Food Magazines
I've let all my subscriptions run out. I never completely came around to the high-concept recipes in Gourmet, and Everyday Food recipes seem to be hit-or-miss. (I've tried a couple that have failed completely, a problem I never had with Cooking Light.)
I'm thinking maybe Food and Wine would be a good one to try for a while, and I've signed up for two free issues of Real Simple. (The deal is supposed to be that I get to try the first two issue and then, if I'm not happy, I can write cancel on the bill and never pay a thing. But they have yet to send me my two trial issues buy have already sent me two bills. It's so aggravating. It's like they've scammed me into a subscription that I'm not sure I want. And I won't pay until I get my trial issues. There. I'm done complaining.)
What magazines do you all get inspired by?
I adore my subscription to SAVEUR, I'm often inspired by the recipes and love the laid back approach to the whole magazine. I also love The magazine of La Cucina Italiana, there's always something in each issue I'd like to try and I like the wine articles too. Those are my top 2 favorites, and the ones that I wouldn't let my subscription lapse on.
I used to subscribe to Gourmet years and years ago, even back then the recipes were over the top and required specialized ingredients that cost a fortune, I finally decided it wasn't for me, really haven't missed it either.
I also really like Saveur. I think it has great, in-depth articles and photography, though I don't think I've ever made a recipe based on an article. Saveur also has a nice section towards the back of the magazine with useful kitchen tips and resources.
we're a bit limited as to which magazines are available here in amsterdam...but the only one i purchase monthly, without fail, is the BBC GOOD FOOD magazine. the ingredients tend to be very great-britain, but substitutions work well, and a lot of my/our favourites have their basis in this publication!
Greetings,
My wife and I have had more success with recipes from Cooks Illustrated that any other cook book or recipe resource we have used.
http://www.cooksillustrated.com/
James T. Savidge, Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Real Simple is a fantastic magazine (you won't want to cancel), but it's not very recipe heavy.
I have always liked Bon Appetit, as well.
I get Bon Appetit and Food and Wine. I'm always on the verge of not renewing both of them, but I always do. I think I've had more luck with Food and Wine, but I'm not sure, really.
I can tell you that food & wine's site (foodandwine.com) is MUCH better than Bon Appetit's (epicurious.com) -- and all recipes (I think) from both magazines are available at their respective sites -- so you might want to browse for some recipes and both and see if any of what you see grabs your fancy.
I second the nomination for Cook's Illustrated. It seems as if each issue has a couple of things I'd like to make. The January/February issue just arrived today, and there are two things I want to try today: Oven Fries and Chocolate Bundt Cake.
I've never read Saveur, but now I'll have to look into it. I'm actually kind of glad all the holiday issues are behind us; I feel like I can't really get an idea of what a magazine is like with the November-December issues. I have a copy of Bon Appetit at home and was on the verge of signing up for that, but I can't help but think it's not much different from Gourmet.
I did subscribe to Cooks Illustrated for a while, but I usually found the recipes so daunting. (It was great reading material, and I learned a lot, but I can't think of one recipe I used in the year I had it.) Now that I'm a little more experienced at cooking, maybe I'd be more likely to use the recipes.
I like anything on top of polenta. (Or should I say "polenta under anything"?)