Rocket’s Resources | Magazines

Chile Pepper

Chile Pepper is not for the faint of heart.

This magazine packs some heat; nearly every recipe's ingredient list has at least one chili pepper or derived spice.

The tone of this magazine is sheer fun, dedicated to heating up your kitchen. There is light-hearted humor throughout, along with not-so-subtle reminders that variety is the spice of life.

From the authentic and traditional to the zany and experimental, each recipe includes a zest factor to let you know just how much heat to expect. An awesome find for anyone who likes spicy food.

Cook's Illustrated

Cooks Illustrated is a long-time favorite of mine. In fact, I have been a loyal subscriber since its inception! The magazine accepts no advertising, so they tell it like it is.

Each article describes the extensive testing performed to achieve the ultimate recipe. This approach lets you know what works, what doesn't, and why. In addition to recipes, products are reviewed and rated.

True to its name, the magazine wears a beautiful color illustration on its cover. Hand-drawn illustrations are used throughout to show techniques. Inside the back cover, color photographs show the featured items. This is not a glitzy, glossy magazine, but rather a valuable, practical resource.

Fine Cooking

Fine Cooking is a fine example of interesting articles accompanied by mouthwatering photography.

The magazine publishes in-depth articles about ingredients and techniques, and features both of these in seasonal recipes. In addition, kitchen utensils and equipment are regularly reviewed. The magazine is well-laid out and diverse, with culinary topics that range from simple to complex.

The back of the magazine also includes nutrition information for each recipe in the issue, including calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, cholesterol, sodium, and fiber.

Saveur

Saveur brings the tastes of the world straight to your heart with articles and recipes in which culture is a key ingredient.

With each issue, you can savour the flavors described by the authors as they travel from your own backyard to far away places. The articles, focusing on ordinary people, not famous chefs, are rich with a personal touch that makes the everyday local food and drink sound amazing. The accompanying recipes won't disappoint you.

Color photographs throughout the magazine give credence to the authenticity of the recipes and how they have been derived.

This magazine underwent a design change in late 2005 and now carries more advertising in prominent places. In addition, the cover was redesigned, losing the classic wide border and the sophisticated look that went along with it. Nonetheless, the content still makes this one of my top picks.