Cook's Country vs. Cook's Illustrated magazines?

[curls2grow]

I got sample issues of these in the mail. Does anyone subscribe to either of these? Wondering if they are worth the price?

[Dulci]

I used to subscribe to Cook's Illustrated, I love that magazine. I have about three years worth in my cookbookcase, I refer to them several times a month. Nowadays I pick it up when I see it and buy it if there are articles in it that interest me.

I've never seen Cook's Country, but it sounds interesting.

[Hairstorm]

I get Cook's Illustrated, but to be honest, I prefer the book format and picked up a couple from Costco. Their new Family Cookbook, which is in a binder, includes recipes from Cook's Country.

You might check your local library for the books or magazines.

[Velvettt]

I've had a subscription to Cook's Illustrated magazine for a few years now. I love it and frequently refer back to things in there. For example, their how-to for cooking really thick steaks to perfection is something I've never seen anywhere else and it works like a dream.

[Delila]

I buy both, but I don't subscribe since I've had nothing but trouble coping with subscriptions (from other companies) in the past. I just purchase them from the newstand when I see them.

I like both magazines, and find them entertaining and informative. Each one has its own kind of style, and they're different enough that they each have their own take on the foods they produce.

The only negative I can see is that I've been using these recipes for a while now, and lately the magazines have seemed a bit flat, and tend to duplicate each other a bit more than I find fascinating. I used to tear through an issue, marking half the recipes 'to be tried', but lately, I'm not so enchanted. Winter issues can be a bit dull, though, so who knows.

I love the heirloom recipes that pop up in Cook's Country, I think that's great fun.

I learned a LOT about cookery from these magazines, I'm definitely a better cook now.