I actually did weed out my cookbooks last year and got rid of a bunch that I never used and photocopied recipes from a few where there was only a couple I wanted per book. My problem is loose recipes, clippings, computer print outs, etc.
I have a beautiful Longaberger recipe basket that I'm thinking of turning into a "Tried and True" recipe box and then coming up with a idea for "Want to Try" recipes. So, besides tackling the stuff I have in the basement (getting it together for the garage sale later this spring, photographing it to put on Craigslist or pitching it altogether), I'm also going to get my recipes organized.
I'll keep you posted on how and what I'm doing.
Today I have to work. We are installing a new version of our electronic filing software and as soon as I get the phone call from our IT department that it's installed, I have to go into work and do the configuration which is probably going to take 2-4 hours. It's rare that I have to work on the weekend and only happens a couple times a year, so I'm okay with it.
Slept in a bit this morning and then went to Weight Watchers (the scale went down...YEA!) and then did a 55 minute workout at the gym afterward. Did a 10 minute warmup on the elliptical, 25 minutes of strength training and then 20 minutes of high intensity cardio on the treadmill. Got that baby up to a 10% incline today....damn is that hard!
On the iPod playlist today:
Chateau LaFitte 59 - Foghat
Honest to God - Brad Gillis with Gregg Allman
Must Have Been Love - Roxette
Don't Change - INXS
Ticket to Ride - The Carpenters
Saturday's Allright for Fighting - Nickelback
Figure You Out - Nickelback
Yesterday Once More - The Carpenters
Use Me - Hinder
Wide Open Spaces - Dixie Chicks
Something More - Train
Fight For All The Wrong Reasons - Nickelback
Gone - Fuel
Let me know your recipe organizational ideas or link me up to photos!
5 comments:
I have some cookbooks that I use often, and the "loose" recipes go into a little recipe box. Not terribly organized, but enough that I can find what I need to. :)
Kristina, that is one area I definitely NEED to tackle. I've got a recipe box and a couple of binders, and a big pile of loose/clipped recipes. It's functional, but barely! Will be anxious to see your system
after I have tried a new recipe a couple of times and have decided that I like it, I will make an 8x8 layout of it. I than have the albums divided by appitizers, main dishes, side dishes, desserts and holidy desserts. I really like my albums.
I haven't updated for a while, but about 2 years ago, all my recipes were organized in the following manner:
I have always marked in my cookbooks and magazines with a star system. 5 stars is excellent, anything below 3 stars gets crossed out (or even "yuk" ).
2 years ago I made an Excel spreadsheet with columns: recipe name, type ie poultry, page number, source ie which cookbook, season if it's seasonal, and for a few, unusual ingredients (so when zucchinis are in season I can easily find all my recipes that use them).
I then laboriously went through ALL my mags and books and entered the info above. It makes it SO SO much easier to find a recipe I want and also easier to plan weekly menus.
I use a book bought at a specialty store. I write some of my own recipes in there and I cut and paste others. Let me see if I can find a picture and I'll post it on my blog. I'll let you know when I do.
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