Cooking Light
by Southern Progress
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Editorial Review

Focused on "healthy living" rather than chronic dieting, Cooking Light is geared towards both the veteran cook who wants to "lighten up" and the novice determined to give up prepackaged "diet" meals. Each issue covers a different theme, from "superfast suppers" to "pretty, easy fruit pies," and includes features on food-related health trends; fast, healthy meals; and original recipes from readers. We especially like it when the editors rescue a reader's favorite, albeit fatty, recipe, giving it a healthy makeover, showing before-and-after stats on calories, fat, and cholesterol. The message is clear: you don't have to sacrifice the foods you love once you learn to "eat smart." --Daphne Durham ... Read more

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Reviews (72)

Light on the cooking
I just started a subscription to this magazine and when I got my first issue I thought they had sent me the wrong magazine!There were no recipes or cooking articles in the first half of the magazine.There were fitness articles, organizing hints, and style sections, but no cooking until the second half of the magazine.There were a lot of ads- but that I can live with.I was just disappointed not to have more sections that are actually about cooking.The recipes and cooking sections in the second half of the magazine were really interesting and had lots of ideas I'd like to try.I just wish that the whole magazine could be about cooking and recipes rather than trying to be something else.That said, I think the cooking sections are worth the hassle of digging through the other articles- lots of ideas and mostly easy to prepare.

Mostly advertising
I just received my first issue and by the time I got to the middle of the magazine there was only 1-2 recipes.I was very disappointed.I was interested in mainly recipes not advertising or articles.

A great read
Being a mother of teenagers it is hard to come up with good recipes that can win-out over fast food in their mind. This magazine gives great healthy options that even picky eaters enjoy. ... Read more

Asin: B00005R8B6
Subjects:  1. Food & Gourmet    2. Health & Healing - Low Fat    3. Diet    4. Dieting    5. Weight Loss    6. Healthy Living    7. Cookery    8. Recipes    9. Nutrition    10. Cooking   

Bon Appetit
by Conde Nast Publications Inc.
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Reviews (35)

Gorgeous Food

Bon Appetit has been a regular addition to my cooking arsenal since its inception. It is simply a gorgeous magazine, with beautifully laid out photography and excellent features. This is a magazine for the person who loves to cook.

Unlike other food publications, Bon Appetit offers earthy robust recipes and features that appeal to the everyday cook. I love in particular: Cooking For Two, Cooking Light and the section devoted to bringing recipes from well known restaurants around the country. In this section, readers write in and request a recipe from a restaurant that really impressed them. It's fun, informative and often amazing how really uncomplex some of the dishes are.

Underneath all the good looking dishes and witty dialogue, lies the heart of Bon Appetit. It's about home and very basic values, which I think accounts for its huge popularity. Through my reading this magazine, I've come to appreciate the homely root vegetables, to keep a well stocked pantry, and to avoid costly mistakes in buying cookware.

I think it makes a lovely gift for a young bride, who might be nervous about cooking and entertaining. With it's no nonsense approach to cuisine, plus the support of a stellar online community-Epicurious.com, it is a very nice package for anyone who wants to simply cook creatively and well.

Really good recipes
When I was going through my old cooking magazines a few years ago before a major move to another state, I found to my surprise that the recipes I most wanted to keep were in Bon Appetit. Although I also enjoyed reading Gourmet, I realized that I had cooked relatively few of the recipes in that magazine. I am ready to make another magazine purge, and I expect the same thing to happen. Gourmet is fun and interesting, but Bon Appetit is a keeper.

I love to go from page to page.......
I've recently started reading my Bon Appetit from cover to cover just because everything is so good (pictures, recipes, articles, etc...).Having three small busy children, my time is limited for meals during the week and my favorite section of this book is "Fast Easy Fresh".I can always find a few recipes that are easy to make yet edible in the eyes of my children.My second favorite section is "Readers' Timesaving Recipes".These readers seem to share the same type of lifestyle as me (limited kitchen time) and they submit very yummy, quick recipes that I can whip up in no time.

My husband and I believe that dinnertime as a family is so important to the well-being of our children that making meals that require endless preparation and cooking just isn't a priority for us.

I also love to entertain and have dinner parties so the new column that begins in the April 2005 issue entitled "Party Improv" is a great addition.I like that they give big, delicious ideas with little effort... including suggestions for table settings, cocktail concoctions, music, wine and a complete menu for your party!!!They thought of it all!

I highly suggest getting your subscription today so you don't miss out on any future issues! ... Read more

Asin: B00005NIND
Sales Rank: 64
Subjects:  1. Food & Gourmet    2. Wine    3. Cooking   

Southern Living
by Southern Progress
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Reviews (13)

Still the best
Southern Living captures the very flavor of its namesake with its coverage of gardening, decorating and especially its recipes. Don't miss their annual Christmas book - it's well worth the money and subscriptions to Southern Living are always a wonderful gift

My favorite magazine of all time
I subscribe to a lot of magazines. Southern Living, along with Cooking Light, are the two magazines I most look forward to arriving every month. It covers gardening, decorating, travel and entertaining. I remember back when my mom got this magazine in the 80s and it had black and white photos. Today, it is full of beautiful photography in full color, of course. The recipes are great - I have prepared many of them and not one has been a flop. By the way, you don't have to be southern to enjoy this magazine!

