Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Cookbook & Recipe Software.

Ratings

Ease of Use

We considered how easy the software is to navigate and use-anyone should feel comfortable performing basic tasks with the software regardless of their computer knowledge.

Recipe Manager

While reviewing cookbook and recipe software, we considered how well the recipes are organized and how easily you can find the recipe you want. We also considered customization features such as the ability to upload your own pictures, recipes and more.

Menu Planner

We evaluated the cooking and recipe software's menu planner according to how many meals it can plan, whether or not it keeps track of the ingredients needed for each meal and how customizable the planner is.

Feature Set

We ranked the cooking and recipe software according to the number of practical features offered that help with menu planning, grocery shopping, nutrition, recipe organization and so on.

Ease of Installation

We graded the software on how easy it is to install and setup. A product shouldn't require additional downloads or create error messages during installation-if there is a problem, help should be readily available.

Help/Support

Software manufacturers should provide sufficient help and support that is relevant and convenient. Help and support may include tutorials, FAQ, online technical support or a phone number to contact customer service.

Recipe Manager

Recipes Included

The number of recipes included with the program. This does not include recipes accessed through the internet.

Add New Recipes

The software allows you to add your own recipes to the database.

Search Recipes

You can search for a specific recipe through a number of different methods.

Delete Recipes

You are able to take out the recipes you don't want in your cookbook database and delete duplicate recipes.

Edit Recipes

This feature allows you to use your own creativity by switching ingredients and portions of a recipe.

Categorize Recipes

You can categorize each recipe into breakfast, lunch, dinner or desert, or into categories like Mexican food, seafood or other.

Photographs/Video of Recipes

Each recipe includes a picture of what the finished product should look like.

Add Comments/Reviews

You can add your own personal comments to the recipe like additional preparation instructions, your own opinions of the dish and so on.

Duplicate Recipe finder

This is a very useful feature-after downloading several hundred or thousand recipes, you can quickly find duplicates and delete or save them.

Rate Difficulty of Recipe

This feature ranks each recipe on how hard it is to prepare the meal or how much time it takes to prepare the meal.

Favorite Recipes

You can tag recipes for quick reference.

Adjustable Serving Sizes

The software will automatically adjust the recipe to accommodate the number of people you want to serve.

How to Videos/Tutorials

The software includes videos or tutorials that show step by step how each recipe is made. There may also be clips on techniques, such as how to crack an egg properly, fillet a fish and other food related topics.

Menu Planner

Daily Menu Planner

Use the cooking and recipe software to plan meals for an entire day.

Weekly Menu Planner

You can use the software to plan meals for an entire week.

Monthly Menu Planner

These programs will help you plan your meals for an entire month.

Breakfast

This allows you to come up with specific meals for breakfast.

Lunch

The software will help you plan specific meals for lunch.

Dinner

The software has meals for dinner.

Inventory Ingredient Tracker

Simply input the ingredients you currently have in your house and the program will keep track of what you use for each meal. Then, when it's time to grocery shop, you can print a grocery list of all the ingredients you need to buy for upcoming meals.

Cooking Glossary

A program that has a cooking glossary includes a list of terms used in the recipes with their definitions.

Shopping List

These programs will calculate the ingredients you need based on your menu plan and print a shopping list of those ingredients.

Categorize Grocery List

The software groups products that are usually found in the same grocery store aisle, making shopping more convenient.

Converts Package Sizes

This is a handy little feature when shopping. For example, while a recipe may call for a tablespoon of tomato paste, grocery stores don't sell tablespoons of tomato paste. So, this feature will convert tablespoons to an eight oz. can.

Nutritional Analysis

Detailed Ingredients Analysis

This feature will analyze each ingredient and provide you with its nutritional values.

Analyze Any Recipe

This will analyze the entire recipe, even the ones that you upload to the cookbook, and provide you with the nutritional value of the recipe.

Choose Brands

You have the option to choose the brand name products you want to include in each recipe making the nutritional content more accurate.

Define Nutrition Data

Though the software comes with preset nutrition data, you can customize the data to fit your lifestyle, your ideas and the food products that you buy. For example, you may buy calcium enriched orange juice. You could customize the program to give adequate nutritional value to your orange juice.

Import/Export

eMail Recipes

You can instantly email your favorite recipes to your friends and family.

Download Internet Recipes

You can download and import recipes directly from the manufacturer's webpage, other websites or user forums.

Print Meal Plan

After creating a meal plan, you can print it for quick reference and scheduling.

Print Shopping Lists

You can print your shopping list.

Print Recipe Cards

With this software, you can print your recipes onto 3-by-5 cards or a variety of other formats.

Print Cookbooks

The program will allow you to print entire sections of recipes so that you can create your own recipe book.

Recipe Search Capabilities

Search by Ingredients

Supports searches for recipes based on the ingredients that you currently have.

Keywords

Search for recipes by specific words like Apple or Pumpkin Pie.

Categories

You can search recipes by food type like Italian, deserts and so on.

Preparation Time

Searches recipes based on preparation time; for example, you could search recipes that take less than an hour to prepare.

Difficulty level

You can search recipes according to difficulty level.

Preparation Method

You can search recipes by preparation method like baked, fried or sautéd.

Serving Sizes

Search for recipes that will serve a certain number of people defined by your criteria.

Help/Support

Live Chat

The manufacturer of the software provides life chat on their website so you can easily get answers to questions.

Phone Support

You can access customer support by telephone.

Email address

You can contact customer service by email.

Online Form

The product's website offers an online form where you can enter questions or comments for customer service.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions provide answers to common questions.

Tutorials

The software provides instructional videos or slideshows to guide you through the program.

User Forum

The manufacturer provides an online forum so chiefs can discuss and share recipes.

Download updates

The manufacturer provides updates so your software will stay current.

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