Using American cookery books

Whilst I am sharing recipes from American sources I should point out that they use a very different system of measuring ingredients such as 'cups' etc. This is really not problematic. You can get a set of American measuring cups at any good cookery shop and most supermarkets for just a few pounds. These are used for measuring dry ingredients such as flour and sugar. For liquid measures buy a measuring jug clearly labelled with cup measures. An American liquid cup measure is approximately 240 millilitres. I also recommend you get a set of accurate teaspoon/tablespoon measures.

Over temperatures and imperial measures can be easily converted. There are lots of sources online that will do this for you. Broiling is grilling just to clear that one up!

Butter is the other conundrum! In America it is sold in sticks. 1 stick consists of 8 tbsps of butter. 1 tbsp is 15 grams so a stick of butter is 120 grams. This should help you convert butter measurements when baking etc.

They also have different names for some ingredients (an aubergine is an eggplant, for example) so just check online again if you are not sure. I have got so comfortable with the American system I find it very hard to convert to UK measurements now! It is worth the extra bit of effort to be able to extend your cooking repertoire though. Happy cooking!

From left to right: measuring cups, graduated teaspoon/tablespoon measures and a US liquid measuring cup. Absolutely essential!