diff --git a/agent/task_worker.py b/agent/task_worker.py
index b43566b..77c0bb7 100644
--- a/agent/task_worker.py
+++ b/agent/task_worker.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import asyncio
 import json
 import logging
 import os
+import re
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
 logger = logging.getLogger("voice-agent.tasks")
@@ -102,7 +103,11 @@ class TaskWorker:
                 if not text:
                     reg.fail(self.task_id, "LLM returned empty response")
                     return
-                if self._is_deferred_answer(text) or self._is_underfilled_news_answer(text):
+                if (
+                    self._is_deferred_answer(text)
+                    or self._is_underfilled_news_answer(text)
+                    or self._is_underfilled_recipe_answer(text)
+                ):
                     reg.add_step(
                         self.task_id,
                         "thinking",
@@ -171,6 +176,24 @@ class TaskWorker:
         )
         return any(phrase in lowered for phrase in generic_phrases)
 
+    def _is_underfilled_recipe_answer(self, text: str) -> bool:
+        """A recipe is not usable without quantities and a method."""
+        if "recipe" not in self.description.lower():
+            return False
+        lowered = text.lower()
+        has_quantity = bool(
+            re.search(
+                r"\b(?:\d+(?:/\d+)?|one|two|three|half|quarter)\s*"
+                r"(?:cups?|tablespoons?|tbsp|teaspoons?|tsp|sticks?|ounces?|oz|grams?|g)\b",
+                lowered,
+            )
+        )
+        has_method = any(
+            verb in lowered
+            for verb in ("beat ", "mix ", "whip ", "stir ", "blend ", "combine ")
+        )
+        return not (has_quantity and has_method)
+
     def _system_prompt(self) -> str:
         today = datetime.now(timezone.utc).strftime("%B %d, %Y")
         return (
@@ -184,7 +207,8 @@ class TaskWorker:
             "distinct concrete events unless the user requests a different count. For three "
             "headlines, write exactly three sentences with one event per sentence and no extras. Never pad the "
             "answer with generic phrases about broad coverage or international perspectives, and "
-            "respect any requested item count exactly. Only "
+            "respect any requested item count exactly. For recipes, include specific ingredient "
+            "quantities and a concise preparation method so the result is actually usable. Only "
             "produce a final answer once it fulfills the original request. The final answer must "
             "be 1-3 concise sentences suitable for speaking aloud, with plain text only and no "
             "markdown or formatting."
diff --git a/tests/test_background_tasks.py b/tests/test_background_tasks.py
index 36ad530..b790d6a 100644
--- a/tests/test_background_tasks.py
+++ b/tests/test_background_tasks.py
@@ -65,6 +65,14 @@ def test_deferred_task_answers_are_rejected():
         "Nepal began flood recovery, Venezuela signed an oil agreement, and Iran resumed talks."
     )
 
+    recipe_worker = TaskWorker("test", "Give me a buttercream recipe")
+    assert recipe_worker._is_underfilled_recipe_answer(
+        "Use butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, then mix until smooth."
+    )
+    assert not recipe_worker._is_underfilled_recipe_answer(
+        "Beat one cup butter with three cups powdered sugar and two tablespoons milk until smooth."
+    )
+
 
 def test_task_event_directories_are_isolated(tmp_path):
     first = TaskRegistry(tmp_path / "room-one")