by Linda R.
Member since:
August 14, 2006

A Boxful of Recipes

September 19, 2006 02:07 PM EDT
views: 242 | comments: 37

I have a metal box full of recipes typed on 4 x 6 inch index cards.  Some were shared by friends and family members and others are just things I collected over the years. And in some cases I recorded the results of cooking experiments or just wrote down things I tried and didn't want to forget.

I was wondering if anyone else still keeps a recipe box or is that another tradition that has disappeared in the age of technology.

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Comments: 37

Lori C. Sep 19, 2006, 2:10pm EDT
I have recipe boxes and books and some are just in my memory. I need to write those down for my kids. They are always calling wanting this recipe or that one. They are usually the ones that the recipe is in my head. I think I will write them all down and give them to my kids in their very own recipe box for Christmas!
Sonia M. Sep 19, 2006, 2:13pm EDT
I don't have a traditional recipe box, but will a file cabinet loaded with recipes and clippings count????
;-)))
Michelle W. Sep 19, 2006, 2:14pm EDT
I do have a recipe box. I have even started a "cookbook" with clippings, etc. by putting them in sheet protectors in a 3-ring binder.
☃ Aunt Shanny Sep 19, 2006, 2:27pm EDT
I have recipes in TWO metal boxes, in cookbooks, loose pieces of paper and some saved on the computer..... can never have too many recipes.
Linda R. Sep 19, 2006, 2:51pm EDT
Yes Sonia, a file cabinet is just a big recipe box. I also have cook books, folders, etc but most of the contents of my recipe box are things I typed from notes, verbal directions, memories and paper recipes which would have already deteriorated.
Fletcher Hawkins Sep 19, 2006, 2:51pm EDT
Have and always will.
Lori C. Sep 19, 2006, 3:18pm EDT
Love a man with his own recipes Fletcher
Laura B. Sep 19, 2006, 3:26pm EDT
My receipe box has been handed down from my grandmothers thru my mom. Plus I have started a binder with clippings.
Linda K. Sep 19, 2006, 3:51pm EDT
I have a recipe box as well as 5 large notebooks with clippings. I create a lot of clutter and mess with all my clippings from newspapers, magazines etc. I have a huge collection of Gourmet Magazines that I am trying to sort...not to mention all the cookbooks. In my recipe box are several handwritten recipes from departed friends and relatives. I could never get rid of them.
Linda R. Sep 19, 2006, 4:13pm EDT
People who have recipe boxes are my kind of people. I hope everyone takes the time to share some of the best ideas.
Stephanie A. (On vacation) Sep 19, 2006, 4:31pm EDT
I have a recipe box. It is stuffed full of recipes and memories.
Lisa W. Sep 19, 2006, 4:42pm EDT
I also have a three-ring binder of recipes, since most of them are things I printed off the internet, three-hole punched and organized by course.
Cassandra M. Sep 19, 2006, 5:45pm EDT
i have a couple of journal type books that I glue stick recipes inside of. I know it sounds odd but it works for me.
Marian L Sep 19, 2006, 5:50pm EDT
I have a recipe box just to keep the original recipes. I have put all my recipes on the computer. Now I can search by ingredient if I'm trying to use up something that's getting a bit old. I also don't have to worry about spilling anything on the printout. I can just print another one.
Linda R. Sep 19, 2006, 7:01pm EDT
Oh Linda, I can see why losing the old family recipes would be traumatic. No one in my family had written recipes. My grandmother (maternal) was a wonderful cook but she didn't write well in english and she never cooked from recipes. I've recreated a few of her dishes from memory and think that I've come pretty close.

My mother was a reasonable but unimaginative cook. She made pretty good meat loaf, pot roast and chicken soup but I don't think she ever baked a cookie or a cake.

