Back in the 1980s I subscribed to Gourmet Magazine, and there were always several recipes each month that I would try. They didn't seem overly fancy, but somehow more special than the recipes published in magazines like Good Housekeeping and Ladies Home Journal. I let my subscription lapse until the mid-2000s when I started again.

Looking at the new Gourmets, from around 2004 through 2006, there is very little that appeals to me because the ingredients are hard to locate, there are far too many ingredients or preparation is too involved, or the recipes just sound strange.

I know it's stuffy of me to refuse to try them, but I draw the line.

Here are some of the ones I'm not going to try:

Chioggia Beets with Raspberry Mint Vinaigrette (Chioggia is a variety of beet)
Watermelon Salad with Serrano Chili Vinaigrette
Chilled Carrot Honey Soup
Chilled Zucchini Soup
Blue Steamed Crabs with Black Ginger Dipping Sauce
Fish with Curried Cucumber Tomato Water and Tomato Herb Salad (don't know what 'tomato water' is, it doesn't sound good)
Seafood Salad with Fennel and Green Beans
Fennel Slaw
Smoked Salmon Quesadillas (don't like smoked salmon)
Barley and Corn Salad with Basil Chive Dressing (texture)
Eggplant and Barley Salad (texture again)
Hazelnut Pesto Fish (what?)

But if you see something here that catches your fancy, let me know and I'll post the full recipe.