Rhyming Recipe

[Tinker]

Explore the Craft of Writing
Light Verse

A Rhyming Recipe, is exactly what the name implies, a culinary recipe in rhymed verse. This verse form was common in the 19th and 20th centuries and used as an easy way to remember recipes. It was also used in greeting cards or gift cards as a poetic way to share a recipe. Although this verse is sometimes referred to as a Recipe Poem, it is not the same form as the Recipe Poem which is a classroom exercise in using the parts of speech.

The elements of the Rhyming Recipe are:

1. written in any verse form at the discretion of the poet.
2. rhymed, usually in rhyming couplets but the poet can develop any rhyme scheme.
3. describes the steps in preparing a culinary dish.

   Note: Although this is called a Rhyming Recipe, there are Recipe poems written in other verse forms that do not require rhyme. The only constant is that you share a culinary recipe in verse.

   Heavenly Hamburger by Judi Van Gorder

   Place one pound lean ground meat
   with diced whole onion on medium heat.
   Sauté these lightly in a tall pan
   next add diced tomatoes from large can.
   Add canned corn or lima beans,
   uncooked egg noodles by all means.
   For 15 minutes cover pot to stew,
   so not to stick, stir the brew.
   Pepper and salt to taste,
   this is a dish that won't go to waste.
   Last, melt in shredded cheddar cheese.
   This hearty meal is sure to please.

   Salad Dressing by Sydney Smith