Cover to Cover 2013 Kickoff: Appetizers and Beverages

It's here! We're officially kicking off the results of this year's Cover to Cover Challenge!

Over the past couple weeks, as assignments went out, some Bitten Word readers told us they were having dreams about which dish they'd be assigned. (Some may have been having nightmares.) To be honest, that tickled us endlessly.

For those of you who haven't been following along, we've challenged our readers to cook every dish in the September issue of Bon Appetit magazine. And everyone enthusiastically responded. Nearly 500 of you signed up to make a dish within a week. And even better, nearly 300 readers were able to complete the challenge. Some readers even completed their dishes the day the assignments were given out! 

We were pumped to see the results roll in over the last week. Trust us: This going to be good. There's deliciousness. There's disappointment. There are looks of disgust but also lots of people enthusastically embracing dishes and ingredients that are way, way outside their comfort zone. 

And there's at least one explosion. 

Over the next few weeks, we'll be rolling out the results, course by course, starting today with Appetizers & Beverages. 

Last week, Bon Appétit interviewed us about the Cover to Cover Challenge. You can read our Q&A on their website to hear a little more about the challenge and the history of this blog. 

Anyway, enough intro. Ready to start the Cover to Cover Challenge?

Away we go!

There were a few recipes in these first two categories that we were especially eager to see made.

Three standouts for us were a Classic Potted Pork, Seaweed and Tofu Beignets with Lime Mayonnaise, and a Fermented Grape Soda. Now that's the stuff a wacky dinner party is made of.

There are other interesting dishes as well. Here are the links to all the Appetizer & Beverage entries. Check them out!  And please leave comments -- we know the cooks who put in all the hard work in their kitchens will love reading your thoughts and observations. You're an insightful bunch. 

Enjoy!

 

APPETIZERS

Classic Potted Pork

Crab Toast with Lemon Aioli

Ham O' Day with Rye Aioli

Seaweed and Tofu Beignets with Lime Mayonnaise

 

BEVERAGES

Fermented Grape Soda

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