As I'm cleaning up supper, I write down what we ate, with whom, and where the recipe came from in this notebook. I mark Sunday meals in red, because they're such a different process from weekday suppers. Of course some nights I forget and the whole process is very casual, but it's unbelievably helpful:
1. Gives me ideas when I'm trying to plan menus
2. Reminds me of recipes I've forgotten and which cookbooks they're in
3. A food diary like this shows our eating patterns, likes and dislikes -
fascinating to me!
4. Reminds me of good times with friends and family - always a lift.
For example:
a week in November 2008
Sunday: leftover colcannon made into potato filling (More with Less), peas, cranberry applesauce, pumpkin pie (recipe box)
Monday: Tennessee Corn Pone (Recipes from the Old Mill), collards, leftover Mennonite Bliss (jello salad from More with Less)
Tuesday: Spaghettini con Sugo di Tonno (recipe box), green salad, pumpkin pie
Wednesday: Turkey Barley Soup (Simply in Season), biscuits (More with Less), cranberry applesauce
Thursday: Roasted Vegetables (Simply in Season), green salad, Wacky Cake (recipe box)
Friday: Chili con Carne (First pack of Harley's beef!!), cornbread (More with Less), applesauce
Saturday: Turkey Barley Soup, biscuits
To switch from November to SPRING, look what's on my piano! My dad also brought me a gorgeous bunch of daffodils, and the windows are open today. Hallelujah!
Good idea, the notebook. I've always unsuccessfully find ways to keep track of menus and such...need to think about your idea...
ReplyDeleteJust printed out Wacky Cake :-)
"Mennonite Bliss" sounds like a code word for "orgasm."
ReplyDeleteDid I really just write that? Sorry.
But really, I can't get past it. I crack up every time I think about it. (It's late and I only got 5 hours of sleep last night. Forgive me.)
Jennifer Jo, drat you! I can't stop laughing and worse, I'll have to think up a new name for that chello salat.
ReplyDeleteYou're smart to make notes of your menus and recipes. I love improvising and sometimes I make something really good . . . and later I can't exactly remember what it was!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea, what a great resource for finding cooking inspiration just when you need it!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and I especially love writing down where the recipe came from -- it's so easy to forget, especially if you found it googling.
ReplyDeleteJust hopped over here from Jennifer Jo's blog. LOVE this idea. Will be scrounging up a notebook this afternoon to start this very project tonight!
ReplyDeleteWhat a grand idea. I've tried various menu lists, favorite food lists, etc, but all were lacking somehow. This, I shall have to give a whirl.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! I have my menu plans in my planner but often not enough information to be truly helpful. I love the idea of noting where the recipe was found!
ReplyDeleteBut I also know my disorganization well enough to know that I probably would never keep up with this despite my good intentions! But what a treasure for future years to have this record of every day life!
Gina