Markdown Recipe Formatter & Previewer

🍳 The ultimate VS Code extension for creating, formatting, and previewing beautiful recipes in Markdown!

Perfect for home cooks, food bloggers, cookbook authors, and anyone who loves to document their culinary creations with professional formatting and beautiful previews.

✨ Features

🍳 Recipe Creation & Templates

• One-click recipe creation with smart templates
• Multiple recipe types: Baking, cooking, salads, beverages, one-pot meals
• Auto-generated metadata: Servings, prep time, cook time, difficulty
• Smart ingredient formatting with proper fractions and units
• Numbered instruction steps with cooking timers

📝 Professional Formatting

• Automatic fraction conversion (1/2 → ½, 3/4 → ¾, etc.)
• Unit standardization (tsp → teaspoon, tbsp → tablespoon)
• Smart ingredient lists with proper bullet formatting
• Numbered instructions with automatic sequencing
• Timer integration (⏱️ 15 min) for cooking steps
• Temperature formatting with F° and C° conversion

👁️ Beautiful Previews

• Recipe-themed HTML preview with cooking-inspired styling
• Print-friendly formatting optimized for kitchen use
• Professional typography using serif fonts for readability
• Color-coded sections (ingredients, instructions, notes)
• Mobile-responsive design for tablets and phones

📄 Export & Sharing

• HTML export for web publishing
• Print-friendly HTML without backgrounds
• Plain text export for sharing
• One-click printing with optimized layout

🔧 Smart Tools

• Recipe validation checks for proper structure
• Nutrition information formatting with templates
• Cooking timer insertion with one command
• Recipe snippets for quick insertion
• Auto-suggestions based on content context

☕ Like This Extension?

Support its development and keep it free for everyone:

🚀 Quick Start

Installation

1. From VS Code Marketplace (when published):

   ext install renni-dev.markdown-recipe-formatter
   

2. From VSIX file:

   • Download the .vsix file
   • Open VS Code
   • Press Ctrl+Shift+P → "Extensions: Install from VSIX"
   • Select the downloaded .vsix file

First Recipe

1. Create a new Markdown file (.md extension)
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+P and type "New Recipe"
3. Enter recipe details when prompted
4. Start adding ingredients and instructions
5. Preview with Ctrl+Shift+R P

📖 Usage Guide

🍳 Creating Recipes

Method 1: Command Palette

Ctrl+Shift+P → "Recipe Formatter: New Recipe"

Method 2: Snippet

Type recipe in any Markdown file and press Tab

Method 3: Template Insertion

Right-click in Markdown file → "🍳 Recipe Formatter" → "📋 Insert Recipe Template"

📝 Formatting Tools

Format Ingredients

1. Select ingredient text
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+R I or use Command Palette
3. Extension will:
   • Add proper bullet points
   • Convert fractions (1/2 → ½)
   • Standardize units (tsp → teaspoon)

Format Instructions

1. Select instruction text
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+R S or use Command Palette
3. Extension will:
   • Add sequential numbering
   • Suggest cooking timers
   • Format temperatures

Validate Recipe

Ctrl+Shift+P → "Recipe Formatter: Validate Recipe"

Checks for:

• Recipe title
• Ingredients section
• Instructions section
• Proper formatting

👁️ Preview & Export

Preview Recipe

Ctrl+Shift+R P

Opens beautiful, print-ready preview in side panel

Export Recipe

Ctrl+Shift+P → "Recipe Formatter: Export Recipe"

Choose from:

• HTML file for web
• Print-friendly HTML
• Plain text format

🎯 Keyboard Shortcuts

📋 Recipe Snippets

Type these shortcuts in Markdown files and press Tab:

⚙️ Configuration

Access settings via File > Preferences > Settings and search for "Recipe Formatter":

Recipe Creation

• Default Servings: Set default serving size for new recipes
• Include Nutrition: Auto-include nutrition section in templates
• Use Metric Units: Prefer metric over imperial units

