This Week on Rachael Ray's Talk Show

The third season of Rachael Ray's talk show starts tomorrow. Some of the images from the episodes make it look like her talk show set got a little makeover, too. Here's what the show says is in store for this week:

Monday: Rachael vs. Simon: Our Idol Set Crash
We're kicking off Season 3 in a very big way! Hop on board as Rachael cruises through the streets of New York City on a double-decker bus with TV legend Ed McMahon as your tour guide. Plus, Rachael faces off with Simon Cowell when she crashes the set of American Idol, and don't miss the ultimate barbeque in Central Park!

Tuesday: Paula Abdul
American Idol's Paula Abdul goes "straight up" with our audience as she tackles their personal questions and reveals the one thing she just can't live without. Then, it's Rach to the Rescue as an all-star team of chefs heads across the country to solve America's cooking problems. Find out how you can get your town involved and the team may be pulling up at your front door!

Wednesday: Rachael's 40th Birthday Surprise
Shhh ... it's a surprise 40th birthday party for Rachael and you're invited! It's an hour filled with the biggest celebrity guests, a surprise chef, and a TV cast reunion from one of your favorite shows! Plus, a very special birthday message from Oprah.

Thursday: The Hills Fashion on a Budget
You know that The Hills' Whitney Port is a fashionista ... but did you also know that she's a bargain shopper!? She's sharing her biggest fashion secrets and then helping a teenage fan go back to school in style on a budget! Plus, how to get the most for your money when you're grocery shopping in the meat department.

Friday: Jerry Springer
We're all in for a shock as Jerry Springer, host of America's Got Talent, pulls no punches in our first-ever round of "The Audience Has Talent!" He's bringing his buzzer for the intense showdown and no one is safe from the judging ... including Rachael! Then, waitresses confess how your behavior could be sabotaging your meal, and Rachael turns a dish you already love into an all-time favorite!

Clips from Rachael Ray's Talk Show

A wedding cake do-over:



Stump the Trump:

Rachael Ray Roundup

Well, my return to the working world was pretty uneventful. Luckily, my boss had enough to keep me busy so I was nice and distracted from thinking about missing Darcy! It was so nice to come home and see her, though. I don't think I'd even be mad if she woke me up all night. Did I mention she usually sleeps 12-14 hours? How lucky am I? She knows Mommy needs energy to cook and post recipe reviews on her blog....

Here are some Rachael Ray posts from around the blogosphere this week. If you see a post that you think would be good for the Roundup, or you write one yourself, e-mail me so I can be sure to include it.

• KristiB at The Global Kitchen tried Rosemary Garlic Steaks with Arugula Tomatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano and Potato Salad Fra Diavolo.
• Lynsey Lou's Place tells us about her experience with Salsa Stoup with Avocado Smash and Double Decker Baked Quesadillas.
• Marci at Myriad Musings of Marci recounts her visit to a taping of Rachael Ray's talk show.
• Hal Boedecker the TV Guy informs us that Rachael Ray crashed the recent American Idol auditions.
• Mindi at Moms Need to Know tried one of Rachael's $10 Spot recipes (recipes under $10) - Grilled Bacon Cheeseburger Calzones.
• Nellbe at Nellbe's Scribblings is excited that Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals show will be on the air in Australia.
• Xvmercy tried Spinach and Hot Ham Fake-Baked Pasta with a Crispy Top and had great results.
• Julia Helvey of The Columbia Tribune and I have something in common - a compulsion to try every recipe in Rachael Ray's magazine! Well, except for the ones with mayo.
• Jennie W at Adam's Brag Book gave Rachael's recipe for Lasagna (NOT) Bowls a try.

Rachael Ray's Good Morning America Appearance

Rachael appeared on Good Morning America today to offer some budget friendly meals using tuna as a main ingredient. She shared recipes for Tuna-and-Tomato Pasta and Greek Tuna Salad Pasta. You can check out video of the segment here.

