Rachael Ray's Blog, page 22

Oh Pumpkin! 10 Recipes to Devour

'Tis the season for everyone's favorite fall gourd

282,000 Lives Saved in ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge!

The results are in from this year’s ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, and they couldn’t be more amazing: participating shelters saved more than 68,000 lives in just 3 months! Even more exciting is the total impact of the five years of the Challenge: more than 282,000 cats and dogs went home!

Each year, 50 shelters compete to win grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 by saving more lives. Those grants are then applied to continue the life saving by funding things like medical care and foster supplies.

But the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge isn’t just about the grants or even the three months that it runs. Participating shelters have made lasting, meaningful changes to improve their adoption rates moving forward. What’s more, their creative ideas and successful programs have been shared with other shelters across the country so that even more animals are helped.

According to the ASPCA, “In this competition, the critical objective was not momentary accomplishment, but measurable improvement – that any shelter, from the most fortunate to the most challenged, can realistically aim higher, do better and place more wonderful animals in loving homes.”

Check out this video from the APSCA with all of the results (and some adorable cats and dogs!):

While the Challenge is over, don’t forget that there’s never a bad time to adopt a pet and give an animal a chance at a better life. With millions of dogs and cats alone in shelters each year, you always have the opportunity to save a life!

A Week Full of Fall Flavor

Welcome to the Weekly Meal Planner! Whether you work all day and are out of steam when the dinner hour hits, or are fresh out of ideas and in a cooking rut, we are here to make your life easier.

Happy October! We are keeping it simple this week with easy weeknight meals like a make-ahead meatloaf (with a surprise inside!), Tuesday night tacos and a sandwich night to keep everyone in the house happy. Entertain friends Saturday night with an easy and impressive pasta dish and a fabulous squash crostini.

Fall puts us in the mood for the flavors of seasonal favorites like squash, kale, hazelnuts and sweet potatoes – so keep an eye out for tons of recipes with these ingredients. We also couldn’t resist some sweet treats this week – pumpkin squares and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are sure to make you very popular!

Don’t know what to cook? Need help with a recipe? Feel free to ask us in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Meatless Monday

Lunch: Health on a plate! Pearled Farro with Hazelnuts and Greens is a satisfying and chock full of nutrients.

Dinner: Tuscan-Pesto Dressed Penne with Crispy Kale and Garlic is packed with flavor. Pro tip: The crispy kale is a great stand-alone snack, too. 

Snack: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are classics for a reason. Pro tip: Feel free to add some raisins, dried cranberries or chopped nuts to this flexible recipe. 

Tuesday

Lunch: Take advantage of fall favorites and enjoy Curried Squash Soup with Apple Cheddar Melts. Pro tip: The soup and sandwich are each delicious on their own for a snack or lunch as well. 

Dinner: It’s Taco Tuesday! Fajita-style Mexican-Style Cumin-Pepper Steak Tacos are healthy and full of flavor. Cook’s note: If you can’t find flat iron steak at your market, rib eye is a good substitute. 

Dessert: Moist and not-too-sweet, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Squares work well as an after-school snack or dessert.

Wednesday

Lunch: Two lunch favorites – pizza and panini – come together in one heavenly sandwich in Pizza-nini.

Dinner: There’s a surprise inside Cobb-Style Meatloaf, Spinach Salad with Dijon Dressing! This is also a great make-ahead meal that you can prepare up to two days in advance. Simply bake and serve for an easy weeknight dinner.

Snack: Munch on addictive Loaded Potato Popcorn during TV time tonight.

Thursday

Lunch: Add some chopped chicken or deli turkey to Honey-Mustard Dressed Greens with Apple and Pear for a satisfying midday meal.

Dinner: Take it easy and have Sandwich Night tonight. With just a few ingredients, Saltimbocca Panini with Fresh Baby Arugula Salad is a crowd-pleasing, upscale sammie.

Snack: Sweet Potato Muffins are a great way to add some extra veggies into your kids’ snacking.

Fun Friday

Lunch: Use your favorite roasted veggies in Roasted Root Vegetable Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons. Pro tip: Make the soup over a weekend and freeze in individual portions for a simple lunch.

Dinner: Make a go-to kid delight to kick off the weekend: Reuben Dogs are fast and fun. You can prepare the dogs on a grill pan or outdoor grill – whatever your preference.

Snack: New York Deli Nachos is all of your favorite snacks on one tasty plate!

Entertaining Saturday

 

Brunch: A mustard and maple sauce is the perfect dipper for Brunch Pinwheels - a tasty no-utensils-needed brunch.

Dinner: Serve a luxurious pasta dinner for friends tonight. Creamy Prosciutto and Porcini Penne is restaurant-worthy yet comes together in a flash.

