Shop’NCook Blog

Combining recipes is a powerful feature of Shop’NCook software that makes it easy to reuse recipes by combining them with other recipes, like recipes for sauce or dough that may be common to several preparations. Combining recipes makes it easier to manage your collection, as you only have to make changes in one place to update all the recipes using this preparation.

A recipe that includes other recipes looks as follows:

The ingredient “hollandaise sauce” is underlined to show that it links to a recipe.

If you click on Hollandaise sauce, the following recipe opens, correctly scaled to the required quantity:

Also, the nutritional analysis of the Brussels sprouts recipe, the list of ingredients to add to the shopping list, as well as the cost estimate include the ingredients of Hollandaise sauce.

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Shop’NCook Pro lets you estimate the cost of your recipes in a mostly automatic way, but you may need to some adjustments to get an accurate costing. I will show you how in this post.

Adding cost data

To cost out recipes, you have to make sure first to input cost data for the ingredients in the database. The first time you start Shop’NCook Pro, you have the possibility to import a cost database. If you skipped this step, don’t panic! You can still import it by selecting “Import cost data” in the Costing menu of the Shopping List manager tab. The cost database is there to help you get a quick start with the costing functions. For accurate costing, you will have to input your own cost data from your suppliers. Staple prices greatly vary depending on the region and the season!

Inputting your own cost data

To add your own data, click on the Edit button of the Shopping List manager tab. This will open the database editor. Select “Extended list” in the Tools menu to display all the 2000 items of the database. The cost data is input in the three columns on the right: quantity, cost unit and cost.

For example: quantity: 1, cost unit: quart, cost: 2.59, i.e. the cost of one quart of the ingredient.

Tip: you are not limited to the choice displayed in the pull down menu of the cost unit, but can type any unit of your choice in the field.

Automatic cost estimate

Once the software knows the cost data, it is able to compute automatically the cost of your recipes. Here is how the costing window may look initially:

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This is last minute, but… If you haven’t yet planned your Christmas day menu, are expecting visitors, don’t know what to make and how… This could be a life saver.

There is a hidden Christmas menu in Shop’NCook Menu and Pro.

Click on the Library tab of the Calendar, select “Example of complete menu” and display the Menu manager. Just set the number of servings, add the ingredients to the shopping list, print the menu and the recipes… and you are good to go!

Merry Christmas to all!

 

Have you noticed the new software boxes on Shop’NCook website for a few days? Aren’t they pretty? A very talented designer made them for me. I had done the previous ones myself. Here they are:

Before:

After:

It is easy to see why it is not my artistic talents that make Shop’NCook such a great software…

Anyway, here is the holiday special:

Order before December 20 Shop’NCook Home, Menu or Pro with a back-up CD in a sleeve (it costs just $10 more than the version for download), and receive instead the CD in a DVD box with the pretty new covers. Plus, the shipping is on me! Wouldn’t Shop’NCook make a great gift for Christmas?

Note: according to USPS holiday guidelines, packages shipped in the US by priority mail before or on December 20 should reach you by December 25.

This video explains why ingredients are sometimes converted to shopping units when adding from recipes - and sometimes not. It also shows how to change the preferred shopping units to any units of your choice.

You can watch below three new features of the recipe editor in action. They are small improvements which should improve the usability and user experience of the editor. Do not miss the previous post on how to import a recipe in less than 20 seconds.

This video shows how a recipe can be imported into Shop’NCook in less than 20 seconds.

Note: The recipe costing is in the Pro edition and the meal planner in Menu and Pro editions only.

I have just uploaded the new release 3.4.3 of Shop’NCook Home, Shop’NCook Menu and Shop’NCook Pro. You can download it now here.

Registered users of version 3.4 can update to version 3.4.3 for free and do not need a new registration number. To install or update, just run the installer on top of your current installation. Like usual, it is always a good idea to make a back-up of your data before installing a new version.

The Mac release is again compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 and 10.3. At the same time, all the small quirks on Leopard have been fixed. The Windows release is now signed, meaning that XP and Vista users will not see all the time these annoying “Security warning” message and can confirm they have the original copy of the software.

