Upon learning of the sudden demise of Gourmet magazine the other day I sat down in front of my cookbook/cooking magazine bookshelves to take a little trip down memory lane with the issues of the magazine that I've collected over the years.
On the shelves, surrounded by over a dozen copies each of Food & Wine, Saveur (both English and French versions), Bon Appetit and Cuisine et Vins de France, were a measly four copies of Gourmet.
Four.
I was sure that in the last eight or so years I had compiled a larger number than that. Nope.
It made me realize that as sad as I am for the loss of a 68 year old institution and for the cooks, writers, photographers, etc. who lost their jobs so suddenly, I never really had an enduring love affair with Gourmet.
So I bid you adieu.
And in your memory I vow that I will never buy a copy of Everyday With Rachel Ray or Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade. But I can't promise I won't check out Cooking With Paula Deen, because she's just so bad, she's good.
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8 comments:
I am very saddened for the loss of Gourmet but like you, over the years I have saved the special French versions and that is about it. I have of course ripped out recipes to save,and have a few of the yearly books of their best recipies as well.
I liked Gourmet but not enough to spend money for it or save it. It always read a bit like "The New Yorker Goes to the Restaurant."
As for Paula Deen, those recipes are a walking coronary condition. Yikes.
Word verification: endolar. Hope that's not a comment on the exchange rates.
I'd sure like to know the four steps for perfect southern biscuits, though (which is on the cover of your magazine, in case I'm being a bit obscure!). I can't get mine right (much to my grandmother's shame, I'm sure).
I learned this from your blog -- I remember I used to subscribe to Gourmet when I was living in Albi, and have a few issues somewhere, I think. My all-time favorite duck-breast recipe is from that magazine, and I always enjoyed telling people it was an American recipe. I loved the writing in the magazine, but maybe it didn't change with the times enough? I'll have to read up on it a little.
Claudine
I've torn some recipes out over the years too.
I wish they would keep the website up for a while, but think it will shut down soon.
Emm
Paula Deen just cracks me up. I've never cooked any of her recipes, I just like her moxie.
Vivi
Here's the recipe from that issue: http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2008/01/biscuits
Betty
I'd love to see that duck breast recipe!
I was never a reader of Gourmet but hearing about it shutting down made me run to my cookbook and magazine shelves to look through my Cook's Illustrated collection and I have a fear now that it will be next.
I understand your view that P Deen is entertaining, but Emm is right, she's poison in the kitchen. I moved about a year ago and discovered that I had accumulated about 15 Gourmet mags over maybe 20 years. I went through them and tore out every decent recipe I could find (about 20) and threw the rest away. Excellent house cleaning before a move.
Angelina
I hope not, but you never know these days.
David
Aw, c'mon...poison? A bit harsh don't you think? Not all of her recipe use a pound of butter! This one only uses 2 ounces: http://recipes.pauladeen.com/recipes/view2/white_bean_chili/
I did the same with my magazines before we moved to France and have several notebooks of torn out recipes which I still use all the time.
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