Cooking sometimes resembles a math class when you're European and trying your hand at an American recipe. And vice versa of course. Would it have killed our ancestors to have come up with one system of measurements? Apart from the USA, Liberia and Burma, the entire world uses the metric system (yes, my American friends, if Wikipedia is to be trusted, you've only got two allies in the entire world when it comes to your measurement system, and both are obscure regimes.).
In this blog, I will give metric and US measurements. The conversion won't be totally correct, I will use rounded numbers, so either follow metric or US units when cooking, but don't mix the two.
It would be best for all of you to invest in measuring utensils that have all the units written on them. They are not easy to find, but if you do find one, hold on to it for dear life. My mother found a measuring cup in France once that listed all the measuring units used in the world and she was kind enough to give it to me. Actually, she used it as a coffee pot in the holiday home and I went hysterical when I saw she had the universal measuring cup, so she had no choice but to give the squeeing daughter her make-do coffee pot.
As for the table spoons, tea spones, 1/2 tea spoons et cetera... you can get sets of plastic measuring spoons in most big supermarkets or home stores these days. They don't cost much and they are a fantastic thing to have in your kitchen. In my recipes I will use those spoons. I won't convert this, but if you need a cooking converter, there are great ones available online. I usually use this one.
Having said all this... unless when it comes to baking, don't get all mathematical while cooking. Throw in a little bit more garlic than stated if you love it. Leave out the salt if you have high blood pressure (again, unless it's baking, because baking is like math). Have fun in the kitchen, and take a little risk now and again...