The new features include:

• a much awaited Paste button in the wizard;
• supports drag & drop of recipes - just drop the whole recipe text onto the recipe panel to import it;
• supports drag & drop of pictures - just drop a picture onto a recipe to add it;
• new Toggle button in the recipe editor to transform conveniently a line of instructions into an ingredient line and vice versa;
• On Mac, supports now the pict image format that is used in particular by FireFox and Internet Explorer browsers.

In coming posts, I will show some of the new features in action.

The installers released last week are not compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 and 10.3. All my apologies to the users who had problems with them. I am working on it and will fix this problem soon. Meanwhile, Mac OS X 10.2 and X 10.3 users can download the previous installers below:

• Shop’NCook Home, previous US edition - download now
• Shop’NCook Home, previous International edition - download now
• Shop’NCook Menu, previous US edition - download now
• Shop’NCook Menu, previous International edition - download now
• Shop’NCook Pro, previous US edition - download now
• Shop’NCook Pro, previous International edition - download now

Update: The latest release is now compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 and 10.3. The previous installers are not available anymore. Download the latest installers here. More info…
Above links are only for Mac OS X 10.2 and 10.3 users. They will not work on Leopard or Windows. All other users should download the installers from the download page.

Registered Shop’NCook users can get for free the new Thanksgiving cookbook until Thursday, 22nd November 2007. Hurry up, don’t miss out on this goodie!

Go now to the Upgrade Center for download and installation instructions. You will need to input your registration number for a current edition of Shop’NCook software (Shop’NCook Home, Shop’NCook Menu or Shop’NCook Pro). If you don’t remember your registration number, you can also ask for a reminder on the same page.

Update: you can now get the cookbook from within Shop’NCook. See the instructions in the comments.

Shop’NCook Reader users are not eligible for the bonus. If you are not yet registered, order a registration number before November 22 to get this cookbook as a bonus (a $14.95 value!).

For teaser, here is one of the 250+ recipes of the cookbook:

Herb-Roasted Turkey with Citrus Glaze

Ingredients:
1 15-Pound WHOLE TURKEY fresh or frozen - (thawed)
3 Large lemons
2 Large limes
1-1/2 Teaspoon salt - divided
1/2 Teaspoon black pepper coarsely ground
1/4 Cup dry white wine - (see note)
1/4 Cup packed brown sugar
Pan Gravy
1 Bunch, each fresh sage, marjoram, and thyme, divided

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325.
Remove giblets and neck from turkey; reserve for gravy. Rinse turkey with cold running water and drain well. Blot dry with paper towels.
Peel skin from lemons and limes to make rose garnishes. Reserve in refrigerator. Squeeze enough juice from the lemons and limes to equal 2 tablespoons each. Cut the remaining lemons and limes in half and place in the turkey cavity. Sprinkle salt in the cavity.
In a small bowl, mix the wine, brown sugar, and citrus juices; reserve for glaze.
Gently loosen skin from the turkey breast without totally detaching the skin and carefully place 1 tablespoon each fresh sage and marjoram under the skin. Replace the skin.
Fold neck skin and fasten to the back with 1 or 2 skewers.
Fold the wings under the back of the turkey. Return legs to tucked position.
Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a large shallow (about 2-1/2 inches deep) roasting pan.
Rub turkey with salt, pepper, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of salad oil. Insert oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, being careful that the pointed end of the thermometer does not touch the bone.
Roast the turkey in a preheated 325 degree F. oven about 3-3/4 hours.
During the last hour of roasting time, baste with the pan drippings.
During the last 30 minutes, baste with the citrus glaze.
Loosely cover with lightweight foil to prevent excessive browning.
Continue to roast until the thermometer registers 180 degrees F. in the thigh, or 170 degrees F. in the breast.
Remove turkey from the oven and allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
Place on a warm large platter and garnish the platter with the remaining fresh herbs and lemon and lime roses.
Prepare lemon and lime roses as follows: with a small sharp knife or vegetable peeler, cut a continuous thin 1-inch strip of peel. Avoid cutting into the white pith. Roll tightly, skin inside out, and secure with toothpicks. Reserve in a bowl filled with ice water until time for service.

