Why do family recipes never turn out the same whenever I try to make them?

I made chicken and rice the way we did it growing up and i swear i followed the instructions my grandma gave me right. The chicken turned out fine that was just salt,pepper, oregano and lemon juice. The rice i somehow messed up and i don't get it. I rinsed the rice like i was told. Sauteed the onion and garlic and the rice too. I added the right amount of chicken broth and lemon juice but it turned out paste like but crunchy at the same time. I don't get it. Not even the fresh herbs made it better.

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Musicman · 61-69, M

My grandma made really good dinner rolls. As she got older my Aunt didn't want to lose the rolls so she asked for the recipe. My grandma didn't hesitate and gave it to her. No go. They just were not the same and she asked her mom if she left something out. Grandma swore that was the recipe. So my grandma and my Aunt got in the same kitchen and made them side by side with the same brand ingredients and the same oven. No matter what my Aunt did hers never tasted like my grandma's.

4meAndyou · F

Rice needs to be cooked as follows: Rinse the rice. Drain. Make sure the rice is fairly dried out. There should be no liquid from the rinse water.

Add one part rice to two parts boiling water AND/OR chicken broth. The water and broth need to be combined as a total, to equal two parts boiling LIQUID. Add rice to boiling liquid, stir, return the rice to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
Do not stir again, or keep peeking.

If you want to make fried rice, or San Francisco style rice, you should rinse and drain and dry the rice and saute it uncooked till golden brown, and THEN, AFTER that, cook it with liquid.