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Post by kite10 on Jul 3, 2003 9:21:21 GMT -6
I collect cookbooks, but after some years of this collecting I have several meters. My problem is to find back in all those books, to fine the one and only recipe I'm looking for that day. And here is the problem, I can't find it. I look and I read but I just can't find it. I have tryed to make my own database, not with the recipes but with where to find them, but it went to big and are difficult to use. So what I'm wondering about is if any of you has made one or found one on the internet who is both good and working.
Ingrid
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Post by Chris in NM on Jul 3, 2003 13:03:02 GMT -6
Hello and Welcome to Nancy's Kitchen kite10!
I have the same problem you do and have not found a solution as yet. Maybe we can help each other!
One thing a good friend suggested is to make a listing of all cookbooks and pamphlets, etc. that you have with perhaps a notation of what would be in it (the small ones, I mean) - like appetizers, beef, etc. I haven't done that yet. It sounds like it would be worth a try! Then after everything is listed, sort out like ones together. Then put dividers between the sections with the title. Kind of like a library!
Let me know what you think?
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Post by Chefcyn on Jul 4, 2003 21:45:44 GMT -6
Hi, I have a similar-sized collection and have scanned the title page and index pages of each book into a spreadsheet file (I use Excel), alphabetically sorted by title. I can skim down the list and look for the ones I want, or use the "find" tool for a specific recipe title. It took a while to scan all of them in(I mostly did them as I used the book for the first time, then did more in my rare spare time. I hope this helps.
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Post by Chris in NM on Jul 5, 2003 7:29:56 GMT -6
Hi Chefcyn!
Welcome to Nancy's Kitchen Message Board! This is an excellent idea! I never thought about that! Whew! Did it take forever or what? Just looking at all my cookbooks, etc. I almost hesitate to start! However, what about all those little cookbooklets without an index?
Chris
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Donna
Junior Member
Posts: 54
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Post by Donna on Jul 6, 2003 6:54:28 GMT -6
Hi all. I'm a cookbook collect-aholic also. This is kind of the old fashioned way in this day of computers and databases, but when I get a new cookbook, I go thru it and pick out the recipes that I want to try. As I find an interesting recipe, I make an index card with the recipe name, the name of the cookbook where the recipe is located, the page number and just a brief description, as to quick and easy, few ingredients, etc. I might also list an ingredient that I don't normally have on hand so that I can add to my shopping list. Then I just file the index card in my card file by catagory as to dessert, main dish, casserole, whatever.
You could do the same thing on computer, I just haven't yet. Hope this helps.
Donna
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Post by luv2bmom on Jul 6, 2003 9:38:01 GMT -6
This is an easy way, but requires some work. You can now buy post-it notes in tab size in different colors. You can use the colors for sorting. For instance you can put blue for tried-liked-will try again; red for tried-didn't like-won't try again; yellow for want to try; and so on. You can also write a couple of notes on the post it itself.
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Post by kite10 on Jul 7, 2003 8:10:09 GMT -6
Well thank you all. I was a very good idea to scan the table of contents saves a hole lot of work, nearly all to be honest. I have also made my database in Excel, but I have splitt it up by the letters in the alphabet. So I have one sheet for every letter and some for salsa, spice mix, sauce and so on. I even put it in so I can make cross referance. I use the Pivottabell to serach. But I think it work so heavy. OK I'll try to make one in Access, if I get it to work as I want you can have a copy ;D  |
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Post by bibbax04 on Jul 7, 2003 9:08:53 GMT -6
Hello! I have had the same experience. I started writing the name of the recipe inside the front cover of my cook book. This has saved me lots of time.  |
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Post by NancyC on Jul 12, 2003 17:32:09 GMT -6
Yes, I have this problem, too, and all the replies gave me a bunch of good ideas. One thing I have been doing is I put a bright post-it (the little ones) right in the cookbook on the recipe page, sticking up a little above the top of the book, for any recipe I use and will use again. A database sounds like a great idea, too. Nancy |
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Post by Chris in NM on Jul 13, 2003 8:31:45 GMT -6
Hi! The data base and scanning of the table of contents sound great! I have always used stickies on the pages, but then forget what and where!!! (those tricky senior moments, I guess)  All these ideas are very helpful!!! Guess we all have similar problems keeping track of our books and recipes! I have also put together about 20 3 ring binders of recipes cut out of magazines and given to me by friends. Each notebook holds a different section. Then when I have time, I go through and put like recipes together. When this started I only had one thin notebook! In 7 years this has really blossomed!!! Then I put tabs on ones I have fixed and we want to fix again in each section of each book. That works! I also put labels on the spine and front of each book of what is in a certain one. And I still buy cookbooks and cookbooklets!!! I am running out of room in the bookcase!!! |
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All these ideas are very helpful!!! Guess we all have similar problems keeping track of our books and recipes!