More and more frequently, food magazines are creating tons of content that doesn't necessarily make it into the magazine itself. Perhaps it's a video series, a digital edition, or a feature on their website, but they're all the time introducing new content, new inspiration and delicious-looking food.
We're starting a periodic column in which we'll check in on one of the magazines we receive and take a look at what's new in print, on the Web, and in social media. Because we were just there a few weeks ago, and because we just read and loved the July/August issue, we're going to kick off the series with a check-in at Everyday Food.
In the Magazine
It just so happens that the current cover of Everyday Food is our favorite in a long time. What a fun photo of an amazing-looking popsicle. The magazine itself is looking great these days. The basic sections haven't changed dramatically. The magazine's long-standing columns are still there ("Dinner 1-2-3," "In Season," etc.).
This year, there are some new regular features: Sarah's Kitchen, featuring recipes from Editor-in-Chief Sarah Carey; Gluten-Free and Meatless Main recipes are now included in every "Eat Smart" column. And it appears that the old "Have You Tried?" column has now turned into "EDF Loves," where the magazine features one ingredient and suggests multiple takes on how to use it. They're all small but positive changes, bringing a fresh take to the magazine.
And in general we've very much enjoyed the recipe content in the first half of this year. Each issue has had at least half a dozen dishes we've wanted to make, even though only five of those recipes have made it onto the site so far this year.
We like the new(ish) "My Everyday" feature that started last year, where chefs and bloggers are profiled and then offer a recipe. This month's Marcus Samuelsson installment is the best of that series so far -- his recipe for Fish Tacos with Spicy Slaw is high on our list right now.
On the Web
The biggest news on the Web for Everyday Food is the launch of a new daily video series, "Everyday Food with Sarah Carey." As mentioned above, Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine -- if you read it regularly, you'll recognize her as the cheery redhead.
The new video series is very good -- short, informative videos that offer more personality than it's possible to convey across on the page. An example: This video of the Sticky Orange-Glazed Chicken Thighs we made a few weeks ago. For cooks who want more instruction, or who want to see exactly what to do with a recipe before starting it, this is a great video series. The Everyday Food website has about 20 of the videos up, and you sign up to get them new videos delivered to your email daily.
Digital and iPad Editions
In recent months, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has made all of its iPad editions free for print subscribers. We think that makes a ton of sense, since when we last checked in on food magazines on the iPad, this option wasn't yet available and we questioned the economics of buying an iPad edition if you're already subscribing at home. We continue to be impressed with the digital versions of these magazines from MSLO -- they're hands down the best we've experienced so far.
The July/August iPad edition of the magazine is no exception, and features many more ways to watch how a dish comes together. For example, take the mouthwatering Blackberry Skillet Cake in this month's issue. In the print magazine, you can read the recipe and look at a photo. In the iPad edition, you can also watch a gorgeous little series of time-lapse photos that quickly show how the cake comes together (pictured right), or you can watch a longer 79-second video that walks you through the process.
Similarly, in the recipe for Savory Corn Pudding, there's a quick 23-second video you can watch on how to grate corn. Now, maybe you already know how to grate corn, but we bet there are plenty of newbie cooks who might find that step daunting. (There was definitely a time when we would have found it daunting ourselves!) When people ask us to recommend a food magazine for new cooks just starting out in the kitchen, we usually point them toward Everyday Food. And with foolproof primer videos like this sprinkled throughout the iPad edition, it's even more of a great resource for people who may just be finding their way around the kitchen.
New since we last wrote about digital editions of magazines, there's an Everyday Food recipe app now available in the iTunes store (a 99-cent download), though it appears that the app is having problems based on the official description and user reviews. You may want to hold off on getting that one until it's remedied.
Other Stuff
There's not much new with Everyday Food on Facebook or Twitter, though they do publish some fun behind the scenes photos and tips. Like many publications, the magazine is now on Pinterest and pins all sorts of great photos.
Are you an Everyday Food subscriber? Are you receiving Sarah's videos? Have you recently noticed something else in the magazine that you enjoy? Let us know what you think!
