Info on the CL Cookbooks?

[Kelly]

Hi Everyone! Does anyone know if the CL year end cookbook has all the recipes from the previous year - or is it just a subset from the issues?

I'm at the point where I have 5 yrs worth of magazines that are starting to get a little beat up. I'm considering buying the cookbooks and passing on the magazines.

[ellielk]

The Cooking light cookbooks have all the recipes except the ones in the ads or advertising supplements.

[CATHIEA]

Kelly-
CL cookbooks that include all of the recipes from the previous year are a relatively new thing. I think the first one I have that has the magazine recipes is 1997 (1996 recipes)or 1996 (1995 recipes). Check with Oxford House before you purchase. They are definitely worth purchasing. I yellow highlight all of my favorite recipes and checkmark others I have tried in the cookbook before I toss the magazines.
CathieA

[Pat]

CathieA

Have you thought of donating those old magazines to doctors', dentists', libraries, etc.? They are too good to throw away.

If no one wants them, how about recycling. I'm working on a recycling project so this is near and dear right now.

[BethR]

You may also want to consider the Mastercook Cooking Light software. I got version 4.0 (version 5.xx is widely available now) from one of those online software vendors for $8. The software is very dated looking, but it contains recipes from '93 through '95 (it may not contain every recipe from these years -- I'm not sure) Then I bought 5.0 for about $30 -- it contains '96-'98. Don't even install 4.0, just pop the CD in after you've installed 5.0 and open the cookbooks (Cooking Light Vol 1 and Vol 2) from the 4.0 CD. The 5.0 software will automatically convert them. I love being able to search through hundreds of recipes in a few seconds.

[emily]

kelly,

i found that i was disappointed with the cooking light cookbook compared with the magazine. i prefer the color and pictures in the magazine, the book had almost none of this. what i did was cut out my favorite recipes put them into plastic protective sheets and then into a three ring binder. time consuming, but well worth it as i can simply pull out the recipe and keep it in plastic as i'm cooking to protect it from spills and such. it's also very easy to organize throught the binder. i then recycled what was left of the magazines.

[Cindy]

I was wondering if anyone has any feedback on the CL 5 Star Recipe book?

[ellielk]

Cindy,

I LOVE that cookbook. I find that I go to it first before any of my others.

Now, I just received the Cooking Light complete cookbook in the mail - I don't remember requesting it and I'm wondering if I want to keep it. Can anyone give me a reason why or why not to keep it?

Ellie

[BethR]

Cindy -- I also give the 5 Star cookbook a big thumbs up!

ellielk -- Please post what you think of the complete cookbook after you've had a chance to check it out. I'm really interested in what you think of the "extras" in it (aside from the recipes).

Thanks -- Beth

[ElinorC]

I'll also give the 5 Star Cookbook (best recipes from the first 10 years)a two thumbs up. It has many great recipes - all of the 'Best of the Best' recipes in the magazine have been in that cookbook. I'm anxious to see what the Complete Cookbook has in it. Hopefully it will be as great.

[PrincessT]

I just received the Complete CL Cookbook as well, though I don't remember ordering it. I have been looking through it, and the recipes are fantastic. I can't wait to try out a lot of them. It also has helpful substitution index for almost everything you can imagine (i.e., fruit, spices, herbs, etc.). I will definitely keep it (although I'm running out of room). http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[Kelly]

Thanks for the info everyone.

I agree with you Emily - I definitely would rather flip through the magazines, check out the pictures, and re-read the stories when I cook.

However, I've gotten to a point where I'm trying to clear out clutter from everywhere & my cookbook / cooking magazine collection is one of the few places that I haven't really tackled. I have been saying for a while that I'm going to cut the recipes and make my own book, but 4 yrs of Cooking Light later & I still haven't done it.

I do have an older version of MasterCook that I use when I'm in a 'computer mood'. I use computers all day at work and some nights I just really want to curl up on the couch with a book - yes, even a cookbook.

I think I'll check out one of the CL cookbooks and see what I think.

[shortcook]

As I mentioned on another BB, try Cooking Light 5 Ingredient/15 Minute Cookbook. Keep it in your car to purchase quick ingredients when you haven't planned dinner. They really are quick and very good.;wink

[laden]

I definitely agree with Shortcook about the CL 5-Ingredient/15-Min. cookbook. And what a great idea to keep it in the car. I'm forever deciding on my way home from work what to prepare for dinner!

[Gail]

I'm happy as a clam (with garlic, wine and shallots) with CL's cookbook that has all of last year's stuff. Now I won't have to impose upon the kindness of all of you folks for those many recipes I didn't get (especially the out-of-stock October, 1999 issue.)

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 07-09-2000).]

[jenbasford]

What a great idea Emily! I find that I make more of the recipes if there is a color photograph attached to it - I really need to SEE what the recipe looks like before trying. And the 'seeing' has probably been a big catalyst in my making several of the recipes I might not have made otherwise because they didn't sound very appealing.

Do any of the cookbooks have color pictures? And what about the MasterCook or CookWare items - do they include color pictures?

I really need to get this 5 Star Recipes cookbook, too! Can I order it on the CL website?

Jennifer

[ellielk]

Beth, I just had time to thumb through the cookbook this weekend. I'm going to try to sit down with it and really look this week. I'll let you know what I think. I tell you what, though, I'm going to have to look into that 5 ingredient/15 minute thing. Ellie

Originally posted by BethR:
Cindy -- I also give the 5 Star cookbook a big thumbs up!

ellielk -- Please post what you think of the complete cookbook after you've had a chance to check it out. I'm really interested in what you think of the "extras" in it (aside from the recipes).

Thanks -- Beth