Using Computer Software To Speed Freezer Cooking
Computers and cookbooks are a tasty combination! Today's cooking software makes meal planning--even planning once for a month's worth of dinner entrees--nearly effortless. Improved import-export capabilities permit capture of recipes from on-line services or text files; software menu plan and shopping list functions spell an end to tedious hours of sifting, sorting and listing. Recipe junkies are in food heaven as the Internet shares thousands of recipes available for the downloading.
Cooking software can create a freezer cooking menu plan in a matter of minutes, complete with shopping list! To make full use of the power of your computer to speed the planning/shopping process, keep in mind these "computer cookbook conventions".
Be Consistent
Remember, your computer is a high speed idiot; it won't know that a bay leaf and a bayleaf are the same article. When entering recipes into your Freezer cookbook, pick your terms and stick your guns! Is it "hamburger", "ground beef" or "ground chuck"?
Use Standard Measurements
To ease assembly of your shopping list and your cooking day game plan, standardize measurements and values across your cookbook. Measure meat in pounds; list common convenience foods (canned tomatoes) by can sizes; note baked goods by the "each" (6 hamburger buns) not the "package" (1 package hamburger buns) whenever possible. Your cooking program may assist you; for example, Mastercook for Windows features pre-assigned measurements and values available for a click of the mouse.
Pay Attention To Amount Conventions
Be aware of common measurement/amount conventions when writing your cookbook. For example, for shopping ease, recipes in this cookbook list "onions" by the "each"--and each "each" is considered 1/2 cup of chopped onions.
Watch Format Consistency
Finally, strive for a consistent format, especially when writing recipe directions. Separate paragraphs by a carriage return or blank line; your courtesy will be appreciated when other users try to import your work into their software programs.
