Recipe organization? - Discuss Cooking

chelli · 10-12-2009, 05:49 PM

Anyone want to let me in on how they keep their recipes on order? recipes you've collected over the years that were passed down, written down, printed out, or just torn out of magazines? My small collection is in a stack stuck to the fridge

jabbur · 10-12-2009, 06:40 PM

I bought an index card file box. If it is torn from a mag or paper, I make it and if it's a keeper I'll copy it onto a card and file it. Same with printed ones. I have them organized by category in the box, appys, drinks, veggies, main dish, dessert etc.

Andy M. · 10-12-2009, 06:42 PM

About 95% of my recipes are typed in MS Word documents and filed on my computer in folders by category as you might see them in a cookbook - meats, soups, stews, Asian, sauces, etc.

Within each folder is another folder labeled 'Cookbook' which contains recipes I've made and use regularly. They are also in a three-ring binder in the kitchen. Untried recipes are in the main folders.

If I change a recipe as I am making it, I mark the page then make the changes on the computer and print a new page for the cookbook.

MostlyWater · 10-12-2009, 06:45 PM

i have graduated to SEVERAL binders. i split up desserts and baked goods, for example. it got too crazy otherwise. and i use the kiddie dividers for soup, sauces, etc.

i also keep an accordian file for recipes that i've used but haven't refiled yet.

Randy_ · 10-12-2009, 08:17 PM

I do like Andy does and keep my recipes in my word processor on the computer. I have a main folder called recipes and sub folders for individual types like meat , veggies, cakes and the like.

I also have a loose-leaf binder with the recipes I use regularly with hard copies of the recipes saved in plastic covers.

I just recently bought one of those little flash drive USB sticks for 12 bucks and store a back up copy of all my important folders in it to protect against a computer crash.

Another alternative that appeals to folks is the computer program called MasterCook. It is less that $20 and lots of folks swear by it. Personally, I find it a little cumbersome to use as compared to just storing the recipes in MSWORD; but it does have some features that some folks might find to be very useful.

chelli · 10-12-2009, 08:45 PM

hmm, how do you guys use the recipes while you cook? Do you have a computer near the kitchen? I am a fairly low level cook, so i often find myself walking back and forth from the kitchen and the computer as i often forget the steps or the less obvious ingredients.

Andy M. · 10-12-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelli

hmm, how do you guys use the recipes while you cook? Do you have a computer near the kitchen? I am a fairly low level cook, so i often find myself walking back and forth from the kitchen and the computer as i often forget the steps or the less obvious ingredients.

I use the paper copy of the recipe from the three-rung binder of recipes I keep in the kitchen. If it gets soiled or marked up, I just print up a new sheet. I choose not to use the plastic sheet covers as they take up a great deal of space in the binder and are a lot more expensive than occasionally reprinting a recipe.

apple*tart · 10-13-2009, 09:10 AM

I use macgourmet and I love it. I do bring my laptop into the kitchen (or rather on a surface between my kitchen and dining room) when I cook. It's amazingly awesome.

Silversage · 10-13-2009, 02:22 PM

I'm in the process of converting over to Living Cookbook. So far, I love it! Much more sophisticated than my last system. It allows me to store photos of both the final dish AND of the technique steps, right along side the instruction.

If you put your grocery receipts in each week, it will cost all of your recipes for you. And of course, like all of these programs, it give you nutritional info and WW Points.

I cost a$35, and comes with an online support forum. I can tell you from experience, they really do help you right away.

I've been printing them and putting the recipes in plastic sleeves in a 3-ring binder because I liked the idea of being able to wipe them off. But the binder is getting very fat, very quickly! After reading Andy's comment, I may give up on the plastic sleeves.