I started collecting recipes as a teenager and I've always loved and collected cookbooks. I finally started getting rid of some books that I never use but I still have loads of recipes (typed and handwritten) that I need to sort through now that I have time.
Linda R. Sep 19, 2006, 7:43pm EDT
I know exactly what you mean Linda. I retired in May and I haven't stopped cooking, eating and gaining weight since. :}
Marsha B. Sep 19, 2006, 8:00pm EDT
I have a recipe box and folder that belonged to my father. When he retired he took over cooking duties at home. My mom could cook but my dad loved it and you could tell the difference in the food. I still have that recipe box and have added to it. Lots of recipes for my favorite childhood foods. Chili, kalbi ribs, fried noodles, char siu, chicken long rice, pot roast pork, hamburger stew. Wow, I'm going to eat dinner now, I'm hungry. LOL
Carol Roach Sep 19, 2006, 9:27pm EDT
I still have the same recipe box I had when I first got married, it is now 30 years old.
Sandra L. Sep 20, 2006, 12:08am EDT
Linda, that is a wonderful idea. I know that there are lots of my mom's and grandmas old recipes that I would love to have. You could start a family cookbook that could be passed down when the children married. I would love to have something like that.
Sandra L. Sep 20, 2006, 12:12am EDT
I'm sorry, I just reread the article and thread and that was Lori's idea, but as much as you cook Linda, it would be awesome. I think it would be a wonderful tradition to start.
Janet T. Sep 20, 2006, 12:19am EDT
I have two recipe boxes - one my mother gave me and I got her old one also. I also have a binder of recipies I have pulled off line for foods we never ate as a family. I have learned about a whole other type of vegetables and beans. Have found some very good recipies on line.
Linda R. Sep 20, 2006, 6:41am EDT
I agree that Lori's idea is wonderful - but a major project to convert the recipes in your head into written recipes. I have started writing a few to share on gather so that's probably a good place to start
Fletcher Hawkins Sep 20, 2006, 1:25pm EDT
Lori, what good's a man without his own recipes?
Lori C. Sep 20, 2006, 2:59pm EDT
My husband would be lost without his. He can follow a recipe but he is not great about just throwing something together.
Pam H. Oct 23, 2007, 12:27pm EDT
Linda my friend, I just bought myself a recipe box and do you know, I cannot find the indexes or the recipe cards. It must really be coming obsolete. Right now what I have is a recipe book. Bought several years ago but it is falling apart.
Pam H. Oct 23, 2007, 12:28pm EDT
I might have to look for a notebook the same size to put them all in, never thought of that until just now.
Pam H. Oct 23, 2007, 12:29pm EDT
When I got married the second time, at my bridal shower each person was asked to bring one recipe to share with me. It was a great idea.
Pam H. Oct 23, 2007, 12:29pm EDT
I still have them too.
Linda R. Oct 23, 2007, 1:11pm EDT
Hi Pam
My recipe box is just an old metal index card file. I typed the recipes and made the dividers. Recipe boxes probably are becoming obsolete. these days everyone uses computers.
Dee - Nature Babe! Nov 23, 2007, 4:46pm EST
I have many but some are just from memory. Those I like that I find online get put onto Thank you cards with the ingredients list of the back.
Ang, wandering aimlessly, G. May 16, 2008, 10:49pm EDT
I wish I had a recipe box. My mom does and I'm hoping that one day she will pass it on to me.
necee t. May 28, 2008, 8:00pm EDT
i'm not much of a cook, but i sure love to eat...hehe have a good day...
Judith W. Jun 9, 2008, 9:49pm EDT
I have 5 going on 6. Someday they will comprise a cookbook.
Priscilla L. Feb 1, 2009, 4:29pm EST
I have a recipe box, note book and folder full of recipies. I started off witht the box or just everything. I started clipping recipes and putting them in a folder. Now I am in the process or printing them out on a full sheet of paper and putting them in a 3 ring binder, kinda like the books you see in stores, so that they are easier to read and locate but are only of stuff that I like to cook and not a bought one with a bunch of stuff i will never cook and a couple things that I might lol
Palmer S. Jul 14, 2009, 6:05pm EDT

YUM!
Robert Jones Oct 22, 2009, 1:53pm EDT
I have tons of them, and many online. http://www.flickr.com/photos/84904494@N00/sets/ from here you can seach my collection too. Enjoy!

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