Thick magazine full of color gardening photos and reviews.
I just moved to the South so I thought I better learn about the area! This is a fun magazine. It's very thick, with sections on vacation spots, restaurant reviews, garden how-tos, home remodeling, and lots of recipes. I've already learned how to eat a steamed crab and that there are bed and breakfasts on islands off the Georgia coast. ... Read more

Asin: B00005R8B5
Sales Rank: 41
Subjects:  1. Home (Houses, Homes)    2. Gardening (Garden, Gardens)    3. Food & Gourmet   

Cook's Illustrated
by Boston Common Press
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A great magazine even for the culinarily-challenged
"Cook's Illustrated" serves as a mentor to me and others who refused to learn the art and science of cookery in the kitchens of their loved ones.I did take a home economics class in high school, but my main memory of it is my teacher's repeated iteration of "Oh mercy, Elaine.Mercy."It took a long diet of college jello and Spanish Rice, and then a marriage in which neither of us fathomed the mysteries of the kitchen to get me interested in the art of cooking for myself and others.

Most of the other magazines in the culinary market don't seem to cater to the cooking-challenged.For instance, the seemingly simple instruction "beat enough sugar into the meringue to stiffen it" caused me to set the oven on fire.I added cups and cups of sugar to my three egg whites and the darn meringue finally got grainy, which I figured was the equivalent of 'stiff.'Not so.Once enough heat was applied, the meringue flooded over the sides of the pie plate and set the oven ablaze.It was not easy explaining my culinary mishap to a sceptical fireman.

My inadvertent attempt at incendiarism wouldn't have happened if I had been following a recipe in "Cook's Illustrated."Here the recipes are lovingly detailed, and there diagrams on 'simple' techniques such as How to Slice an Onion.Most of you probably learned about such matters at your mother's knee, but I was more interested in Astronomy than Onions back in the good old days when someone cooked for me.As a consequence, I've been slicing onions incorrectly until the December 2004 "Cook's Illustrated" hit the newstand.

The contributors to this magazine test their recipes multiple times, varying the ingredients, using different cooking utensils, until they get what they consider to be the perfect outcome.For instance, in the article on "Balsamic Braised Chicken," John Olson writes:"At that point, I stopped my tests with the high-end vinegar.Simmering such a vinegar might well be considered high crime in Italy.All the time and effort expended to create its subtle flavor balance would be wasted, as boiling destroys it. (This is not a problem with the cheap stuff.)"

"Cook's Illustrated" recipes are adventures into a mysterious art, as well as producers of wonderful dishes.The editors don't accept advertisements, so you can trust their ingredient and product recommendations.If you are a fan of the show, "America's Test Kitchen" on public television, then you'll definitely love the magazine that details this program's favorite recipes.Also check out their website at cooksillustrated.com for eleven years worth of recipes.

The Best Cooking Magazine out there
Some people don't care why the food came out great or why it came out horrible.I do, and that's why I love this magazine.I enjoy reading what the author/cook went through to arrive at the printed recipe. I also enjoy the colorful covers and the back page with beautiful drawings of a "topic" food, such as a variety of tomotoes, hams, etc.Great magazine.However, I'm not crazy about their website.

Great down-home cooking mag
Any magazine that doesn't except advertisements seems to be a step ahead of those that do. This is the case for Cooks Illustrated. Some of the recipes this family loves are: Best Beef Chili, Ground Beef Tacos, Glazed Carrots (although I prefer the recipe in the Northern Exposure cookbook), Maple-Glazed Pork Roast, and many of the pastas. The drawbacks I've found for this magazine are that sometimes the spices are a bit powerful. This is usually true for the chicken sauces. They have one in which they recommend 40 garlic cloves to be cooked with the chicken breasts. This is just too many cloves and leaves one feeling like they just bit into a head of garlic. I suppose that being these people work in a test kitchen all day it takes a lot of spice to activate their taste buds. Being one has to alter some of the ingredients for any recipe this is not a huge burden, it just takes awhile to get used to. I also don't like the fact that they always use no-boil noodles for their lasagna. I hate these noodles. They never turn out as good as boil noodles and it only takes 10 minutes to boil them. When you're taking two hours out of your day to make Lasagna Bolognese an extra 10 minutes for good noodles shouldn't be too much extra work. I've also found that the baking recipes aren't the greatest. I've tried the chocolate chip cookies and they are too thick. My three year old didn't even like them. The New York cheesecake was ok, but that's it...just ok. However, aside from these minor quibbles a lot of the recipes are fantastic for making dinner. It's one of the few mags where you can grab a recipe out of it and know it's going to be edible... and possibly exceptionally good. The quick tips section is also a joy to read. I also enjoy their equipment reviews (although The Cooks Catalogue is a must have for this). They used to have cookbook reviews where they tested recipes in different cookbooks and printed the results. They seem to have withdrawn this section, which is too bad because I really enjoyed it. It gave one an idea of what cookbooks to stay away from and which ones were really good. I especially liked how they would mention if it was for an average cook or an advanced cook based on whether or not the cook listed exact recipes or just gave a general idea of what to use and let the reader come up with their own measurements. Overall, if I could have only one cooking magazine this would be it. It has many great things going for it. I also subscribe to Intermezzo for the "fancier" recipes. ... Read more

