Here you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions readers ask about the site and our recipes. Should you have a question not covered here, please feel free to contact us.
Recipe Questions
These are answers to general questions about our recipes. If you have a question regarding a specific recipe, please leave a comment on that post and we will answer as soon as possible.
How do you determine serving sizes?
Most of the recipes on MyGourmetConnection are written to provide four servings that roughly follow the portion sizes recommended by the USDA.
That being said, we strongly feel that serving sizes are very subjective, and those portions might not be adequate for those with larger appetites or extremely active lifestyles. You know your family best, so always use your best judgment and adjust quantities if you feel it necessary.
How accurate is the nutrition information on your recipes?
Inquiries about nutrition data are the most frequently asked questions we encounter. We include nutritional values in our recipes, but the complete accuracy of this information cannot be guaranteed. Here’s why:
- Variable serving sizes (see above)
- Subjective ingredient sizes (e.g. 1 medium yellow onion)
- Subjective instructions (e.g. season to taste with salt and pepper)
The nutritional values we post are auto-calculated through the software we use to create the printable recipe cards for our posts. That same service offers a tool for consumers if you’d like to try it.
It’s important to note that none of the recipes on MyGourmetConnection are intended to address specific dietary concerns. Readers with medical concerns must use their judgment when determining whether a recipe will meet their dietary restrictions.
What about ingredient substitutions?
When we call for an ingredient that may be a little difficult to find, we often suggest a more common ingredient as a substitution, but only if we feel it won’t compromise the finished dish.
For basic ingredient substitutions, we suggest you keep a book on hand for reference. The Food Substitutions Bible by David Joachim (affiliate link). has 8000 entries that include ingredient substitutions, measurement equivalents, pan size comparisons, and more. If you love to cook, this is a comprehensive and handy kitchen resource.
The recipe didn’t turn out right. What happened?
It’s very hard for us to answer a general question about the failure of a recipe. There are so many possible reasons why a dish might not turn out as planned: ingredient substitutions, variations in oven temperature, high altitude, choice of cookware, or simply a matter of taste.
When provided with specifics, we’re more than happy to weigh in. Feel free to ask for help by leaving a comment on the recipe in question and we’ll reply as soon as possible.
Website Questions
Here are answers to common questions about our website policies.
Why are your posts so long? All I want is the recipe.
For our recipes to appear accurately in internet search results, we have to include information that goes beyond what’s written in the printable recipe card. This information includes:
- Descriptions of the recipe
- A list of the most important ingredients
- A capsulized version of the recipe instructions
- Serving suggestions
- Photos that help to illustrate certain preparation steps
Many cooks find this added information helpful, but for those of you who are only interested in the printable recipe, we include a “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of every post for your convenience.
Why do you have so many ads?
At this time, our website is completely free for anyone to view. Advertising revenue is how we make a living and we would not be able to pay for our technical expenses and spend our time developing, testing, photographing, and publishing recipes without it. If you would be interested in a paid, ad-free version of our website, please let us know. It is something we are considering.
I left a comment, but it wasn’t published. Why?
Trolls, bots, and spammers are prevalent on the web, so when you leave a comment on a recipe, it enters a queue that requires manual review before publication. We make every effort to review comments within 24 hours of posting, but we’re not always able to meet this schedule, so please be patient. We prioritize recipe questions, so if you’ve posted an inquiry that requires a response, please check back after a day.
Comments that are excessively rude or include profanity are always deleted, as are those that include spam links or are irrelevant to the recipe.
We welcome suggestions and constructive criticism, but comments that cannot be addressed as part of an ongoing civil conversation will also be deleted.
Can I publish one of your recipes or photos on my website?
We work hard to develop, write, and photograph the recipes published on MyGourmetConnection and the site is how we make our living. When our content is published elsewhere without appropriate credit and a direct link back to our website, it impedes our ability to earn money and could likely violate copyright law.
If you’d like to use a recipe or photo from our site, please contact us with the details on how and where you plan to use it. In many cases, we will grant permission as long as proper credit and a “do-follow” link back to our website are provided.
We take copyright infringement seriously and actively pursue content theft with official Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) infringement demands and Google takedown notices.
Get In Touch
If you have a question or concern that isn’t addressed here, please contact us directly and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.