Country Kitchen: Organizing Your Recipes
By Mary Emma Allen
"How do I organize my recipes?" a reader asked me. She had printed off
recipes she liked and enclosed them in plastic sleeves. (for details on how
to print pages that aren't printer friendly click here)
"What should I do now?: she wondered.
She has a number of choices:
*Three-Ring Binder - Many of the plastic sleeves come ready punched for 8
1/2 x 11-inch 3-ring binders. Organize the recipes in categories that
are handy for you to use in this binder. Then get separator sheets with
taps. This method also enables you to add pictures to the recipe book if
you like.
You can print your recipes off on smaller sheets and arrange them in
smaller 3-ring notebooks. The size you select and use will determine on
your preference and which type you find easier to manage and to file.
However, you may not find plastic sleeves for all of the smaller sizes.
*Filing System - Purchase a carrier with handle designed to hold 8 1/2 X
11-size sheets. Place your recipes in plastic sleeves in this and
separate into easy to locate sections with dividers. This would work
somewhat like an oversized recipe card box.
*Scrapbook Journal - You might want to do this only with your favorite
recipes or ones that have a family significance. By including recipes,
stories about family occasions when they were served, even photos of
family get-togethers or the food itself you will develop fun family
projects and books you can give as gifts.
*Recipe Cards - Write the recipes on index cards of desired size. Place
in a recipe box separated into sections. This entails more work, but
gives you a very concise filing system.
*Cookbook - Eventually you may want to organize your recipes into a book
format. This often includes your recipes and other family favorites.
My family has done this by printing the recipes onto 8 1/2 x 11-inch
sheets, making photocopies of the desired number, and putting together
with a comb binding.
We also designed a cover and back and laminated them.
(When you begin printing recipes, make sure you're aware of copyright as
applies to that situation. Often you'll find you can print off a copy of
a recipe for your own use. When it comes to making cookbooks to
distribute to others, you should check into copyright rules and get
permission, if necessary. )
These are some recipes I've collected and adapted for my use over the
years:
PEANUT BUTTER KRISPIES - Cook 3/4 cup corn syrup and 3/4 cup granulated
sugar in pan over medium heat until it bubbles. Add 3/4 cup peanut butter
(chunky, if desired) and stir until melted. Pour over 4 1/2 cup krispy
rice cereal. Put into a buttered 9 x 13-inch pan. Melt 3/4 cup chocolate
chips and spread over top. Cut when cool.
APPLE CHEDDAR APPETIZERS - Dip apple slices in cinnamon/sugar mixture.
Place teaspoon shredded cheddar cheese on snack crackers. Place apple
slice on each.
Place on cookie sheet and bake in 350 degree F. oven for 4 to 5 minutes
until cheese is melted. (They can be placed under the broiler instead.)
Serve warm.
Article (C) 2005 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing cooking columns for 40 years. She and
her family compiled a cookbook to preserve their food heritage. She
teaches workshops to show others how to do this, along with scrapbooking
their family recipes.
Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
