Expert’s Rating
Our Verdict
If you ’re a recipe oddball and need a blank space to stack away , organize , and categorize your current and likely meals , expect no further thanMacGourmet . From the programme ’s recipe box metaphor to its flexible visuals , plug - in computer architecture , auto import functions , and impertinent searching , this is one of the most versatile and extensible programs available for any cook .
MacGourmet is the nucleus plan , but it also has several optional plug - Hoosier State ( Mealplan , Nutrition , and Cookbook ) that let you extend what MacGourmet can do . If you require all components of the program , they ’re bundled inMacGourmet Deluxe . MacGourmet Touch($5 ) is the familiar app for the iPhone or iPod touch that you could use to synchronise your formula and shopping lean while on the go .
Cornucopia of choices
Upon launch , MacGourmet gives you five stimulus category : Recipes , Notes , Shopping lists , Wine notes , and Clippings . info from URLs to textual matter can be stored in these sections of the program . While the Wine and Shopping inclination are fairly straightforward , whether you use the Recipes , Notes , or Clippings look on how you want to get and import your information .
The program is fairly visceral , but it ’s helpful to check out some of thevideo screencastson the MacGourmet Web site . Because there ’s so much diverseness , and you’re able to near tasks in various ways , it can take some metre to get prime in a workflow and square the program ’s capabilities with your goal . The substance abuser guide , for example , is over 60 pages long just for the core programme , which gives you some approximation of its depth .
For MacGourmet ’s recipe box – its main recipe database – you have your alternative of layouts : received or widescreen . The received layout is reminiscent of Apple iTunes or Mail with its left - hand sidebar , top tilt , and bottom content area . The widescreen interpretation looks almost like the default Entourage or NetNewsWire layout , with three main surgical incision ordinate side by side . I preferred the widescreen edition , and it ’s especially well suited to big monitoring equipment . If you ’re on a laptop , you might want to stick with the standard version , which is a piffling more stocky .
MacGourmet’s interface is deep and complete, with clear listings of all your recipes, notes, shopping lists, and more.
In addition to the layout , you could choose from a fair number of nicely designed on - covert format , styles , colors , and themes and convert them at will . New themes are available for download from the MacGourmet Web site . There ’s also a generous change of photographic print layouts and color schema , so you may prefer how recipe await in print as well as on the screen .
A Featured part showcases some of the recent and pop item posted on the MacGourmet WWW site . Some drug user will like this assortment of recipes , cookbooks , kitchen equipment , and other items . I found that for the formula there was not enough entropy to determine whether I really wanted to spell it into my collection , but if you do n’t care any recipe , it ’s easy enough to delete it . I for the most part ignored this incision .
MacGourmet ’s port is deep and complete , with clear list of all your recipes , notes , shopping list , and more .
The Recipe Import Assistant lets you import recipes from supported Web sites, or enter them via text clippings, or by hand. You can modify any item in this section.
Recipes
MacGourmet gives you several ways to contain recipes into it . The Web clip divine service lets you capture textual matter from a Web page via the web browser ’s Services menu . Say you see an interesting formula online and are too busy to deal with it . Just select it , prefer the Make Text Clipping command , and there it is in the Clippings section of the program . This feature film worked well in Safari and any program that supports Mac OS X Services , such as TextEdit , Pages , TextWrangler , and Camino , but not Firefox . Once you have your trim , you’re able to then utilise the Recipe Import Assistant to properly initialise it . The Services carte du jour also lets you directly import recipes from the programme ’s supported recipe vane sites : allrecipes.com , epicurious.com , foodnetwork.com , williams-sonoma.com , cookinglight.com , and food.yahoo.com . If you import recipes into the program from these sites , all you need to do is select the URL and choose Import Recipe From Web Page from the MacGourmet Services card . The program does the body of work of placing all the info into the correct formula battleground .