Asin: B000069YW9
Sales Rank: 81
Subjects:  1. Food & Gourmet   

Proctor Silex 33040 4-Quart Round Slow Cooker
by Proctor Silex
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $24.99 -- our price: $24.99
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Editorial Review

Round, pure white, and cleanly devoid of decoration, this four-quart slow cooker appeals to those who like unfussy kitchen appliances. Wraparound heat ensures that meats and stews left all day to cook won’t overheat in some spots and undercook in others. The four-setting dial rotates from the off position to a keep-warm function for serving, and low and high temperatures for cooking. With this versatility, chocolate fondue and cheese dips can be cooked and then kept at just the right temperature for nibbling right out of the pot. The cooker’s ceramic crock, with interior dimensions of 6 by 7-1/4 inches, features flared handles which allow easy removal for table-top serving or refrigerator storage. The glass lid sheds light on the cooking process, and is domed to drip moisture back into the crock. Both the crock and lid are dishwasher-safe. From the bottom of its four feet to the top of the lid knob, the slow cooker measures 11 inches; its diameter measures 10 inches, excluding the two plastic sure-grip handles. Recipes for Hawaiian Chicken, Texas Chili Soup, Sweet and Pungent Meat Balls, and more are included in the user guide. --Ann Bieri ... Read more

Features

• Measures 11 by 10 inches, with 3-1/2-foot cord
• 4 quart stoneware cooks a 4lb. Chicken, two 2 lb. roasts, and more
• Dishwasher safe stoneware and lid
• Keep warm setting
• Versatile, stainproof stoneware removes for serving and refrigerator storage

Reviews (17)

hot cooker
I love cooking meat in a crockpot because it breaks apart, but no matter what temp I try cooking at with this thing, even keep warm, it comes out like shoe leather.It cooks so hot the lid bounces up and down and the liquid boils.I don't recommend this.

A great value!
I paid $5.99 and think it was a fabulous buy!It is a little smaller than most slow cookers - but the perfect size for our family.Also, because the heating elements are on the sides instead of the bottom, it does get hot.But since there's really no need to touch the sides while it's on, that's no big deal.I do wish it had a power indicator.That said, I LOVE that it doesn't take up too much room on the counter and is completely devoid of hokey decoration.We had Coq au Vin last night, and today we're cooking lamb with olive oil, lemon, garlic, rosemary and potatoes.The house smells like heaven!I'm hoping to buy several more at this price for gifts!

The best stew
The best stew has been made in this very item!Its so easy to wash as well.The pot comes out... & voila, you're done.I highly recommend this to anyone who loves to eat:) ... Read more

Asin: B0000DYMU1
Subjects:  1. Small Appliances    2. Electrics    3. Slow Cookers    4. (Crock Pots)    5. (Crockpots)   

Cook's Illustrated 2001 (Cooks Illustrated, 2001)
by Cook's Illustrated
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 November, 2000)
list price: $29.95 -- our price: $18.87
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Reviews (3)

Want to be a better cook?
Cook's Illustrated is a no-nonsense, incredibly detailed, well-written, well-researched, and fussy-about-quality-food magazine written for American home cooks and foodies, not gourmet cooks (although the food you'll end up cooking might qualify as gourmet) or food faddists.The annuals include all of the magazines for that year bound into hardcovers and handily indexed.Quick Tips showcase reader tips for everything under the sun and in the kitchen.Recipes may include everything from making a better pot roast to Indian food.Equipment reviews rank essential (and some not so essential) kitchen tools.

Each recipe features a description of the process the author went through to get the master recipe, usually including any interesting food science tidbits along the way (for instance, how heat, in the instance of cooked food, may affect the protein molecules, etc.), which makes for some fascinating reading;it's not unheard of for me to read that part of the recipe out loud to admiring dinner guests at their request.

"My" chicken and dumplings have been pronounced "the best ever", "my" pork roasts have been called "to die for", and "my" roast turkey is looked forward to by anyone who has ever come to my table during the holidays.

I have collected each annual, eagerly looking forward to each one even if I've received the magazine on subscription, and each one makes me a better cook -- if you want to become known as a fabulous home cook, these annuals will put you ahead of the pack!

Nice
I have about 3 different cooks illustrated cook books, only this one has a year attached to it"2001"But I have become a better cook by having them.I am leary of buying more as many reviews I've read say repitition is inevibable.I wish I knew of one of their books that had everything in it the way fanny farmers or betty crocker does, I'd buy that in a heart beat.The receipes are delicious and I haven't made a bad meal since getting the books.

