Forum

Do you read through the comments made by others? Do they ever cause you to purchase a book or try a recipe? Or do you simply choose a recipe and read the comments to see hazards and opportunities? I'm just curious because when I leave comments, it feels a bit like sending them out on an outerspace journey to never live to hear feedback.

I typically check / read the comments twice per day.  I admit I sometimes scan quickly for comments from books I actually own and I read all of the comments when a recipe / ingredient search sends me to new dishes but I typically do eventually read through them all.  This gives me a sense of books I might like to buy (or be gifted!) and I learn from others when they actually describe what they did (including must have ingredients / suitable substitutions / acceptable omissions / alternate techniques....all of it! )  And though I might not make THAT recipe,  I'm often faced with a missing ingredient or 2 (even in an overflowing pantry) and remember things I've read that are useful ideas.  Sounds like a cliche from a high school teacher but I truly do learn something every time I access this site.  So please - everybody.....KEEP THE DESCRIPTIVE COMMENTS COMING!

And of course I forgot one key thing.  If I find my self staring down a book occupying very precious space in my small house, I will read all the comments from that specific book and hope to be inspired to at least try something...that usually sends me deeper into the book making things that haven't been commented on yet.

I read through new comments every day. If I have the book, and a recipe sounds good to me, I bookmark it as something I Want to Try. I think occasionally I may have been prompted to buy a book but not often.

I read the forum and the notes every day - if I'm in a hurry I may only read notes relating to recipes in my library.  I often end up bookmarking recipes to make later!  When I am thinking about buying a book I go though the notes for that book to see if they put me off or make me feel I have to have that book.

If I'm considering trying a recipe, I absolutely read others' comments before making it. I also like to read people's notes in general, as they may inspire me to try a recipe or buy a book.

I know it's part of my job to read all the comments every day but I'll chime in here as an EYB user. I often get inspired by a comment to make a recipe from my books and, as FJT does, I'll bookmark recipes. I love reading all the comments - I wish everyone added them (and photos!) for every recipe they make. And I always look at the comments before making a recipe.

averycooks and FJT - did you know you can just look at Notes for your own books by viewing the Notes tab on your Bookshelf? That way when you are short on time you can just look at the comments most relevant to you.

When I am considering purchasing a new cookbook, I look at the recipe comments. I also look at the recipe ratings (because some members rate recipes but do not make comments). Positive or negative comments & ratings influence my decision to purchase, and to make a particular recipe. Comments may also encourage me to modify a recipe (i.e. more/less of a particular ingredient; substitutions; monitor cooking time). If a cookbook doesn't have any comments, then I look at other cookbooks the author has written before purchasing because I assume the quality will be similar. Because of the way I use other members' comments, I try to comment on & rate recipes regularly -- especially for books that have received few member comments.

Having responded to this great question early and then spent parts of the day reading other comments...I have this to add:  What do you do if you try a recipe and do everything it says and it is probably awesome EXCEPT you just don't really like it?  I have set a goal for myself to comment on "X" number of new recipes (to force myself into my book collection) BUT..... recently made a Bobby Flay "coffee rubbed" steak.  The cooking times / temps were perfect but - we just did not like the coffee in the rub.  Comment or not?   I did not know what to do.  Anyone else want to weigh in on this?

. . . . The cooking times / temps were perfect but - we just did not like the coffee in the rub.  Comment or not?   I did not know what to do.  Anyone else want to weigh in on this?

[/quote]

I think it's worth noting. It would remind me to consider whether or not my guests like bitter, or sour, or sharp ... flavors. Yes, I have a sister-in-law who can't stand cilantro ...

Originally Posted by: averythingcooks

I have set a goal for myself to comment on "X" number of new recipes (to force myself into my book collection) BUT..... recently made a Bobby Flay "coffee rubbed" steak.  The cooking times / temps were perfect but - we just did not like the coffee in the rub.  Comment or not?   I did not know what to do.  Anyone else want to weigh in on this?

I would comment on that in exactly the way that you have here: the recipe worked, but it just wasn't to our taste.  That is very helpful to know.

I agree with all of these answers. I try to comment on every recipe I make, partly for myself and to pass along information to others about the recipe. I include any variations I've made, problems I've come across, etc. I usually find recipes through ingredient searches, but I always read previous comments before going ahead. I also make "private" comments for myself - usually things like "Made for Jane's 50th birthday party. Whole family liked it except Uncle George" - nobody else cares, but it helps me remember if I want to make it again. I love that I can edit my comments later too.

I would like some way to provide feedback on comments too ...

Keep up the good work everyone!

Originally Posted by: trudys_person

I would like some way to provide feedback on comments too ...

I share your feeling on this.