Choose an unlocked recipe, a companion, and an available recipe copy. You can inspect locked recipes to plan ahead.
Time the ingredient, control the flame for 12 seconds, then finish at the marked cue. Space activates timing cues; the left and right arrow keys lower and raise the heat.
The fire responds smoothly; the pot takes time to heat and cool. Turn down the flame before the heat reaches the top of the ideal band.
Missed cues lower your cooking rating. They do not remove your dish.
After the three steps, choose a kindling container and add one to the fire to shorten the wait.
Collect dishes to earn Cooking XP and unlock recipes. Great and Perfect technique earn bonus XP; your first discovery earns a bonus too. Three Perfect dishes master a recipe.