Great Cookbook/Magazine
I recently discovered Cook's Illustrated through a cookbook given to my husband and I for our wedding.It was their "Best Of.." cookbook.After trying several of their recipes with no failures, I asked for their annual magazine book for Christmas.What a find!I love reading the articles and I love the recipes.The book has all the magazines from 2001 in it, from January - December.I am currently making recipes from the Jaunary/February issue and have not been disaapointed.There is also a lot to be learned about cooking practices in this book.It's a great addition to any cook's kitchen. ... Read more

Isbn: 0936184566
Sales Rank: 177279
Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - General    4. Holiday - General    5. Reference   

Gourmet
by Conde Nast Publications Inc.
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Disapointing at best.
If finally decided to try out this magazine. What a disappointment. This magazine is like 90% ads. And for so many pages you would expect more pictures of the recipes. Some recipes don't even have a picture or will have a tiny one in the corner. Yes many of the recipes are great and you learn a lot about traveling (like if this were a traveling mag.), but you will be better off buying their books. Skip this one, it's not worth it.

Magazine needs help
I agree this magazine has gotten worse through the years.
Also too many ads.

Bring back the old Gourmet
Gourmet used to be one of my favorite magazines, and for many years I either subscribed or bought it at the newstand.It had great recipes, a lot of information on ingredients and cuisines, and beautifully illustrated travel articles that gave me a real feel for the places.Gourmet may have been a little stodgy and old school (Bon Appetite, which I also subscribed to, was always trendier), but there was no higher quality food magazine.

All that changed a few years ago when the editorial staff was replaced.The look of the magazine is now totally different, as is much of the content.The increased number of ads makes it hard to find the articles and recipes.The tone of the editorial content is shriller and more hype-driven.The magaizne is seems more oriented toward Foodies out to stalk the current In chef than to home cooks who want to serve high quality food.Between the content and the layout, the magazine seems to be on overdrive.What I want in a cooking magazine (or for that matter a magazine of good living) is something that doesn't scream trendy at me.Unfortunately, that no longer describes Gourmet. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7QH
Sales Rank: 103
Subjects:  1. Food & Gourmet    2. Cooking   

Everyday Food
by Martha Stewart Living
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Reviews (14)

Everyday Food is extraordinary!
As an author and food historian at www.CookingUpHistory.com I collect and read dozens of foodie magazines. This is a favorite because it pertains to how real people eat...meaning the kinds of foods we like to eat on a daily basis. Yet, there is enough variety of recipes and how-to's to keep it inetresting. Great as a gift for a host or hostess.

BEST Magazine ever!
On a friends recomendation, I got a subscription to this magazine. I LOVE IT! I am always looking forward to new issues.

When I first subscribed, I thought it would take a long time to get an issue. I received one within a month, and then another in a week. (they sent me the current, and then following issue)
I was in heaven!

I go through them all, and put sticky notes on the recipes that I like for easy access. This entire weeks dinners have come out of their menus.

As for the Adobo Chili girl, it took me awhile to find them, but once I did I understood why they always use them. What a great flavor!

A great magazine for someone that can cook, or someone that is kitchen inept. I have recently gotten a friend addicted that could burn a pot of water, and now she is using recipes and calling me all proud.

awesome!
My grandmother, who I often consult on recipes, ingredients and cooking techniques, got me a subscription to this magazine. She handed me 2 issues in person. I loved the issues so much, I couldn't wait for my subscription to kick in and ended up buying the December issue from the check-out line.

I love the little educational columns "how to buy chicken!" and find the recipes easy to follow. Even better are the pictures of how to prepare the meal.

My only complaint is that I see a recipe and can never remember which mag it is in for future reference. I'd love to see a book.

Lastly----what's with the chiles in adobo sauce?! They seem to be in a lot of recipes for such a rare ingredient! ... Read more

Asin: B0000ARXXS
Sales Rank: 237

30-Minute Meals 2
by Lake Isle Press
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (25 June, 2003)
list price: $16.95 -- our price: $11.53
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Reviews (67)

great book
I love this book. the recipe are delicious ! even though most of them take more than 30 minutes it's worth it. everything that I have tried so far has turned out great.
At the same time I bought another book who was recommended in our local newspaper, Simple and Simply Delicious by Sylvie Rocher. If you like international cuisine this book is for you.

A well-done collection of quick meals
I am a fan of Rachael Ray's "30 Minute Meals" television program - I find her approach to cooking to be casual and fun. I also like her enthusiasm and her belief that cooking new and interesting meals from scratch can be done by anyone.Having purchased this book about 6 months ago, I have so far only made 2 complete meals: "Stuffed Pork Chops" and "Passport to Belgium".From my limited experience with Rachael's recipes, here are my thoughts.

First the good: as she emphasizes on her show, her recipes call for ingredients that are readily available in large grocery stores.The most "exotic" items that I had to pick up were leeks and sugarcubes.Also, she does use, when necessary, convenience items, like chicken stock or broth from a can, or frozen pound cake and Redi-whip.Otherwise, her recipes call for fresh meat,produce and dairy.Both recipes that I followed turned out well - even my 5 year old liked them, which says a lot.

My only criticism was that these meals took longer than 30 minutes - closer to 45 minutes for me in both cases.I firmly believe that these meals can be prepared in the time allotted; the problems that I ran into had more to do with cooking in "real world" situations: watching the kids, dealing with limited counter space, needing to wash and reuse the same utensils for meat and produce, etc. However, I was impressed with what I was able to make in under an hour!

