church cookbooks
cookbooks
internet sites
missing parts of recipes
older cookbooks
recipes
which are best
Which do you like better, recipes you get online or recipes from a cookbook or
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
February 25, 2009 8:13am CST
do they both have a purpose. I like my cookbooks for recipes that are tried and true like from the Betty Crocker Kitchens, but for fun or things I wouldn't want to buy an entire cookbook for, I like to go online. So I often use both. I know people who use all one or all the other. My husband uses cookbooks only. Some friends use internet recipes only. I use both. But sometimes I loose my printout from the internet and if I really, really liked a recipe, I can never find that same one again. I have a file from the internet and trying to be disciplined to find it. Also sometimes I find some recipes on the internet and even some recipes in the Church cookbooks are missing information. So which do you like better? If you like cookbooks, what's your favorite cookbook(s) (I have some from my Mother that are 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, the older, for most recipes, the better)? If you like using the internet for recipes, what is your favorite internet recipe site(s)?
8 people like this
37 responses
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I have a cookbook somewhere around the house. I bought it for my sons food allergies but now the doctor is okaying him for certain foods. I think if i really want something though the internet is better. Not all cookbooks have what your looking for.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Sometimes the internet it better.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Feb 09
You might want to check out some other responses, too, for when cookbooks can be better.
1 person likes this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
25 Feb 09
I would love to be able to spend a whole day just looking at your old cookbooks. I never use a cook book or a recipe ever but I have always wondered what kind of recipes are in the real old cookbooks. I'm especially interested in a good bread recipe. Thank You for a good post my friend.
3 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Feb 09
The really old ones that I have have everything. My Mom and I wore out the Encyclopedia of Cooking. Two volumes. It has everything including a menu for a year's worth of food and cooking by color. Your supper meal should have vegetables of different colors and a fruit at the end. Sundays had desserts and holidays, but not every day like a lot of people do now. Recipes that take tons of time that no one does anymore. Recipes with lots of different versions. Comparing different kinds of things, charts, lots of charts. The index in the books are bigger than most cookbooks now.
1 person likes this
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
25 Feb 09
Mostly recipes are just the same online and on books..The recipe book though is handy you can bring to your kitchen. I learned to cook from my mom and I don't use a cookbook for it. I just have it all recorded in thought. I just want to cook what my family eats and I rarely experiment on anything new.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I go to buffets and international restaurants plus I do to homestyle restaurants and my relatives. Only the stuff I cook all the time do I have committed to memory. In order to have all the cookbooks I would need to have Middle Eastern, Asian, American, French, Bread, Wild Edible Plants, Farmers' Market, etc. I would need 5 times the cookbooks I already have. I have about 40. I probably do about 20 recipes all the time that I don't need a cookbook for. So we live a little different lifestyle.
1 person likes this
@DuoMaxwell (953)
• United States
25 Feb 09
To be honest, i'm more of a guy who purchases cookbook recipies on a CD-ROM or downloads it for free. So far, i've bought a few digital cookbooks on CD-ROM and downloaded them online so that they last longer than paper ones.
After all, my mom already has a LOT, and i'm not making this up, a LOT of paper cookbooks, and so since I don't have any extra room for bulky ones, i've decided to go for digital ones so that I can take my netbook with me to the kitchen and start learning to cook. I don't have any favorite recipies just yet, but soon I will.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Feb 09
You have cookbooks from your computer, interesting combination. I have to have something that I can get dirty and mess up. I either have to print out the recipe or put a plastic sheet on the cookbook or the flour, oil, etc. liquid ingredients get really, really messy and all over everything. So while I really really like your idea, I wouldn't be able to bring my netbook in my kitchen. Are you excited about getting some favorite recipes? Take care and have fun.
1 person likes this
@fit4lifein07 (719)
• United States
16 Mar 09
I would rather do it now by Online because it takes up less space lol, i like alot of recipe sites one of the good ones is allrecipes.com
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
16 Mar 09
Yes, there are many great sites. I find both have a place in my life, but if I was just starting out, I would probably just be doing recipes sites only and I like that site, too. Thanks and take care
1 person likes this
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
26 Feb 09
I use my recipes from my cook books, from my Mother, grandmother, Aunts, sisters, etc.
I collect cook books, so I have a ton of all kinds of them. I also use recipes from online, and from magazines. I am more of a plain cook, not a lot of spices. That is the way I was taught, it sure helps with the economy the way it is, as I don't have to buy all the extras in making a dish.
I have the church cookbooks, and 4-H ones from different states. I use them all. In fact some of mine are in print in those books.
My favorite is my Betty Crocker cookbook I bought before I got married when I belonged to a cookbook guild.
Great topic.