Formatting

• Auto Format Ingredients: Automatically format ingredients with fractions
• Include Timers: Add timer suggestions in cooking steps
• Show Tips: Display helpful formatting tips while typing

Preview & Export

• Print Friendly Preview: Optimize preview for printing
• Remove Backgrounds: Clean printing without colored backgrounds

🍳 Recipe Examples

Simple Cookie Recipe

# Chocolate Chip Cookies

*Classic homemade cookies that are crispy on the outside and chewy inside*

## Recipe Information
- **Servings:** 24 cookies
- **Prep Time:** 15 minutes
- **Bake Time:** 12 minutes
- **Total Time:** 27 minutes
- **Difficulty:** Easy

## Ingredients

- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups chocolate chips

## Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) ⏱️ 15 min
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in bowl
3. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy ⏱️ 3 min
4. Beat in eggs and vanilla
5. Gradually mix in flour mixture
6. Stir in chocolate chips
7. Drop rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets
8. Bake for 9-11 minutes ⏱️ 10 min
9. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes ⏱️ 2 min
10. Transfer to wire rack

## Notes

- Store in airtight container up to 1 week
- Freeze dough balls for up to 3 months
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake

Advanced Recipe with Nutrition

# Healthy Quinoa Buddha Bowl

## Recipe Information
- **Servings:** 4
- **Prep Time:** 20 minutes
- **Cook Time:** 15 minutes
- **Total Time:** 35 minutes
- **Difficulty:** Medium
- **Cuisine:** Mediterranean
- **Course:** Main Dish

## Ingredients

### For the Bowl
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups kale, massaged
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- 1 cucumber, diced
- ½ avocado, sliced

### For the Dressing
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste

## Instructions

1. Rinse quinoa and cook in vegetable broth ⏱️ 15 min
2. While quinoa cooks, prepare vegetables
3. Massage kale with a pinch of salt ⏱️ 2 min
4. Whisk together dressing ingredients
5. Roast chickpeas at 400°F for 20 minutes ⏱️ 20 min
6. Assemble bowls with quinoa as base
7. Top with vegetables and chickpeas
8. Drizzle with dressing

## Nutrition Information

*Per serving (approximate):*

- **Calories:** 420
- **Protein:** 16g
- **Carbs:** 52g
- **Fat:** 18g
- **Fiber:** 12g
- **Sugar:** 8g

## Storage

- **Refrigerator:** Components keep separately up to 4 days
- **Assembly:** Best when assembled fresh

🆘 Troubleshooting

Extension Not Loading

• Ensure you're in a Markdown file (.md extension)
• Check VS Code developer console for errors
• Try restarting VS Code

Formatting Not Working

• Select text before using format commands
• Ensure proper Markdown syntax
• Check extension configuration settings

Preview Not Showing

• Verify the file contains recipe content
• Check if webview is blocked by security settings
• Try refreshing the preview panel

Snippets Not Working

• Type snippet prefix and press Tab
• Ensure you're in a Markdown file
• Check if other snippet extensions are conflicting

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! Areas where you can help:

• Recipe Templates: Add templates for different cuisines
• Formatting Rules: Improve ingredient/instruction parsing
• Export Formats: Add PDF, Word, or other export options
• Nutrition Database: Integration with nutrition APIs
• Localization: Support for different languages and units

📝 Changelog

Version 1.0.0

• Initial release
• Complete recipe template system
• Professional formatting tools
• Beautiful HTML preview
• Export functionality
• Recipe validation
• Comprehensive snippet library
• Timer and temperature integration
• Nutrition information support

Made with ❤️ for home cooks and food enthusiasts everywhere!

☕ Support This Extension

If this extension has made your recipe documentation easier and more beautiful, consider supporting its development:

Your support helps:

• ✨ Keep the extension free for everyone
• 🚀 Fund new features like nutrition database integration
• 🐛 Fix bugs and maintain compatibility
• 📚 Create better documentation and tutorials
• 🍳 Add more recipe templates and cuisines

Thank you for using Markdown Recipe Formatter! 🙏