Rachael Ray Roundup

I am very happy to report that I will be visiting Napa this weekend! It's about an hour and a half away and I can't wait to get there. Some people get excited to visit the world class wineries or enjoy the stunning views. I get excited about eating lunch at Taylor's Automatic Refresher! We are meeting up with some old friends from college, although this time we both have babies in tow. So, it should be a great afternoon.

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 (everythingrachaelray at gmail dot com) so I can be sure to include it.

• Food for Thought features a tweak on Rachael Ray's carbonara recipe (a comfort food favorite for me).
• Cate O'Malley of The Cook's Kitchen is not impressed with a recent idea from Rachael Ray's magazine.
• Foodie Wife of A Feast for the Eyes made Chicken with Wild Mushroom and Balsamic Cream Sauce.
• Kristin of Sogkonnite Living made a recipe that I have my eye on: Fancy Manchego Mac and Chorizo.
• Kait of Pots and Plots adapted a recipe for Turkey Meatballs with Paprika Tomato Sauce from Every Day with Rachael Ray.
• Priscilla Tsai of Eat My Charlotte made what is probably my favorite RR buger recipe: Bacon-Bit Burgers with Smoked Gouda and Steak House–Smothered Onions.
• Another Rachael Ray fan!
• Josh Ozersky of The Feedbag will be guest blogging on Rachael Ray's website.
• Mare of Meet Me in the Kitchen made S'More Lava Cakes.
• Gatecrasher shares a story that shows Rachael Ray has a great sense of humor.

Rachael Ray's SXSW Party: The Reviews are In

Rachael Ray's SXSW party in Austin, Texas, took place on Saturday and a whole bunch of bloggers have weighed in on their thoughts about the event. The reviews of the food sound mixed, but I'm sure quite a few reviewers may have been a little biased!

I will definitely try the mac and cheese that tastes like a jalapeno popper, but I can't find the recipe anywhere. It seems like it should be here, but there's only the recipe for last year's mac and cheese. Hopefully it will show up somewhere in the future. In the meantime, I'll try the Smoky Chipotle and Black Bean Chilaquiles, since chilaquiles are one of my favorite foods on the planet.

Here are a few of the best posts I found out there about Rachael's party. Many of them have some fun video and photographs:

• Addie Broyles of La Vie Dansante posted a video of her interview with Rachael.
• Entertainment Weekly (has some great photographs, too)
• An AP story, which reveals that Rachael's friends give her CDs to listen to without telling her what's on them, then she picks the bands from there.
• A San Antonio newspaper offers the basics.
• Rockdirt has some video of the performance by The Hold Steady.
• Craig Hlavaty of Houston Press Blogs offers a short recap.
• People magazine talks to Rachael about her party and how she lost her voice.

It's a Keeper: Moroccan Beef Patties with Couscous

It might sound odd to have beef patties for dinner, but I swear, for some reason, it works. The recipe I tried was Moroccan Beef Patties with Couscous from Every Day with Rachael Ray. These little guys turn out flavorful and are certainly unique. Okay, they were unique for us, at least.

This recipe is great for a weeknight when you are feeling sorta lazy but don't want the average chicken and rice dinner. You get to mix it up not only with spicy beef patties, but with a little cous cous on the side. It was done in just about 30 minutes.

Here's the recipe with my comments in brackets:

Marcus Nilsson, From Every Day with Rachael Ray October 2006

FOUR SERVINGS
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 12 min

1 1/2 cups couscous [Go for the whole wheat cous cous if your store has it.]
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound lean ground beef
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground allspice
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

1. In a small saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups salted water to a boil. Stir in the couscous, cover and remove from the heat. After 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork; season with pepper. Cover to keep warm. [Could that be any easier?]

2. In a bowl, combine the beef, garlic, onion, paprika, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons parsley and 1 teaspoon salt. Form into 8 patties.

3. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef patties and cook for about 3 minutes on each side for medium-rare. [I cooked mine a little longer so that they were medium and they still tasted great.] Fluff the couscous again with a fork, transfer to a platter and top with the beef patties and the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley.