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Exported from Shop’NCook Pro 3.4.2

The cookbook contains the following recipes:

Angel Salad
Apple Cranberry Crisp
Apple Cranberry Pie
Apple Cranberry Streussel Pie
Apple Orchard Punch
Apple Pie
Apple Pie Sauce
Apple Pie Shot
Apple Strudel II
Apple, Cranberry, and Pear Crisp
Apple, Pear and Cranberry Cobbler
Apple-Cranberry Crisp
Apricot Honey Ham Glaze
Apricot Honey Ham Glaze
Artichoke, Mushroom and Parma Ham Tart
Baked Apricots
Baked Fruit Dip
Baked Ham With Pineapple
Baked Ham with Sweet Bourbon-Mustard Glaze
Baked Whole Pumpkin
Baked Ziti with Turkey Meatballs
Banana Cranberry Bread
Barbecued Turkey With Maple-Mustard Sauce
Barbecued Turkey With Maple-Mustard Sauce
Basic Turkey Gravy
Beans Over My Yammy
Best Ever Banana Bread
Best Ever Sugar Cookies
Best Pickled Eggs
Bing Cherry Gelatin Mold
Boiled Custard
Bread And Oyster Stuffing
Bread Pudding I
Bread Pudding II
Bread Pudding III
Broiled Ham Steak with Mustard Glaze
Brown Bread
Burnt Sugar Icing
Buttermilk Corn Fritters
Caramel Apple Salad
Carrot Pudding
Cheese and Tomato Fondue
Cheese Ball
Cheese Fondue
Cheeseball II
Cheezy Cheezy
Cherry Cider
Cherry Delight
Cherry Fluff
Cherry Salad
Chocolate Bar Fondue
Chocolate Custard Bread Pudding
Chopped Egg Stuffing
Classic Thanksgiving Dressing With Parsley, Sage and Thyme
Coffee Liqueur
Colonial Pumpkin Bars
Corn Fritters
Corn Pudding II
Cornucopia
Country Banana Bread
Country Banana Bread
Country French Cheese
Cran-Raspberry Gelatin Mold
Cranberry Apple Pie I
Cranberry Apple Pie II
Cranberry Bourbon Relish
Cranberry Chutney
Cranberry Cream Pie I
Cranberry Cream Pie II
Cranberry Frost
Cranberry Gelatin Mold
Cranberry Gelatin Salad I
Cranberry Gelatin Salad II
Cranberry Ice Cream Swirl Cake
Cranberry Muffins
Cranberry Nut Bread I
Cranberry Nut Bread I
Cranberry Nut Bread II
Cranberry Nut Pie
Cranberry Pecan Pie
Cranberry Pie I
Cranberry Pie II
Cranberry Pineapple Juice
Cranberry Punch
Cranberry Salad III
Cranberry Salad IV
Cranberry Salad VI
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Streusel Pie
Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts
Cranberry Tea
Cranberry Whip
Creamy Cheddar Cheese Soup
Creamy Cranberry Salad
Crockpot Ham Recipe
Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
Crustless Cranberry Pie
Date and Nut Bread
Deep-Fried Turkey
Deviled Eggs
Dinner in a Pumpkin
Dinner in a Pumpkin I
Dinner in a Pumpkin II
Dutch Potato Filling
Easy Apple Cider
Easy Pumpkin Cake
Eggnog Extreme
Eggnog I
Eggnog II
Famous Pumpkin Nut Bread
Favorite Sweet Potatoes
Feta Cheese Foldovers
Five Spiced Turkey
Five Spiced Turkey
Fluffy Fruit Dip
Fried Wild Turkey
Frosted Pecan Bites
Fruit Dip
Fruited Sweet Potatoes
Fruity Gelatin Salad
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Giblet Gravy
Glazed Baked Ham
Glazed Baked Ham
Graham Cracker Pudding
Grandmother’s Famous Cranberry Bread
Grape Banana Salad
Gravy Secrets
Greek Chopped Meat Stuffing
Green Beans And Pecan Salad
Green Onion and Cornbread Stuffing
Green Onion And Cornbread Stuffing
Grilled Goose with Prune Stuffing and Gravy
Guilt-Free Turkey Gravy
Hawaiian Fruit Crumble
Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
