Menu Maid is designed with a comb back to permit the book to lie flat on the counter or kitchen table.  The 8.5 x 11 inch format permits the use of fonts that are large enough for the menus and recipes to be easily read.   The book is 1.25 inches thick and weighs 3.1 pounds.  450 pages are necessary to present monthly menus, recipes and shopping lists. The index arranges the 1500 recipes in alphabetic order.  The index shows what month each recipe was used.  Menu Maid comes with a transparent page protector to prolong the life of the book, even with an aggressive chef.

The text consist of 12 chapers, one for each month of the year.    Each chapter contains the menus, the recipes for the menus, and the corresponding shopping list for the entire month.  Having the purchase requirements for the whole month permits the sharp shopper to wisely take advantage  of sales that match monthly requirements. 

The recipes are for two servings, unless otherwise stated, and the shopping lists amounts given are also for two.  An additional chapter has been added to the front of the book as a "how to get started" for those new at the game of cooking, listing the basic tools, condiments and foods usually found in any kitchen which are the foundations from which to start.  Each month, by adding those items needed by the recipes, will expand the tools, condiments and staple foods to a fully stocked kitchen by the end of the year.

Some menu items are followed by symbols.   The asterisk (*) indicates an item to be purchased.  The beta symbol β indicates the item needs some assembly; e.g.; sliced; arranged on a plate; etc.  No symbol indicates there is a recipe for the item in that month's recipes.

Each recipe is keyed to the day and the menu to which the recipe pertains.   (25D) indicates the 25th day of the month and the D indicates the dinner menu for that day.  The B indicates breakfast, and the L, indicates lunch.