I have a lot of recipes written out online at Associated Content, many family recipes, too.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Feb 09
PM me your link at Associated Content if you would like.
I love all these recipes that are simply and from earlier generations. Thanks you very much and take care
@MaryLynn321 (2680)
• United States
27 Feb 09
I don't know how to PM you so I will just leave my link here.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/89847/mary_lynn_321.html
Enjoy
Hugs MaryLynn
@hcromer (2710)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I prefer to pull recipes from websites, but I also use cookbooks for basic food preparation instructions. Websites are free and constantly posting new recipes with new and different things to try plus online recipes don't take up any space in your home. It's kind of sad to see recipes that were a family tradition dying off because of the shift to computers though.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Feb 09
In some ways, you're right. People go onto the computer instead of looking at family recipes. On the other hand, some people are putting their family recipes online. If you want an old time recipe, you can search, "Grandmother's _________" whatever recipe. Or even County Fair recipes, lots of them come from Grandmothers. Some recipes are being found on the internet that were lost. So you loose some and you gain some if you try and you think about it. But maybe your post will make people think about the older recipes and try some. Also some responders are asking their Moms and Grandmoms for recipes and trying to make cookbooks with recipes, so maybe that is one way to keep the recipes alive and some will have their resulting cookbooks on their computers. Take care and thanks.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I love to look threw old cookbooks for recipes. My family is just starting to put together a cookbook using old recipes from my grandmothers.
I also do like to get new recipes off the internet. I especially like the ones where they have a vidoe to show how it is made. I made pumpkin roll this past fall and the internet helped me tremendously!
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Where was that pumpkin roll video?
You're sooo lucky to have grandmothers recipes. I don't, but I hear all the time about what they used to make and I sure wish I had them. As far as I know/have heard, they didn't even use recipes.
Love your avatar.
2 people like this
@mivarg (277)
• India
25 Feb 09
I have tried recipe from the internet and books. They are good to a great extent. They make me confident of experimenting. But I always prefer to learn from someone. I used to enjoy spending time in the kitchen with my mother and learning by observing. That makes me sure of everything is to be done, and I never forget those lessons. With the recipes, I have to refer them while I'm halfway through, at least for the first few times.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Feb 09
I refer to my recipes constantly because I want to make sure I have the right amounts. I'm not a visual learner so seeing it doesn't help as much as my having a bowl or whatever and mirroring it at the same time. Different people learn differently, thanks and take care
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
25 Feb 09
I go on line, I get all "het" up about some of the recipes, then I revert back to my good, old, tried and true cookbooks....that look live they have survived every world war...and then some! My favourite book is one published by a rural school in 1957 (from the area that I grew up in), so it has lot's of good old time recipes made with the ingredients that were staples, and readily available in those days! www.frugalhousewife.com is one of the sites that I like for frugal cooking. Guess I better get cooking...son's coming home for the weekend..he's back with his suntan from Brazil!
1 person likes this
@beachstarz (1092)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I love the website allrecipes.com ! I've made recipes from that site alot , and every thing made from there has turned out really good ! On that site people write in and comment about the recipes , they tell what was good or bad about it and rate the recipes . So you can always read what others had to say about one before you decide to make it . They have every and any kind of recipe you can imagine !
Give it a try sometime !
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
26 Feb 09
Hey....Blue Ribbon winner...A Great Big Congrats! Another site that I like to use is www.pastrywhiz.com!
I think the biggest reason I revert back to the old-time cookbooks, is because they are made out of the basics, what's in our home as a staple...I am not fond of recipes that ask for a can of prepared soup...or whatever! Have a great recipe from my grandmother that I will forward to you tomorrow a.m.! Simple, great, a loaf cake, called "War Cake" that got it's name because it lasted the long shipment overseas to loved ones during the war! These are the kind of recipes that I love! Thanks for the great topic, m'dear!
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Hi Per, that sounds cool! 1957 cookbook, we could compare notes! You like a website, too. Have to check out the frugalhousewife one.
Glad your son is back.
Other responder, thanks and I love allrecipes.com, too, won at the county fair for a recipe from there one time. Some people are pretty harsh. I look for recipes where they complain there isn't enough salt, ha, ha. Thanks and take care
1 person likes this
@fasttalker (2796)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Some of my favoite cookbooks are ones I have bought from church fundraisers created by the people in the church. But I like using online recipes. What I do is when I find one that I am going to try I just copy and paste it and save it in a file. If it doesn't turn out quite as well as I wanted or something I just simply delete it. Because you're right they are very hard to go back and find sometimes. So just create you a recipe file and save them there and that way they are handy to go back and find.
Good Luck
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Feb 09
You're very right, I never think to do that-make a computer file of recipes I've found. Yes, I've got the best pineapple cake and apple pudding cake recipe going from a church cookbook.