Appetizer: Savor the season and serve Butternut Squash and Sage Crostini during cocktails tonight.

Family Sunday

Brunch: New Orleans-inspired Sausage-and-Shrimp Hash with “Grits” and Eggs is an ideal BLD (breakfast, lunch or dinner!) meal.

Dinner: Put a comforting homestyle meal on the table for the family tonight. The secret is in the phenomenal rhubarb blueberry sauce in TV Dinner: Chicken or Chops with “Blubarb” Sauce, Rice with Peans and Wilted Spinach.

Dessert: You won’t believe how easy it is to turn a boxed gingerbread mix into spectacular Gingerbread Cupcakes.

A Note from Rach: The Simple Things Matter Most

9 Irresistible Ways to Cook with Apples

Apple pie. Apple cake. Apple gallette. Apple stew. Apple sandwiches. Apple crostini. Apple sangria.

Beyond taking a bite of one of these fresh, crisp, sweet fruits, there are too many ways to eat apples to count. And while you might think of apple pie as your first go-to (I sure do!), you’d be surprised to see how many savory ways there are to eat and enjoy them.

Rachael loves these fall fruits as well. “Apple-picking is another autumnal activity I always take a bit too far,” she wrote in the October issue of her magazine.

“We pick enough apples as a family to keep 10 families in applesauce for life. Isaboo, my dog, thinks apple orchards are ball farms: When she makes a good catch she’s excited to find that it’s also juicy and delicious!”

Find where you can pick your own apples, or locate your nearest farmer’s market to buy what’s freshest. Then, try out one of these fantastic recipes. And remember: An apple a day…is delicious!

Apple Pot Pies

Granny Smith apples. Brown sugar. Pie dough. What more could you want in a fall dessert? These pot pies are super-quick to make – but you’ll probably eat them even faster!

Autumn Beef Stew with Apple, Onion and Roasted Garlic

Make this stew during sweater weather for fall-friendly comfort food. Apples and cider get a savory boost from freshly roasted garlic and slow-cooked beef.

Baked Apples

All you need to prepare these beautiful apples is 6 ingredients and about an hour to roast them. Your house will smell wonderfully – try to bake them before guests come over for an extra-festive feel!

Apple, Cheddar and Mushroom Monte Cristos

These BLD (breakfast, lunch or dinner) sammies give an incredible bite when warm, toasty bread and gooey cheese pair with fresh, crisp apples. Slice up a few to serve on the side!

Gluten-Free Apple Cake

This cake is so wonderful, you’ll love it whether you’re currently eating gluten-free or not. Grab fresh, honeycrisp apples for natural sweetness without needing to add extra sugar.

Autumn Apple Salad

Endive, apples, walnuts and pomegranates give this salad such bite and pop! Your own, homemade champagne vinaigrette puts it over the top.

Butternut and Apple Galette

Even though this dish may look like a dessert, it’s actually the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Try it for brunch!

Apple, Cheddar, Bacon Crostini

Crispy apples complement sharp cheddar and bacon in this delightful snack. The onions are also caramelized in the bacon fat for a deep, rich flavor you won’t believe.

Bonus: Get Cozy Sangria

Sangria gets a fall twist with the incorporation of apples, apple brandy, and cranberry juice. Let it steep for a bit for the flavors to really come together!

21 Delish Recipes to Try This Week

Welcome to the Weekly Meal Planner! Whether you work all day and are out of steam when the dinner hour hits, or are fresh out of ideas and in a cooking rut, we are here to make your life easier.

Fall is a busy season for everyone, so this week we have selected some of our quickest weeknight recipes yet, an always-fun breakfast for dinner recipe, and a make-ahead mac and cheese that no one will be able to resist.

Have family fun at home on Friday night with some fantastic burgers and a deluxe mint brownie or two – delish! Plus, don’t miss our healthy snacks with lots of fresh fruit that will help get the kids in the kitchen.

Don’t know what to cook? Need help with a recipe? Feel free to ask us in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Meatless Monday

Lunch: This super healthy Chickpea Salad is a snap to make and gets even better after refrigerated for a day!

Dinner: Packed with veggies, Spinach Fettucine Primavera is a kid-pleasing pasta dish. Cook’s note: If you would like to omit the wine, just replace with additional stock. 

Snack: Quick, cool and full of fresh fruit, these refreshing Frothy-Chilly Fruit Smoothies make a great breakfast, snack or light lunch. Pro tip: Get creative and use your favorite fruits!

Tuesday

Lunch: This hearty, tasty Beans and Greens Soup with Sausage Meatballs is loaded with vitamins and protein.

Dinner: No need to pick up pizza when you can make this quick and easy Red French Bread Pizza recipe for a weeknight dinner.

