Serves Four

[shel]

Why are so many recipes written to serve four? There are very few, it seems, that are designed for two, which may be closer to a more usual number of people sitting down to eat at one time, at least in the US, and certainly amongst my friends and peers.

And how is it that a certain size portion is decided to be a serving? While going through some soup recipes recently, all of which "served four," I noticed that serving sizes ran from about one cup (8-oz) to about two cups. Unless on a serious diet, does anyone consider 8-oz of soup to be a serving?

Just wondering ....

Shel

[greenawalt87]

Yes that is a little larger then in a resturant I believe they are 6 oz. but much larger for a total meal. I have problems when a cookie recipe says 4 doz. or so I never get what they call for I always get less.

[KYHeirloomer]

Actually, service for four is a relatively recent thing. Most recipes, historically, served six. Or at least they did throughout the 20th century.

Why the change? I haven't a clue.

As to serving size differences, I can offer a guess. USDA suggested serving sizes have changed, through the years, just as the number of food groups has. It's possible that the serving size merely represents the serving size suggested by the gubmint at the time the recipe was developed.

Frankly, I've always found serving sizes to be too large, particularly when the dish is part of a full meal.

Eight ounces, for me, is more than sufficient as a soup serving, if I'm having it with anything else; even a sandwich. As a main course, and depending on the soup, 12-16 ounces is plenty.

[shel]

Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer

Frankly, I've always found serving sizes to be too large, particularly when the dish is part of a full meal.

Eight ounces, for me, is more than sufficient as a soup serving, if I'm having it with anything else; even a sandwich. As a main course, and depending on the soup, 12-16 ounces is plenty.

I guess we eat diferently. Rarely do I prepare a full meat for myself. I'll just have soup, or a salad, or a main dish, or a plate of veggies. So I suppose a tiny, 8-oz cup of soup would, indeed, seem small to me.

Shel

[KYHeirloomer]

Well, that would be the difference, Shel.

But most recipes are designed to be part of a complete service. So that's why they're set up in multiples of what would be small servings for you.

And, while I understand your point, an espresso cup is tiny. An 8-ounce cup is not.

To put it in perspective, a coffee cup (talking good china, now) is about 6 ounces. A measuring cup is a precise 8 ounces. And a mug is 10 ounces.

[cookie jim]

shel.The nice part of being the cook is being in controll of the portion size.I usually read a recipie study the cooking technique then use the amount I wish,it's my kitchen,lol.I don't remember folowing a recipe that has me in a controlled mode.You fix their recipies with your best intuition and I bet everyone will be happy...good cookin...cookie

[shel]

Originally Posted by KYHeirloomer

And a mug is 10 ounces.

<ROTFLMAO> Well, my ususal "small" coffee mug is larger than that, and my more usual mug is 20-oz. But I get your point. My standard soup bowl is what some might call a tureen

Shel

[shel]

Originally Posted by cookie jim

shel.The nice part of being the cook is being in controll of the portion size.I usually read a recipie study the cooking technique then use the amount I wish,it's my kitchen,lol.I don't remember folowing a recipe that has me in a controlled mode.You fix their recipies with your best intuition and I bet everyone will be happy...good cookin...cookie

Agreed ........

[shroomgirl]

ditto Shel