Reply To: Columns or Frames

Since you are new to ID, I’d do it with three text frames (four if you count the running feet/folios—but those are on the master page regardless).

One for the headnote AND the recipe title. That would be linked to the ingredients column and yield line, and that linked to the recipe directions (or vice versa—whichever is easier for you).

For the headnote at the top of the page, I would have a left indent for the alignment.

And of course, a separate paragraph style for the first ingredient so it started a new column, and the same with the first recipe direction.

I’d keep the headnote and title together as I think it’s important to keep that space consistent, which it would not be if the boxes were separate and you had to adjust manually. It would be one less frame you have to adjust by hand for the spacing, which will have to be done for the ingredients and directions columns.

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Personally, I would do it with two frames. One full-size frame that would contain the headnote, the recipe title, and the recipe directions. Left indents for the headnote and the recipe directions. The second frame for the ingredients and yield line.

For the ingredients I would have a separate frame with a different layer to have it on top. The main frame would be linked to the ingredients frame. I’d do the second layer so it would be easier to link and to touch.

That way, all your spacing will be consistent via space above and below; and the only frame you would have to adjust manually to align would be the ingredients list to align with the recipe directions. I’d definitely have a separate style for the first ingredient to start the new column.

NOTE: The running feet/folios would be on the master page anyway, so I did not count them. And I’m assuming you would use variables for running feet.

Just out of curiosity—why are you going to do the ingredients in the order of importance? I’m just curious because I’ve worked on hundreds of cookbooks, and all of them are listed in the order in which they are used. I hope you don’t take offfense at the question. I am just curious as I don’t recall ever doing one where they were listed in importance.