Most of us have adopted the "500 on one side" rule for the pics - so by standard dimensions, 500x375 is the
minimum size for pics.
As far as recips, I like the index page, but I don't hold it against you if you put me on the 2nd (main) page - my thinking has always been that as long as you don't bury my recip, I'm pretty happy
For the nenber of reciups, there is nothing set in stone, but try & make things look pleasing to the eye. Example - take 9 recips & put them in an equal 3x3 table.