In MacGourmet ’s database , you have legion mode to screen out information about dishes , including ten categories that you’re able to fill in as you create your recipe . I wind up using the following : Name , Source , Images , and Categories . However , depending on what sort of repast you ’re project , I can see using the Flag , Rating , Course , Keywords , Prepared , and Difficulty category . For example , just using the categories , I was capable to weed out 90 pct of all meat dishes that I imported as part of a large group of bean recipes . you’re able to change the nonpayment position of these columns as well as add and remove them .
Searching
One of the most hefty conveniences of having a recipe database is being able-bodied to search it . MacGourmet has extensive search capability both within the program and via the Mac operating system glare service program . The main search boxful have you research your recipes , distinction , and wine notes , and map search to your recipes ’ data field of operation . A Cupboard Find feature let you enter ingredient that you have on hand ( say you need to make something , but you do n’t require to take a trip to the store ) , and then find a recipe that practice only these ingredients . Smart lists ( for recipes , wine-coloured notes , and notes ) work as expect . You ’ll find that the more database data you enter for individual recipes , include keywords and category , the more elastic and extensive your search results will be .
MacGourmet ’s library internet browser , a float tabbed palette reminiscent of iWeb ’s media pallette , is a knock-down feature article that lets you view and blue-pencil your database entranceway . The program library web browser has tabs for formula , wine notes , and cooking note . The tablet have a popup bill of fare of fields you’re able to take in and modify .
Importing and sharing
MacGourmet gives you many ways to share your recipes , including a MobileMe capability that countenance you create a formula internet site or publish your recipes to your blog . It present you at least eight formats for both import and exportation , include MasterCook , Text , and Yum XML .
An extensive toolbar offers one - click control over import and exporting recipes and direct formula by e - ring mail . The Chef View supplies basic cooking directions in vast eccentric so you may learn it from across the kitchen without having to disturb the keyboard or shiner .
One thing I did have problems with was MobileMe consolidation . While you should be capable to upload a blog or World Wide Web site to MobileMe , this feature did not work on either of the computers I attempt it on .
Elegant touches
MacGourmet includes a big figure of interactive niceties that make the broadcast enjoyable to use . graceful touches like the powderpuff of smoke animation when delete a recipe from the main library or the wakeless effect accompanying the transferral of recipe to dissimilar categories all contribute to the program ’s opinion of completeness .
The Recipe Import Assistant countenance you import recipes from supported Web sites , or go in them via text clipping , or by hand . you could modify any token in this incision .
The program ’s element are very Mac - similar , including the adjustable toolbar and the Library web browser . you’re able to view a sum-up of each formula or just the recipe names by come home the bottom release of the main listing to toggle switch between panorama . A small head - up display appear as you creep over each recipe in the inclination , secern you how many servings the formula piddle .
A kinship handler lets you radical recipes , wine-coloured inclination , and shopping listing together so that you always have the exercise set of elements you ask for a particular repast or event . Once you link your recipes to each other or to a shopping list , they will remain connect .
And do n’t block to check out the resource from the program ’s Help menu . You ’ll find an exhaustive user templet and Help organisation , as well as a extension to the MacGourmet meeting place and assorted other goodies .
If you work extensively at cooking or event planning , or you ’re just intensely organized and interested in exploring the subject , MacGourmet should be in your shopping cart . Its functionality and extensibility tote up widget and ease to chore that can become mundane over sentence . Its automated feature and flexible presentation are appealing , and the kernel program is priced attractively . If you need to bring features like nutritional information , repast planning , and cookbook publishing , you’re able to add on the items you ’re concerned in piecemeal or just purchase the Deluxe version .
Our 186 - varlet Mac Gems Superguide is a veritable greatest hit of Mac Gems . It ’s useable as a PDF download , PDF on CD - ROM , or as a impress Bible . Learn more about the Mac Gems Superguide .
[ Jackie Dove is Macworld ’s senior follow-up editor in chief . ]
