Many people at my classes say, "I just found Grandma's recipes now what do I do?" I congratulate them since they have the hard work done--collecting the recipes. I then suggest they add some stories about when the dishes were served and they might note their favorites and why? It is the notes and commentary that separate your home made cookbook from the thousands sold in bookstores.

The next step is either to copy them to put into a three ring binder for a cookbook. That is the easiest and for those who do not want to find a template or are not good at computer skills, it is the perfect solution to keeping the recipes safe and to be used by family members.

Some might want to scan a few for art work in their family recipe cookbook or scan them all to be used as the guts of their cookbook. It really is how you want your cookbook to look and what resources you want to purchase. You can keep it simple or you can type each recipe in a template to print it. There are several available on the web and by googling free recipe templates or recipe cookbook templates you have your choice. I have used several and it all comes down to what you want the end results look like, how many books you want and what you want to spend.
I have highlighted several in past blogs. I suggest you go to see the wide variety of options you have available.

If Grandma is still alive, you might want to have some commentary about her recipes. You may want to take her photograph for the cover. AGAIN, it really matters what you want the finished product to look like. Make all the recipes and ask Grandma if you have any questions...do not put them in drawer to work on later, even if you do not plan to work on the cookbook until later. If she is there ask questions and you might want to make the recipes with her.

You now are the publisher and editor of your cookbook. Look at those in your home and see what you like and don't like. Let those be your guide to creating your own family recipe cookbook. With all these new responsibilities you might want to buy my cd that walks you through all the options and helps you along the way. No matter what...you better get started! I can promise you that your family will be happy you took the time to do it!