Recipe Index Card File
How to Make a Recipe Index Card File
I always check my online bookmarks to look at my favorite recipes but I thought this is too much trouble and there should be a better way of doing this. I thought about writing down the recipe on a paper but I would always lose it after I’m done baking or cooking! And then I would need the recipe again, guess what, I would have to copy it again! Good thing my friend told me to use a recipe index card file to have a consistent system and to make my kitchen life so much easier. I always keep mine in the kitchen so I can just grab it anytime I need it.
Here are the easy steps for making a recipe index card file:
1.) Decide what type of index card you want to use. Now you’re asking me if there are different types? (Smiles) Believe it or not, you have plenty of choices! Index cards come in ruled, blank and grid-patterned designs. They are usually white but companies started producing them in multiple colors to make them look more attractive and fun. Pink, yellow, purple, blue, green, you name it, there’s an available color for you! You can also get an index card file with color-coded strips at the top. They are sold in shrink-wrapped packages, spiral-bound or perforated packages.
2.) Start writing on your recipe index card file. Write the title on top and anything else you think is important like it’s a pecan pie recipe from your great grandmother. Be specific with your title like: Super Moist Chocolate Cake with Caramel Filling”.
3.) Write down the ingredients in your recipe index card file in a list format. Don’t create a paragraph! Also, make sure you understand your abbreviations. I use C for cup, TB for tablespoon and TS for teaspoon. You can always use yours of course!
4.) Now write the steps one by one. I try to make each step as short as possible but still, it’s up to you how detailed you want it to be. If you run out of space in the recipe index card file, you can always go to the right of the ingredients list. If you don’t want an overcrowded page, you can always use the back of the index card.
5.) You can add a thumbnail picture on the far right corner of the index card file. You can also add tabs to label the recipes. Subdivide them according to type. I always subdivide mine into appetizers, desserts, chicken, beef, sandwiches and so on.
We really like the recipe index card file dividers that we show in the picture. Not only are they cute, but they are really effective for separating out various recipes in your index card holder.
Just click that image to learn more about those dividers, or
