When I want to alter a recipe, but still retain the original recipe, I use the following procedure.
Instead of opening the recipe, I right click on the recipe name in the list that I want to alter, which brings up a window with a list of options.
I left click on "copy".
I then left click away from all of the recipes in an empty space below or to the right of the list. (This un-highlights all of the recipes in the list.)
I then right click away from all of the recipes, in that same empty area, which brings up another window with options.
I then left click on "paste". (This creates another recipe that is a complete duplicate.)
I double click on one of those duplicates to open it up. I then change the name of the recipe and click "save".
I now have a newly named copy of the original recipe, which I can make changes to without making changes to the original recipe.
It sounds like it's a lot to do, but it's actually quite easy once you've done it a few times.