I don't know what to do with my recipes.
Right now, I have a stack of loose papers - some taken from magazines, some jotted down, some typed. But they're in no order at all, and it's driving me insane. Some are on the computer, and that annoys me too, having to take the laptop into the kitchen (because baking is what I consider a good way to get away from the computer... plus it can get messy!).
I've contemplated a couple of ways to organise them, but I'm just not sure.
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| Recipe box on etsy.com |
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| Recipe folder at Kikki-K |
A lot of the really lovely options end up being quite expensive, and I don't want to spend a fortune. I just want to be organised!
So, tell me. Where do you keep your recipes?
I too have the same problem but have slowly been putting them into sleeves (sorry not sure of correct name) and then filing them into a binder. It's a slow process but things are more accessible now and it sure beats having loose pieces of paper strewn everywhere :)
ReplyDeleteA few years ago a friend died very unexpectedly, she had two girls 4 and 2. A few weeks later when her Mum was helping with the kids she found my friends receipe folder, it was just a note book with all her fav meals and those that she had cut out of mags etc, but each had a comment about the meal, either personal, like why she cooked it at the time, the special occasion etc, or things to try with it.
ReplyDeleteIn very small writing at the front of the book she had written. "Remember me"
Her Mum has put it in a safe place for the girls, as a beautiful keep sake of their Mum. I don't tell you this as a sad story, but more of one that shows how the simple things of keeping a recipe book can show much about the person and be a treasured gift to future generations.
Btw mine is a terrible mess of cuttings and notes, that needs some serious work.
Well I for one love discussing such issues! :) We have a book case in the meals area dedicated to cook books/mags (yes we are that sad we need a whole book case!) and I have things organised according to "season" if they're magazines and have them post-it-noted in the mags. I did invest in one of those Kikki-k binders for my loose recipes. I reckon you could achieve the Kikki-k organised effect quite easily with a cheaper binder and plastic sleeves for each recipe but the Kikki-k one is great cos it's a tad bigger than the average binder so allows for larger format recipes etc too (and Kikki-k folders are a tax write off no?). I actually need to get better organised so that I can find the recipes I use all the time more easily rather than thinking, "Which book was that in again?"
ReplyDeleteI use a folder with plastic sleeves so I can take out any recipe and have it on the kitchen bench without getting grub over it while I cook. I do have cook books too and a stand (which is currently stored away as we have little space where we are staying)
ReplyDeleteMy mother in law has a folder too organised by recipe type.
My mum has a recipe book with her fave recipes transcribed by hand.
I hope that helps.
Personally I love a spreadsheet. I put in the type (eg pasta, casserole, roast, cake etc), the main ingredient (for main meals - chicken, beef, fish etc and then the book it is in and the page number. I also indicate if I have cooked it before & if it is something I'll do again. Sounds like a lot of work, but once it is done I sort it by either type or main ingredient & print it out & keep with my recipe books & magazines. When I come across recipes I want to try I put a post it note in it and leave on my desk until I update the spreadsheet. Yes, I admit I am a huge nerd!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a recipe box, but my big concern is the size of the cards. I must have each recipe on one page, so I can see it all without having to flick pages or turn a bit of card over. I can't figure out if that one on etsy is big enough, because I don't do inches :-)
ReplyDeleteHaving said that I would love a recipe box....the folder looks lovely as well. I guess the added bonus with that is recipes can be put into plastic sleeves to keep them looking nice.
At the moment, I have a recipe journal that I handwrite recipes in. I also stick in any from magazines, although I'm not that happy with the effect.
Let us know which way you go!
xo
Hmmmm... I have never really thought about it. Mine are the loose papers thing too. Good luck findings something that works for you.
ReplyDeleteI may have to do a whole entire post on this Megan - I too am all over the place with my recipes...
ReplyDeleteI struggled to find a solution to this that I liked too but am now happy with my system. After using cards which didn't suit me I know have folders, sort of like display folders but you can 'tear out' each sleeve and easy press it back into place after cooking. I have folders for salads, biscuits/cakes, desserts, pasta and so on, 6 altogether. I did a post on my system here:
ReplyDeletehttp://homely-one.blogspot.com/2010/06/organizing-recipes.html
Hope you find a way that works for you.
I used to have a big old grey school folder and had loads of clippings from magazines. Then I bought a cute little notebook and started writing or gluing recipes in. I have heaps of cook books, too. But now, all I use is Taste.com and my recipe blog.
ReplyDeleteWhen (if ever) we get a new kitchen, I want a laptop shelf high enough to stay away from the mess! :)
I use display folders for putting my recipes in and have a couple of them.
ReplyDeleteOne is egg free recipes (allergen child).
One is recipes to try.
And then there is one for the tried, tested and yummy ones!!
All kept in the one cupboard next to the rangehood.
For the books you buy written by others, I keep them in a cupboard in the wall unit in the loungeroom.