Maria’s Cookbook publishes recipes for home cooks, with a particular focus on Portuguese and Mediterranean food adapted for American kitchens. This page explains the standards used to make recipes useful, transparent, and easy to follow.
Recipe approach
Traditional food rarely has a single definitive version. Regional, family, and household variations are part of the cuisine. When a recipe is presented as traditional, the goal is to preserve the recognizable character of the dish while giving clear instructions that work in a modern home kitchen.
Where several legitimate versions exist, the article should explain the approach used instead of presenting one variation as universally authoritative.
Ingredients, measurements, and substitutions
Recipes are written for a primarily U.S. audience. Measurements, oven temperatures, ingredient names, and practical substitutions are chosen with American home kitchens and grocery stores in mind. When an original ingredient is difficult to find, suggested substitutes should perform a similar culinary role rather than simply being convenient replacements.
Research and attribution
Background information about traditional dishes may draw on regional culinary knowledge, cookbooks, producers, cultural institutions, and other credible sources. When a specific external source materially informs an article, it should be acknowledged or linked where appropriate.
Nutrition information
Calorie and nutrition figures, when provided, are estimates. Actual values vary with brands, ingredient sizes, substitutions, preparation methods, and serving size. They should not be treated as medical or dietary advice.
Corrections and updates
Recipes may be updated when instructions can be made clearer, when ingredients or timings need correction, or when reader feedback reveals a reproducible problem. Minor edits may be made for clarity without changing the character of the recipe.
If you spot a possible error, please use the contact page and include the recipe URL and enough detail for the issue to be checked.
Editorial independence
Advertising helps support the site, but advertisers do not control recipe conclusions, ingredient recommendations, cultural descriptions, or editorial corrections. Commercial relationships should be disclosed when relevant. See Advertising & Editorial Independence.