A useful starting point
Small quantities can matter to a recipe’s balance. A teaspoon instruction normally refers to a measuring unit, not whichever cutlery spoon happens to be nearby. The recipe may also specify whether the measure should be level or prepared in another way.
Keep it in your kitchen notes
Use a marked measuring tool and keep units visible in your notes. Check unfamiliar abbreviations before adding an ingredient. Do not confuse a tablespoon with a teaspoon or substitute a household spoon without understanding the difference. A careful reading and suitable tool make the action easier to repeat, though they do not confirm that an untested recipe will work.