When adjusting a recipe, what should be maintained for consistency?

When adjusting a recipe, maintaining the original proportions is essential for consistency in the final dish. Proportions ensure that the balance of flavors, textures, and chemical reactions involved in cooking remain intact. If the proportions of ingredients are altered incorrectly, it could lead to an unbalanced flavor, unwanted texture changes, or even affect cooking times and outcomes.

For example, if you were to double the amount of flour but not adjust the amount of liquid accordingly, the resulting dough or batter could be too dense or dry. Therefore, keeping the original proportions helps ensure that the dish turns out as intended, even when the quantities of ingredients are modified to make a larger or smaller batch. Maintaining these proportions is crucial for achieving similar results regardless of the scale of the recipe.