To Chop First Or Measure First

When a recipe tells you to slice or chop something how do you know whether you chop first and measure or measure first and than chop?

If you weigh everything, it doesn't really matter.

But, if you are using a measuring cup, it matters.

How you know is by looking for the comma.

If your recipe calls for 1 cup sliced mushrooms, you slice and than measure.
If it says 1 cup mushrooms, sliced you measure out the mushrooms and than you slice them.

When you cut and how you cut an ingredient can make a difference in how much ends up in the finished product.

Another example is if a recipes calls for 1 cup chopped onions.
If you chop them in coarse chop, you won't have nearly as many onions as you would if you finely chopped them.

It can affect the taste and texture of the dish.

Knowing when to cut your ingredients will help you make your dish turn out like it should.