Favorite Magazines

You know, I love my magazines.  There are 10 magazines that come into my house monthly and at least 6 that come bi-monthly (I can already see you shaking your head).  OK, I admit it; I have a problem.  I am a addict, junkie and totally happy.  The problem is the piles that seem to accumulate that drive my husband crazy.  I do eventually get around to cutting out all the pictures and articles I want to keep but sometimes it takes awhile.  This particular magazine I don't cut up.

The magazine that I truly like for the articles and not the glossy photos is Cook's Illustrated.  This magazine's layouts are all black and white, easy to read and contains information such as best products to buy for a featured recipe.

  I was reading the recipe for 'Chicken Cacciatore' in their 'Italian Favorites' issue and there is a segment about diced tomatoes.  The author wrote, "Unlike most canned produce, a great can of diced tomatoes offers flavor almost as intense as ripe, in-season fruit."  The article recommended Hunt's Diced Tomatoes and Muir Glen Organic Diced Tomatoes.  Now before you start telling me that nothing beats fresh, sometimes fresh isn't always available.  

 Regular articles in the bi-monthly magazine, 'Quick Tips' and 'Kitchen Notes' are full of great information that any cook needs to know.  From Rescuing a Broken Sauce to Easy Zesting, the tips are helpful and a quick read.

 Over the years, I have discovered that beautiful photos of food aren't necessarily important to cooking.  A recipe I make very rarely turns out like the photo because of the all "doctoring" the artists do to make it look perfect (somewhat similar to what the artists do to models to make us all wish we looked like them, snicker snicker).  As long as the food tastes good and the recipe is fairly uncomplicated, I am happy without the glossy photo.

I plan on doing a review of one of my favorite craft magazines in the near future. Maybe we could compare notes on some favorites of yours. Why don't you leave me a comment on your favorites.

Till the next post, have a good one.
Ro