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Mizen organizes recipes into three distinct phases: Prep, Cook, and Plate. Each tab is designed to help you focus on one stage of the cooking process at a time.

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The Three Tabs

Every recipe page has three tabs accessible from the navigation:
  • Prep: View and organize all ingredients
  • Cook: Step-by-step instructions with timers and tips
  • Plate: Capture photos of your finished dish and view plating guidance

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Keyboard Shortcuts

Quickly navigate between tabs using keyboard shortcuts:
  • ⌘1 (Mac) or Ctrl+1 (Windows/Linux): Switch to Prep tab
  • ⌘2 or Ctrl+2: Switch to Cook tab
  • ⌘3 or Ctrl+3: Switch to Plate tab
On mobile, you can also swipe left/right to navigate between tabs.

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Prep Tab: Ingredients

The Prep tab displays all ingredients needed for the recipe.
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View ingredient groups
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Ingredients are organized into groups (e.g., “For the Sauce”, “For the Filling”). Each group shows:
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  • Group name
  • Ingredient count
  • Progress indicator (pie chart showing completion)
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    Check off ingredients
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    As you gather each ingredient, click the checkbox to mark it complete. Your progress is saved automatically and persists even if you close the browser.
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    Toggle all at once
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    Click the pie chart icon next to a group name to check/uncheck all ingredients in that group.
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    Expand ingredient details
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    Click any ingredient to see:
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  • Full ingredient name and amount
  • Description and substitution suggestions (if available)
  • Which steps use this ingredient (linked)
  • Related steps you can navigate to
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    From the ingredient detail view, click any step number to jump directly to that step in the Cook tab.

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    Ingredient Features

    Scaling Servings Click the servings controls at the top of the ingredients list to adjust the recipe yield. All ingredient amounts scale automatically. Click the servings number to reset to the original amount. Unit Conversion Click the settings icon to toggle between:
    • Original units (as written in the recipe)
    • Metric (grams, ml, etc.)
    • Imperial (cups, oz, etc.)
    Search Ingredients Use the search box to filter ingredients by name, amount, or unit. Only matching ingredients appear. Collapsible Groups Click a group header to collapse/expand that ingredient section.

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    Cook Tab: Instructions

    The Cook tab provides two viewing modes for recipe instructions.

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    List View

    List view shows all recipe steps in a scrollable list. Each step displays:
    • Step number and title
    • Full instruction text
    • Timer button (if the step has a time duration)
    • Ingredients needed for this step (clickable to view details)
    • Tips and notes (if available)
    Check off steps as you complete them to track your progress.

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    Focus View

    Focus view shows one step at a time in a card-based interface, minimizing distractions while you cook.
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    Switch to Focus view
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    Click the “Focus” button in the tab header or press ⌘J (or Ctrl+J) to toggle between List and Focus views.
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    Use the arrow buttons or keyboard arrows to move between steps. The current step number and total steps are shown at the top.
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    View step ingredients
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    The “Ingredients” card shows only the ingredients needed for the current step. Click any ingredient to see details.
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    Use timers
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    If a step requires timing (e.g., “Simmer for 15 minutes”), a timer card appears. Click “Start Timer” to begin the countdown.
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    View tips
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    Tips and additional notes appear in a dedicated “Tips” card when available.
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    Return to List view
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    Click “List” in the header or press ⌘J to return to the full step list.

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    Cook Mode Settings

    Click the three-dot menu in the Cook tab header to access: Font Selection
    • Default (sans-serif)
    • Serif (easier to read for some users)
    Step Sizing
    • Small: Compact view
    • Medium: Default size
    • Large: Larger text for reading from a distance
    Quick Actions
    • Copy link (⌘L): Copy the recipe URL to share
    • Copy recipe: Copy the entire recipe as plain text
    Use the search bar in the settings menu to quickly find any option.

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    Plate Tab: Finishing Your Dish

    The Plate tab helps you document and serve your finished dish.
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    View plating guidance
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    The Plating Guidance card shows AI-generated recommendations:
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  • Serving vessel (e.g., “shallow bowl”, “dinner plate”)
  • Serving temperature (e.g., “hot”, “room temperature”)
  • Plating notes and presentation tips
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    Capture dish photos
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    Click “Add Photo” to capture up to 5 photos of your plated dish:
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  • Take a photo using your device camera or select from your gallery
  • Photos are stored with the recipe
  • View your photo gallery in the Plate tab
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    Rate your dish
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    After cooking, you can rate the recipe from 1 to 5 stars (feature visible in dish rating modal).
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    View storage guidance
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    The Storage Guidance card displays:
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  • Storage instructions (how to store leftovers)
  • Shelf life in refrigerator (in days)
  • Shelf life in freezer (in days)

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    Recipe Settings

    Click the settings icon (gear) in the top-right corner of any recipe to access:
    • Copy link: Copy the original recipe URL
    • Copy recipe: Copy the entire recipe as formatted text
    • Rename: Change the recipe title
    • Delete Recipe: Remove the recipe from your collection (requires confirmation)

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    Bookmarking

    Click the bookmark icon in the top-right corner to save recipes to your Cookbook for easy access later. Bookmarked recipes appear in the Cookbook page and in the sidebar’s “Pinned” section.

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    Tips for Cooking Success

    Prep First: Complete the Prep tab entirely before starting to cook. Having all ingredients ready (mise en place) makes the cooking process smoother.
    Use Focus Mode: When actively cooking, Focus view helps you concentrate on one step at a time without scrolling.
    Keep Your Device Clean: Use voice commands or a stylus if you need to interact with Mizen while cooking to avoid getting your device dirty.

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