How to: organize posts (under category) as thumbnail pictures /visual index?

Hi,

I am looking to organize my posts through a gallery option (ie- a page that displays the posts with thumbnail pictures and not just them listed in blog form/post form).

On my website I have a MENU heading called RECIPES and then sub menus under it (appetizers, drinks, cakes etc). I have disabled the “clicking option” for the “recipe” menu button and the user can just click on what category they would like (ie. drinks). Currently when they click on drinks all my posts categorized under drinks show up in post form. On this page I would like all the drinks posts to show in gallery picture form so the person can easily sort through the page and click on what blog post they want. ( I hope that make sense – links to some examples of what I am looking for)

http://pizzazzerie.com/category/recipes/

http://blog.hwtm.com/food-and-drinks/

I thought the way to do this was to install a “visual index” plugin but I have searched everywhere and have only found 2 main ones around (Visual Recipe Index and EasyIndex). Both are not the best and I know there has to be other options as I have seen many websites organize their posts this way. Is a plugin what I am looking for or am I completely looking in the wrong area? I have looked at Masonry plugins but it is not exactly what I am looking for.

Thank you for all your help!!!
Joanna