| About 20 years ago one of my aunts diligently | | | | Creating a family cookbook is now much easier with |
| collected recipes from various family members and | | | | the resources available on the internet. There is |
| friends and created a cookbook. It wasn't very | | | | software for formatting and organizing recipes; online |
| sophisticated, there were no photographs or | | | | recipe storage systems; and websites with all the |
| anecdotes and it was typed and photocopied on | | | | tools you need to create a memorable family |
| loose leaf paper. I think we each provided a binder | | | | cookbook. |
| for our individual copy. I still use some of those | | | | There are a few key elements that make the |
| delicious recipes and every time I browse through | | | | process of creating a family cookbook easier.oIt is |
| that binder it brings back memories of special family | | | | probably a good idea to choose one family member |
| celebrations, casual backyard barbeques, and picnics in | | | | to be the overall editor; however, it is less stressful if |
| the park. Of course the most treasured of those | | | | a couple of other people will also review the recipes |
| memories are of the cooks themselves, because | | | | and share in the decision making.oDecide whether the |
| cooking good food is an important tradition in our | | | | cookbook will be printed in hard copy or available only |
| family. | | | | as an e-book. My preference is for a bound and |
| What is the attraction of project like a family | | | | printed book because there is more scope for |
| cookbook? The obvious purpose is to preserve some | | | | photos and format variations; and because it has |
| of the best of family recipes that have handed down | | | | more permanence.oChoose an organizational structure |
| through generations. Many of us have recipes written | | | | for your cookbook. You could organize by category |
| on scraps of paper, faded and splotched, and tucked | | | | course: Appetizers, Soup, Salad, Entrees, Desserts. |
| away in various places, hard to find when we want | | | | Or, by food groups such as: Meat, Poultry, Seafood, |
| them. Or, we've lost grandmother's recipe for lemon | | | | Vegetables, Eggs and Cheese, Breads, etc. Other |
| loaf or chocolate cake and can't duplicate it exactly. | | | | options include: by family or individual; or by |
| Also, a cookbook provides us with the structure | | | | celebration (Easter, Thanksgiving, etc.).oHave a |
| around which to record family memories and history. | | | | template for people to use when submitting their |
| Recipes can be accompanied by photographs of | | | | recipes by email; this will make it easier for them and |
| celebrations and family gatherings and of the | | | | for the organizing and formatting process. Make sure |
| contributors. Maybe there are funny stories to tell, or | | | | you ask for relevant stories and photos as |
| maybe the book expands to include genealogical | | | | well.oThere are some very useful resources on the |
| information. When we look at recipes of several | | | | internet to help you produce your family cookbook. |
| generations of our family, we see a chronicle of how | | | | A complete package includes different design |
| the food we eat changes over time; as well as which | | | | templates to choose from; and printing options for as |
| recipes continue to be a part of our ongoing | | | | few as 25 copies. Visit the website for more |
| traditions and customs. | | | | information. |