Our Recipe Rating System

We rate each recipe to help you find the ones that will be best for you. We don’t like words like “easy” or “hard” because those can be different for everyone. A “Level 1” recipe may be very difficult for some, while a “Level 4” recipe may be easy for others. You can always look at the "skills used" to help you decide what areas you may want help or practice. We encourage you to choose recipes you are comfortable with, but don’t be afraid to push yourself to try new skills!

The information below gets a bit complicated.  Don't worry about it if you are confused. As you try recipes, you will start to figure out what works for you.

We check each recipe for safety and complexity. Then we give it a combined “pan level rating” based on whichever is highest. For example, a recipe that has a large number of ingredients but presents little safety risk may be given a higher level rating because adding ingredients adds complexity. In the same way, a very simple recipe with few ingredients may have a higher rating if the skills used present more safety risks. Safety concerns will be different for every person. For example, for someone who tends to put things in their mouth, raw meat would be a high safety concern. For others, it may be less of an issue. We use the levels below to make a consistent standard across our recipes. Safety risk for individuals should be considered by looking at skills and ingredients used.

Level 1

Safety: Low risk. No major safety concerns associated with the skills or ingredients.

Complexity: 1 cooking process. Up to 5 ingredients. Up to 5 skills.

Example skills: Stir with spoon, fork, or mixing spoon, open packages and cans, measure using measuring spoons and cups, tear with hands, cut soft items with butter knife or plastic knife

Level 2

Safety: Risk, but acceptable risk. Person may need help, but could be from a small distance away.
Complexity: 1 cooking process. Up to 5 ingredients. Up to 8 skills.

Example skills: Flip using spatula/flipper, use microwave, use crock pot, use oven, pour, handle raw ingredients, handle hot ingredients

Level 3

Safety: Risk due to potential safety hazard. Person may need help from a close distance.

Complexity: Up to 2 cooking processes. Up to 8 ingredients. Up to 8 skills.

Example skills: Cut with sharp knife, use stove or electric skillet, use peeler, use grater, use blender

Level 4

Safety: Risk due to potential safety hazard. Person may need help from a close distance.

Complexity: Up to 3 cooking processes. Up to 8 ingredients. Up to 10 skills.

Example skills: Using multiple cooking processes (ex., boil, mix, then bake), cut with sharp knife, use food processor.