Rachael Ray Roundup

You know I'm always trying to find a silver lining in a bad situation, so when my husband had to leave town unexpectedly this week, I took the opportunity to try a couple meals for one from BOB. I have to say it was nice to cook without someone asking when it was going to be ready. And it was also nice to do the dishes whenever I felt like it! I'm still excited to have him back though, I swear. I give high marks to the Sausage and Rigatoni Fake Bake and the Ham Steaks with Chili Gravy and Cheesy Polenta.

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 (everythingrachaelray at gmail dot com) so I can be sure to include it.

• Ali.Gator of RecipeMe tried a recipe for Lime Margarita Cupcakes from Every Day with Rachael Ray.
• Jessica of I Was Saying... made Sunset Orzo with Spanish Shrimp.
• Sweet Tea in Texas features Fancy Manchego Mac with Chorizo. She also made Sausage and Zucchini Rice and Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Salmon.
• Mare of Meet Me in the Kitchen adapted Rachael's recipe for Turkey Burger Drumsticks from Every Day with Rachael Ray.
• Michelle of Tarheel Table made French Onion Steak and Asparagus.
• Kate of Ready, Set, Kate made Beer and Cheese Soup using Irish Cheddar.
• The Gourmet Mama lists Rachael Ray's 365: No Repeats as one of her favorite cookbooks.
• Stephanie of Stephanie Cooks made Frosted Animal Cookies.
• Rachael Ray's endorsement helped out this product.
• Mom on the Run made Stuffed Flank Steak from Every Day with Rachael Ray.
• Kristin of Sogkonnite Living made Lasagna Soup.

The End of an Era

Wow. I'm kinda shocked by this. I still refuse to say the name of the site on my blog, but I have to admit that the owner of that site and I had a few cordial e-mails, so I was never really riled up about it. Plus every time they linked to me, I got great exposure for my blog. For the most part, I just ignored them.

However, I was so pleased to see this comment from Misty (the owner of that site): "Life is too short to be so negative and mean-spirited." On a personal note, I am a huge advocate of the idea that happiness is a choice and participating in that site could not be making people happy. (For more on this idea, check out Dennis Prager and his book Happiness Is a Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual.) I can think of no better reason for shutting it down, regardless of a person's feelings for Rachael Ray.

So, I really do consider this the end of an era. As mentioned in this Grub Street post (which is what made me wonder about the status of that site), maybe people are finally over the hating. Maybe they have realized that while Rachael Ray's recipes aren't for everyone, they certainly do help a huge number of people who don't want to be chefs, but just want to get a meal on the table for their family that isn't from the freezer or a box.

I am so excited to see that all that negativity has vanished from the internet. I am sure it will crop up somewhere else, but it's encouraging that someone has realized how futile it is to participate in being mean just for the sake of being mean.

Photo from Every Day with Rachael Ray.

Rachael Ray Roundup

Have you ever gotten to the grocery store and realized you had forgotten your shopping list? It happened to me this week. After getting Darcy all ready to go (that crazy timing of clean diaper, full tummy, and a nap just far enough away), I get her in the car, get to the store, reach in my pocket and .... no list. Luckily, Rachael Ray's magazine was there, so I just grabbed one off the shelf, turned to the page for Enchilada Suiza Mexican Lasagna and I was good to go. Luckily, I remembered the ingredients for the other dish I was shopping for - Puréed Broccoli Leek Soup. Crisis averted! What would I do without that darn magazine?

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 (everythingrachaelray at gmail dot com) so I can be sure to include it.

