Recipe Software: Use it? Like it? Which one?
Springboarding off Cary's question about nutritional information, I need to know what recipe software is the best. I'd like to compile my recipes in a database (other than WORD...sigh). Preferably one where you can multiply servings and recalculate the recipe. With things like stew and other main courses, it's not a difficult trick but try doing it with baked goods.
Any recommendations or feedback about Recipe Software? TIA.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
17 Comments:
I used the one that can be an add-on with Firefox (found here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1327), and didn't like it all that much. I'd be interested in any other suggestions, too.
Though I just saw this one: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6061 and it looks like it might be worth checking out.
On an unrelated note, can some kind soul show me how to do the direct link thing please? I don't know how to make it do that...
NYCEater at 1:59PM on 02/01/09
I use Mac Gourmet. www.macgourmet.com
It's not perfect, but it's fast, functional, and allows me to organize my recipes really well.
It does let you multiply servings, and supports both English and metric volumes and weights.
One of my most used features is the clipppings list, which is a temporary place to store recipes I've copied from the web, but don't have time to format for the software. The formatting is actually quite easy - only takes about a minute per recipe, but you know, sometimes you're just feelin' lazy.
andshewas at 2:29PM on 02/01/09
Did a bunch of research about a year ago and decided on Big Oven. It does everything I need and is relatively cheap at $29.95 for the deluxe version. Plus they have an online community for recipe sharing.
Linky to Big Oven
NorthernBBQer at 2:52PM on 02/01/09
I have been pretty happy with big oven, love the import from web feature (similar to what andshewas describes above) I just thinki the nutrition feature is a little weak. Otherwise, I like it real well.
Cary at 2:56PM on 02/01/09
I was looking at the one in the 2nd link I posted, and it seems like you need an actual program to export to... it's not a stand-alone thing.
Epicurious.com has a recipe box feature where you can save their own recipes and also enter in your own (and you can make them private so you don't put them on the epicurious site)
NYCEater at 3:09PM on 02/01/09
@all...thanks for the info and suggestions. I notice no one mentioned Mastercook. Do they still upgrade it and improve it (and support it)?
Several sites have a "recipe box" function and they're nice but a lot of them don't have the ability to increase portion size or yield.
How is the big oven program for stuff like that?
therealchiffonade at 9:08PM on 02/01/09
@chiff: Big Oven is OK with increasing (or decreasing for that matter) of portions. There is a menu choice in one of the pull-downs called Resize recipe. A box then pops up to tell you the current yield and a box to type in whatever yield you want. There is a disclaimer that "Scaling recipes effects recipe ingredient quantities only, not the instruction text. Please adjust accordingly." You would just have to be careful I guess.
NorthernBBQer at 11:39PM on 02/01/09
I really like Mastercook for what I need.
I've only needed support once in the years I've used it, I uploaded a recipe that corrupted "my cookbook" and contacted someone who was extremely helpful, and patient with me. I sent her the corrupt cookbook file, she was able to recover 99% of the 1300 recipes that I'd had in that file, losing only a few in the process.
Southern_bella at 10:52AM on 02/02/09
I'm a big fan of MasterCook. I like the fact that you can import recipes into it from the web. The only con I've found with the program is the actual recipes that come with it. Not so special.
kalajo at 11:11AM on 02/02/09
What I did not like about Mastercook was the file type, I found upgrades a litlle pricey and recipes from a very older version could not be easily transferred to a new version. I got scared that I would someday lose access to my old work.
Cary at 11:32AM on 02/02/09
My parents have Mastercook and I've always used theirs and liked it. Now that I live on my own, this is becoming more difficult. I looked into getting my own copy, but it didn't seem very mac-compatible...
littlestcapy at 11:36AM on 02/02/09
I just started using the Living Cookbook. It is really easy to use and there's a free 30-day trial: http://www.livingcookbook.com/, So you can see if you like it without purchasing it. (I ended up buying it after two days). However, if you have a mac, try Yummy Soup: http://hungryseacow.com/
bleuberry at 11:41AM on 02/02/09
I like epicurious too :)
hungrychristel at 3:39PM on 02/02/09
I was about to buy Big Oven when I discovered Cook'n. I absolutely love it. It does everything I need plus more. Check out www.dvo.com and watch the online demo. Great software.
Alfred at 3:56PM on 02/02/09
I'm a big fan of Living Cookbook.
Davekatz at 5:13PM on 02/02/09
I like MacGourmet. I used to have Mastercook before I got a Mac, and like MacGourmet better. Recipes can be imported, but only from certain websites like Epicurious. Easy recipe entry and functions.
lucylucy at 9:10AM on 02/03/09
I believe this one:
http://sites.google.com/site/rocketdm/database-recipe-software
can be handy if you customize it into recipe database
andrew2015 at 3:32AM on 03/06/09