Cook the Cover – Thank You Food Network Magazine for a Simple Meal

When we know that the next cook the cover magazine is set to arrive any day, I’m always a little nervous to open the mailbox.  So, the big day came, and what was on the cover of Food Network Magazine?  Aluminum foil.  Yes, no food, the cover was wrapped in foil.  But it opened…to a delicious looking grilled meal of sausage and vegetables.  And delicious, it was!  Here is how we did with this month’s cook the cover, Food Network Magazine. (This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  Read my disclosure policy here.)

Cook the Cover – Food Network Magazine

This recipe for beer-braised sausage and peppers came together very fast, like I had those bundles of meat and veggies wrapped up within 10 minutes!  The recipe was very easy to follow too.  So much easier than last month’s ice cream tacos on the cover of Rachael Ray Every Day.  So. Much. Easier.  Plus, there weren’t very many ingredients.  The recipe did call for andouille sausage, but I couldn’t find any at the grocery store.  I ended up buying some smoked kielbasa, which was a delicious substitute.  Another change I made was omitting the celery.  I didn’t have any, and it really didn’t sound right to me to put celery on the grill.

I love the colorful ingredients…and the beer!

After a few minutes of chopping, everything was layered onto the aluminum foil.  These were looking pretty darn good already!

There’s little mess involved when you are cooking in foil!

But what can be even better?  How about a drizzle of olive oil, seasonings, and a splash of beer!  This recipe is totally made for our Wisconsin family (disclaimer: my kids don’t actually drink beer)!  The foil packs were sealed up and placed onto a hot grill.  Now for a little clean up, while these grilled for 20 minutes.  Wait!  There’s no mess!  Cooking in foil is great!

I don’t really trust my “blind grilling” ability, but that sizzle sounds delicious!

The packets were turned once after 10 minutes, and I was starting to feel pretty proud of myself.  This cook the cover is turning out to be a piece of cake!  Now it’s time to eat.

The Final Result of the Cook the Cover

Oh yeah! I did good!

Charred sausage and vegetables are the perfect combination.  Everything was juicy (no beer flavor) and absolutely delicious.  This meal was very easy to prepare on the grill, and the magazine actually had a number of recipes that were prepared in foil.  I just may have to try another one!

The Cook the Cover Challenge

This monthly cook the cover challenge is fun in so many ways.  First there is the element of surprise, because you don’t know what you are going to be making.  Then, you have to read the recipe and take on the challenge of a possible new cooking technique or maybe you get to try a new ingredient or two.  Finally, you get the satisfaction of the final meal and knowing that yes, you are a pretty darn good cook!

Read about our past cook the cover experiences:

• How Rachael Ray Made Me Hate Baking
• The Most Dangerous Way to Fry an Egg
• Introduction to Cook the Cover

Next Month’s Cook the Cover

We are feeling a little healthier after all the vegetables in this meal, so for next month, I’m going to cook whatever is on the cover of the November issue of EatingWell.  I’m guessing the dish will have something to do with Thanksgiving, and that’s a meal I have never cooked!  I challenge your family to pick up the November issue of EatingWell and join us!