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Cook's Country Magazine

Team Favorites from the August/September 2019 Issue of Cook’s Country

Get an inside look at some of our top picks from the latest issue.
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Published July 10, 2019.

Team Favorites from the August/September 2019 Issue of Cook’s Country

Our executive food editor, Bryan Roof, and our staff photographer, Steve Klise, have traveled to New Mexico, Mississippi, New York City, Philadelphia, and many other places looking for great recipes. They’ve been to a lot of locations, but they’re still surprised on every trip.

In our most recent issue, they came across an unexpected take on an otherwise predictable dish—eggplant Parmesan—at a strip mall restaurant outside Cleveland, Ohio. Flavorful and satisfying but not overburdened with goopy cheese or cloying sauce, it turned the concept of this dish on its head.

To see what other dishes from this issue made us think about food in a different way, check out our team members’ favorites below. We hope that they’ll become your favorites, too, or at least encourage you to try a new take on something you’re already familiar with.

Trusted Recipes

Cook’s Country Magazine

Find foolproof recipes for easy weeknight meals, regional favorites, pull-out recipe cards for 30-minute suppers, and much more.
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Grilled Jerk Chicken

Jerk Chicken

The jerk paste on this chicken is so dang good and well-balanced. There’s just enough spice, but it’s not overwhelming. You’ll find a good hit of herbal and grassy notes from the thyme and scallions, and the soy sauce gives the chicken that umami backbone that all good grilled meats need. Confession: I make a batch of this paste to brush on all grilled proteins I come across—from pork steaks to hake fillets. [GET THE RECIPE]

Best Midpriced Blender

Breville Fresh & Furious

It’s reasonably quiet and compact, and it combines ingredients efficiently with minimal pauses to scrape down the sides.

South Carolina Barbecue Hash

Barbecue Hash

I grew up eating this delicious, porky, mustardy stew in South Carolina. I had it on the side of every barbecue plate, and tasting this version immediately transports me home. [GET THE RECIPE]

WINNER—6.5 to 7.5 Quarts

Le Creuset 7¼ Quart Round Dutch Oven

This perfect, pricey pot is substantial enough to hold and distribute heat evenly without being unbearably heavy.

Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo Bars

I love these little three-story cookie bars for their range of sweet-salty flavors and crisp-creamy textures. Pronounced “nuh-NEYE-mo,” they’ve been popular in Canada for years. I always knew I liked Canadians. [GET THE RECIPE]

WINNER

Cuisinart Custom 14 Cup Food Processor

Our former favorite aced every test, surprising us time and again by outshining pricier, more feature-filled competitors.

Strawberry-Buttermilk No-Churn Ice Cream

Strawberry-Buttermilk No-Churn Ice Cream

No ice cream machine and no churning needed. If you have a blender, you can make this homemade ice cream easily. Out of the 12 ice cream combinations Deputy Food Editor Morgan Bolling came up with, this one is by far my favorite. It’s the perfect mix of fruity, rich, and tangy. [GET THE RECIPE]

Best for Professional-Quality Results

USA Pan Loaf Pan, 1 lb Volume

This folded metal pan produces tall, picture-perfect pound cake, sandwich bread, and more with crisp corners.

Shashlik-Style Beef Kebabs

Shashlik Kebabs

Though I love these juicy, charred beef skewers fragrant with heady spices, the yogurt sauce would still be my favorite recipe even without the kebabs. It tastes like French onion dip went on vacation and came back all fancy and sophisticated. I would eat it on anything. [GET THE RECIPE]

WINNER

Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill

This grill puts a crisp, brown crust on burgers and steaks and delivers tender pulled pork with real smoky flavor.

Eggplant Pecorino

Eggplant Pecorino

This Eggplant Pecorino is a definite favorite. In fact, this recipe reminds me of a version my mother used to bring home from a colleague when I was a kid. The genius here is in the simplicity: layer upon layer of thinly sliced, all-but-naked eggplant; enough Pecorino Romano cheese to leave a lasting impression; and an impossibly easy marinara that ties them both together. Throw in a handful of fresh basil leaves and you’ve got reason enough to turn on your oven in the middle of summer. [GET THE RECIPE]

Winner

Swissmar Börner Original V-Slicer Plus Mandoline

This simple device makes cuts effortlessly with stunningly precise results. 

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Our recipe maintains the classic charm of this retro cake while seriously ramping up the flavor. This version is fresh-tasting, with a caramel-y topping that isn’t too sweet. I love this cake! [GET THE RECIPE]

Best Buy

Nordic Ware ­Naturals Nonstick 9" Round Cake Pan

Cake layers shaped up perfectly, no matter how the pan was greased.

Peanut Butter Cup No-Churn Ice Cream

Peanut Butter Ice Cream

I eat ice cream every single night, and this recipe makes that possible. I just love peanut butter, and the amount called for in this recipe strikes the perfect balance. [GET THE RECIPE]

Test Kitchen Winner

Zeroll Original Ice Cream Scoop

This scoop’s gently curved oval bowl forms perfectly round orbs that release easily.

Fresh Tomato Galette

Fresh Tomato Galette

This galette is superfresh and easy to make, even though it has a rustic presentation on the dinner table. Some may argue that this recipe is a labor of love since you have to make your own dough, but it yields really tasty results—and that’s what matters most. [GET THE RECIPE]

Winner

RSVP International Precision Pierced 5 Qt. Colander

Our longtime favorite colander has a draining performance that remains unmatched.

Fried Ice Cream Cake

Fried Ice Cream Cake

This cake is everything you want for dessert: a chewy brownie base, creamy ice cream with crunchy toffee bits throughout, airy whipped cream, a puddle of silky chocolate syrup on top plus crisp, buttery, “fried” sides creatively made by simply crushing up my favorite breakfast cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch! [GET THE RECIPE]

Winner

KitchenAid Classic Plus Stand Mixer

Testers praised the "intuitive" controls and "solid" feel. 

Hot Buttered Lobster Rolls

Hot Buttered Lobster Roll

Hold the mayo, please! Really, you won’t need it—or crave it—for this New England favorite. The lobster is cooked perfectly: slightly undercooked during its initial simmer to ensure that it’s not overcooked when it comes time to crack it out of the shell. And it’s bathed in melted butter as it finishes cooking in the skillet. To me, this recipe proves that there is beauty in simplicity. [GET THE RECIPE]

Winner

Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife

This knife’s “supersharp” blade was “silent” and “smooth,” even as it cut through tough squash.

If you have a few minutes, check out our favorite recipes from our previous issue.

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