Problem: “I can never find that recipe I’ve been meaning to try.”

Solution No. 1: Mark the page efficiently. The next time you’re browsing and see a recipe that makes your mouth water, slip on a Book Dart ($7.50 for 50, www.bookdarts.com). Made of paper-thin metal, it does the job attractively and won’t fall off, wrinkle the page, or leave a mark (no more dog-ears). Book Darts come in bronze, silver, and brass, so you can color-code to distinguish recipes you have tried from those you haven’t, or entrées from appetizers. Or place markers for favorites at the top of the page and mark others on the side.

Solution No. 2: Make your own index. On an index card, write the recipe title (or a name you’re more likely to remember), the book or magazine issue it’s in (perhaps shortened to a code, like JC for Julia Child), and the page number. File the cards alphabetically in a recipe box, dividing into sections like Desserts.

Alternatively, most word-processing programs have a sorting tool that will maintain a running list and alphabetize it for you. Next time you’re looking for that Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe, your index will tell you where it’s hiding.