Most of our [main dish] recipes aren't really recipes, they are just family favorites that I don't even need a recipe for! :) I learned how to cook them from watching my Mom and Nana. I like to experiment to see how I can be more efficient (time wise) and make them healthier without anyone noticing. :) We tend to like very basic, simple, meat & potato type meals and I rarely try a new recipe, unless I make it as a side dish or something extra for Mom and I (we're more willing to try something new...).

Recipes for desserts and such I get from all over and have a personal collection of things we really like. But with dessert recipes, my family will try just about anything new. :)

I use a combination of all of the options =)Thanks for your website Tammy! It is a big blessing! =)

A large majority of my recipes are family favs and have been around since before I was born. But we also love our circa late 70's/early 80's Betty Crocker cookbook. I have new cookbooks but have yet to crack the covers to see if they're any good.

I get my recipes from my sister's collections also. But when I'm cooking on my own, I always get them online. :)

Our local public library has been a great resource for cookbooks. I prefer recipe cards as well and only like having one or two trusty cookbooks, so checking out cookbooks from the library is an easy (and inexpensive!) way to get new recipe ideas.

I also have found some great recipes (free) at America's Test Kitchen (http://www.americastestkitchen.com). Anything published/written by America's Test Kitchen or Cook's Illustrated is excellent. Their recipes are generally fool-proof and are explained in great detail -- which makes it great for beginning cooks or those who (like me) just like to know exactly why you do things a certain way.

And no, I don't get paid for advertising! I've just found that those resources have opened up a whole new world of cooking for me. :)

but I have a few cookbooks that I really like too, one I bought at a Mennonite store, one is a Paula Deen (she's on Food Newtork) and the other my In Laws gave me for Christmas a few years ago, it's the Madison County Cookbook from Madison County, IA. They all three have good home-cooking recipes that are easy to follow and call for items I keep on hand.

Hi Tammy, Thanks for such a great web site. This is my first visit and I've already copied off 9 recipes to try! Yes, I do get alot of my recipe ideas on line. I am always trying out new ones to see if we'd like to add them to our personal collection. As each of our daughters get married, their bridal shower gift from Mom (me :-) is a handmade notebook / collection of our family favorite recipes...ones they've grown up with. I've also included many photos of the girls when they were young (often pictured making or eating the listed recipe) so it becomes a family heirloom type recipe book. I love sending them into their new role as homemaker armed with our tried and true recipe collection. Keep up the good work on your site! Diane

As a wedding gift, my "Mom" while I was away at college made me a recipe book (in a half-sized binder) of tried-and-true recipes. She's a great cook, who does everything from scratch, and has YEARS of experience. If I want a recipe that is sure to be great, I take out that book. =)

Another friend gave me a "Betty Crocker" recipe book that is really nice as well! Some of the recipes use pre-made things, but will also link you to the page to make that from scratch. I like that. That's the reason I don't subscribe to cooking magazines: they always call for pre-made (aka: expensive!) foods. That book not only contains recipes, but also conversion tips, cooking and preserving tips for various meats/vegetables/fruits, etc. It's a great reference!

And, of course, I have my own index-card-box of recipes that I have gathered here and there. Those recipes are always good - they're tested and tried by me! ;-)

I usually get my recipes online when I need to use up something specific. This website, though, I don't consider "online" but almost like "recipes from a friend!" ;-)

I use a combination of everything! I don't really have a recipe box...yet. What I do have is piles of papers and the index cards to organize them. One of these days...

Kim in WI

Magazines, cookbooks (bought and also borrowed from the library, friends, etc), websites, cooking shows, EVERYWHERE! I read cookbooks for fun :)

I really do like recipe sites like this though...at least we know that someone out there has actually cooked the recipe, not created it in a test kitchen and never actually ate it... ;)

I'm going to be trying the fried chicken recipe this week too! :)

The last time I tried to make it, it was still pink inside. A nice, romantic picnic was ruined by my screaming at my husband, "NO! DON'T EAT IT! ITS STILL PINK!" Needless to say, I've been nervous to make it since then...wish me luck and lots of prayers!

I like to borrow cookbooks from the libraries then scan it to the computer...

If I'm looking for something specific, I check my cookbooks first, then the cut-out recipes/the recipe box, then online (allrecipes usually). Sometimes I just type in whatever I'm looking for in a regular ol' search and check out what comes up (that's how I found this site! I was looking for a spinach tortilla recipe)

I have a degree from Le Cordon Bleu so I know how food works.