Tester? I just met her!

Cook's Illustrated:  You've probably seen the magazines or the related TV show, America's Test Kitchen.  I've subscribed to the main magazine for years, even since my friend Claire Cusick turned me on to them when she worked as Food Editor for the Herald-Sun.  And like a lot of folks I've talked to about CI, I have a love/hate relationship with them that's worked its way up to a fine head of steam. 

But right now, I come to praise CI, not to bury it.  I've been on a mailing list of theirs for a while.  It has its pros and cons, just like the magazine.  But a few months ago, they had a short note in one of their posts asking for recipe testers.  Since I'm an idiot  Since I'm a food professional  Since I'm not a food professional  Since I have nothing better to do  For some reason, I decided to sign up. 

It's nice.  They send me a recipe every week or two.  They ask folks not to make the recipe if they don't want to, or if they think up front they won't like it.  Certainly if you don't have time, you can blow it off too; they make that clear in each recipe I get.  But if you do have time and desire, you have about a week to 10 days or so in which to make the recipe; once you've made it, you can fill out an online survey about your experience.  You'll answer questions like how long did it take, did you like it, did you make any changes, &c.  The survey only takes a few minutes.  They do specifically ask that you not post the recipes online, as some of them may or may not be ready for prime-time: you're testing them, remember? 

I've made about half of the recipes they sent me so far.  They've varied from ok to pretty darn good.  I've also been taking the food (sometimes) to a pot-luck organized by a friend, so I get additional feedback from those folks.  No one seems to mind being used as guinea pigs.  :)  So it's kind of fun in its own way.  And the dessert I made last night was yummy.  So if you're on their mailing list, and you see this opportunity float by, sign up: it's neat. 

Comments

[Claire]

How cool! Our friendship is indeed auspicious. Congratulations!

p.s. Are any of these recipes variations on pie crust? I know how you feel about pie crust. :)

[durhamfood]

So you made dessert last night and didn't come to potluck? Traitor!
;)

[Joe Eater]

C: Not yet. I do have an oil pie crust recipe a chef sent me, and I don't even have to roll it out, but I still haven't made it. Because I'm bad. :)

DF: I wasn't hosting, so I couldn't bring dessert, right? And it was late. Maybe you called, but I didn't hear over the sound of my sucking down delicious homemade butterscotch pudding! ;) BTW, you/someone/whomever should invite my friend above.

[durhamfood]

Ack! You and mathpants seem to have this idea that _only_ the host can bring dessert. This is entirely untrue! The only rule is that the host makes dessert! Actually, this went unfulfilled last night, but we somehow survived.

And dude, I want some fucking butterscotch pudding! Waaaah!

[durhamfood]

Claire: drop me a note if you want in.

[Joe Eater]

DF: Well, I just might have some left. And I just might be able to make more if I get milk and unsalted butter, or reasonable facsimiles thereof. ;)

[Joe Eater]

DF: Now that you got to taste it, what do you think?

[durhamfood]

I thought it was great! Not much I could suggest to improve it. I'd have bowls and bowls of it until I felt quite ill, I think.