Are recipes copyright?

Yes, in part! Copyright law protects all original works including recipes. This applies to any work that is original, independently created by a human author, and possess some creativity.

However US copyright states "A mere listing of ingredients or contents is not copyrightable and cannot be registered with the U.S. Copyright Office." Examples include "a list of ingredients for a recipe, and a list of components for a formula, compound, prescription, or the like."

A concept or idea can not be copyrighted, so the concept for chicken stuffed full of chocolate and covered with sugar cannot be copyrighted. Similarly a factual list of ingredients to go into a recipe is not copyrightable. Technically a straightforward method of instructions such as 'bake for 15 minutes at 180 degrees' is not covered by copyright either. Also recipes for basic things such as salad dressings, sauces and pastries would only be covered if someone could prove that they wrote the original.

Are photos copyright?

Yes! Take your own photos or if you have the skills create an illustration, or ask your friend and get their permission to use the photo or drawing. The only exception is sites that provide copyright-free or open-source images but you normally have to pay for them and sometimes a condition is that you include a set phrase to indicate where it is from.

So can I adapt a recipe and publish it?

Yes, adapt the ingredients for your own recipe, and write the method in your own words adding your own creativity, plus your own title and tips. Take your own photo (or drawing/illustration) and you can call it your own. However it's good practice to say that it was adapted and where it was adapted from.