another recipe organization question

[ssgold]

If you organize your recipes on your computer, how do you access them when you want to cook? Do you print them out each time? Do you then file them? Do use a laptop or is your computer in your kitchen? I am so impressed with the number of new recipes so many of you make and how you plan in advance. I am trying to get myself, my recipes and my pantry organized so I can attempt to add new dishes to our repertoire.
Stacey

[PurrPg]

Here's a small sampling of my Excel program I created. I really didn't stick to it too well. I lasted until June. I did this so I would repeat recipes more often. Didn't happen. Still cooking everything new. I'll try again as to count recipes.

Date Recipe Location Main Ingred Rate

01/02/2004 All American Chili CL 2004/18 GB & Italian TurkeySausage 10 Freeze Well
Apple & Blue Cheese Salad CL 04/40 Granny Smith & Bibb 10

10304 Shrimp Tacos CL 04/269 Cilantro Lime 8 Great for guests

10404 Eggplant Torte w/Pesto CL 04/258 Dried Tomato 5

10504 Baked Pasta w/sausage, Tomatoes and Cheese CL 04/348 Turkey Italian Sausage Make ahead

10604 Smokey Black Bean Vegtable Soup CL 04/40 3 cans Black beans 10 take out seeds
Turkey and Cheese Panini CL 04/158 Sour Dough Bread

[ssgold]

Thanks PurrPg. What about those of you who use Mastercook?

[Jollyjo]

I'm wondering the same thing. I'd love to get Mastercook to organize my recipes, but I don't have a computer in the kitchen or a laptop, so I'm assuming you would still have to print out ones you want to make? Maybe then add it to a book if it's a keeper? How do you mastercookers do this?

[blazedog]

I print out a recipe when I decide to make it. I love this because I can put the recipe on the refrigerator at eye level -- so easy to read as the print is large and bright. :p

Unless the recipe is phenomenal, I just toss it after I make it because it's easier to print it again if I ever decide to make it again. If it is truly phenomenal and will be made again, I put the printer in a binder with plastic sheets -- After 2 years, I still have less than 50 recipes in this binder because it's so much easier to find stuff on the computer than deal with paper and clutter. In the scheme of things, If you are really concerned about saving a tree (I just don't wind up cooking the same recipe that often), you can use the back of the recipe for lists, memos or whatever instead of tossing immediately.

[SheRa]

i keep my recipes in word documents and print them out and put them in a binder. i pull out the recipes i want to make for the week and put them on the fridge so i can see them while i cook (like blazedog!). i have tabs in my binder and file the good ones accordingly, and ones i haven't tried are under a "to try" tab. it's worked for me so far, but i've only had my own kitchen for 3 months now.

[Dfen911]

I use Mastercook v9.0. I have a small laptop that I use just for the kitchen. It's not a power house computer by any means. I got it on sale at Best Buy. But it has internet access for quick referencing and my Mastercook program. I have it setting up on a small pedestal (this helps keep it safe from unwanted spills).

I used to have a regular desktop. It was on a stand next to the kitchen. A wireless keyboard and mouse helped out there. I'd turn the monitor to face me and put the keyboard on the counter. But if you can swing it, a laptop is the way to go.

I even have this program at work and just do a backup of my system at work and then do a restore at home to keep my recipe books the same.

[Bob]

I use Mastercook. Sometimes the laptop comes to the kitchen. It definitely depends on what is being prepared. If I am baking, the laptop does not enter.

When I am on the ball, the recipes are transferred to the PDA and I refer to that. If not, I just keep the laptop up in the family room, which joins the kitchen, and just walk over to it and peek at what is next.

Eventually, when we re-do the kitchen, I would like to have a touch monitor installed that would access a server. Mastercook is not designed for such an environment, but I suspect I can make it work.

[rebekahd]

so how hard will it be for me to take recipes off the internet and put them in my MC? And i think i read there are recipes that come with MC but what if you do not like them? I guess you cannot delete them since it is on the program?

[Bob]

so how hard will it be for me to take recipes off the internet and put them in my MC? And i think i read there are recipes that come with MC but what if you do not like them? I guess you cannot delete them since it is on the program?Beginning with version 8.0, there is a plugin that works with IE (no Firefox support) that makes copying/importing recipes from a web page a matter of highlighting and clicking.

I just loaded MC on my new laptop. I opted not to install any of the cookbooks. I prefer my own. Because the cookbooks are individually loaded, even if you install them, you do not need to use them. It's all up to you.

[funnybone]

I use MC but I am such a paper waster too. :o I print out recipes all the time and don't always make them and then they they pile up (and eventually get tossed). I do have binders full of desserts that I have saved the printouts in, and all in those plastic protectors too. It's the other recipes, such as main dishes and sides, that I just tend to toss out. I just print them out again if needed. I don't think I could ever be truly paperless - even if I had a lap top in the kitchen. I'd rather splatter on paper than on the computer. :o ;)

[Robyn1007]

I print out a recipe when I decide to make it. I love this because I can put the recipe on the refrigerator at eye level -- so easy to read as the print is large and bright. :p



Okay, why have I never thought to put a printed recipe on the refrigerator to reference!?!? Brilliant! Thanks for the tip.