I have many well-loved recipes, and they are all in one place, thanks to my recipe binder.  As we try new recipes that we know we will want to make again, I add them to the binder, also.

I type up the recipes and add a photo of the finished product, if possible.  I also add photos of the children helping in the kitchen, and notes about the recipe.  I often find the children flipping through the book, reminiscing about the photos and happy food memories.  It’s a food scrapbook, of sorts.

After printing the recipe page, I insert it into a page protector and file behind the appropriate section (main dish, side dish, dessert, etc.).

In this main binder, I only keep the recipes that I use on a very regular basis.  I also have another binder where I keep special occasion recipes, and one for hospitality.

One strength of this system, for me, is the visual aspect.  I love seeing a photo of the finished dish (although not all of my recipes have a photo to accompany them).  I also love that I can print a recipe from a recipe site online and just stick it in the book.  {I must admit that I also really love cute recipe cards, and they regularly tempt me to use them! 🙂 }

One drawback to this system is the size of the binder itself.  Most cookbook dimensions are smaller than a binder, so they fit nicely in a cookbook holder on the counter.  My binder fit in there, but not very comfortably.  Recently, I found a large iron book stand at a craft store, and my binder fits nicely there.

Currently, my two older daughters use this family recipe binder when they cook, but we are planning to make each of them their own binders before too long.  As they find new recipes to try, they can add them to their very own binder, and it will be fun for them to decorate the front however they desire.

However you organize your recipes, enjoy cooking with your children! ♥