I am starting a project of a family cookbook to give to my mom for Christmas as she is a huge fan of cookbooks. I've already contacted several family members asking for their favorite recipes to use in this book. Does anyone have any ideas on how to put it together in a creative way? I know lots of you have some ideas for me. I love all the great ideas and tips I find here. By far this is my favorite web site and I visit daily. Thanks in advance for your help!
Belinda from Wingo, KY
I think all of the ideas in the feedback are just as great as your original idea. I like the scrapbook idea . But since these recipes are coming from family, how about along with the them, your family sends their favorite " old" photo. This would give mom, not only great recipes, but some great memory pictures of her family from yesteryear to add under the recipes and probably a few happy tears too! (08/20/2008)
By DEBRADJ
I assembled a family cookbook several years ago for a family reunion. In addition to asking family members to submit recipes I also asked them to submit personal stories about food, cooking or favorite memories of their mothers kitchen. One uncle told about being a cook in the Navy during WWII and my dad told about scrounging for food when he was a POW in Germany. (08/20/2008)
I knew I wouldn't be disappointed when I asked you guys for help with my idea. I have wrangled a couple of relatives to help me with this and they are as excited as I am. We are going to use photos both old and new along with memories scattered through so that not only will Mom enjoy the recipes but she will also have the pleasure of taking a trip down memory lane any time she wants. You guys are awesome! I'll try to get a couple of photos to show everyone what the finished book looks like once it's completed. (08/20/2008)
By belinda
I'm making a cookbook for my grandson. I have typed the pages and put them into clear plastic sleves and then put them into a three ring binder. I have written on each recipe where it came from and if there are any extra tips for that recipe. Some are very easy ones and others are a bit more complicated. I also give credit to the person from whom I got the recipe.
I was sure to include his favorite recipes, meat loaf, banana pudding, chocolate cake, garlic mashed potatoes, homemade pie crust. I know he will not make all of these but maybe someday his wife will. (08/21/2008)
By Judy B. T. MO
I did a cook book several years back. I am including a shot of the Microsoft Clip Arts front that I used. You can find so many, it's not even funny. I am doing another this year. Here's some things I found that will make thing easier.
If you have recipes from family that you have to type in, you will need to reproduce them on Word, and that's fine. But, if you find things on here or on line that you also want to include, you simple cut and paste to the Word doc and create a folder titled "cookbook" or whatever you choose. Back it up onto a CD every week in case something happens to the computer.
Then, when you are ready to print out everything, do two things at once. First, there is a program in your computer that lets you list all the recipes in alphabetical order, which will help you find cakes, cookies, desserts, etc.
Then, when you are in the page you are ready to print, highlight the entire page and choose the font and size you want. You will no doubt have more than one recipe on each page, and it's fun to do one whole page in one font, another in another, or do each recipe in different ones. That way, the ones you pasted on you can change without retyping them.
Play around before you print, as Word has some amazing things you can do. I started mine out by telling everyone what my daughter had done in Sunday school when she was just 6 years old, and that was contribute to her class cookbook.
"MY BIRTHDAY CAKE"
3 cups flour, add 2 scoops of water. Mix it into dough. Put in a pan, bake 35 degrees for 30 minutes. Flip it over and bake another 24 minutes. Add more flour and water. Put in bigger pan. Bake for 35 minutes. When cool, decorate with 65 cups frosting.
Something unique to begin with will make everyone smile when they open the book and memories of meals and dishes made by people they love will keep them smiling. Good luck!! (08/21/2008)
You can put stories and/or history along with the recipes. And, also, provide photos of people that submit the recipes along with other family photos. (08/21/2008)
By
What makes it special is the story-telling that should go with each recipe. When someone sends you something, call them back and get the memories with it. (08/21/2008)
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