Fresh Vegetable Recipes

When you share recipes with other people, do you ever leave out an ingredient on purpose?

I love sharing recipes with others, but have found that someone I have exchanged with doesn't give the full recipe - leaves out something noncritical to the recipe. I think she does this because she does not want to share the recipe really. Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever done this when sharing a recipe? I always make sure to give the entire recipe and even my tricks and tips to make the recipe turn out as yummy as possible. I even share the recipes I use in my baking business because I think it helps my business. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Public Comments

1. I share my recipes w/o altering it. It's funny how some people do that. It has never happend to me.
2. I don't, but I know this woman who was training her replacment (she was being fired) to bake the same goodies she made for a local restaurant. She left out ingredients on purpose until the girl had her back turned, when she'd quickly add said ingredient. I've never done that kind of thing though, my recipes are not secret, or all that impressive, truth be told
3. no, that is mean.
4. I have never done that, but I know people who have. Most won't tell you. I think their intentions are that they don't want anyone else's attempt to be as good or better than their own. My brother-in-law, however, is quite open about it. He says there is a tradition in his family that you always leave out an ingredient when you share a recipe. It can't be an ingredient that will make a huge difference, but traditionally you leave out one spice. Then, the next person is told and encouraged to add experiment with the recipe. That way, everyone has their own version of the recipe and no single recipe is ever the same.
5. i have never left out an ingredient because I feel as though that person thought enough of your recipe to ask for it and to me that is a very big compliment and have always given the recipe . good luck and happy cooking .
6. never
7. Yes, I have had this happen to me. When I asked my sister-in-law if perhaps she forgot an ingredient she got very defensive and told me to leave the cooking to the professionals. Very annoying! A lump of coal for her for Christmas! When someone asks me for a recipe, I photocopy it & give it to them. I also tell them what to avoid or what my mistakes were and how I perfected the recipe.
8. NEVER EVER. How awful When I have a recipe that either I invented or perfected or found I love to share it with others to see if they love it too. I would never purposely want to screw them up or over.
9. It has happened to me and I take it very personally because I would NEVER do that to anyone else. I remember once begging a store/caterer for a balsamic chicken recipe, explaining that I was moving out of state and wouldn't be able to buy it again. Even though I bought that chicken from them at least twice a week, the guy refused. Finally, he said, look, if you force me to give you the recipe, I will deliberately leave something out or put something in that will ruin it so just leave it alone. I was devastated but at least he was honest. I've never been able to duplicate that recipe.
10. No, if I give someone a recipe, I give them everything including suggestions to improve it or alterations that I have tried. I want them to succeed!! I have a recipe blog even, and give as much detail as I can including who might not like the recipe. Someone who leaves out parts of recipes, even if non-critical, shouldn't give out any. They have issues. I've run into people like this occasionally, but it's not actually that common. BTW, I've been accused of giving out wrong recipes on several occasions. In every case, they substituted inappropriate ingredients (like 1% milk for half and half).
11. i don't think it's right to intentionally leave out the little secret ingredients or tips, tricks, and techniques. if they don't want to share the recipe, then they shouldn't. i don't leave anything out when i share my recipes, and i tell them about my tips and tricks, and i would expect them to do the same. and if i have a recipe i don't want to share, then i just say it's a secret.
12. I have recipes that I share and recipes that I don't share. When I share recipes I don't leave anything out.
13. I do not leave out anything when I agree to share a recipe. If I feel that I can't or would rather not share a recipe, I simply decline to share it at all. And yes, I will often even add my tips and tricks to the recipe.
14. You are a much better person than the average bear, apparently. At least the average cooking bear.