• Yumsugar asks - Rachael Ray" love her or leave her?
• Sarah of Mom on the Run made Buffalo Chicken Chili Mac.
• Candocanyu of Forkful of News is no Rachael Ray fan after visiting her talk show.
• People magazine shared a clip of Tori Spelling demonstrating the potty dance on Rachael Ray's talk show.
• Debby of A Feast for the Eyes made the very appealing Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes and Banana-Orange Maple Compote. She also tried out one of my favorites - Sloppy Joes.
• Sri of Feed My World made adapted Rachael's recipe for Swedish Meatballs from BOB.
• The Daily Dish discusses Rachael's Nightline interview.
• Mare of Meet Me in the Kitchen made Pumpkin Cake with Whipped Cream and Pecan Praline from Every Day with Rachael Ray.
• Ashley of Big Flavors in a Tiny Kitchen made Long Live The Chicken a la King!
• Check out the transcript from Rachael Ray's appearance on Larry King Live.
• Cate at Sweetnicks made Beef and Feta Pasta Bake.
• Cate also writes for You've Got to Taste This, where she reviewed Mushroom and Garlic Pizza.
• Anthony Bourdain is torn about how he feels about Rachael Ray.
• Nichole of Vescapades made Chicken Curry in a Hurry.
• Kait of Pots and Plots made Cheesy Hash Brown Chili.
• Court Cooks of Prescription for Good Food made Fennel-Pepper Spaghetti.
• That's So Yummy features Shrimp Corn Dogs.
• The French Kitchen features Deconstructed Lasagna.
• Kim of Foolin' Around in the Kitchen adapted Rachael's recipe for Baba Ghanoush/Hummus Pasta and made it into a dip.
• Katie at Notes from the Kitchen Sink made Chili Suizas Bake. Sounds like what I had for dinner, except her recipe was from BOB.

Rachael Ray in Jimmy Fallon Promo

This will crack you up - Rachael was such a good sport!

Rachael Ray's Food Diary

Grub Street somehow got Rachael Ray to detail everything she ate for a week. The post is a really interesting little glimpse into a Week in the Life of Rachael Ray. I'm thinking I have to make the recipe she provides at the end....

Go check it out.

Photo from Every Day with Rachael Ray.

It's a Keeper: Pork Spaghettini

The worst thing about Winter isn't the bad weather. It's the havoc it wreaks on my photography! No beautiful California sun to capture the yumminess of this Pork Spaghettini recipe by Tracey Seaman in the March 2008 issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray.

I'm a sucker for pasta with peanuts in them. I have no idea why, but I just can't seem to resist them. I did make the dish a little healthier by using whole wheat pasta.

This recipe definitely serves 6. I made half and still had a bunch of leftovers. It's not exactly a 30 minute meal, since the prep time is 30 minutes and cook time is 15, but there's nothing really complicated about it.

This would be great as a side dish, too, if you just omit the pork. Here's the recipe with my comments in brackets.

1 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin roast, sliced 1/4 inch thick and cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
5 tablespoons soy sauce
6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped [Don't skimp on the garlic, people!]
1 pound spaghettini [I used whole wheat linguine because it's what I had on hand and, as mentioned above, the whole wheat is better for you. To be honest, I don't really know what spaghettini is.]
1 pound snow peas
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered
2 bunches scallions, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup salted roasted peanuts [Go wild and just throw in as much as you want.]

1. In a bowl, combine the pork, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 2 tablespoons soy sauce and half of the garlic.

2. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Place the snow peas in a colander and drain the pasta over them.

3. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the scallions and the remaining garlic and cook for 3 minutes; transfer to a small bowl. In the skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add the pork mixture and cook until opaque, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1 cup chicken broth and 3 tablespoons soy sauce and cook until the liquid is slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.

4. Return the mushroom mixture to the skillet and remove from the heat. Add the pasta and snow peas and toss. Top with the peanuts. [Then top with more peanuts.]

TV Alert: Rachael Ray on Larry King Live

Thanks to an alert ERR reader who emailed me to let me know, we can all catch Rachael Ray on Larry King Live tonight. Don't miss it!

Update on Rachael Ray's Burger Joint

Josh Ozersky of The Feedbag is officially a Rachael Ray fan after getting the chance to chat with her about one of her favorite topics - burgers. Rachael is the self-proclaimed Queen of Burgers, which I think is fair, considering the ridiculous amount of outstanding burger recipes she has created over the years.

