SPICE MEASUREMENTS & CONVERSIONS

CONVERTING FRESH HERBS TO DRY HERBS

 

The universal rule for dried herbs is three parts fresh to one part dried. 

 

1 TABLESPOON FRESH HERBS = 1 TEASPOON DRIED HERBS

 

1 TEASPOON DRIED LEAF HERB = 1/2 TEASPOON GROUND DRIED HERB

 

 Herb  Fresh Dried
 Basil2 teaspoons finely chopped1 teaspoon dried
 Bay Leaf1 leaf fresh2 leaves dried
 Chervil3 teaspoons fresh1 teaspoon dried
 Cilantro 3 teaspoons fresh 1 teaspoon dried
Cinnamon1 cinnamon stick1/2 teaspoon ground
Cumin4.5 tablespoons whole seed4 TBS ground (1 oz.)
 Dill 3 teaspoons fresh 1 teaspoon dried
 Garlic (large) 1 clove fresh (1.5 tsp minced) 1/2 teaspoon powder
Garlic (small)1 clove fresh (1/2 tsp minced)1/8 teaspoon powder
 Ginger1 tablespoon freshly grated1/4 teaspoon dry ground
Ginger1 tablespoon minced1/2 teaspoon dry ground
 Marjoram 3 teaspoons fresh  1 teaspoon dried
 Onion 1 medium onion1 teaspoon onion powder
Oregano 3 teaspoons fresh  1 teaspoon dried
Parsley2 teaspoons fresh1 teaspoon dried
Rosemary 3 teaspoons fresh  1 teaspoon dried
Sage 2 teaspoons fresh1 teaspoon dried
Star Anise1-star anise fresh1/2 teaspoon anise seed
Tarragon 3 teaspoons fresh  1 teaspoon dried
Thyme 3 teaspoons fresh  1 teaspoon dried
 Thyme 1 teaspoon dried 3/4 teaspoons ground
Vanilla1-inch vanilla bean1 teaspoon extract

DRY WEIGHT MEASUREMENTS

 

Most of the recipes are in standard measurements like ounces, pounds, cups, tablespoons, etc, but if you want to convert recipes into metric measurements, the following two converters will assist.

 

  • 1 pinch = 1/16 teaspoon
  • 1 dash = 2 pinches = 1/8 teaspoon
  • 1 teaspoon = 1/3 tablespoon = 1/6 ounce 
  • 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 1/2 ounce 
  • 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon = 1/2 ounce 
  • 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup = 2 ounces 
  • 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup = 4 ounces 
  • 12 tablespoons = 3/4 cup = 6 ounces 
  • 16 tablespoons = 1 cup = 8 ounces 
  • 1 cup = 8 ounces = 1/2 pound 
  • 1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon 
  • 16 ounces = 1 pint = 2 cups = 1 pound 
  • 4 cups = 1 quart = 64 tablespoons 

LIQUID OR VOLUME MEASUREMENTS

  • 6 drops = 1/8 teaspoon or less 
  • 15 drops = 1/4 teaspoon
  • 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 1/2 pint = 16 tablespoons 
  • 1 pint = 2 cups = 16 fluid ounces = 32 tablespoons 
  • 1 quart = 4 cups = 32 fluid ounces = 64 tablespoons 
  • 1 gallon = 16 cups = 8 pints = 4 quarts
  • 1 liter = approximately 4 cups or 1 quart

PASTA AND RICE CONVERSIONS & EQUIVALENTS

There is always confusion about the ratio of rice when it’s time to cook…… How many cups for 8 people? or How many can eat in 2 cups of rice, as per the recipe in the cookbook?

 

It depends on if serving it as a side dish or as the main dish with other ingredients added to it. It also depends on who you are serving it to.

 

The most common ratio for the rice to liquid is 1 to 2 or 1 cup rice to 2 cups of water which will yield 3 cups cooked rice

  • 1 cup uncooked white rice yields 3 cups of cooked white rice
  • 1 cup brown whole grain rice yields 4 cups of cooked rice
  • 1 cup long-grain rice (SELA)  yields 3 cups cooked rice
  • 1 cup dry pre-cooked instant rice yields 2 cups cooked rice

Assuming 1 cup of cooked rice per person.

  • ¾ cup uncooked rice serves 2 persons
  • 1 cup uncooked rice serves 3 persons
  • 2 cups uncooked rice serves 6 persons

Assuming 1/2 cup of cooked rice per person.

  • ¾ cup uncooked rice serves 4 persons
  • 1 cup uncooked rice serves 6 persons
  • 2 cup uncooked rice serves 12 persons