Family Recipe Keeper
Ammi’s qorma, Nani’s achaar, Phuppo’s zarda: write them down before they are lost. Save recipes with the stories and andaza notes that come with them, print them as cards, or send them to the family WhatsApp group. No sign-up, no app.
Why write down family recipes now
Most Pakistani family recipes live in one person’s hands. They are cooked by andaza, taught by watching, and never written down. Ask the person who makes it best to cook it with you once, and write it as they say it. Keep the words they use: “jab tak masala tel na chhor de” tells you more than “cook for 10 minutes”.
How to write a recipe that others can follow
- Measure the andaza once. When Nani says “ek mutthi”, catch it in a cup or on a scale and write both: “1 mutthi (about 35 g) rice”.
- Write what you see, smell and hear. “Onions light brown like chai”, “oil comes up on the sides”, “stops spluttering”.
- Note the pot and the flame. A heavy degchi on low heat and a thin pan on high give very different results.
- Add the story. Who made it, for which Eid or wedding, and what it was always served with. That is what your children will want to read.
Keep your recipe book safe
- Your recipes are saved in this browser only. Nothing is uploaded to MyPakwan.
- Tap Back up to download a file of all your recipes. Keep it in your email, Google Drive or WhatsApp “Notes to self”.
- On a new phone or computer, open this page and tap Restore to load the file.
- Print each recipe as a card, or save it as a PDF from the print window, to make a printed family recipe book.
Questions people ask
Is the family recipe keeper free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no app to install. It works on any phone or computer browser.
Where are my recipes saved?
Only in the browser on your device. MyPakwan cannot see them. Download a backup file to keep them safe or move them to another device.
Can I share a recipe with my family?
Yes. Open a recipe and tap “Copy for WhatsApp”, then paste it into a chat. You can also send the backup file, and they can restore it on their phone.
Can I make a printed recipe book?
Yes. Open each recipe and tap “Print card”. In the print window you can also choose “Save as PDF” and join the files into a book.
Last updated 25 October 2026. Found a mistake or want a feature? Tell us.