It's a Keeper: Sloppy Dudes

I am a sucker for avocado. I admit it. When I see a Rachael Ray recipe that involves avocado, I pretty much put it in the mental "must make" file. That's what happened when I saw Rachael make Sloppy Dudes on her daytime talk show

We love turkey burgers, but I had never thought of doing sloppy joes with turkey meat instead of ground beef. I always laugh when I go to a restaurant where putting avocado on a menu item makes it "California style," but I think that's where Rach was going by calling these Sloppy Dudes.

I've mentioned before that I hardly ever make the same recipe twice, but I think this recipe may become a staple for us. I served it with some blue tortilla chips because I was feeling lazy. Next time I would add some veggies or a simple salad. Here's the recipe with my comments in brackets:

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), divided
1 pound ground turkey breast [try to get the turkey breast if you can, since it is 99 percent lean, instead of the regular ground turkey breast.]
12-16 tomatillos, paper skins removed and rinsed thoroughly
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon cumin
Zest and juice of 1 lime, divided
Salt and black pepper
1 cup chicken stock
2 avocados, chopped
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, thickly sliced
4 crusty rolls, such as Kaiser rolls
Healthy tortilla chips

Preheat the broiler to high. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

While the turkey is browning up, place the tomatillos in a food processor and pulse to grind down into small bits -- you can also chop them by hand. [I just chopped them by hand because I didn't have the energy to clean the food processor. I told you I was feeling lazy.]

Add some EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add the tomatillos to the skillet with the turkey, along with the onion, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, lime zest and some salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes then add the chicken stock, bring up to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. [I had to add a little more chicken stock to make it a little more sloppy.]

While everything is simmering away and getting sloppy, prepare the toppings: In a small bowl, mash together the avocado and the lime juice. Slice the red onion and tomatoes and reserve. Toast the bread until slightly charred under the broiler. Assemble the Sloppy Dudes like this: Bun bottom, sloppy turkey mixture, avocado, onion and tomato and put a lid on it!

Serve with some funky, healthy tortilla chips alongside.

Rachael Ray Roundup

So what are you doing for Labor Day weekend? It's supposed to be over 100 degrees here, so we are thinking about a day trip to San Francisco, where I'll need to wear a sweater to stay warm. Darcy is definitely overdue for her first trip to The City, don't you think?

Here are some Rachael Ray posts from around the blogosphere this week. If you see a post that you think would be good for the Roundup, or you write one yourself, e-mail me so I can be sure to include it.

• Our Little Life features a Rachael Ray recipe that is perfect for using up leftover hot dogs - Hot Dog Casserole. Seriously!
• Jessica at Aspiring Gourmet tried Rachael's recipe for Charred Tomato Soup and Stromboli.
• Cate at Sweetnicks gave Rachael's recipe for French Bread Pizza a try. Man, now I have to make it again.
• Allena at Star Knits tested Rachael's Roasted Caprese Spaghetti and had great results.
• Shelly at Nibbles of Tidbits didn't like the results of Rachael's recipe for Fra Diavolo Potato Salad.
• Linda at Tender Crumb adapted Rachael's Red Velvet Cookies to put together ice cream sandwiches.
• Jacob at Food Network Addict updates us on how Anthony Bourdain feels about Rachael Ray lately.

Rachael Ray Makes More Money Than You

Rachael Ray actually makes more money than most people, according to Forbes' list of top earning celebrities. Among celebrity chefs, Rachael is tops, making $18 million.

Other chefs on the list are Wolfgang Puck ($16 million), Gordon Ramsay ($7.5 million), Nobuyuki Matsuhisa ($5 million), Alain Ducasse ($5 million), Paula Deen ($4.5 million), Mario Batali ($3 million), Tom Colicchio ($2 million), Bobby Flay ($1.5 million), and Anthony Bourdain ($1.5 million).

Check out the details on all the chefs on the list here.

Image from Forbes.com.