Editing Recipes for Import: Using the 4-field 5@ Format ------------------------------ BY: Pat Hanneman 02/21/2000(Mon) http://home.earthlink.net/~kitpath/sierra/genericMC.txt Examples are good teachers so below are several recipes to import. Mc 2 thru 6 will accept this format. By Generic, Sierra MasterCook is talking about a way of arranging the major parts of a recipe. This format is used when we want to import recipes from a plain text file. The importer looks for four blocks. Each block must be in the following sequence: title notes ingredient directions [exception noted: Some of you have already found out that how we import recipes depends on the format. The tips below HELP MC import 5@ formatted recipes FROM A FILE. ] IMPORTANT: The blocks must be set off from each other by a totally blank line; an empty line; no space. IMPORTANT: SPACE? Each section must be flush left -- that means no indentations in the ingredient rows. Also trim spaces from the ingredients: that means only one space separately words and numbers. IMPORTANT: Each recipe is set off with a line of 5 @ signs (see the examples) (Incidentally, the note block is optional. If you dont have one, jump to the ingredients block - leaving only one blank line in between the title and the first ingredient.) The ingredient block starts with one of the following: a NUMBER; a unit in its list; an ingredient in its list TIP: Ive had more recipes fail to import because the first line of the ingredient list didnt meet expectations. Another assumption favors simple lists of ingredients. Ingredient names dont have commas. We are expected to say 1/2 cup sliced carrots not 1/2 cup carrots, sliced. Preparations can have more than one comma. If the preparation field is long and there is a number, mc assumes it starts a new ingredient. This leads me to the last assumption: the number of characters in a field. Even though MC5 allows longer fields, the engine that controls the Generic import doesnt. Here are the numbers: Title: 59 NOTES : 998 as one continuous line Ingredient: 42 Preparation: 22 DELIMITER: MC needs to know where a recipe begins. The string of 5 symbols (the at sign or @) is used on a line all by itself. The title must be on the next line. Here then are some sample recipes to import. Each varies slightly - and the variation deals with the note field. Other than that, the recipe does what is expected. These examples are meant to be imported from this file. If you import them into a new cookbook, they will be easy to locate and study. ODDITY: There is no end of recipe marker unless you have Version 4 for the Mac. It uses a series of 5 underscores on a line all by itself with a blank line fore and aft. ---------------------Examples---------------------- @@@@@ The Farms Warm Artichoke and Spinach Salad Benjamin Ford is the son of actor, Harrison Ford --Warm Citrus Vinaigrette: 2 tbsp. walnut oil 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp. minced flat-leaf parsley 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1 tbsp. orange juice 1/2 tbsp. grated lemon zest 1/2 tbsp. orange zest 1/2 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves 1/2 tsp. minced garlic 1 1/4 cups chicken stock 3 tbsp. unsalted butter Salt and pepper, to taste --ARTICHOKES: 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 tsp. salt 4 fresh artichoke hearts --TO ASSEMBLE: 8 cups young spinach, cleaned 4 tbsp. seasoned bread crumbs VINAIGRETTE: In a small bowl combine all ingredients except stock, butter, salt and pepper. In saucepan reduce chicken stock by half, then whisk in butter. Whisk stock into vinaigrette. Season to taste. ARTICHOKES: In a large saucepan bring one quart water, lemon juice and salt to a boil. Add artichoke hearts, cover, reduce heat and simmer 35-40 minutes. Drain and quarter. TO ASSEMBLE: Toss spinach with vinaigrette, divide among four plates. Arrange artichoke heart on spinach. Spoon on remaining vinaigrette. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Serve immediately. AUTHOR: By Benjamin Form, executive chef, The Farm, restaurant in Beverly Hills. Source: Interview