Overall, I'd highly recommend this cookbook.Rachael Ray has put together some delicious and fast recipes, and I am looking forward to trying more of her meals.

Yummy Recipies!
I bought this book to try out and really love it.My grocery bill has gone up, trying to keep up with the ingredients (I make 2 or 3 of the recipies each week)....and with prep time, take much longer than 30 minutes.But putting those two things aside....every recipe I've made so far, has been really delicious.Myself and my family have loved everything!I totally recommend this book. ... Read more

Isbn: 1891105108
Sales Rank: 133
Subjects:  1. 30-Minute meals (Television pr    2. 30-Minute meals (Television program)    3. Cookery    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. General    7. Methods - Quick & Easy    8. Quick and easy cookery    9. Quick and easy cooking    10. Cooking / General   

15-Minute Low-Carb Recipes: Instant Recipes for Dinners, Desserts, and More
by Fair Winds Press (MA)
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 October, 2003)
list price: $17.95 -- our price: $12.21
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Reviews (49)

Best. Cookbook. Ever.
Dana is a god(dess). I have hundreds of cookbooks but Dana's are the ones I use day in and day out.

Don't use time as an excuse to fall off of your LC diet!
This book is a great resource to help keep you on your low carb diet. Dana Carpender's books are always well done, and this is no exception. Her foods are good, and most of them are real foods, not the horrid Frankenfoods sold as low carb by many other authors. I don't spend much time in the desserts section, as I don't do many sweets.

The Mexican Cabbage Soup (pg 202) is a great example of real, good, quick food in this cookbook. I've done 101 variations on that theme after eating this one. The entire family has eaten quite well.

The chapter on low sugar condiments is well worth the price of the book. Make your own ketchup and a few other condiments, rather than buying special, expensive diet ones, and you've just paid for the book!

AMAZING
This book is amazing.I've used it almost every night for the past 3 weeks (and I've lost 13 pounds).I love it!My husband said that last night's dinner was Restaurant Quality!And, everything truly takes less than 15 minutes!!!! ... Read more

Isbn: 159233041X
Sales Rank: 706
Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. General    4. Health & Healing - Low Fat    5. Health & Healing - Weight Control    6. Low-carbohydrate diet    7. Methods - Quick & Easy    8. Quick and easy cookery    9. Quick and easy cooking    10. Recipes    11. Diets & dieting    12. Health & wholefood cookery   

Martha Stewart Living
by Martha Stewart Living
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
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Editorial Review

Even if you will never make a "gourd candle" or a "Fortuny-inspired tablecloth," Martha Stewart Living can't be beat for its wealth of ideas concerning what Martha calls "good things." A crafter for craft's sake, and an obsessively organized woman (just look at her personal calendar, included in the first few pages), there is no concept or task that is too mundane for Martha. Like Martha herself, the magazine is impeccably organized--recipes and decorating instructions appear with full-color photos, each filed in their own sections of "cooking," "keeping," "crafts," "home," and "collecting." Learn to slip matched sets of bed linens into one of their pillowcases for easy and convenient shelving, make washcloth mitts, and coordinate mismatched towels with decorative ribbon. A whiz at flower arranging, dinner parties, card and sewing crafts, and decorating, Martha covers and conquers all areas of the home--plus weddings, baby showers, and holidays. --Daphne Durham ... Read more

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Reviews (64)

inspirational but...
I have had a hard time, not only finding the ingredients for recipes and crafts, but also getting them to work out the way they claim they should in the magazine.

style for the masses
This is a fine magazine with truly scrumptious recipes if you're into the kitchen/food thing, home ideas that one can actually use (or that will inspire one to do something similar), and exquisite photography, usually quite stark and simple, of ways to enhance the aesthetic beauty of one's life.
One can serve a plain meal of soup and bread, and make it look like a feast, if you get into Martha's way of looking at things, and it does not take a spending spree to have a "Martha Look". Her basic table settings tend to be white china (one can use mix and match white plates from the local thrift store), clear glass, and colorful fabric...add some well shaped twigs in a glass vase for a centerpiece, and voila ! you have a table that could be shown in this lovely magazine; a rule for "The Look" seems to be the absence of clutter.

Of the regular monthly articles, I like "Ask Martha", which solves problems posed by readers, from health issues to how best to clean your eyeglasses, to "How can I get the coating on my chicken to stay in place when I am frying it ?".
"Clip-Art Craft" is another I appreciate, where in the August '04 edition for example, there are attractive templates for postcards, which one can copy onto card stock, glue a 4 x 6 photo to, and send to your friends. It's another grand idea from Martha !
You'll find articles on antiques, pets, gardening, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and much more, and on the last page, the yummy "Cookie of the Month".

