Cook's Illustrated

Cook's Illustrated is a no-nonsense, incredibly detailed, well-written, well-researched, and fussy-about-quality-food magazine written for American home cooks and foodies, not gourmet cooks (although the food you'll end up cooking might qualify as gourmet) or food faddists. The annuals include all of the magazines for that year bound into hardcovers and handily indexed. Quick Tips showcase reader tips for everything under the sun and in the kitchen. Recipes may include everything from making a better pot roast to Indian food. Equipment reviews rank essential (and some not so essential) kitchen tools. Each recipe features a description of the process the author went through to get the master recipe, usually including any interesting food science tidbits along the way (for instance, how heat, in the instance of cooked food, may affect the protein molecules, etc.), which makes for some fascinating reading; it's not unheard of for me to read that part of the recipe out loud to admiring dinner guests at their request."My" chicken and dumplings have been pronounced "the best ever", "my" pork roasts have been called "to die for", and "my" roast turkey is looked forward to by anyone who has ever come to my table during the holidays.I have collected each annual, eagerly looking forward to each one even if I've received the magazine on subscription, and each one makes me a better cook -- if you want to become known as a fabulous home cook, these annuals will put you ahead of the pack!

I have about 3 different cooks illustrated cook books, only this one has a year attached to it "2001" But I have become a better cook by having them. I am leary of buying more as many reviews I've read say repitition is inevibable. I wish I knew of one of their books that had everything in it the way fanny farmers or betty crocker does, I'd buy that in a heart beat. The receipes are delicious and I haven't made a bad meal since getting the books.

I recently discovered Cook's Illustrated through a cookbook given to my husband and I for our wedding. It was their "Best Of.." cookbook. After trying several of their recipes with no failures, I asked for their annual magazine book for Christmas. What a find! I love reading the articles and I love the recipes. The book has all the magazines from 2001 in it, from January - December. I am currently making recipes from the Jaunary/February issue and have not been disaapointed. There is also a lot to be learned about cooking practices in this book. It's a great addition to any cook's kitchen.