Perusresepti

Perusresepti is a base recipe used as a starting point in Finnish cooking. It describes the essential ratio of ingredients and the basic method for a dish, and is intended to be easily scaled, modified, or adapted to different ingredients or dietary needs. In Finnish culinary literature the term denotes a practical foundation rather than a finished dish, allowing cooks to produce consistent results across batches.

A perusresepti typically lists a minimal set of ingredients with simple steps and common kitchen instructions such as mixing, heating, or baking. The emphasis is on balance of flavors and textures rather than on elaborate preparation. Because it is designed to be flexible, quantities are often expressed as ratios or approximate measures, enabling substitutions like different flours, milks, fats, or seasonings without breaking the basic method.

In practice, perusreseptit cover broad areas such as leipätaikina and batter bases for pancakes or crepes, basic sauces and gravies, or plain meat, fish, or vegetable dishes that can be finished with toppings or sauces. They are widely used in home cooking, schools, and culinary education to teach consistent technique, scaling, and adaptation. Understanding a base recipe helps cooks improvise while maintaining desired texture and taste.