Giveaway: Cook’n Recipe Organizer

How do you organize your recipes?  I’ve always kept hard copies of mine in a recipe box or binder, but have thought of switching to a computerized system.  I had read many great things about Cook’n Recipe Organizer in the past, and it was the system I had considering using, so I was pretty excited when I got a copy to review.

Cook’n is pretty simple to use, but for those who want a quick start on the program, there’s a short video you can watch for an overview of the features and how to use the program. 

Utah readers – did you notice that the creator of Cook’n is from Utah?  Bonus!

Some of Cook’n’s features include:

• Easy recipe entry
• Capture Internet recipes into the program
• Adjust recipes for any number of servings
• Make menus & organized shopping lists
• Calculate the nutritional value of your recipes
• Search the Internet or uploaded recipes for ingredients on hand
• Create & print cookbooks
• Email recipes easily
• Use with your computer, smart phone, or tablet (mobile device capability coming in June)

I’ve been trying it out over the past week and it is really easy to enter recipes.  It has a quick-fill entry system, so when you start typing “t” it brings up a list of things like teaspoon, tablespoon, etc. that you can choose from or keep typing.  I love the options to adjust the recipe for the number of people you are serving…how great is that?  Just type in the number of servings & all your ingredient quantities in the recipe are automatically adjusted – easy!  The nutritional value is awesome, too, but of course then you can’t live in ignorance that your butter cake recipe is 1,000,000 calories per serving.  Oh well…just don’t use that feature if you believe that ignorance I bliss. 

If you want to print a recipe, you have all sorts of options like the size (3x5, 4x6, full page), with or without images, with or without nutritional info, etc.  Nice. 

I love to find new recipes on the Internet and had a stack of printed recipes to try, but have been adding them to my Pinterest board over the last year so could toss paper copies.  I thought the idea of the Internet capture on Cook’n was great and was really thrilled to capture some of my “to try” list into the program.  This was one feature I was a little disappointed with.  It captured well, but the search feature didn’t find the majority of the webpages I wanted to capture, and I couldn’t find any way to just plug in a webpage address.   When it does capture, it puts it in a great easy-to-read format and even includes pictures.  Some do have to be adjusted a little (one dessert that serves 6 said it serves 1 and 1 1/2 cups of sugar was reading a 11/2 cups), but they were minor.

I hope the search feature will be expanded in the future, because that is my main complaint about this program.  Everything else was really easy to use and I could see myself using an ipad in my kitchen for all my recipes once they have that feature available.  I already frequently work off my laptop in the kitchen to make recipes featured online.  If you’re considering making the switch to digital recipe files, give Cook’n a shot.  And guess what – if you don’t like it they have a 200% guarantee; they will not only refund your money, but buy you the recipe software of your choice (must contact them within 30 days of purchase).  You really can’t go wrong!

Average Fork Rating:  4
Mrs. Diner:  4

And hey, they’re offering Rate the Plate Utah reader’s two opportunities:  1)  Get 50% off your purchase of Cook’n Recipe Organizer & 2) One reader will win a free copy of Cook’n ($79.95 value)!

To get your own copy at 50% off, enter the code mb-ratetheplate when you buy Cook’n from their online store.

To Enter to Win a Free copy: Like Cook’n Recipe Organizer on Facebook.  Additional entries are available for following Cook’n on Pinterest, & following them on Twitter. Please use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.

Giveaway Closes: 12:01 am EST on Monday, May 28, 2012. Winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to respond. You must be at least 18 years old. International entries welcome!  Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway