Converting Measurements

Asked by vyaza5. Answered on 1st June 2012

Full question

Hello, I've bought 3 of Nigella's books in Italy (English version), but it's so confusing and difficult to convert "cups and tablespoons" into grams. Online there are many tables of conversions but they are all different. Could you tell me please, where I can find the conversion table of Nigellas' recepies? Thank you so much in advance! Anna Vyazovska (from Milan).

I've wanted the Domestic Goddess book for years and have finally treated myself to it, but I've ended up with a book using strange measurements (to me) and confectioner's sugar etc. I don't understand any of it and don't know how to convert it. Please please help. Love, Ida xxx

Our answer

Unfortunately it sounds as if you have the US versions of Nigella's books which are converted from metric into US measurements of ounces, cups and tablespoons. If you prefer metric measurements then UK copies of Nigella's books are published by Chatto & Windus. English language versions from other publishers are likely to be the American editions.

At the moment there isn't a table of conversions available but for liquids Nigella uses 1 cup = 250ml, 1/2 cup = 125ml, 1/3 cup = 80ml 1/4 cup = 60ml and 1 tablespoon = 15ml. The most common dry ingredients are flour (1 cup = 150g), sugar (1 cup = 200g), brown sugar (1 cup packed = 200g), rice (1 cup = 200g), raisins (1 cup = 140g). For butter 1 tablespoon is 15g, 1 stick is 110g and 1 cup is 225g. Confectioner's sugar is icing sugar (1 cup = 100g).

For oven temperatures the most common conversions are 300F = 150c, 350F = 180c and 400F = 200c.