Sunday, August 3, 2008

Cooks Illustrated Baked Ziti


As all you know by now I love to cook. I am a tester for Cooks Illustrated and they email me recipes to test. It's not required and some have deadlines that I can't meet or it is for something I really have no desire to make or eat. So I pick and choose. They ask when you fill out the questionnaire what changes you made if any. The first recipe I tried was for a roasted turkey breast. It took me all damn day and I said I'd never do that again. It wasn't even Turkey Day!!

I don't remember how I signed up for this but I've been doing it a few years. I tested a really good recipe for Baked Ziti last week and made a few modifications for sake of time. And I added more cheese!! Some of their methods are too time consuming at least to me. I've been trying to decide if I could post it without infringing on copyrights so I haven't. It was the best Baked Ziti I have ever made. Leftovers were scrumptious too!! But I guess I better not do any posting!!! I always post where I got the original recipe too even if I've made modifications. I think all food bloggers do.

I've been browsing some of my favorite food blogs this afteroon and came across this post from Simply Cooking. I hopped over to this one and read her post. I thought it was very rude of CI and I believe Alosha is correct with her statements. All recipes that exist are variations of someone's. Whether it is from a book, magazine or a friend. It could be something our Grandmother made and who knows where she got it!! We all change ingredients and/or methods to make it our own.

I'm debating on whether to continue with my testing now. Probably not.

12 comments:

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Judy,
Thanks for visiting me and the baked ziti looks YUMMY...and I think you are right,it was someone's recipe, somewhere, at sometime...so it has been COPIED :)
Have a good week.
Warmly, Deb

FancyHorse said...

It looks great, and I wish you could post the recipe, but in view of CI's position, I guess you'd better not. I don't think it's right, though (CI's position). I posted one I modified from Joy of Cooking. I hope I don't hear from them! Mine is just a all-purpose blog, not a food blog, though.

shabbyfufu said...

Hi Judy. Oh man do I love baked ziti~I will be right over~lol! I love the no cook lasagna noodles that are available these days....makes it so much easier! ~XO~ Janet

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Judy!
Oh I love baked ziti! I'm with you on cooking, I don't want to waste any time when I cook. And don't skimp on the cheese in a recipe. Actually my husband is the cook here but sometimes I get inspired and do some cooking too.
I bet you come across some great recipes doing something like that. Thanks for sharing with us!!
Hugs, Sherry

Anonymous said...

I haven't been a big cook for awhile (kids are grown & husband always gone), but I don't see what harm there is in posting a recipe. Not if you give the person's name you got it from. I mean, it wouldn't matter to me anyway. But I suppose it could be construed like someone's photography or writing, and the whole copyright infringement thing...
Brenda

Cherdecor said...

The baked ziti looks delish! I love anything with cheese!

Kim's Treasures said...

Your baked ziti looks so yummy! Wish you could post the recipe!
Have a great Monday!
Kim

Anonymous said...

I've never attempted baked ziti, but it looks great for a fall or winter meal! I might need to try this!

Joanne Kennedy said...

I'm going to tell you what I found out. I belong to a cake club and we are going to print a cookbook of recipes that everone in the club uses.

We had to find out what the laws were as far as copyright laws. So at least in CA it's like this.

If you use a recipe from either a cookbook or magazine or anywhere in print you do have to get permission to use/print the recipe.

However, if you make ANY changes, no matter how small it is no longer the same recipe and you can print it and call it your own. But, do not print that is still the recipe from the book/magazine.

Therefore, will you please either post the recipe here or email me it to me at jk51958@yahoo.com because it looks so yummy.

Thanks.
Joanne

Thimbleanna said...

OhMyGosh! That Baked Ziti looks FABULOUS -- I LOVE baked ziti. Thanks for the links -- what an interesting saga. And can I please be added to joanne's list LOL???

Gypsy Butterfly said...

Hello Judy,
The baked ziti looks soooo good. Your very right every recipe had to come from somewhere, sometime or another. Most people do usually modify recipes other people, to suit their own taste too.
I also try and write where I've gotten recipes when I post ones I've gotten from people other than my mom.
When I post my late mom's recipes, I know she got them from my grandma and her aunt in Italy, but who knows where they got them.
Wishing you a very pleasant Tuesday!
Lydia

Barb said...

Hi Judy,

Looks marvelous. I love baked ziti and this looks so cheesy.

Have a wonderful day,
Barb