You can listen to a little clip from the interview and check out the whole thing here, but I have to share what I consider to be the most interesting part. Rachael talked a little bit about the burger joint she plans on opening in NYC. Can you imagine what the lines will be like at that place? Here's an excerpt from the interview on the topic:

The Feedbag: And, I guess we’re holding off before the world knows about your big hamburger project?

Rachael Ray: Well, it’s gonna be 2010. So, I mean, you don’t want to get ‘em too excited! (Laughs) It’s no secret– I’ve told a lot of people I’m working on a burger joint. I. Love. Burgers. And, it just makes the most sense for me! You know, I grew up in the restaurant business. I’ve been wanting to get back into it when my life eased up enough that I could pay enough attention. And, by 2010 we got it all mapped out! I’m psyched! I can’t wait to eat there!

The Feedbag: Me neither.

Photo from Every Day with Rachael Ray.

Rachael Ray Roundup

Guess what I'm doing this weekend? NOTHING! Woot woot! I'm so excited. Every weekend lately has been full of activity. So, I'm excited to hang out with Darcy and work on her walking skills. She's so close! She's about 11 months old, so it's still a little early, but she really wants to just take off and run. In fact, maybe I shouldn't work on her walking skills....

You should all thank me for not including the 4, 286 posts about Rachael's FHM pictures!

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 (everythingrachaelray at gmail dot com) so I can be sure to include it.

• Carrie of Cooking with Carrie made Chicken Cigars.
• Megan of My Baking Adventures made Chicken Cutlets Brasciole.
• Amy of Adventures in Marriage made Tilapia with Roasted Corn.
• Donna of Tasty Treasures made one of my favorite Rachael Ray recipes! My other favorite is John's Fish (Tilapia with Tomatillos and Avocado Maque Choux).
• Amybyrd of Life in the Junction mde Baked Potato Soup.
• Debby of A Feast for the Eyes made Pork Marsala and Pappardelle Pasta and Chipotle Cashew Chicken.
• Kittybits of Tempest in a Blue Teapot was not wowed by Rach's recipe for Mac and Cheese.
• Mylinda of Sweet Tea in Texas features a very interesting recipe for Pizza Cobbler.
• Michael Y. Park of The Epilog asks whether we are entering the age of Rachael Ray. I'm pretty sure we've been there for awhile, but maybe that's just me.
• Kristin of Sogkonnite Living made Chipotle Pork Quesadillas.
• Robin of Frugal Family Foodies made a frittata using Ina Garten's method and Rachael Ray's ingredients.
• Sue at Food Network Musings thinks the media should leave Rachael Ray alone about having kids.
• Josh Ozersky of The Feedbag is at it again. Hilarious.

March 2009 Issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray

It's that time again! The March 2009 issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray is on newsstands now. So, what jumps out at me in this issue?

Editor Silvana Nardone carries on with her No Recipe Zone, this time with Sloppy Joe Pizza Pockets. I'll take two, please. In her Mucho Gusto column, Daisy Martinez provides a recipe for Guava Turnovers.

In the 30 Minute Meals section, you'll find recipes for French Onion and Wild Mushroom Soup, Greens with Eggs and Ham, Lasagna Stoup, Lamb Chops with Spinach Rice Pilaf, Enchilada Suiza Mexican Lasagna, Fancy Manchego Mac with Chorizo, Spinach-Artichoke French Bread Pizza, Tangerine Barbecue Chicken and Curry Couscous, Penne Avvocato, and Fajita Nachos. I have to say this is the most appealing list of 30 Minute Meals I've seen in awhile. Other than the lamb, I think I might have to try them all!

If you're interested in saving a buck, make sure to check out this month's $10 Spot. There are recipes for: Sweet Potato-and-Ham Fritters, Cheesy Hash Brown Chili, Chipotle Pork Quesadillas, Roasted Garlic-and-Spinach White Pizza, and Ratatouille Stew with Goat Cheese Crisps. Not too bad for inexpensive recipes, huh?

