How to organize recipes?  

There are lots of good recipes on this site, some with fantastic photos (definitely a visual person).  I am copying and pasting them into word with the pictures.  Do people just keep word documents?

Do you keep them as electronic documents or print them in hard copy?

Does anyone use Excel to have a list of the recipes (in alphabetical order, or perhaps grouped under topics) with a reference as to where to find the recipe?

What about a database?

If in hard copy - a loose leaf folder?  

Perhaps just a small folder (A4) with just some favourites to take out camping?

Thanks
Barb    [smiley=detective.gif]

I have a lot of mine in a word document.  I print them out and put them in one of those display folders with the clear sleeves for when I am going away or doing a demonstration.

No point in printing unless you're sure you're going to  use a recipe IMO.

If you keep a file per recipe and it has a name that really tells what it is, then you computer will keep an alphabetical list for you.

8-)

I might be a bit old fashioned and not keeping up with the times but I really like to write my proven recipes into a handy billy(Book)that I take away with me.

I need to cook & then try & if I feel good enough in it goes.
I do like the traditional way to do things.
One day I will probably have everything on the computer but for now I will continue to do it this way.  [smiley=happy.gif]


All the best
Skip [smiley=chris.gif]

I need the computer these days so I get the spelling right.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I am totally disorganised as a Red Hatter should be.  I am so happy with Derek now having the recipes in here in an easier to find format.  

I tend to get "ideas" from recipes rather than use the recipe exactly.  I sometimes print them out to remind me of what particular ingredients were in a recipe or what I might try sometime.

At one stage I started a "recipe" folder on my computer but I have found with "google" and links to CO recipes in my favourites I dont need to be to formal about how I keep them.  And I in fact enjoy reading variations and ideas which abound on the net.

One thing I always try to do is to take copies and at least the original in a plastic sleeve of anything I cook for a CO gathering or any other place I take something I have cooked.  This is always very much appreciated by anyone who might want to make it.

The first time I had seen this was when I went to a spinning luncheon and one of the ladies had her recipe written on the back of the paper plate she took it on.   I still  have that paper plate in my tin of old favourites.

I have been collecting recipes for just over a decade from various sources, mostly e-mail lists and some internet sites. I am very picky about what recipes I collect, so my collection is not that big (about 4,400).

I keep the main collection in a word doc, but I printed it to paper about a year ago (when it had about 3,100 recipes) and hand bound it into a book. It was interesting to learn bookbinding. I am going to print it again at some point when I have enough new recipes added.
:)

best, Duncan

Thanks Duncan for your input.  Do you have an index to find recipes, or in categories?

This is half the fun, organising the recipes and dreaming about what one can make!

Barb

wrote on Jun 22^nd, 2008 at 8:36am:

I tend to get "ideas" from recipes rather than use the recipe exactly.  I sometimes print them out to remind me of what particular ingredients were in a recipe or what I might try sometime.

I do the same Carolyn, rarely ever "stick" to a recipe but use plenty of ideas from things Iv'e read & apply my own "feel" to things, ussually a winner, sometimes a shocker, just depends how many beers Iv'e had ;D ;D ;D

Mick.

[smiley=chef.gif] Mick you have youth on your side, but I have "Seniors Moments" on mine  :D.  If I was cooking something tricky I wouldnt ever have a drink, one answer I found for group gatherings where one tends to wander checking out what everyone else is cooking is a cheap timer which I set for approximate timings to call me home  ;D

Thanks Granny_Carolyn. Added timer to my list!

Barb

Two Bears wrote on Jun 24^th, 2008 at 7:59am:

Thanks Duncan for your input.  Do you have an index to find recipes, or in categories? This is half the fun, organising the recipes and dreaming about what one can make! Barb

The recipes are indexed by major catagory (meat, fish, bread, ect...) and then alphabetical with page numbers. The index alone spans 24 pages in the printed book and 32 pages for the current word doc file. I have been indexing from near the begining of the collection so it is not a problem. I did have a file error shortly after I printed the book, I did not lose any recipes, but I had to redo the index.  :(

The only problem is that the people that I show the printed book to keep asking for a copy. I did some research on printing and copyright issues and decided that giving out copies, printed or electronic, is a bad idea, and collecting money for it is worse. The problem is that I did not write/invent the recipes, just collected them. So as impressive as many people think that my collection is, I cannot share it. :'(

Good morning Duncan.

Yes, an interesting issue about copyright, something to keep in mind.

As I am at the start of this interesting journey, I will set up the index in Excel and collect the recipes in word.  Probably need a separate book for tried and tested (successful or not!) recipes.

Looking forward to meeting the gang at the COG

Barb

wrote on Jun 24^th, 2008 at 1:39pm:

[smiley=chef.gif] Mick you have youth on your side, but I have "Seniors Moments" on mine  :D.  If I was cooking something tricky I wouldnt ever have a drink, one answer I found for group gatherings where one tends to wander checking out what everyone else is cooking is a cheap timer which I set for approximate timings to call me home  ;D

I'm hear'n ya' Carolyn,
I have a stopwatch on my wristwatch & use it all the time when cooking, Beers or no beers!!
I'd be lost without it now!

Mick.

Also use wrist watch alarm when parked in a timed parking meter!  Much rather be in the bush though, waiting for dinner to cook!

B

I have two C O C buddies who are very disruptive and make me lose track of time while cooking.
The have spoiled a couple of meals in the bush.
You may know them:

Jim Beam and Johnie Walker.
Great companions, but a pest around the kitchen.

TBF

Yeh, I know those buggers Arty, usually wake up in the morning feeling like they gave me a flogg'n too!!! ;D ;D

Mick.

Two Bears wrote on Jun 25^th, 2008 at 7:47am:

Good morning Duncan. Yes, an interesting issue about copyright, something to keep in mind. As I am at the start of this interesting journey, I will set up the index in Excel and collect the recipes in word.  Probably need a separate book for tried and tested (successful or not!) recipes. Looking forward to meeting the gang at the COG Barb

Sounds like you have a good handel on it. Happy testing.  :)

Best, Duncan