Do you have a recipe binder? If not, you should!
I think it is one of the best tools to have in the kitchen. It has been an invaluable asset to cooking meals, baking and meal planning.
I would like to show you a little about how it works for me.
I simply use a basic 1″ 3 ring binder.
In the front pocket, I keep past menu plans, blank monthly calendars (to write up new menu plans), my list of favorite meals and any recipes that either haven’t been tried or haven’t been put into proper format.
My tabs are post-it style flags stuck on divider tabs
Categories are as follows:
~ Chicken
~ Beef
~ Vegetarian/non meat/fish
~ Sauces
~ Bread
~ Sweets
~ Snacks
~ Breakfast
~ Sides
~ Non-food (bath salts, soaps, etc.)
All recipe pages are kept in plastic page protectors. This ensures the recipes don’t get ruined if something gets spilled on them while they are out on the counter and they are also easily wiped off.
I prefer to type out my recipes, when time permits. This allows me to have a back-up copy of all recipes on my hard drive. If a recipe isn’t one of my own, I also try to remember to list the blog/site where I found the recipe. I do this, because occasionally, I forget to bookmark the recipe and this allows me to do a quick search on the site/blog listed on the recipe, for those instances where I need to give proper credit (ex. menu plan).
I also find that my recipe binder makes meal planning a snap, since I have everything I need in one place.
What about you, do you have a recipe binder?
This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.
This is a great idea! I have tried so many recipes that it’s hard to keep track of them. This will be on my to-do list!
I’m getting ready to do binders for a lot of things in our house and a Meal Binder is one those! I do have a recipe box I use a lot, but I need a place to put loose recipes I need to try before transferring to the box and a place to keep my meal planning stuff. This post was just what I needed to get started!
Amy @ Raising Arrows´s last blog ..Homemade Dishwasher Detergent
Oh, I have recipe organization envy right now.
My recipes are so haphazard… of course, I rarely cook using them anyhow, maybe that’s why it doesn’t bother me too much…
JessieLeigh´s last blog ..Raising Good Eaters: An Introduction
Did you see what is written on the bottom of the recipe on the right in last photo…. It says “JessieLeigh” because it’s one of your recipes – apple strudel muffins!!!
I seriuosly need to get on the ball and just make one of these already! I have seen them all over and am jealous everytime! I especially love how you just simply used the post-it flag dividers.
Looks great!
I’m going to commit to making one very soon! I’ll send you the link
Thanks for the inspiration!
Ally´s last blog ..Easter Weekend Reflections & Late Stumbles
I promise, you’ll love it once you put it into action!!
Oh my Recipe Binder is a life saver for me! I put it together about 3 years ago and it needs some serious updating.
I get in such a rut with meal planning…I made a list of all the veggie/side dishes we eat and then a list of all of the main dishes we eat and put in page protectors in the front. That way I don’t have to re-invent the wheel every week.
Nice work!
-Lauren
Mama Laundry´s last blog ..How to Strip Cloth Diapers – Part 2
I love this idea as I do it too ;o) I have a few of these binders but in different colours by type of cooking (i.e. pink for baking, blue for slow cooking, etc.). Thanks for sharing your great tip!
Sarah @ Mum In Bloom´s last blog ..Earth Fair in Prairie Village, KS
This is sorta what I do, only I seriously need to overhaul mine!
I have been working on a recipe binder to try to organize all of the great receipes I come across on blogs and the internet. Now I just need to get them sorted by categories & I really like yours!!
Sara L.´s last blog ..Project 52-14