my favorite is "cook until done" Most of my mom's hand written recipes have these directions on them But she was a good cook....cook fish until Firm to the touch and flakes easily with a fork, lick your finger and quickly touch the bottom of the bread pan, if sizzles, done...or just thump it and listen to how it sounds....etc, etc, etc. Some how she always managed to get everything done at the same time....a skill I have yet to master. oh...and my great aunt made wonderful bread, cake, cookies in a wood stove...never a burnt or under baked anything.