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A New Love: Jacques Pépin's Fast Food
Talking Him Into It - Feeding The Guy
Another Change, and Two Summer Shortcakes
« Dishtowel Apron | Main | Valentine's Art from PBCB »
Bon Appétit
Though the picture of white bean soup on the cover is not the most appetizing photo I've ever seen, the themes "Warm & Cozy" and "Desserts for Chocoholics" are looked very promising.
Like:
The Double Seven (a bar that pairs drinks with chocolate) looks very promising; the article on "Wines for Real Life" (wine for the make-up dinner, wine for the post-job-interview meal, etc.) is adorable and funny; the article on winter greens is informative; and the section on chocolate desserts is, of course, wonderful (how can you really go wrong!) Even of the stuff in Bon Vivant is cute and within my price range - the kitchen-themed Valentine's Day cards are adorable, and the chocolate fragrances sound wonderful, if really expensive.
Don't Like:
The "Party Improv" section isn't particularly inspiring, and though some of the Bon Vivant products are great, others, like the espresso cups and the chocolate design rug, are just too kitchy.
Yum:
Kale and Mushrooms with Creamy Polenta, Green-Onion Risotto, Mango Gingerbread with Macadamia Streusel, Lavender Honey Tea Bread, Thyme-Roasted Carrots, White Chocolate Cupcakes with Candied Kumquats, and Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Orange Cream - how am I ever going to choose what to cook?
Cook's Illustrated
For some reason I recieved the the March/April issue but haven't recieve the Feb issue, so I'll try to get one and do that soon. Here's March and April:
Like:
The advice on how to store lettuce is great, as is the tip for cleaning knives with a cork; the article about how to make good marinara in less time with fewer ingredients is perfect for me; the advice on hand blenders is great (especially because they liked the one I just got); their suggestions for making potstickers will complement my dumpling-making activities well; and the guide to bakeware would be great for a beginning cook.
Don't Like:
The picture of leeks on the cover is so beautiful it makes me want to run right out and buy some - and then, of course, there's nothing about leeks in the issue. Where are the leeks? Such a tease!
Yum:
The blue cheese-chive butter in the filet mignon article looks great; the potstickers make my mouth water; and the pan-roasted broccoli may just the the perfect solution for my need for more vegetables and healthier meals
Gourmet:
You can't go wrong with dripping chocolate cake on the cover!
Like:
The Harper's Index-like list of facts is fascinating; the idea of cocktail recipes on your iPod is great (though weren't the "hometown favorites" candy boxes already featured in Chow?); the unusual screen-printed china is très chic, and the chocolate ratings will prove very useful in my kitchen. The article on UglyRipe tomatoes was great, especially since it's hard to tell me something I don't know about my favorite foods; and all the rest of the features are great too, including the article on Southwest cuisine, Slovenian food, and Andy Beckstoffer's take on viticulture. But my absolutely favorite thing is the article on the Chinese New Year feast (maybe a little late, but beautiful and fascinating none the less).
Yum:
Halibut with Citrus Butter Sauce; all the warm winter drinks; chai-poached apricots and plums; cactus, chayote and green-apple salad; celery-root soup with bacon and green apple; and quince calvados crêpe soufflés. I'm never going to leave the kitchen again.
Living
Of course, if I don't come out of the kitchen, I'm not going to be able to do any of the crafts that I'm in love with this month.
Like:
For once I actually like the clip-art project; it's not any cheesier than a normal birthday garland (much cuter, actually). The beautiful picture of the "beribboned bouquet" makes me wish men read this magazine, as does the whole article on Tokens of Affection. The "good thing" about making accordion folders will help with my current home office problem, and the button napkin rings are adorable, as is the idea of using radicchio to make rose prints. The article about the romance of certain food pairings (bacon and eggs, spaghetti and meatballs, etc.)
Don't Like:
The article about weaving on tiny homemade looms looks like too much trouble - not to mention the fact that it reminds me of the elastic weaving toys they make for kids.
Yum:
Chocolate-espresso tart; double-chocolate brownies; raspberry-swirl cheesecake; cake doughnuts; moist devil's food cake with Mrs. Milman's chocolate frosting; caramel pots de crème; caramelized lemon tart; honey-lavender ice cream; little lemon soufflés; frozen tiramisù; creamy polenta; and coconut cookies with passion fruit curd. What's a girl to do?
Posted by georgia to Reviews on February 2, 2006 11:30 PM | permalink | Email this post
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