1 person likes this
@puddytat101 (657)
• United States
26 Feb 09
I like simple recipes. My bank has printed recipes on their envelopes that are so easy and good to eat. Church recipes are delicious too, especially the sweets. For main courses or big dinners, I like some recipes from the internet.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Puddytat! Your avatar looks like my cat! Same attitude and everything!
Only thing like that I ever got was a free calendar that I sent for from the California Raisin Company(ies). Had terrific recipes like raisin glazed ham and scallops wrapped in bacon with a raisin sauce (if either of you are vegan, vegetarian or don't eat pork, I appologize in advance). Printed on envelopes would be a neat idea. Thanks and take care
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
26 Feb 09
I've never heard of a business putting recipes on their envelopes... nifty!
Our local utility puts out a cookie booklet every year with all their best cookie recipes since they started the book over 50yrs ago.
1 person likes this
@ericluckychan (50)
• China
26 Feb 09
i like cooking, i prefer using cookbooks, because they are all handy not like some recipes on internet, you need either bring the computer into the kitchen, or print them out, it is nuisance
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Yes, I don't want to get my computer all flower and sugar either! Luckily printing it out isn't that big a deal for me if I'm going to use the recipe often. Otherwise, it's the expense. thanks and take care
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Sorry, meant flour, I have a cat bugging me while I try to type.
@ScoutMom (2)
• United States
25 Feb 09
I have several old cookbooks that were from fundraisers that have some of my favorite recipes in. I do like finding recipes on the internet. I generally use recipe.com, but sometimes I just do a search for a specific dish name and then wade through a few sites to find one I like.
When I do get a recipe to keep, I print a copy off and stick it in one of my cookbooks so I can find it later.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Another idea is to print it out card size if a .com has that option, cut it out and put it in a card file, you can use the small cheap ones from a dollar store (if you have one where you live), they're usually plastic or get a metal one for a little more money. thanks and take care Welcome to Mylot!
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
10 Apr 09
I like the internet, but I do not have a favorite site. I just search for what I want, look at several results and then I go with whatever looks to fit my time frame and looks to match the ingredients I have on hand. I like being able to compare several quickly. Cookbooks I have used over the years have more than just recipes, they have memories in them as well. I do not have a favorite. My hubby likes one made up of his family recipes. He also likes one he got at a yard sale full of Scandinavian recipes.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
10 Apr 09
Cookbooks are memories, definitely!
Scandinavian, wow! I don't think I've ever seen one. What kinds of recipes are Scand.? Any that you've tried and you'd recommend so I can check some out on the internet? Sounds really, really interesting. Thanks and take care.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Join the club, makes it hard on those of us who are on low salt diets, too. I find typing in "from scratch" or "old time recipe" or something to indicate you want ingrediets like "with all natural ingredients" helps to sift through the garbage ones like that.
2 people like this
@bombshell (11256)
• Germany
3 Mar 09
i gues not much different but i would like to watch them while cooking and i learn more while watching than to read the recipes
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I agree, if I haven't made anything like it before, but if I have, a recipe is good enough for me. Thanks for bringing that up and take care
@gracie04 (4549)
• Philippines
25 Feb 09
I always like getting recipes from my old cookbooks.. i find them more reliable than those you can find on the internet.. most recipes online use shortcuts that i can barely understand.. but of course, i like getting new recipes from my mom.. mom is one good cook.. she can cook anything, everything without looking at the cook book or without asking for someone's help..
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
3 Mar 09
Sounds like you've got a great Mom! Get all the info and recipes you can from her. I wish I had. My Mom passed away in 1998. Wish I knew all she new.
Yes, some online recipes do take short cuts. Sounds like you're learning how to be a real cook from your Mom. Go for it! Take care
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
3 Mar 09
I know she doesn't use recipes but write down what she does so you remember, take care.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
29 Aug 09
We're lucky we're in a time period when we have so many choices. Each to his or her own. Thanks and take care.
@lynne3171 (80)
• China
2 Mar 09
I also do like to get new recipes from TV.I especially like to watch they show how to cook it .It's wonderful. And I have tried recipe from the internet and book.But I always prefer to learn it from someone .I like to spend time in the kitchen with my monther and learning by observing.Sometimes I will choose some food preparation instruction from cookbook to cook...
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
3 Mar 09
Yes, when I was younger, I liked to watch others, now if it is something very new that I have never made before and never made something like it, then I still want to watch,too. By 51 years of age, I have many things that I know how to make and only occasionally need to use the TV. Now someone was saying that there are videos online that teach things we haven't made before, too. Thank you for adding the TV as a choice for watching others, I really hadn't thought about that when I made the discussion. Thank you and take care
