What is "Master Cook"?

[MrsReber]

Hi Ginny, Mastercook is a software program that you can buy. I bought mine on Amazon for $19.99. A very small investment for all that you get. There are different versions. The Cooking Light 5.0 version comes with 1400 CL recipes. I just got mine recently and I think it's great. You can do all different types of searches to find recipes, it tells you the nutritional values. You can put in your own recipes, make you own cookbooks, print out cookbooks to give away as gifts. I am impresses at all they offer for that price. But always back up your recipes in case something happens! I know there are archived threads about this, but I am not very good with finding them. There was a big discussion not long ago about Mastercook. I highly recommend it, though.

[food girl]

MasterCook is a computer program. It has several CD's of CL recipes. You can search for a recipe by ingredient, name etc. You can even enter your own recipes in and it will give nutrition information. I have the program, the format is easy to use, but I admit that I rarely use it. I like to browse through a magazine rather that scroll through a computer listing.

[lindrusso]

Mastercook is a recipe software program that allows you to organize your recipes into "cookbooks", create ingredients lists for grocery shopping, keep track of your pantry and much, much more. I love mine and use it quite a bit. I eventually plan to have a cookbook printed not only for my own use, but to give as gifts and to my sons some day.

Here's a link to learn more about the Cooking Light version, or visit the Sierra link for more versions of Mastercook (some have Betty Crocker recipes, etc.).

Cooking Light Store: http://www.cookinglight.com/store/store_mastercook.asp

Sierra.com Software: http://www.sierra.com/sierrahome/software/catalog/cooking/

Hope this helps!

[JenniferB]

Hi everyone, can I find "Mastercook" software at a book store, such as Chapters or Indigo books, rather than purchasing it over the Net?

[Connie]

JenniferB,
I called my local bookstore to ask if they had a "user's manual" for MaserCook after I bought mine (through a special on boxes of Chex - also heard Cherrio's had one too) but before I used it. They do not have such a book, nor do they sell the software. That's one store in one city (Cincinnati), so yours might be different.

[Beth]

Check with Sierra, on-line at sierrahome.com. There is a book that comes with the big-box versions of the program. It might be intimidating, and I found that it is sometimes frustrating because it merely repeats the "help" contained in the program itself, but it's something. Also, there are discussion sites and tech suppport on-line.

[lindrusso]

One more note about Mastercook - Cooking Light and Sierra both sell this software for about $30, but you can find it for $19.99 at www.jandr.com (http://www.jandr.com) and possibly www.amazon.com. (http://www.amazon.com.) Check it out and save a few bucks!

[Grace]

I am going to repeat myself one more time here....

There is another alternative to MasterCook that is easier, faster and less expensive. It doesn't have all of the features that MasterCook has, but it has plenty of features for me, and may be worthwhile for those of you who don't use all the features of MasterCook anyway. It's the Cooking Light Cookware Software. I have had it for five years, and I use it nearly every single day. It's absolutely perfect for my needs. It allows me to have my Cooking Light recipes organized, and I can input my own as well. I can create other "Cookbooks", just like in MasterCook, and I can search by ingredient, by title, even by words contained in the instructions. It is free when you buy your first Cookpac for $6.98 (the cookpacs are the downloadable recipe packs you get for each issue that contain each and every recipe from that month's issue). There is no obligation whatsoever to buy any more cookpacs (but I always buy each month's), and the software comes with some Cooking Light recipes pre-loaded as well. You can check it out (they have an on-line sample version) at www.cookn.com. (http://www.cookn.com.) Also, it's fast - if you want the software you just download it - you don't have to go out to the store to buy it, or wait for it to be delivered to your house. Anyway, I love it, and while like I said, it doesn't have all the features of MasterCook (I think they have pictures of every dish?), the CookWare alternative is something to think about for those that wouldn't necessarily need every bell and whistle. I love it. And free is good.

Grace