Rachael Ray Roundup

If you know anyone who wants to go to law school, please tell them to reconsider. I have worked every day for the last month.  No exageration this time, I swear!  I have a trial on Monday, but once that is over, I think I will get my life back.  Won't that be nice?  I did take a break for my favorite Friday activity....

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.

• Rachael Ray is expanding her dog food line to include treats.
• Tracey Burnett of Cooking My Way to Happiness with Rachael Ray made a recipe I've been thinking about trying - Taco Pasta Toss.  Although, I think I'd ditch the lettuce (since I don't like lettuce on tacos!).
• Roxanne Wilson has some video of Rachael Ray's SXSW party, including pictures of the food and links to the recipes.  Rachael was rocking out and there was even a mosh pit.
• Rachael talked to the Wall Street Journal about her SXSW party.
• Cookie of Work Out then Cook made Braised Pork Chops.
• Cooking with Sean and Joey features a review of Hot Sausage and Lentil Soup.

It's a Keeper: Asparagus Carbonara

Now that Spring is springing, there's tons of yummy (and often on sale) asparagus in the grocery store that is calling my name!  This recipe for Asparagus Carbonara was done in Rach's magazine awhile ago, but I set it aside as a must try becuase (a) carbonara is my ultimate comfort food and (b) I love asparagus.  Combine the two and you have a heck of a winner here, people.

In addition to the yummy flavor, an added bonus of this meal is that it is cheap!  It was included in the recipes under $10 feature of the magazine.  I took the easy way out when it came to sides and served it with premade garlic bread and a bagged Caesar Salad.  I also used whole wheat pasta to up the protein in the absence of any meat in this recipe (perfect for Lent) and to up the fiber, too. 

This one ended up being about a 30 minute meal for me.  Here's the recipe with my comments in brackets:

Ingredients:


2 large eggs
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese [I think it's important to use the real thing - parmigiano reggiano.]
3/4 pound spaghetti [I used whole wheat]
1 bunch asparagus, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 slices bacon, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine
Salt and pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and cheese. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, adding the asparagus during the last minute of cooking. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Add the hot pasta and asparagus to egg mixture; toss to coat.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, stir in the garlic. Add the wine and cook until slightly reduced, about 1 minute. Stir the bacon mixture into the pasta, adding enough of the reserved pasta water to moisten; season with salt and pepper.

Rachael Ray Roundup

Dear Lord, I miss cooking!  I am still working a crazy schedule and my poor family has been living the way we used to - from drive thrus, take out, and the freezer.  It's really rather depressing now that we're all used to eating freshly prepared food made just how we like it.  Even Darcy seems a little down in the dumps about it.  But hope is just around the corner - I'm excited to jump back into cooking in the coming days!

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.

• Cate at Sweetnicks made a Super Wedge Salad from Every Day with Rachael Ray.  If she didn't live on the opposite coast from me, I would be at her house every night for dinner.
• Jennie of the Weber Family Blog made Mole Chili.
• The potstickers that Tracy made at Cooking My Way to Happiness with Rachael Ray look outstanding!
• The Best Life features a review of another recipe on my list to try: Chicken with Tarragon Cream and Green Bean Rice Pilaf.
• Katy Mary of Tangerine Hearts made American Italian all'Amatriciana from the Big Orange Book.
• Michelle Lamar of Yum Gloss made Braciole.
• The Sustainable Scribe features a review of Porcini Parsley Pasta for Meatless Monday.
• A Chicken in Every Crockpot has a review of Chicken Cheddar BBQ Burgers from the Book of Ten.

Rachael Ray's SXSW Band List

It looks like Rachael Ray's SXSW party will be a doozy. Check out the band list below, which I found over at Done Waiting.

Rachael Ray Roundup

Don't you hate it when your real job gets in the way of your blogging fun?  Such has been the case for me these days.  With a big case looming, all resources are headed to that!  A girl can only do so much, ya know?  But don't worry, I still made time to put together this week's Roundup.

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.

• WSVN TV has a blurb on Rachael's participation in Fun and Fit Family Day, which is part of the Food Network Wine and Food Festival.
• Frank Bruni of The New York Times ran into Rachael Ray at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
• Deb in Hawaii of Kahakai Kitchen tried Hot Rum-and-Pineapple Toddies from Every Day with Rachael Ray.
• Jerry's Thoughts features a review of Zuppa Osso Buco.
• M&C has pictures from a party hosted by Rachael Ray called 'Rachael Ray's Late Night SOBE Soundcheck Party.'
• The Hops Honey shares the back story on her appearance on Rachael Ray's talk show.
• Debby of A Feast for the Eyes features a review of Easy Shepherd's Pie, adapted from Rachael Ray.