How to Share a Recipe

Your step-by-step guide to adding a family favourite

Before You Start

To share a recipe, you need to be signed in and have your account approved by Dale. If you can see "Share a Recipe" in the menu, you're good to go!

Click "Share a Recipe" in the navigation bar to open the recipe form.

Step 1: The Basics

Start by filling in the key details about your recipe:

  1. Recipe Name — Give it a clear, memorable name. Something like "Nanna's Roast Lamb" or "Mom's Milk Tart" works perfectly.
  2. Author — Who created this recipe? It could be a family member's name, "Traditional", "Grandma", or your own name.
  3. Category — Choose from options like British Classics, South African Favourites, New Zealand, Baking & Cakes, and more.
  4. Dish Type — Is it a Main Course, Starter, Dessert, Side Dish, Soup, or something else? Pick the one that fits best.

Step 2: The Story

This is what makes our recipe book truly special! The Recipe History field is where you tell the story behind the dish.

Think about things like:

  • Where did this recipe come from?
  • Who used to make it? When did they make it?
  • Is there a favourite memory connected to this dish?
  • Did it come from a particular country or region?
Example: "This was Nanna's go-to Sunday roast. She always said the secret was in the dripping, and she'd chase us out of the kitchen if we tried to pinch the crispy bits before it was ready!"

Step 3: The Recipe

  1. Serves — How many people does this recipe feed? Just enter a number, like 4 or 6.
  2. Cooking Time — How many minutes does it take to make? Include prep and cooking time together (e.g. 45 for a 45-minute meal).
  3. Ingredients — Type each ingredient on its own line. Start with the quantity, then the ingredient name:
    2 cups flour
    1 tsp salt
    250ml milk
    3 large eggs
  4. Method — Type each step on its own line. They'll automatically become numbered steps on the recipe page:
    Preheat oven to 180°C
    Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl
    Add the wet ingredients and stir until combined
    Pour into a greased tin and bake for 30 minutes

Step 4: Finishing Touches

  1. Cook's Notes — Any extra tips, variations, or serving suggestions? This is a great place to mention things like "Goes perfectly with a glass of pinotage" or "You can substitute cream for coconut milk".
  2. Recipe Photo — A photo makes your recipe card look much more appealing! You can either drag and drop a photo onto the upload area, or click to browse your files. We accept JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP formats up to 10MB.
Photo tip: A quick snap on your phone works perfectly. Take the photo in good light, and try to show the finished dish from above or at a slight angle. Don't worry about being a food photographer — real family food photos are the best kind!

Tips for a Great Recipe

  • Write ingredients with quantities first: "2 cups flour" not "flour - 2 cups"
  • Put each method step on its own line — they become numbered automatically
  • A photo makes the recipe card much more appealing on the Browse page
  • Use the Cook's Notes for serving suggestions, wine pairings, or what to serve it with
  • Don't worry about getting it perfect — you can always edit your recipe later!
Back to Help Centre Browse Recipes