Rachael Ray on Good Morning America

Rachael Ray appeared on Good Morning America to promote her new show: Rachael v. Guy.  She shared a recipe for Muffaletta Panini and hosted a sandwich cook off between the hosts of the show.

Rachael Ray's Talk Show Renewed

According to Broadcasting & Cable, Rachael Ray's talk show has been renewed for two more years.  Woot woot!  When I saw that Martha Stewart's Hallmark Channel show was being cancelled, I got worried that it was going to be a trend, but there was no need for concern.

A CBS Television Distribution executive, Joe DiSalvo, said: "Rachael Ray has been a solid performer in stations' lineups and has had a recent surge in ratings. We're thrilled to be taking the show through eight seasons."

The show has been on since 2006 and won Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show in 2008 and 2009.  Rachael has been nominated for Outstanding Talk Show host four times.  

Rachael Ray Going Digital and a New Cookbook Title Revealed

Rachael Ray made a big move this week - she switched book publishers.  Rach published nine books with Random House's Clarkson & Potter (and more before that with Lake Isle Press).  She has now made the move to Simon & Schuster's Atria Books.  It's a three book deal, so we know at least that many will be coming out in the coming years!

The exciting part about this move for fans is that Rach says that her new cookbooks will be "exciting for people using their Nooks or iPads," according to The Hollywood Reporter. I guess I have to get a Nook or iPad now because I don't want to miss out on the fun.  Hold on a second while I go update my birthday wish list.  . . . .

Rachael will also have a "Rachael Ray Presents" imprint that she says will allow her to "continue to develop new, emerging talent and help them to bring their content directly to consumers.”

And the even MORE exciting part is that we get the title for her next cookbook, to be published in June: The Book of Burger.  It will be accompanied by "10 digital 'quick response' bar codes which readers can swipe on their smart phones to pull up links and videos online."

Rachael is the self proclaimed Queen of Burgers, so this is no surprise.  On my wish list of Rachael Ray cookbooks:

1.  An entire book of Double Duty/Rollover menus, like this one for Turkey-Stuffin’ Meatloaf With Scallion Mashed Potatoes & Gravy that gets turned into Enchil-Lasagna the next night.

2.  An entire book of recipes that will last a month, like this feature in Every Day with Rachael Ray.  It's hard to find a month's worth of recipes that aren't filled with cream of chicken soup and ranch seasoning packets.

3.  I'd also love a crock pot cookbook, but I haven't seen many of those recipes from Rachael.  With two kids, the crock pot and I are becoming good friends, but it's hard to find recipes that aren't full of junk.

What cookbook would you love to see her write?

It's a Keeper: Cashew Chicken

I don't think it's a newsflash to say that I love Rachael Ray cookbooks.  But with so many to choose from, I sometimes end up abandoning a few of them.  Among those that never get forgotten is the old school 30-Minute Meals, Rachael's first widely available cookbook.  While this doesn't have my favorite format (I love how 30 Minute Meals 2 lays out the recipes as menus), it does have some of my all time favorite recipes.  This is one of the, despite the silly name of Cashew! God Bless You Chicken.

I am pretty sure I've tried all of Rachael's cashew chicken recipes, including the Park City Cashew Chicken and Orange Cashew Chicken with Broccoli.  Hands down, this is my favorite.  My husband is also always asking for "the first one" and I have to remember he means this one!  Even my one year old liked it, so give it a try when you are in the mood for Chinese food and you are too cheap or lazy to go get it.

Ingredients

1 box jasmine rice
1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
2 TB sesame oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced and mashed
2 TB rice wine, rice vinegar, dry sherry, or sake
A couple shakes of crushed red pepper
Black pepper, to taste
1 large carrot, peeled and diced into small cu bes
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 can (about 7 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped
3 TB Hoisin sauce
2 handfuls cashews [I use a half ton of cashews because we love them.  I NEED a cashew in every bite.]
3 green onions, thinly sliced on an angle

Directions

Marinade chicken with 1 TB of the oil, the garlic, rice wine, red pepper, and black pepper. Meanwhile, following directions on box, start the rice. Heat the rest of the oil (1 TB) in a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat until it smokes.

Add carrot and stir-fry for 2 or 3 minutes. Add the coated chicken and cook another 3 or 4 minutes. Toss in the bell pepper and chestnuts. Heat through for 1 minute. Add the hoisin and toss to coat evenly.

Dump chicken out over a bed of jasmine rice and top with cashews and green onions.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Christmas Leftovers

Tuesday: Ham Sandwiches and Salad

Wednesday: Chicken Cutlets with Herbs and Macaroni and Cheese with Ham, Zucchini, and Garlic Bread

Thursday: Simple Southern Ham and Bean Soup from Paula Deen with my old favorite - saltines.

Friday: Takeout!

My Rachael Ray Christmas 2011

My daughter was so brave this year!

Last Christmas, I had a three month old baby, so I don't have any memory of that day.  Seriously, no memory at all.  I think I cooked dinner, but don't hold me to that.

This year I plan on redeeming myself by probably making too much food.  I'm just so excited for some reason this year, so I have put together a plan of recipes for the entire day.

We'll start the day out deviating from my usual Rachael Ray recipes, but dinner is all Rachael, all the time.

Breakfast:

• Easy Potato and Bacon Breakfast Casserole
• Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring (both found via Pinterest)

Snack: Mississippi Sin Dip (found via Pinterest)

Dinner:

• Roasted Fresh Ham with Cider Glaze
• Cider Sweet Potatoes
• Green Bean Casserole
• Potato Gratin from Uncle Scott
• Rolls

Dessert:

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars

Now if only the shopping would magically do itself, I would be golden.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Our daughter's first ballet recital, so we are eating out!

Tuesday: Chicken Cordon Blue Panini and salad

Wednesday: Honey Mustard Chicken with corn muffins

Thursday: Pumpkin and Sausage Pasta with bread and spinach salad

Friday: Fried Rice found on Pinterest, which allegedly tastes like the fried rice from Benihana.