Hello Nandita,
recipes posts are handled via custom posts, so all the posts that are recipes should be added into ‘Recipes’ rather then standard posts. When importing from other platforms WordPress treats all the posts as regular posts, so they all will be imported to regular posts. Therefore you should reassign the recipes post (copy & paste) and use ‘custom recipe post view). There is no easier way of doing that I am afraid. Additionally custom recipe posts are using different options that can be assign (cuising, dish type, prep time, ingredients) and those will be available only from recipes view.
Additionally you may try to convert existing posts into ‘recipe posts’ using plugin, but cannot guarantee. Anyway you should go to the recipes add some point and edit them (add ingredients, prep time, servings, etc). However for a start the plugins such as ‘Post Type Switcher‘ or ‘Convert Post Types‘ may help you out. They are available from WordPress plugins repository via plugins dashboard.
Regarding the layout – there is a masonry grid option only in the layout options only. So to have regular blog you may use Food Factory Feminine Blog version instead.

The header I have populated with a header-menu in the navigation, will I be able to get drop down categories and sub categories for my recipes, using the post categories – parent-child-sub category etc.

Yes, you need to create categories first though by going to Recipes ► Categories in your dashboard and adding new categories there. Then you can create menu items and set them as dropdowns. If the option is not available in the menu options then please make sure you checked the options Recipe Categories in the ‘Screen Options’ (top right corner).
Hope that helps.
Best regards,
Jake

I shall try the Food Factory Feminine Blig version as i see no way to display ads on homepage in this ‘ff- feminine’ or am i missing something? With a masonry layout on Home page and right aside layout on blog, I’m getting a completely messed up layout with some columns having broken words and barely 2cm wide, and the ‘proudly powered by WordPress’ inside one such broken column -and ‘no recipe rating>>>>’ repeated multiple times over every blog post. I have I clue how to correct all this. Already spent some 6 hours yday trying to set things right and no success. I’m reasonably tech savvy and have a food blog on blogger since 10 years but this one is beating me badly. Where can I get help?

Hello Nandita,
first of all did you follow steps in the theme guide? You can always raise a support ticket here.

Best regards,
Jake