in small bowl combine all ingredients

A mixing instruction rather than a specific ingredient, this direction appears in recipes as a preparatory step. The phrase "combine all ingredients in a small bowl" typically refers to the initial assembly phase of a recipe where dry ingredients, wet ingredients, or a mixture of both are brought together in a single vessel before further processing, cooking, or incorporation into a larger preparation.

This instruction is foundational to recipe execution across all cuisines and cooking techniques. It is used to ensure even distribution of ingredients, facilitate thorough mixing, and allow preliminary reactions (such as hydration of dry ingredients or emulsification of liquids) before cooking or baking begins. Common applications include combining dry ingredients for baked goods, whisking together wet ingredients for batters, mixing spice rubs, preparing marinades, and assembling sauce components.