For years, I have taped my favorite recipes inside my cupboard doors. I know exactly which door to open to make my zucchini soup or my favorite party punch. This is normally wasted space and the insides of the doors are covered!
I also include handy tips, substitutions - almost anything I am bound to forget. I doubt myself too often not to have the recipe right in front of me. It's also handy for grocery shopping. If I want to make something special, I just glance at the recipe while making out my list so that I don't forget a needed ingredient. This saves time by not digging through my recipe boxes or any cookbooks.
By betty G from San Antonio, TX
Over a period of 50 years or more, I have collected many good recipes. Some I have written down and stuffed in a zip lock bag and some are on index cards in a small photo album. Plus, I have a large collection of recipe books and two recipe file boxes full. It can be a problem finding the one I want.
I've been an avid cookbook collector for over 40 years with literally hundreds of cookbooks! Because there are special recipes that my family likes in each cookbook, I used to find myself on the floor with piles of cookbooks around me as I tried to find a specific recipe.
What is the best way to organize recipes? Do you think its easier to buy 4x6 index cards and write all the recipes on them or type them on a full size sheet of paper and cut them to fit or maybe they have some software. Please share your method.
By Onesummer
I print most of my recipes from websites. Or if a friend gives me a recipe I type it in my word document. I slide the printed pages in the clear sheet protectors and keep them in a loose leaf binder. I use dividers and place them in each category. I have one entire loose leaf binder for desserts: cookies, pies and cakes.
Whenever I cook or bake I remove the page from the binder and in this way the recipes stay clean from splatters.
I love my method! I bought a 6 qt plastic storage container (rectangular shape) with a lid. I made category dividers out of those you would use to put into a binder, did the labels on my computer and stuck them on each divider i.e., Appetizers, Bread-Yeast, Bread-Sweet, Coffeecake, Dips, etc., then I simply cut out any recipe I want, or copy it onto a card, and place it behind the proper category. My dividers are approximately 4.5 x 6.5, so they are slightly above the 4x6 recipes. Most web sites allow you to print a 4x6 card, which makes it easy to cut them out and file them in my box.
Works great for me. Whenever I need to make something I just sit down with my box and pull out the recipes under "Chicken" or "Candy" or whatever and look through that section for inspiration. I am getting ready to start a second box. I have about 40 categories, and my first box is pretty full. Hope this helps. I use the same method for my coupons with a smaller container.
I need help with printing. I get a lot of recipes sent to my email box. Some of them I like and some I don't. But some have 6 or more on 1 sheet. How do I go about printing out only a certain recipe, rather than all of them?
I'm wasting paper and a lot of ink (and paper). Any suggestions please?Highlight only the recipe you want to print, or save to your database, then go to file and print, choosing "selection" under print range and it will only print the portion that you highlighted.
Copy and paste into a word processing document, ie. Microsoft Works; word processor, create folders to organize your recipes for example: main folder; RECIPES, then create sub-folders within the main folder. Name according to type. VEGETABLES, FRUITS, DESSERTS,(sub-folders) pies, cakes, frostings, cookies, etc., MAIN DISHES, etc. You can create sub-folders within these folders, also. Save your recipes here, and they will be ready to print out whenever you want them.
I save my recipes on floppies...use one for each category ie. Breads, Cookies, Main Dishes. I highlight the recipe and copy and paste it to my notepad. Then save to a 3.5 inch floppy. They are saved on the disk in alphabetical order.Then, when I want to try a new recipe, I insert my floppy, choose the recipe I want, and print it out.
I have made a new folder on my desktop by placing the cursor on the desktop where it is not touching another folder. Left click, go down to new, and select folder. I named it recipes. Once it is opened I selected file and made several new files which I named, main course, side dishes, desserts, drink recipes, and so forth. As I recieve emails that I like, I just copy and paste to the appropriate file folder. When I have enough for a page, I print. This is of course after I format it with the same type style and size just for organization sake.
Try http://recipe.gauzza.com its free/easy to use and you can access all your recipes where ever there is an internet connection
Each time I try a recipe and it works, I type it out adding my own personal thoughts or tips on the dish, including what goes well with it, whether it be a certain wine or side dish.
I am notorious around my house for forgetting to make certain meals after a while. Since I try so many recipes, sometimes I lose track of some winners that my family loves.
I have a lot of cookbooks. Sometimes I couldn't remember which recipe was in what book. Now I make a photocopy of the Index pages. I make sure the title is on the top. I highlight the recipes I want to use. I keep the indexes in a loose leaf notebook for that purpose.
You can take all your recipes and copy them with a scanner to a computer, print, or use copy machine at library and they become the same size page. Some pages will have more than one recipe, so make sure they are in the same category.
When I am in the doctor's office or at the hair salon reading a magazine, I always seems to run across a recipe I like. However, when I write it down, I can never find it again. Any advice on how to keep recipes organized in your purse? I like to keep a few recipes in my purse just in case I decide to stop by the grocery store unexpectedly.
By Onesummer
I need to organize my recipes on my PC. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good TNT free cookbook or recipe software? I'd like to be able to import recipes from websites as well as email them and also be able to export to email and print. Is all that possible in any of the free or shareware programs? Thanks for any experiences you have to share.
www.livingcookbook.com/
There is a free demo download. I have ended up purchasing this software for $29.95. I absolutely love it. I seldom if ever buy software, but I did this one.
www.homeplansoftware.com/
The recipe software is wonderful - I have used it exclusivly and now have 362 recipes stored. Easy to use and has all the features you are looking for.
The shopping list is a seperate software and I use it a lot.
And best of all - IT IS FREE!