Martha Stewart has brought style and good merchandise at affordable prices for those of us who are budget conscious, but like nice things. I have bought her bedding, and her bathroom accessories have graceful shapes and are an excellent value, and this magazine is one of my favorite aspects of the "Martha industry". The Patricians I know are not usually kind to Martha, but Proles & Plebes like me tend to greatly appreciate her.
Martha, we're going to stick by you through thick and thin !

i love it
This is the most well rounded magazine. Outstanding photography and truly well written articelsmake this a one of a kind. ... Read more

Asin: B00005NIOA
Subjects:  1. Home (Houses, Homes)    2. Food & Gourmet    3. Home & Garden    4. Crafts   

Sunset
by Sunset Magazine
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
list price: $59.88 -- our price: $16.95
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Reviews (17)

Sunset: A Well Rounded Magazine
I've been a Sunset subscriber off and on for years. They are the most well-regarded magazine out here in California, for gardeners, cooks and do it your-selfers.

Each issue offers a regional spotlight, offering travel, lodging and special interest activities. It's a great resource for anyone looking for perhaps a different area to visit.

The cooks section is always great and usually I can find at least 4 recipes to use in my kitchen each issue. Sunset also offers their recipe annuals, which have become treasured favorites in my kitchen. These hardbound books are a compilation of all Sunsets recipes. For those that love bread baking, Sunset offers some simply awesome bread recipes. All recipes are tested first in Sunsets' kitchens, before publication.

Sunsets garden section contains monthly tips and reminders for doing seasonal chores. The planting guides are a novice gardeners best friend. Every issue devotes itself to between two and three garden projects-offered step by step, and again-only after being tested in Sunsets own gardens.

Add to that the many great home design feature and projects, you get a magazine worth 3 times the amount they charge. If you've never tried Sunset magazine, I can honestly say you're in for a treat.

Bring back the good memories of living in Northen California
I moved to midwest a couple of years ago due to a job change. I am bored by the midwest life style. I dreamed of flying back to California all the time and every time I see California on TV, my eyes get wet in a second. Sunset brings the sunshine, color, food, garden and fragrance of California to my life. Everything in the magazine just looks so familiar.
I do hope the magazine report more exciting things I like about San Francisco and Napa Valley, like the county fair, small town July 4th celebration and fireworks, good Chinese restaurants, and organic farms. Oh, the peach at San Rafael's farmer's market is just wonderful. I fly there every year in September to catch the flavor king and flavor queen peaches, the sweet and fragrant grapes, the tender and crunchy cucumber, the lovely peapod, the new crop cashew nuts, and handsome harp player and the nice farmers.....I would call that a good life.

West coast gardener's definitive guide
If you live west of the middle like I do you must also be addicted to this magazine.

I look forward to the release of every issue.Great articles on all sorts of things to do, places to go and gardening tips to savor, this magazine is all you need.

Go back and relish past issues too - there is never a dull feature. ... Read more

Asin: B00005NIOW
Sales Rank: 26
Subjects:  1. Gardening (Garden, Gardens)    2. Home (Houses, Homes)    3. Food & Gourmet    4. Regional    5. West Coast    6. Recipes    7. Cooking   

Saveur
by World Publications Inc
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
list price: $40.00 -- our price: $19.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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• Magazine Subscription

Reviews (20)

Saveur is far and away the best magazine for food lovers
Delicious recipes, color photos, travel background, ingredients sources, well written articles and the ads are not designed to make you rip the magazine apart like a certain 'no ads' magazine.

Sometimes the contributing authors are a little full of themselves, but overall the writing is excellent and the food is authentic to the region being written about.Its a touch expensive direct from Saveur, but a good deal on Amazon.

Great Read!! Cover to Cover
I love this magazine because it gives the background and history of food. When I get the magazine each month,I have to read it right then and there. I finally found out where Salisbury Steak originated. In Ohio, by a doctor during the Civil War. Not in England. The photography is beautiful and some of the stories are memories of what the certain food means to them. They make you want to try everything in the magazine. Saveur is not pretentious as "Food and Wine" or "Gourmet." It is nice to read about regular people that make great food at reasonable expenses. Subscribe to this magazine!

Quality, Content and Value!
Nuts 'n Bolts opinion...you get what you pay for (apologies for ending the sentence with a preposition!).SAVEUR is quality, specific directions and very clear.Other competitive magazines have 80% ads throughout magazine.Saveur does not.Photos are superb.The recipes continue on next page (vs. continued 43 pages in the back), Editor's comments on availability, etc. are included.Paper is thick and high gloss.We spend more money each month on Starbucks.Treat yourself to a much less expensive luxury.Subscribe to SAVEUR. ... Read more

Asin: B00005N7SL
Sales Rank: 89
Subjects:  1. Cooking Food & Wine    2. General    3. Home Economics    4. Food & Gourmet    5. Cooking   

Weight Watchers Magazine
by Pro Circ
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
list price: $17.70 -- our price: $11.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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• Magazine Subscription

Reviews (17)

Worthwhile for diet and nutrition newbies
WW magazine is one of the best for those wanting sound and sensible advice on adopting a healhty lifestyle.The articles are well written and accessible, though at times a bit on the basic side.It's perfect for the clueless or confused and frustrated with all the diet hoopla.

