ISO: Recipe/Cookbook software/computer program

[Sheikah]

I'm looking for a software/computer program that will allow me to type up recipes/organize a personal cookbook on my PC, which I could then print out and put together into a binder. Now, I realize people can just say "well why don't you just use MS Word?" and, personally, that is exactly what I would do, but I'm actually looking to give it to a friend of mine as a little gift.

I'm looking for something that isn't TOO complex - basically just some sort of simple program where one can write up their recipe (preferably in some sort of nice, easy-to-read format and outline) and then print it off easily enough to be put together as a family cookbook. I don't mind actually having to buy the software, as long as it isn't ridiculously expensive, and free software would be fine as well.

I hope this all makes sense, more or less...

Thanks in advance for any help on this!

Oh, as a side note - the software would have to be Windows-compatible... :)

[DiningDiva]

MasterCook is also available - http://www.valusoft.com/DRHM/store?Ac...

The link will make it seem that it's just a database of existing recipes, and while the software does come with a large file of recipes, you can create your own personal cookbooks and enter your own recipes. I have Master Cook 8 and it has a feature that allows you to publish your own cookbook. By that I'm assuming it means it will print a cookbook you've set up in cookbook format.

That said, I have had a love/hate relationship with MasterCook. The software is not particularly intuitive and the learning curve fairly steep, tho' mercifully, short. I struggled with it until I got the hang of it. Once I got comfortable, entering recipes got easier and faster. It has a built in ingredient list to which you can add your own custom ingredients.

[herby]

Thank you for the suggestion, DD. Hard to judge from the site description but it is in its 11th version! Living Cookbook also looks good. Wisk someone used both and can comment on pros and cons...

[hannaone]

http://www.livingcookbook.com/

[Sheikah]

Thanks guys, I'll definitely give that a look and try out the free trial! :)

Any other suggestions though from other people, just out of curiosity to see what else is out there?

[herby]

I am also looking for such software and a company that would bind printed pages into a book - could be spiral binding as long as it has hard cover. I promissed a while back to make a family cookbook for my two daughters and some friends asked to be included - need a dozen or two copies.

[al b. darned]

I like Living Cookbook. There's even a "Capture" tab where you can paste existing Word docs into the program so you don't have to retype the ones you have.

You can download it for a 30 day trial, too.