast, just increase the yeast to 1 ½ envelopes—or 1 ½ tablespoons—when mixing a double batch of bread or rolls.

ALCOHOL

Alcohols, especially Bourbon, brandy, rum and the sweet liqueurs common in holiday dishes, have potent flavors that tend to dominate dishes when doubled. When measuring spirits for doubled recipes, use only one and a half times the spirit called for in the original recipe. If the recipe uses the alcohol for moisture, double the recipe using one and a half measures of the alcohol, and use broth or water to make up for the rest.

CHILES, PEPPERS AND OTHER HOT STUFF

Ingredients such as chiles, jalapeño peppers, hot pepper sauce and Asian chili paste tend to become way too assertive when doubled. When doubling batches with these ingredients, use only one and a quarter measures. So, if your enchilada sauce recipe calls for 1 minced jalapeño pepper, use 1 whole jalapeño and ¼ of another one when increasing your batch.

ONIONS AND GARLIC

These full-flavored ingredients may be doubled if the doubled dishes will be consumed right away. If you intend to freeze an onion- and garlic-containing dish, however, cut the quantity of onion and garlic back by about half—these vegetables become more potent when frozen.

You’ll need larger baking pans, too! See our Pan Capacity Chart.

Also read Tips for Stree Free Entertaining