Emily Reviews: Cooking Light

My absolute favorite cooking magazine, website, and cookbook are/is Cooking Light – www.cookinglight.com. I have subscribed to the magazine for 6 years now, and haven’t tired of it yet. In fact, I am such a junkie that at the end of each year, I buy the Annual Recipes cookbook for the year. Besides tasting great, their recipes are easy to follow and for the most part easy to prepare.

Why do I like this magazine so much? Well, I am glad you asked. The editors at Cooking Light have a mission, and that is to teach their readers more about the world of cooking and enjoying food. As a former teacher, and life-long student, I love how they take the time to explain and dissect each technique and form of cooking. I may have learned more, or just as much, from this magazine as I did from my college professors. Cooking Light is in step with new trends as well as classics in the kitchen. Best of all, they don’t dumb down their publications, but they teach their readership in order to form a new generation of culinary enthusiasts.

As a benefit of subscribing to the magazine, you receive unrestricted access to the website which is a treasure trove of resources for your kitchen!! If you have never even browsed through the magazine, take a few minutes to peruse the website and request two complimentary samples of the magazine. I guarantee you will be hooked. Be forewarned, the website is so good you might never get dinner cooked tonight.

Each month, the magazine includes several stories; a section called First Light, which highlights the latest in food and fitness; a healthy living section; and approximately 100 recipes. I have included a brief overview of the regular monthly features of the magazine below, so you can get a taste of this amazing magazine.

HEALTHY LIVING

• Beautywise: tips on keeping your outside in just the same shape as your inside.
• Eating Smart: a nutrition tutorial which is excellent for those without any background in nutrition. This column examines how vitamins, mineral, foods, and chemicals affect your body.
• Good Moves: an exercise tutorial – all types of physical fitness — horseback riding, kayaking and everything in between.
• Enlightened Traveler: for the ultimate foodie who wants to know the best dives in just about any “major” American city and some international ones too.
• FitHouse: helps you implement healthy living into your home, not just your kitchen.
• Pursuits: hobbies and exercise for your mind.

COOKING

• Cooking Class: New subject every month. A sample of this year’s coursework – roasts, meatloaf, soufflés.
• Lighten Up: Lightens up one reader recipe per month. This is great because, if you pay attention, you will receive valuable tips on how to lighten tried and true family favorites in your own household.
• Reader Recipes: enough said.
• Inspired Vegetarian: Vegetarian dishes with just as much flavor and flare as the rest of their recipes. Even good for those of us who include meat in our diet.
• Dinner Tonight: 20 minutes or less!!!!!
• In Season: Recipes tailored to what is in season at your local farmer’s market.
• Technique: Learn how to work your way around the kitchen and look like an expert.
• Superfast: 30 minutes or less – they even suggest side dishes so that you have the whole meal planned for you.

Emily’s favorites:

Magazine: Superfast and Cooking Class
Website: the recipe finder