This issue also includes a list of America's Greatest Steakhouses, a feature on how slow cookers are making a comeback, a top 10 budget party ideas list, a ranking of the best hummus in the US, and a collection of the best snack food out there.

Rachael Ray on Nightline

Well, I had a tough choice to make on Monday night: Rachael Ray on Nightline or The Bachelor. We have a DVR with two tuners and a strict rule that my husband and I each get one tuner in the event of a conflict. Well, Monday night created a conflict! I couldn't stand the suspense, so I had to choose The Bachelor. Luckily, ABC has posted the Rachael Ray segment on their website.

The main thing that has come from this interview is a renewed interest in Rachael's FHM pictures from 10 years ago (she says she does not regret being in the mag). People are searching for them like crazy! The other big thing from the story is that Rachael does not regret endorsing Dunkin' Donuts.

My favorite part was the opening minutes, which are a major flashback to when Rachael started her career on a local news channel. We also get a peek at her recipe notebooks and learn how she feels about her detractors. It's one of the best interviews I've seen of Rach, so make sure you check it out!

It's a Keeper: Fiery Roast Turkey Sandwiches

Good Lord, I loved these sandwiches. I have to say, too, that it takes a lot for me to get jazzed up about a sandwich that doesn't involve salami. I'm usually into the Italian stuff, but Leah Holzel's recipe for Fiery Roast Turkey Sandwiches from the August 2007 issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray is such a winner.

The recipe estimates the prep time at 20 minutes and the cook time at 10. It can easily be done in that time. And the time you do spend cooking is pretty low maintenance, making this a great weeknight meal. I served mine with some salad and kettle chips.

You may want to file away the recipe for the spread used on this sandwich, because I am pretty sure it would be good on just about anything. I have to find a way to make it into a dip! Here's the recipe with my comments in brackets:

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 red onion, thinly sliced
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature [This is the key!]
2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped, 1 teaspoon sauce reserved [This seems like a lot, but you are mixing it into the cream cheese to make a spread.]
4 large challah or kaiser rolls, split
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 bunch radishes, grated
1 1/4 pounds deli-sliced fresh roast turkey breast
Potato chips, for serving

1. In a small saucepan, dissolve the sugar into the vinegar over medium heat. Add the onion, cover and simmer until wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and let the pickled onion cool.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, the chipotles and adobo sauce and 3 tablespoons of the onion pickling liquid until smooth.

3. Preheat a large, heavy skillet or a griddle over medium heat. Toast the rolls until golden and spread the chipotle cream cheese mixture on both sides.

4. Mound shredded cabbage and grated radish on the bottom of each roll. Pile the turkey on top, and then the pickled onions. Cover with the roll tops. Serve with potato chips.

Another SXSW Party for RR

EW magazine has all the details on Rachael Ray's second foray into the SXSW festival party scene. Her party last year was a hit, so what's in store this year? Last year Rach offered some great food and several great bands (including her husband John's band, The Cringe). This year the party is titled "Rose's Mojito and Rachael Ray's Feedback, A Smorgasbord of Hot Bands and Hot Food."

The banks on the list include New York Dolls, Hold Steady, Bob Schneider, the Thermals, Airborne Toxic Event, Semi Precious Weapons, and The Cringe. The party is being held on March 21st at Maggie Mae's.

Ray told EW a few of her thoughts on the event: "Some of the bands are new to me, like the Thermals and Semi Precious Weapons, but I sincerely love all of them. I'm a huge Hold Steady fan! Seriously. And I love Bob Schneider. Austin is my favorite city outside of New York, I just love how they do things, and the spirit of it."

Of course, Rachael also had some comments on this year's menu: "burgers on a biscuit with bacon, shredded lettuce and a toasted poblano tomatillo sauce, ancho mac and cheese for the vegetarians, black-bean chilaquilles, and ancho-chicken pulled soft tacos." You can get the recipes for last year's menu here.

EW also informs us that the March 13 issue of EW will include an interview with Rachael Ray.