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 Post subject: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:02 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 3:05 pm
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Location: Central TX
My sister turns 20 at the end of Sept and for her present, I am going to put together a book of all my favorite recipes to give her. Most of them will be dinner recipes. She is just starting her family, planning to marry her bf next summer and they just had their first baby. Her bf just got a well-paying job and they are starting to save up to move out of his parent's house and be on their own.

Anyways, she is starting out like I did. Very little knowledge about cooking. I didn't start cooking on a regular basis until a few years ago. I've mostly just been teaching myself through online tips and recipes, trial and error. She has mentioned more than once that she wishes she knew how to cook and wants to come visit and learn from me how to cook (I'm definitely no expert, though, lol). My grandma had given me a photo album as a kid, that had some recipes in it. So, I got the idea to do something like that for my sister. Print out all my favorite recipes and put them in a photo album or something like that, to give her and get her started on cooking.

I'm still learning a lot, like what seasonings to use and how to take what things you have on hand and throw them together to make a good meal. And I am hoping to show that to her through a "tips" section, in addition to the recipes. I was wondering if anyone else has any good tips that you would give to a beginning cook. Or any ideas on anything I should add besides recipes, or anything to make the book better. I'm also trying to figure out how to arrange the recipes: from easiest to hardest, quickest to longest, etc. Maybe have no order and just put them in there? Has anyone else done something like this for someone?

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 Post subject: Re: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:22 pm 
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I HAVE done it before - a few times. I did one for my sister a while back that was a word document that I just sent in an email. Not very sentimental, but she lives on computers & she loved it.

I think it would be great if we each contribute a "new bride" recipe for your sister to this thread!

Let us know what she likes to eat (all-American, ethnic, vegetarian, meat lover, etc) and maybe we could each contribute a favorite for your project : )

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 Post subject: Re: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:14 pm 
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Check your inbox- I PM'd you : )

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 Post subject: Re: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 1:36 pm 
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I would add little anecdotes like the first time you tried your hand at a certain dish or the history of the recipe - who handed it down to WHOM. ;-) (Every time I hear the word "whom" I think of you Lisa! LOL

Maybe pics of family meals with the recipe or cooking it or just the ingredients like they do on blog spots. :)

Favorite holiday meals/dishes should be grouped together with holiday family pics. :)


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 Post subject: Re: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 2:57 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 3:28 pm
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I wish somebody had done this for me! What a great idea.

In a church cookbook I have, there is a section with helpful tips of all sorts. What to do if the dish is too salty. How to double or halve a recipe. How much to cook for X amount of people. Measurement conversions and things like how many tablespoons in 3/4 cup and things like that. I can send you those if you want.

I like the idea of a picture of the dish or the steps making it.

I made a binder for myself with printed out recipes in page protectors. When I'm using one, I just take the page out, protector and all, and hang from a magnet on the range hood.


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 Post subject: Re: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 4:18 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:19 pm
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Location: NE Central Texas
I would not over whelm her with recipes that have a lot of ingredients or long long directions.
I know you said that you are making the book with the recipes you like.
There are books out there titled four ingredients or less and five ingredients or less. They might help also.

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 Post subject: Re: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 4:30 pm 
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Location: Central TX
Well, she doesn't like sea food. She likes traditional American food, most Mexican food like enchiladas and stuff, pasta dishes, meat. I don't think she's a big soup eater, but she likes some soups. So most things, but not anything too ethnic or unusual to the average American.

I like the idea about the binder and page protectors and taking the recipe out when you use it. I might try that idea for myself! I like those tips on measurement conversions, too! I just thought of another thing. Maybe a list of staples, things you should always have available in the pantry/cupboards.

I don't really like recipes with a lot of ingredients (unless its things I already have in the pantry) or long directions, either, so a lot of my favorite recipes aren't too difficult. There are a few that are tougher and more time consuming and I'm thinking about adding those in and just making a note that they are tougher. Maybe put "Easy" and "Difficult" on them, or something like that.

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 Post subject: Re: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:34 pm 
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I love this idea!!! She's going to love it, too!


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 Post subject: Re: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:40 pm 
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I'll try to get that tips list together for you by this weekend but remind me if I forget!

I like the idea of a list of staples. Having those things on hand is half the battle!


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 Post subject: Re: Book or recipes
PostPosted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 8:17 pm 
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I would encourage you, that if you're typing it up and not handwriting, to keep a digital copy & give her that, too (for instance, burn a CD with the Word documents on it). That way, if the original gets covered in spaghetti sauce, or falls in a sink full of dishes, she'll be able to reprint it : )

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