My only complaint is that I do wonder at times if the recipes are actually tested before publication.Sometimes, the technique used is inappropriate and renders an inedible product to my taste.I must admit I'm a foodie, and love to cook and bake, and am probably pickier than most.Be forewarned, and read through recipes before proceeding is my suggestion.You may choose to execute the recipes differently to get a better texture or alter the spices and herbs to add more flavor.

I have lost 43 pounds with the WW meetings program, and have found the magazine helpful, motivational, and inspiring.I'd encourage a subscription for anyone who really wants to learn to change their lifestyle.The magazine will teach you how to do it right on many fronts, from fitness to food shopping to dealing with special ocassions, family and friends, work, you name it.Weight Watchers has a strategy for adapting your new behaviors to every situation.It's all addressed here!

Useful for everyone
I have been on weight watchers now for three years. However I just started subscribing to the Weight Watchers magazine in the past six months. In many ways it continues to inspire and jum start my motivation. When I am feeling frustrated I can look in the magazine to find something, ranging from recipes to great success stories, to motivate me. This months issue on vacations will be really useful for you in thinking about this summer. Even if you are not on wieght watchers and are interested in health living this magazine will be helpful to you.

Get WW, If Only for the Receipes
I lost 34 pounds on Weight Watchers and part of that was because of their phenomenal publication. My wife and enjoy every issue, filled with new research, helpful facts, loads of coupons and those recipes.

My wife enjoys cooking from the recipes. What I love about WW is that you can live a normal life and eat the things you want. You'll be surprised at how many calories you can cut out of a regular dish just by substituting certan ingredients. And you don't even taste the difference! Sometimes its even better.

If you're trying to lose weight through WW, you really should have the magazine. It's inexpensive and it will help you along the way. ... Read more

Asin: B00005NIPE
Sales Rank: 32
Subjects:  1. Food & Gourmet    2. Health & Fitness    3. Women's Health   

Calphalon Professional Nonstick II Limited Edition 10-Inch Omelet Pan
by Calphalon
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen (20 June, 2002)
list price: $58.00 -- our price: $19.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Omelets, whether firm country-style or tender French, must be cooked quickly and folded in the pan. A classic omelet pan, therefore, is thick-bottomed for rapid, even heating and shallow with steeply sloped sides so omelets can be rolled easily against them. This pan qualifies on all counts, and it's ideal for sautéing and searing, also. Use only plastic, nylon, and wooden utensils on its nonstick cooking surface. The pan is anodized for hardness. For that no-nonsense, commercial-kitchen look, Calphalon's Professional Nonstick II cookware wears a matte finish. Rolled stainless-steel handles are double-riveted for durability and balance, and stay cool on stovetops. Holes in the handles facilitate hanging on a hook or peg. Made of heavy-gauge aluminum, pans cook without hot spots or warping. Lifetime warranty against defects. --Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Oven safe to 450 degrees; lifetime warranty; made in China
• Made of heavy-gauge aluminum for superior heat conductivity without hot spots or warping
• Two-layer advanced nonstick interior; anodized for hardness
• Thick-bottomed for rapid, even heating; double-riveted, stainless-steel handles
• Use only plastic, nylon, and wooden utensils on nonstick coating

Reviews (39)

A real workhorse. Buy Two!
I'm not kidding when I suggest you should own two of these little beauties. I am constantly running into recipes which use two saute pans at the same time and these are perfect for every case I've found.

Every expert I've heard on the subject suggests buying inexpensive non-stick cookware, as even the best will have its Teflon coating wear off over time. Mario Batali says they replace their nonstick cookware at Babbo once every few months. Now you are probably not working them as hard as the crew at Babbo, but you get the point.

The trick is to find one which is inexpensive, but not so cheap as to be annoying. For starters, this model is totally oven-safe, which is essential for frittatas. It also has a very nice curve to its lip for omelets, crepes, and other flippable applications.

The handle is stainless steel which marvelously stays cool even when the pan is over moderately high heat.

The only thing which concerns me about this model is the fact that the handle is a little thin, so it is easy for the pan to turn and spill if the contents are a bit unbalanced. But, for this price, you simply cannot go wrong.

Very highly recommended.

Amazing!
The best pan i have ever owned and it is the only one i now use.I am ordering 2 more to replace some older pans i have.It IS the best!

Poor nonstick coating
We received several pieces of Professional Nonstick II cookware for our wedding and the nonstick coating is horrible. After just a few months the surface became pitted and food sticks very strongly. Furthermore, the rivets that hold the handle in place are exposed metal and food sticks there every time (and quite vigorously). Since you cannot scrub the nonstick surface, you are left to either watch as more and more food sticks to the pan or just throw the pan away after only a few months of use. ... Read more

Asin: B00005M1TV
Subjects:  1. Cookware    2. Skillets    3. Fry Pans    4. (Frypans)    5. (Frying Pans)    6. (Cook Ware)    7. (Calphlon)    8. (Calaphon)   

Black & Decker JW200 Lids Off Jar Opener, White
by Black & Decker
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $29.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

