Blueprint or recipe?

While explaining the function and workings of DNA to someone who doesn't have a clue, it is always helpful to use analogies. I remember Richard Dawkins pointing out that a recipe is a better analogy for how the DNA regulates development and function, than the perhaps more often encountered "blueprint" analogy.I think it would be interesting to discuss the respective qualities and deficiencies of these analogies. Is "recipe" indeed better, and why? In what ways would they still be misleading, or inadequate to really do justice? Are there any crucial differences that need to pointed out in order to avoid big misconceptions?

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