Retailers interested in advising their shoppers about sources of recipes and cooking tips may well want to refer to the following Web sites, the most-visited sites in February offering information on recipes and cooking, according to Nielsen/Net Ratings, New York. Aboutfood.co.uk, which ranked fourth in the February survey, is currently under redevelopment.
o available, along with a cooking encyclopedia and calorie counter.
2. Kraft.com
Individual Visitors (in thousands): 3,209
Average Time per Person (minutes:seconds): 4:49
Beyond offering information on Kraft's many products, this site also has links to the other company sites that provide information on recipes, meal planning, kitchen basics, and health and wellness. Brand close-up includes the history of Oreos, Lunchables and other products developed by Kraft.
3. Allrecipes.com
Individual Visitors (in thousands): 2,784
Average Time per Person (minutes:seconds): 8:03
The site was created seven years ago to be a place for home cooks to share recipes and ideas. Today, it has more than 26,000 recipes and 10 million registered members.
4. Cooks.com
Individual Visitors (in thousands): 1,701
Average Time per Person (minutes:seconds): 4:53
Feature articles on this site give the "how to" on everything from glazing a ham to baking bread. Besides recipes, it also helps health-oriented consumers with personalized diet and health reports and nutrition facts.
5. Reciperewards.com
Individual Visitors (in thousands): 1,501
Average Time per Person (minutes:seconds): 1:01
This site provides recipes in offbeat categories like low-carb dishes, microwaveable meals, and meals with six ingredients or less. The recipes are rated on a scale of one to five by those who have tried them at home.
6. Pizzahut.com
Individual Visitors (in thousands): 1,404
Average Time per Person (minutes:seconds): 6:08
For ordering online. The full menu is available, as well as nutrition facts about each menu item. The nutrition calculator lets a customer design a meal based on calorie intake.
7. Epicurious.com
Individual Visitors (in thousands): 1,345
Average Time per Person (minutes:seconds): 10:43
Operated by CondeNet, this is a high-end recipe site, with meal suggestions like sauteed flank steak with arugula, and zucchini bisque with snow crab. The site, an online version of magazines Gourmet and Bon Appetit, also suggests restaurant destinations and has its own Food Lovers Marketplace, selling items like gourmet gift baskets.
8. Bettycrocker.com
Individual Visitors (in thousands): 1,292
Average Time per Person (minutes:seconds): 5:13
After registering on the site, consumers are mailed a free recipe box and newsletter with coupons for many Betty Crocker products. Recipes are suggested for events like birthdays and baby showers, and the tips section helps with how to freeze a cake or how to choose the correct size pan.
9. Wandascountryhome.com
Individual Visitors (in thousands): 1,269
Average Time per Person (minutes:seconds): 2:21
This country-style site offers American recipes, rainy-day kids' activities and summertime snacks. It also has a religious section with prayers and inspirational stories.
10. Nestle.com
Individual Visitors (in thousands): 1,142
Average Time per Person (minutes:seconds): 5:15
Like many food companies, Nestle is now using its Web site to stress the healthy aspects of its products, offering nutritional information and suggesting serving sizes for different age groups. The site also gives suggestions for weight-loss techniques and healthy cooking.
