anyone use a cookbook software?

[luvmyfam444]

Which one did you buy? I had Mastercook forever ago (over 5 yrs ago) & it was okay.

I'd love to have something now to get my recipes organized. I handwrite everything in one cookbook now.

I want to be able to print out my cookbook though & I don't really care for it to have recipes inclueded - 'cause it probably will be the fancy food that we'd never eat anyway.

But I'd love for one to let me plan for a week or month.

Any info out there? And where did you buy it?

 

[cabanafrau]

I'm giving this a bump up because I'm interested to see what kind of responses you get. I've been doing a bit of looking for the same thing -- and I also had the Mastercook software several years ago. I've been tempted to dig it out & see if I can work around it.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I was going to recommend Mastercook! My sister convinced me to get it and I really like it so far.

I want to be able to print out my cookbook though & I don't really care for it to have recipes inclueded - 'cause it probably will be the fancy food that we'd never eat anyway.

Sorry, I am not sure what you are saying here? Can you clarify?

Mastercook has a meal planning/menu function but I haven't been able to quite figure it out yet. Their help file doesn't work but there is one online that someone else has provided that works. I need to play with the planning part more.

 

[Meriweather]

I've only used Mastercook....forever and love it.
I think I have had mine for at least 15 years.

 

[Tinks]

With master cook can you print out recipes in a 4x6 card format? I guess I mean- once you enter the recipe, will it print it out in any format, specifically 4x6 recipe card size? or would you have to type into some 4x6 format first?

 

[lovetoscrap]

With master cook can you print out recipes in a 4x6 card format? I guess I mean- once you enter the recipe, will it print it out in any format, specifically 4x6 recipe card size? or would you have to type into some 4x6 format first?

I am pretty sure that you can. It isn't as easy as just pushing a 4x6 button, but you can set that size card for your printer setting.

Here is the link to the online help I found which may help you get an idea of what you can do: http://mc6help.tripod.com/mastercook_11_help.htm#A195

 

[christiane]

I have used Home Cookin' for almost 10 years (http://www.mountain-software.com/homecook.htm). There is a trial version on the website.

It comes with hundreds of recipes, but I deleted them all and just put in my own. It has many chapters set up, but you can add or delete them as needed. Whenever I come across a recipe on-line, I just cut & paste into the program. I have also put all of my favourite recipes in from my cookbook collection (I scanned them in with OCR to avoid a lot of typing.)

It allows both text & photos and can print on almost any size paper (photos will print, too). You can even create your own cookbook.

I initially bought it for my sister and glad I also downloaded for myself! I just upgraded to the latest version & will now get free upgrades for a couple of years.

 

[MrsToad]

I have also used MasterCook for years. I especially like the feature in the newer versions (9 and above, I think) that allows you to "import" recipies you find online - you don't have to type the entire recipe into the program.

In addition to the pre-populated cookbooks included with the program, I have created 3 "MrsToad" cookbooks for our family, as follows:

1. Our official "MrsToad's Family Recipes" cookbook
2. A "Try From Disney" cookbook
3. A "MrsToad Found Online and Would Like to Try" cookbook

The second and third cookbooks are like having "holding pens" for new recipes found online that catch my eye. Importing them is easy and I don't have to worry about losing them before I get around to making them. Once I've made a recipe and I know the family likes it, I move that recipe into the official "MrsToad's Family Recipes" cookbook, which includes recipes from my mother and grandmother, plus DH's mother and grandmother.

Another benefit I've found is that I can easily share the recipes with our DDIL. I bought her a copy of the MasterCook program for Christmas and then exported our family cookbook database; she can import it directly into her copy of the software without retyping any of the recipes, and then she can add recipes from her side of the family.

Tip: If you decide to toss the original printed versions of your old family recipes, make sure you have a copy of your custom cookbook's database saved on another computer, on CD or other media, and stored off-site...I can't describe the after-crash pain and absolute heartache I had when I thought I had also lost my backup!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

So I went to check out Mastercook that people mentioned. Does anyone know the difference between Mastercook 9 Deluxe and Mastercook 11 other than the price?

 

[java]

I have not used cookbook software but have to say I'm loving my cookbook apps!! Mario Batali app is great!

I'm off to check out master's cook.

 

[MrsToad]

So I went to check out Mastercook that people mentioned. Does anyone know the difference between Mastercook 9 Deluxe and Mastercook 11 other than the price?

I just upgraded from 9 to 11. Version 9 DOES have the internet import feature, but I don't think version 9 is officially supported on a Windows 7 computer. I've read that certain features in 9 have issues if you try to run it on Windows 7.

 

[nancycg56]

I use the Living Cookbook to store recipes that are not on my blog. I really like it because it's easy to add recipes. There is a free 30 day trial ~ http://www.livingcookbook.com/

I've used MasterCook and it was fine but not really what I was looking for at the time.

Big Oven is another one that's easy to use.

 

[minkydog]

I would love to find an easy-to-use software that i could use to print out my own cookbook, to have it bound professionally. I don't like to use my laptop in the kitchen and I'm tired of having all my little recipes collected in a cake can. I don't need pre-printed recipes. I only want to use our own familly recipes. any ideas?

 

[arminnie]

I've kept my recipes on the computer for almost 30 years - starting out with dbase and later migrating to access programs that I wrote.

Now I just use Microsoft Word. There's a ton you can do with the formatting and printing. A friend of mine who used to be a technical writer published a cookbook only using Word formatting.

I even have an index that Word updates. It's a pretty powerful piece of software.