So I returned something today without a receipt and they gave me a
"gift card" for the amount of the item. I went through the store and
picked up a few other things I needed. Unfortunately it came to about
$4 less than the credit was for. Not wanting to carry yet another card
in my wallet, with such a small balance, I quickly scanned the
magazine rack at the checkout and saw a gorgeous plate of grilled
chicken with succotash on the cover of this magazine. I noticed the
price of the magazine was $3.99, so I handed that to the cashier and
came home.

Started flipping through the magazine. Some VERY nice recipes in it.
They are NOT Sandra Lee type recipes. I would put them more in the
line of the type of recipes you find in Everyday Food. Easy recipes
using a few fresh, good quality ingredients in ways you might not have
thought of. And the focus is also not on the Food Network hosts,
either. It's really on the food. I saw 4-5 things I'm definitely going
to make. One I will make this week... the Grilled Ratatouille Salad.
It's basically slices of eggplant, summer squash, bell pepper,
tomatoes and red onion, grilled with olive oil and herbs. Then
arranged on a plate and drizzled with red wine vinegar. I frequently
grill eggplant and summer squash, but I always eat them warm from the
grill, never as a salad. They also had a Texas chili using cubes of
chuck steak, and then a recipe for using some of the leftovers with
polenta and cheese in a casserole. Another was a lovely wild mushroom
risotto.

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this magazine. I've never
looked at it before.

I also bought a small set of 3 "Paula Deen" knives the other day. I
don't know how they will hold up, but I have to say, they are very
comfortable in my hand and very sharp. I love using them. I have a
paring knife, a bird's beak paring knife and a 6" "Utility" knife,
which is more like a 6" chef's knife. I like them a lot. I can't
believe I bought something with Paula Deen's name stamped on it.
True, the handles were red which is what first drew me to them at the
store. But these are very nice tools.

I don't like what the Food Network has become... more competitions
than cooking-- but this magazine gave me some very good ideas.