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Written by:
niki
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Since a good portion of my waking hours are spent in the kitchen I thought I would share my system for organizing recipes. Most of us have tried different forms, from recipe boxes to online book marking but it took me at least a dozen attempts to finally come up with the one that works for me. This is by no means a unique system but it allows me to keep track of tried and true recipes as well as the ones I have good intentions to try. The first thing I did was purchase a presentation binder from a local thrift store. I like to pick them up there because similar binders cost upwards of $10 at the stationary store and I get them for roughly 50 cents secondhand. These are nice because they can be dressed up and look esthetically pleasing sitting on a shelf.
My binder is separated in several categories. They are as follows: Main dishes, side dishes, desserts, quick mixes, and breads. I am sure I am going to add and subtract more but for the time being this keeps them all in order. On a word processing system I created a template that allows me to input two recipes on one page. After printing them off I name the file to show what two recipes are included as this will allow me to delete or make changes to an already printed recipe without having to type them all over again. I cover each of the sheets in page protectors that can be easily wiped clean when you spill tonnes of spaghetti sauce on them. The recipes I include in this binder are the ones that are tried and true and are officially approved by the family. How I deal with those recipes that are on the "to try" list I use a regular leather covered folder and stash any recipe that caught my eye or I have jotted down from a friend. Part of my pre-printed monthly house chores include printing off recipes that were saved in my recipe folder under favourites. Once printed they join the rest of the wannabe dishes in this folder and at the same time I cull through the folder to toss those recipes that seemed like a good idea at the time but more than likely would not see our dinner table.
My recipe binder is never complete and is a constant work in progress. I am constantly looking for new and interesting dishes as well as perfecting some old standby's. New recipes are being added while outdated ones are given the boot. With all of the information you can obtain either on line or from books at the library or better yet magazines picked up at thrift stores for pennies there is no need to get stuck in a rut with the same dishes.
Fore more great works for me ideas visit Rocks in my dryer
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9 comments so far...
Re: keeping those recipes in line.
I admire your organization. Too often, I open the fridge & pantry & just wing it from there! :D
Stop on by... I'm cooking with margaritas!
For your daily dose of vintage goodness & a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen, the home of Vintage Thingies Thursdays.
By The Apron Queen on
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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Re: keeping those recipes in line.
Oh, I love this!
Someone made me one with their recipes in it several years ago as a gift.
I keep adding to it too. I also have one that I keep for recipes that I just make up and one that I keep for recipes clipped from magazines.
Hope you got my response by email.
Have a good day!
By Donna on
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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Re: keeping those recipes in line.
I use a similar system. I make notes on my recipes. If the kids give it a thumbs up or down, more salt, garlic, less whatever.
Thanks for the ideas.
Jane
By Jane on
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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Re: keeping those recipes in line.
I need to do this with our favorites... thanks for the reminder
my blog is here http://michellesfoodpage.blogspot.com
By Michelle on
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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Re: keeping those recipes in line.
I like the idea.. I kind of have the same system but I kind of like how you organized everything .. little better than what I have right now. I guess it would help if I put the recipes back in the RIGHT PLACE lol
www.weightingforperfection.blogspot.com
By Tara on
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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Re: keeping those recipes in line.
Thank you! I have a program on my laptop for storing recipes. It makes it so much easier to find those "tried and true" recipes instead of trying to remember which recipe book/magazine clipping it came from. But I also want a hard copy of my recipes. If my laptop were to crash, I'd be stuck! I was thinking about a binder option and this post helped refine my idea. I mainly need to control all those recipes I've clipped from magazines and are waiting to be tried. Some of them have been waiting for years! Time to purge.
By Kristen on
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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Re: keeping those recipes in line.
I use this system too, but you are WAY more organized with it (why does that not surprise me?:). I could spend hours printing up new recipes from the internet, it's such a great resource.
By mykidsmom on
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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Re: keeping those recipes in line.
I love your recipe binder! Very fashionable AND functional!
www.sitstaygoodbloggy.blogspot.com
By Marigold on
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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Re: keeping those recipes in line.
I've also tried scanmyrecipes.com which will scan your recipes and upload them into an online account - if you can part with the paper recipes, of course.
By Migas on
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
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About This Blog
Niki, the Minimalist Mommy is the official blogger of the Organizing Connection. Niki's tips on living simple is the starting point to the Organizing Connection's solution to your everyday organizing challenges.
This award winning website features videos, forums and information on organizing and simplifying your life.
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