Herb-Roasted Turkey with Citrus Glaze
Herbed Roasted Turkey
Herbed Roasted Turkey
Holiday Meal For Two
Holiday Punch I
Holiday Turkey with Michigan Maple Glaze and Cranberry Bourbon Relish
Honey Baked Apples
Honey Dijon Ham
Honey-Poppy Seed Cornish Hens
Hot Buttered Apple Cider
Hot Buttered Rum Batter
Ice Cream Pumpkin Pie
Indian Pudding
Individual Pumpkin Souffles
Jack Daniel’s Glazed Ham
Joey’s Bread Pudding
Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies Treats® Thanksgiving Turkey
Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies Treats® Turkeys
Kiddie Holiday Juice
Knodel
Lamb and Squash
Lime Gelatin Salad I
Little Secret
Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Meredith’s Cheesecake
Mincemeat II
Mincemeat III
Mini Sweet Potato Pies
Minnesota Wild Rice Dressing
Mocha Walnut Cookies
Moist Glazed Ham
Moist Glazed Ham
Mustard-glazed Turkey With Cornflake Stuffing and Mustard Gravy
Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing
Old Fashioned Turkey And Stuffing With Creamy Pan Gravy
Old Virginia Wassail Cider
Orange Cranberry Cream
Orange Cranberry Parfaits
Orange Gelatin Salad
Orange Glazed Ham
Orange Salad
Pear Conserve with Cherries and Hazelnuts
Pecan Pie Bars I
Pecan Pumpkin Pie
Persimmon Pudding
Pickled Pumpkin
Pineapple Cheese Salad
Pink Salad
Praline Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Pretzel Salad
Pueblo Pie
Pumpkin and Praline Pie
Pumpkin Apple Cobbler
Pumpkin Bars I
Pumpkin Butter IV
Pumpkin Cake Roll
Pumpkin Chip Muffins
Pumpkin Cranberry Bars
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dessert
Pumpkin Crescent Rolls
Pumpkin Dip
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
Pumpkin Pie Squares
Pumpkin Pudding I
Pumpkin Pudding II
Pumpkin Roll I
Pumpkin Roll III
Pumpkin Stew
Pumpkin Torte I
Raisin Sauce
Red Hot Baked Apples
Roast Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Roast Turkey with Herbal Rub
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Roasted Turkey with Bourbon-Butter Glaze
S’mores
Sausage Balls
Savory Pumpkin Soup
Seasoned Crackers
Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Turkey
Snow Ball Dessert
Southwestern Jalapeno Cornbread Dressing
Spiced Pumpkin Dip
Spiced Turkey Roast
Spicy Spaghetti Squash
Squash Casserole
Strudel Dough
Stuffed Acorn Squash
Stuffed Jalapenos
Stuffed Mushrooms II
Stuffed Pumpkin I
Stuffed Turkey Legs
Sugar Coated Pecans
Super Moist Pumpkin Bread
Sweet Pickled Eggs
Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole
Sweet Potato Balls
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potato Chimichangas
Sweet Potato Fluff
Sweet Potato Pudding
Tasty Toothpick Appetizers
Thanksgiving Ambrosia
Thanksgiving Cheese Ball
Thanksgiving Cranberry Relish
Thanksgiving Meatloaf
Thanksgiving Muffins
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Bread
Thanksgiving Stuffed Pumpkin
Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving Won Tons
Turkey Breast Braised with Garlic and Rice
Turkey Breast Braised With Garlic And Rice
Turkey Breast Braised With Garlic And Rice
Turkey Dumplings
Vegetable Dip
Warm and Spicy Autumn Punch
Watergate Salad
Yams and Apples

Happy Thanksgiving!