Simple recipe recording :: crumbly apple cake

 
I have been pondering for some time how best to store all my favourite and frequently used recipes in a useful way that can also be kept for posterity.  Until now, I have a a mix of favourites referred to time and time again stored online (food blogs, recipe sites etc), ripped out pages of magazines stored in a messy overflowing folder in my kitchen and of course, in a collection of recipe books.

Overwhelmed by too many choices for a long time, I finally took the plunge this summer and plumped for a simple low tech recipe box and index card combinaton.  I like that I can take the cards shopping with me if need be as a reminder of the ingredients...and I can copy recipes from my favourite books without fear of splattering the glossy pages.  Although I know that there are plenty of more sophisticated ways of storing this kind of information electronically, I have rather enjoyed the satisfying task of transferring my collection of tried and tested family favourites by hand onto these neat little cards. 

How do you store yours?

The recipe above is for crumbly apple cake which is so easy and simple. Just in case you feel like trying it, the recommended cooking time is 40-45 minutes!

Comments

[Katherine]

Great recipe box! I'm like you - recipes stored in so many ways. A whole bunch bookmarked online, two folders with recipes that are handwritten or pulled from magazines, plus shelves full of the glossy cookbooks.
I love your idea of compiling the most frequently used. It's a great way to find what you're looking for easily.

[UK lass in US]

If I try a recipe and it is liked, it goes on a recipe card in a box. I'm pretty useless in the kitchen, though and my recipe box is rather empty...

[claire]

I love your sweet box and beautiful handwriting. I too am struggling with how to organise my recipes - too many books and a huge bundle of recipes torn from newspapers and magazines. I don't know if index cards are the answer for me but there must be an answer of some sort

[dottycookie]

Love your recipe box. Mine are all in increasingly tattered and splattered books stashed anywhere I can find a space in the house!

[Jo]

Hi Lina..
I'm Jo and I found your site here via Anna's site UK lass in US.
As a fellow Brit [from Brighton] married to a Canuck but on Vancouver Island, I just wanted to say hello, and also that I really love that recipe box... and how technology is all well and good.. but it doesn't look so great on your kitchen shelf. Good choice.
Where did you find it btw.. it looks like it has some age ?
Jo xx

[Sew Create It - Jane]

With so many tasty recipes out there is is hard to keep them all straight. I use different binders divided into meats, sweets and veggie to hold all my clippings. That way when I'm planning my groceries I know that I have a balanced menu..one from the beef, one from the chicken and so on...

[Pen at Oliver Boliver]

I have a yearning to be organised and would love to have a beautiful little box full of treasured recipes - alas I am not and I would be the first to admit that I would never (despite best intentions!!) put the cards back in their place! However, I did make a note of my family's favourite meals a few years ago in a big a4 jotter pad (complete with section dividers!) as I was due to have an op and Mr C offered to do all the cooking whilst I was getting better. Funnily enough he was only badgering me at the weekend to update it in time for the new baby's arival. Another job to add to the ever growing list!

Pen x

[nina - tabiboo]

A good old fashioned way - no need to rush these things.

Nina xxx

[Lina]

Hi Jo. I was hankering after something really old fashioned for the job and after looking for ages locally I ended up ordering this from etsy. One of those purchases where the shipping was more than the box...but I love it anyway!

[Lina]

Wow - sounds super organized!

[domesticali]

I love the box, though I am not disciplined enough to copy out my favourite ones torn from magazines. So mine all get pasted or written into a scrapbook - I'm on volume 2.

[French Knots]

What a lovely box, full of family favourites it will be an heirloom.x

[Hypnotherapy London]

I love this!!! What a great box, a special box full of wonderful recipes that can be passed down. Fantastic idea.