The Cookbook Critic http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/ en Copyright 2006 Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:54:36 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.2 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Update I'm not going to have any new tests for Thanksgiving this year; I haven't seen any recipes that look terribly interesting, and I'm still having a great deal of trouble typing. Last year's Thanksgiving recipes are under "Holiday Menus and Recipes."

Thanks to everyone who has sent me email about my MS. I really appreciate your kind words and concern. I am feeling pretty good, although I have yet to see any improvement in my symptoms. I'd like to try some ideas for Christmas brunch, but it remains to be seen whether I'll be up to it or not. In the meantime, please check out the archives, and have a fantastic Thanksgiving!

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/11/update.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/11/update.html Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:54:36 -0800 Medical Hiatus Hi, and sorry for the long delay between posts. I have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (thanks to everyone who sent tips and/or sympathy about my carpal tunnel; turns out I never had it to begin with!). I am starting a course of treatment and expect to be able to resume my normal activities within a few months, but for the time being, I am going to have to put this blog on hold.

Thanks to all my readers who have been so supportive over the last year. I've had great fun doing this blog and hope to get back to it in time. My intention at this time is to resume some tests in time for Thanksgiving -- I always like to give Cook's Illustrated's Thanksgiving issue a test run in the kitchen, to see if any of their new recipes deserve a place on my holiday table. If you have other holiday recipes that you'd like to see tested, please forward them to me. And please check back in mid-November!

Thanks, and I'll see you soon!

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/09/medical_hiatus.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/09/medical_hiatus.html Mon, 25 Sep 2006 15:52:35 -0800 On Hiatus Faithful readers will remember that I had carpal tunnel surgery in March. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any improvement in my hand, and in fact, the numbness has been steadily worsening. This is making it very difficult for me to type, so I'm going on hiatus while I make the round of doctors to try to figure out if there's anything to be done. I'll check back in after Labor Day with an update on my hand.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/on_hiatus_1.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/on_hiatus_1.html Mon, 21 Aug 2006 10:00:09 -0800 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: Filet of Beef Bourguignon A quicker treatment than the classic recipe for beef Bourguignon, which requires a long cooking time. This recipe uses slices of beef filet, which cook up very tender and tasty. The downsides: a 3-pound filet of beef is very expensive, and the recipe didn't make enough sauce.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_8.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_8.html Tested Recipes Thu, 17 Aug 2006 08:15:33 -0800 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: Outrageous Brownies A completely over-the-top brownie recipe from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. They take a bit more work than regular brownies, but the results are excellent. One big problem, however: the batter burned around the edges of the pan.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_7.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_7.html Tested Recipes Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:56:01 -0800 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: Homemade Granola A pretty simple, very good-tasting recipe from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. I have a couple of quibbles: the cooking time was too long, and I don't like what happens to the granola's texture when it's stored.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_6.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_6.html Tested Recipes Mon, 14 Aug 2006 10:27:22 -0800 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: Indonesian Ginger Chicken In the name-dropping introductory paragraph to this recipe, Ina Garten says that "Lauren Bacall gets cranky" if the Barefoot Contessa store is sold out of this chicken. Since the store doesn't exist any more, I suppose that's not a problem these days. I guess I'm no Lauren Bacall (shocking, I know), because while this is an okay treatment for chicken, it's nothing spectacular.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_5.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_5.html Tested Recipes Mon, 14 Aug 2006 10:12:36 -0800 Sporadic Posting Hey there, I'm still around, although the sporadic nature of my posts recently might lead you to believe otherwise. I've got busy real-life stuff keeping me away from the computer, but I have been cooking from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook and I have plenty of entries in the pipeline. I'll try to have new content up this week, but can't guarantee it. Next week, however, I'll be back on track, so check early and often!

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/sporadic_postin.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/sporadic_postin.html Wed, 09 Aug 2006 11:55:29 -0800 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: Pecan Shortbread Here's a very good shortbread recipe from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook. I thought the instructions sounded strange, but my initial impression was wrong: the recipe works, and the cookies are delicious. The yield, however, is way off.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_2.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_2.html Tested Recipes Mon, 07 Aug 2006 10:30:13 -0800 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: Parmesan Smashed Potatoes A delicious side dish that owes its delectable flavor to the large quantities of half-and-half, butter, sour cream, and cheese that go into it. Ina Garten says that if you're being virtuous with the somewhat lean Turkey Meatloaf, you can serve these potatoes alongside it and feel good about it. I'd still like a better meatloaf, but the potatoes are fantastic.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_4.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_4.html Tested Recipes Fri, 04 Aug 2006 08:27:35 -0800 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: Turkey Meatloaf I have yet to find a turkey meatloaf that tastes as good as the old standby made with beef, pork, and veal. Alas, this rendition from Ina Garten's The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook fares no better than any other turkey meatloaf I've tried: the flavor is bland and the texture leaves much to be desired.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_3.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_3.html Tested Recipes Fri, 04 Aug 2006 07:51:37 -0800 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: Peach and Raspberry Crisp A perfect recipe for this time of year, when the peaches are ripe and juicy. Get the sweetest peaches you can find, from the farmer's market if possible.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_1.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co_1.html Tested Recipes Thu, 03 Aug 2006 08:46:22 -0800 The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook: Croissant Bread Pudding An over-the-top dessert from Ina Garten. If you like bread pudding this one may appeal to you; I found it rather boring, myself.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/the_barefoot_co.html Tested Recipes Wed, 02 Aug 2006 11:58:25 -0800 In Progress: Ina Garten's The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook At last, I'm moving on from Food Network Favorites! Ina Garten hosts a show on the Food Network, and was the owner of the eponymous Barefoot Contessa specialty food store/restaurant/bakery in the Hamptons. This book, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, features recipes and ideas from that store.

My first glance through the book shows beautiful photography and some interesting recipes, so let's see how they work!

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/in_progress_ina.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/08/in_progress_ina.html Currently Testing Wed, 02 Aug 2006 11:42:30 -0800 Food Network Favorites: Tortilla Soup Buy a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and turn it into tasty soup with this recipe from the Food Network Kitchens chapter. There's miminal prep and the end result is very good.

]]> http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/07/food_network_fa_63.html http://www.thecookbookcritic.com/archives/2006/07/food_network_fa_63.html Tested Recipes Mon, 31 Jul 2006 10:49:14 -0800