With the Lids Off jar opener, Black & Decker has simplified the opening of jars to a no-strain, one-hand operation. Electrically powered, the Lids Off cradles a jar on its lower turntable then grips its lid when you lower the upper housing. Push the large power button, and—voila!—the lid is twisted free. Designed for use on metal or plastic lids, the opener makes a handy tool for anyone and can be especially helpful for those with weak hands or arthritis. The unit accommodates a wide range of jars, from baby food to spaghetti sauce, anything up to 4-1/2 inches in diameter and 8 inches high. It is not intended, however, for the very narrow necks of beer bottles or tall jars of juice. Measuring 8-1/2 by 7-3/4 by 10 inches, the Lids Off is collapsible for space-efficiency and comes with built-in power cord storage. --Emily Bedard ... Read more

Features

• Measures 8-1/2 inches wide by 7-3/4 inches deep by 10 inches high
• Electric jar opener that easily releases vacuum-sealed lids
• Simple operation, adjustable height, and large release button
• Ideal for anyone needing a stronger grip
• Fits jars up to 4-1/2 inches in diameter and 8 inches high

Reviews (46)

Works For Me!
I got this Lids Off appliance as a Christmas gift in 2003.The first one did not work properly so I sent back just the plug with the serial numbers on it, per B&D instructions.In about three weeks I received a brand new appliance and this one has worked flawlessly every time I use it.I have arthritis in both hands so opening jars is a real problem.It's true that there are limits to the size jars it will open but I live alone and do not buy large jars of anything so that's not a problem for me.I like mine and I hope it keeps on keepin on!

Works every time
I bought it for my mother, who has been having problems opening jars.She loves it.It works every time.

Lids off - quick and easy too!
OK, so I have to say, this gadget did not at first glance seem worthy of taking up any of my precious kitchen space.I mean, I have a HUSBAND, so who needs an electric jar opener?

Well poor Husband had a little accident whereby he detached his biceps tendon in his left arm (OUCH!) and subsequently had surgery.Needless to say, he became instantly useless to me for jar-opening purposes!

My Dad had been given one of these for Christmas and the instant my Husband saw it - he NEEDED one!So I ordered it up here at Amazon.

I must say, it works as advertised, is lightweight, takes up very little space (I keep it on the kickplate under my kitchen countertop and only put it ON the countertop when using it) and is a great conversation piece!

Now, whenever I need a jar opened, I STILL call Husband, but only because he has proclaimed the jar opener HIS DOMAIN and not to be used by wimmin!LOL!Fine by me - but I HAVE used it when he's not home and trust me, it IS easy! ... Read more

Asin: B00008GS9U
Subjects:  1. Electric Can Openers    2. Manual Can Openers    3. Small Appliances    4. Electrics    5. Kitchen    6. Can Openers   

Casa Moda "S'mores" Maker
by Lifetime Hoan
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $40.00 -- our price: $14.49
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Diehard s’mores fans will take year-round pleasure in this indoor/outdoor Casa Moda s’mores maker. Though it doesn’t have quite the cachet of a bonfire, the tidy little unit does have everything necessary to cooking and compiling s’mores ingredients. The centerpiece of the appliance is the 5-1/4-by-5-1/2-inch marshmallow-roasting grill, which runs on a 2-6-ounce can of chafing fuel, such as Sterno (chafing fuel not included). The grill includes a burner for the fuel, as well as a handle and a snuffer to extinguish the flame. A lazy susan base holds the grill as well as the thick white ceramic containers for the graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. Casa Moda also includes four roasting forks and a clear set of instructions. A fun item to pull out for late-night snacking or movie marathons, the unit is highly functional if not terrifically stylish. It also beats a bonfire in your living room. All pieces should be washed by hand. --Emily Bedard ... Read more

Features

• Indoor/outdoor cooking kit designed specifically for making s'mores
• Includes toasting grill, stainless-steel lazy susan, and ceramic ingredient holders
• Washing by hand recommended to preserve all parts
• Powered by chafing dish (not included)

Reviews (41)

I love it!
My daughters have sleepovers every weekend so I purchased this as a "fun" item instead of the old chips and dip.What alot of fun!I can't wait to use it this summer outdoors, too, as we have a gas barbecue and miss roasting marshmallows from when we had a charcoal grill!I purchased the 3 2.6 oz. sternos at the local grocery store for $3.99.When I received this item, I was truly impressed, I expected a cheap piece but everything is sturdy and beautiful.I alsopurchased it witht he BONUS fondue maker!Thanks!

Oh, Puleeeez people!
A simple search for "chafing fuel" on Amazon will net some results.

Other than that, the product is up to par.Yeah, so it's an unnecessary (the way I feel about TV btw) but it's fun.I got it for my son's birthday party coming up in a few weeks and tested it out with good results.

Seriously.Google and Amazon searches are your friend.:P

Dissappointed, No fuel
We got this for a christmas gift, and I thought it was really cute.My son was begging me all week to make smores, so I went out and bought the grahms, choclate, and marshmellows.We come home , open the box, put it together, and lo and beholdfind that you need to purschase chaffing fuel separately to use the thing, which I found absolutely ridiculous. Here's a present, but you can't use it until you go out and buy something else for it... ... Read more

Asin: B00009XFX4
Subjects:  1. Specialty Cookware    2. (Cook Ware)    3. Kitchen    4. Cookware