If you are in cheat mode then you need to hover over an item and press R for the recipe and U for the uses. If you do not see NEI in your inventory screen press O, as b0st3r suggested.
If you want to change from cheat mode, in the lower left hand of the screen press the options button. In the options menu press the upper right button that says cheat until it changes to recipe, then click the done button. This will change it so you cannot cheat and you left click an item for its recipe and right click an item for its uses.
Can someone please help me??