Cooking Magazines

I have always had a love of cooking magazines. I have been a loyal subscriber to Bon Appetite since the year I graduated from college, in 1979. Since then the number of magazines I subscribe to has varied but the three standards, year after year, have been Gourmet, Bon Appetite and Martha Stewart Living. I look forward to checking the mail box and gleefully perusing through my magazines each month looking for ideas and inspirations. Since I began this food blog I have paid close attention to the food styling, amazed at detail of the shots taken. Like pictures of models though, there is a lot of magic that goes on when food is photographed professionally. It is far more difficult to make most food look like the "food porn" that is exhibited on the glossy pages of the magazines.

I saw a picture of a salad in Everyday Food from Martha Stewart in the January 2009 edition that I thought looked beautiful and even better yet, sounded quite healthy. It incorporates the whole grain bulgur, which I have never tried as well as tasty goat cheese and tomatoes and some greens. Below is my rendition.

Bulgur Salad

(Adapted to serve 2)

2/3 cup medium grind bulgur (I found mine in the bulk section of a health food store)

coarse salt and ground pepper

2 cups grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

3 sprigs of green onion

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar ( I used 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar and 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar)

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 ounces fresh goat cheese crumbled (I used an herbed goat cheese)

In a heatproof bowl soak bulgur with 1/2 tsp salt and 2 cups boiling water. Let soak for 30 minutes until grain is tender but slightly chewy.

Drain bulgur in a fine mesh sieve and squeeze out any liquid. Return to a bowl and add tomatoes, parsley, onion, cheese, oil and vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper, gently toss until well mixed. Chill before serving.