Food Mag Files - May 2011

Hello food/magazines (or food magazine) addicts!  All the magazines are about carbs this month - hardly surprising given we all love a bit of comfort food as the weather gets cooler.  I never cease to be amazed by the craftmanship of each issue - the photography, the layout, the content, the cohesion of an issue is a truly a work of art in itself - and I know we're talking about magazines here and not works of fine art but since going behind the scenes, I am looking at these magazines now with fresh pairs of eyes.  

Now onto the issues this month!

Good Food

This magazine for me is going from strength the strength - again with a large celebrity contingent like last month - and sharing achievable - homestyle recipes - it's a winning formula.  The photography style of this magazine is fresh without being clinical.

I know some of you love souffles - Manu shows you all about souffles this month and there's a number of variations too.  The cover recipe is Gary Mehigan's minestrone, which inspired me to make my own this month too.

My favourite spread in Good Food this month is the focus on almonds - not only as a dessert but in mains and a great alternative for those gluten free folk.  I adore almonds (I think you may have worked that out right?) so there's a few recipes there I'd like to try - most notably the flourless coconut and almond cake.

Donna Hay - Autumn issue

I love Donna Hay and the magazine but I have to say this issue feels a bit weak to me.  Gosh those donuts on the cover totally have me salivating but the issue as a whole left me a bit luke-warm. Can't quite put my finger on it - though there's nothing bad about it I just expect more 'wow' these days.

There was a lot of recipes that seemed more about styling than taste .... it could be as simple as that (and I'm such a visual person!)  but the recipes that stand out to me is the series on steamed puddings.... I'm so doing at least one of these!

Super Food Ideas

It's the Italian issue this month and what I love about Super Food Ideas is how it can cater to so many but at the same time cater to minorities.  The gluten-free focus on Italian is a great example of this.  I am also giving the smoked fish and corn chowder a try... :)

Masterchef Magazine

Well I suppose it's the last ditch effort to put Callum and Adam on the cover because there will be a whole bunch of fresh faces next month when Masterchef resumes.  I'm undecided if I will continue my subscription as I can't relate to 80% of the recipes in the past few issues.

I'm hoping the inclusion of Matt Moran as a new judge hopefully injects some more relate-ability for me - if his recipe for chocolate and pear tart this month is anything to go by - I'm hopeful.

Recipes +

This issue is consistent - it's got attractive recipes and they are quite easily relate-able - but not a lot with wow factor - the recipes that caught my eye was the upside-down cake feature with pineapple, coconut and rhubarb.

Australian Good Taste

Australian Good Taste are taking us on a culinary journey around the world this issue - lots of recipes for those of you with tagines (and even if you don't you can easily adapt) and overall I have to say if you love flavour - this is an issue you'll use a lot.

My favourite (and this would be no surprise to my long term readers!) is that that HOORAY... there is a 'how to make your own curry paste' feature.  How I have waited for this!  I make mine where I can and I'm always on the hunt for more paste recipes!  Thank you Michelle! xx

 And next month - I'm in Australian Good Taste - I can't wait to share the issue with you - I went to the cover shoot last month and I tasted the cover recipe -so.so.so. GOOD!

Do you have any favourites this month?  An issue you've got your eye on or a recipe you've tried?

Food Mag Files - April 2011

I've mentioned this a good many times now, but I have a terrible, terrible magazine addiction.  Well, it's not terrible for me - but I'm sure my postie rolls his eyes every time he delivers one because I get magazines every.single.week.  Sometimes a few at a time.

So I thought I'd give you an overview of what's in the food mags I read - and what might be worth checking out yourself.  Most of the magazines this month quite predictably offer some Easter fare, but I'm loving that many magazines are focusing on seasonal ingredients..


Australian Good Taste

Well it's the CHOCOLATE issue.  Need I say more?  I love their photography, it's so lickable isn't it?
The recipe on my list from this issue is Salmon and Dill pie.  Looks so comforting doesn't it?

Recipes +

This issue is a standout I must say and really hones in on the family on a budget.  

My only criticism would be the overuse of pre-packaged sauces and pastes in the recipes.  My pick is the impossible lime and coconut pie (and I think I may even roadtest it this week here what do you think?)

Australian Good Food

I love this magazine and though it is littered with celebrity chefs, the recipes are achievable.  

The crazy Spaniard Miguel Maestre shares some Easter seafood recipes - and I'm definitely going to try some out - the best seafood I've ever eaten was in Spain and he has a very simple and flavoursome approach to food.   There's also a great Italian Easter recipe feature by Giovanni Pilu.

Delicious

The best way to describe Delicious for me anyways, is it's aimed at those who entertain, and I think either kids who have flown the coop or DINK couples.  It's not family-centric in my view.  It does have some great recipes in it from time to time though that's got 'cross-over' appeal - but it's a bit hit and miss.

This issue the recipe that grabs my eye is the gluten free hot-smoked trout, pea and lemon risotto:

Masterchef Magazine (Issue 10)

This issue marks one year of Masterchef Magazine - but like the Delicious Magazine, not many of the recipes would make it on my weekly meal plan.  A lot of it is restaurant-style food and whilst I love that kind of food it's not my every day.

What has caught my eye though was the Turkish Pide editorial and recipes.  Great recipe to feed a family or serve a crowd at Easter:

And lastly but not leastly, Super Food Ideas

What I love about this publication is that it's jam-packed with useful things. 

I love the guide on where to put what in your fridge and all round fridge hygiene guide..

And being a big fan of meatballs, their meatball feature this month I think will appeal to many...

So do you have any comments on these issues? Do you have them?  Do you subscribe to many magazines or do you buy them at the supermarket/newsagent - where else?