How to Build and Organize a Large Recipe Collection

There's no hiding it, I'm a recipe junkie. On my hard drive you will find well over 10,000 recipes. In my home you will also find large stacks of cookbooks. From the time I was old enough to cook, with help from an adult, I have been doing so. I have also been collecting recipes since I was in high school. How does one build a large recipe collection? Also, how do you organize a large recipe collection?

Where Do I Find All My Recipes?

In order to build a large recipe collection, you will need to find a source for your recipes. After all, my large recipe collection didn't build itself. I have been collecting recipes from several different sources in order to build such a large recipe collection.

Yahoo! Groups: When I first started to build my recipe collection, I joined several Yahoo! Groups. These groups have helped me to build a large recipe collection, by supplying me with recipes that enjoy. On Yahoo! Groups, you will find a group that revolves around the type of food that you enjoy. For example, I am a member of groups that focus on cream cheese, crock pot foods, chocolate, desserts, and several others. I even started my own Yahoo! Group so I could help my friends and family build a large recipe collection of their own.

Websites: There are several wonderful websites that have helped me build a large recipe collection. For example, anytime I see something I'd like to try prepared on Food Network, I visit www.foodnetwork.com. But there are several other websites I turn to. For example, I often visit the website of brand name products, such as Kraft Foods, to build my recipe collection.

Friends and Family: A very valuable source that has helped me to build a large recipe collection is my friends and family. We are always sharing recipes with each other and many times we end up being the guinea pig. We'll each try different dishes and let each other know if it's a keeper.

Cookbooks and Magazines: A great way to build your recipe collection is to turn to cookbooks and magazines. Anytime I visit the library, I check out a cookbook or two and then go home and look for dishes that spark my interest. Once I've found the ones I want, I copy them with my scanner or write them down. I also subscribe to several different magazines, which are always filled with wonderful dishes.

How to I Organize My Large Recipe Collection?

Folders: In order to organize my recipe collection that is on my computer, I have several folders. When you have such a large recipe collection, you must organize it in several folders. If you simply try to organize by using broad folders, like desserts, it will be hard to find what you need. Under my dessert folder, you will find more folders. I break each large group, down into smaller groups. For example, I may organize a group like dessert by adding smaller folders inside with the names cakes, pies, puddings, etc. This is an easy and free way to organize your recipe collection.

Notebooks: When it comes to the items I have copied from cookbooks and magazines, I try to organize them in notebooks. When I organize this way, I do use broader sections, because it's impossible to break notebooks down into so many sections. These notebooks end up being like cookbooks, with sections for appetizers, main dishes, desserts, etc. The only difference is, these cookbooks are filled with the best of the best from a large selection of cookbooks and magazines. This is also an easy and affordable way to organize your recipe collection.