Emily Reviews: Everyday Food

Everyday Food Magazine Review / Recommendation

I referenced this week’s recommendation in my recent Meal Planning article. So, for those of you who were wondering what Everyday Food was, here it is. I love this magazine for so many reasons: few ads, small size (5 ¼” x 7 ¼”), easy storage, tasty recipes, plentiful tips, and did I mention great food?

This publication is from the editors of Martha Stewart Omnimedia. But unlike some of the recipes in Martha Stewart Living, this magazine lives up to its name – Everyday Food. All the recipes are limited to two pages, one page pictures the end product, and the second page lists all the ingredients and assembly process. There are hardly any advertisements, and those that are included are well-placed in order to not interfere with the recipes. One of the greatest things about this magazine is that the editors seek to educate and inspire the beginner cook as well as the seasoned cook.

The website is not as plentiful as I thought it might be, but it is a great way to reference back issues if you are a new subscriber. The four main sections of the website are: Recipes, Freeze It, What’s in Season, and Tools and Techniques. It also includes: Recipe of the Week, Video Demos of the Week, and a Recipe Finder. The best part of the Recipe Finder is the “quick cook” option. Fortunately, or unfortunately, when recipe hunting, the site directs you to the MSO archives, which navigates you away from those friendly Everyday Food recipes. The Video Demos are excerpts from their nationally syndicated show of the same name. It can be found in many areas on PBS.

As always, I listed their monthly features, but why not request a free preview issue from the website for your own perusal. I guarantee you will love it.

IN EACH ISSUE

• Recipe Index: Categorizes all recipes by type (side dishes, desserts, etc.). Indicates which recipes are light and/or low carb.
• Healthy Start: 1-2 recipes per month that are low in fat, high in whole grains, or high in nutrients.
• Cooking for One: 1-3 recipes per month that target those who cook for just themselves. Of course, these are easily doubled, tripled, or quadrupled.
• Freeze It: 1-3 recipes per month that are easily prepared ahead of time and successfully frozen. They include tips on defrosting the particular recipes and hints for freshening them up if needed.
• Zap It: Microwave cooking anyone??
• Must-Have: Highlights different cooking tools and gives a brief lesson on how to use them.
• Lunchbox
• Food Facts: A lesson on less familiar foods, how to use them, how to cook them and what makes them special.
• Spice Rack: A monthly tutorial focusing on a single herb or spice.
• Kitchen Tip
• How To: Features a technique and how to get perfect results each time.
• Wine Basics
• In Season: Explains how to buy, store, and use different types of produce. Also focuses on the nutritional benefits. (6-8 recipes per month)
• Nutrition Notes: Introduces a vitamin or mineral and defines it and teaches you the sources and uses.
• Have you Tried?: Expounds on hard to find, specialty foods, or newly popular foods. For instance: edamame.
• Nutritional Index
• Everyday Pantry: a neat grocery list if you are interested in preparing every recipe in the magazine that month.
• Cookie Jar: Sweet tooth, anyone??

Emily’s favorites:

Magazine: In Season, Healthy Start
Website: Video Demos (www.everydayfoodmag.com)