Snack: Spicy roasted BBQ Pumpin Seeds are a tasty snack for all.

Wednesday

 

Lunch: Caramelized onions are the secret ingredient in these special sammies: Grilled Cheese Bar: The French Onion.

Dinner: Everyone loves breakfast for dinner! Express Meal – Dinner Strata is a comforting anytime meal.

Dessert: Take advantage of apple season and prepare Baked Apples for a fabulous fall dessert. Pro tip: Make this dessert even healthier and serve with frozen yogurt instead of ice cream. 

Thursday

Lunch: Bread bowls aren’t just for soup anymore! Chicken Caesar Salad Stuffed Garlic Bread combines Ceasar salad and garlic bread into one delicious sandwich.

Dinner: Bacon and Leek Mac ‘n Cheese is off-the-charts delicious – make it up to a day ahead of time for an easy weeknight treat.

Snack: Stacked Fruit Sticks are a healthy snack or dessert – go crazy with the fruit options! Pro tip: These are fun birthday treats, too.

Fun Friday

Lunch: Make any kid smile with this lunch box special. Chicken Cordon “Blue” Panini makes a delicious and quick dinner, too.

Dinner: Welcome the weekend with a fave salad-inspired Cobb-Style Burger.

Dessert: Take your favorite brownie mix and turn it into something special – Grasshopper Brownies.

Entertaining Saturday

Brunch: Maple and Sausage-Stuffed French Toast Cups are fun to eat and even more fun to make!

Dinner: Just because Fall has officially arrived doesn’t mean you have to put away the grill! Treat your guests to a light and delicious grilled Steak with Tomato-Bacon Salad Topper. Serve with some crusty bread and you have a fabulous dinner.

Appetizer: My Mom Elsa’s Favorite Cocktail Party Shrimp is an elegant and easy beginning to a great Saturday night meal.

Family Sunday

Brunch: Ham and Cheese Waffles with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce is a fun anytime meal.

Dinner: This all-in-one meal -  Baked Chicken with Herb Skin and Roasted Garlic Cream Gravy - is perfect for a Sunday supper.

Dessert: Caramel Peanut Popcorn Baseballs are a super cute dessert the whole family will love.

 

Don’t Wait for Tuesday: Try These 6 Sizzling Tacos

Tacos are one of the most perfect foods. They’re made to be customized however you like, you get to build them as you eat them, and no forks or knives are required. Yes!

How long has it been since you ate great tacos? I bet it was out at a restaurant – and I bet it’s been way too long since the last time you had ‘em. Don’t wait for Taco Tuesday at a pricey restaurant to make these delightful bites!

Try these fun recipes from Rachael, which feature steak, fish, shrimp, and pork in a number of different and surprising flavor combinations. And of course, no taco night is complete without excellent sides and fixings (and margaritas!) so a few of those are included here. Set up your own taco bar, and let your guests dig in.

(Spoiler: There’s even a taco waffle for you to try, too!)

Sliced Steak Tacos with Bloody Maria Salsa

Traditional pico de gallo gets a refresh for these light and healthy tacos. Skip the canned stuff and try whipping up your own salsa. Cook’s note: The steak needs a few hours to marinate before you start.

Braised Pork Tacos

Rachael crafted these tacos for her Feedback festival in Austin, and you’ll love them just as much as the thousands of attendees who tried them there. Even though the slow-roasted pork takes a few hours to finish, these tacos are totally worth the wait!

Surf and Turf Mexican Soft Tacos

Get in the spirit with this start-to-finish taco bar. Not only is there the perfect mix of steak and seafood, but everything from the sour cream to the salsa to the pickled onions is customized or made by you!

Spanish Fish Tacos

From agave to parsley, these tacos combine bold flavors for a unique spin on your usual fish taco. Rachael also features fish that’s prevalent in Spanish cooking, like halibut, mahi-mahi, or red snapper.

Mexican-Style Cumin-Pepper Steak Tacos

These tacos are inspired by all your favorite fajita flavors. Beyond making a lot of classic fajita fixings and toppings, they get an extra boost from charring the tortillas – just like your favorite restaurant does!

Sliced Steak Soft Taco Sliders with Guaca-Salsa

These stacked soft taco sliders are delightful if you’re feeling like steak and guacamole. You’ll love Rachael’s method for folding the tacos, too. Just make sure you have the right size of tortillas for the job!

Smoky Refried Beans

Every great taco needs excellent sides, and refried beans are a must-have! Even though these legumes are easy to grab pre-made, you’ll have a lot of fun making them yourself.

Avocado Bean Dip

This fun and pretty mixture that’s part salsa, part guacamole, and part bean dip is delish on your tacos or served on the side with chips.

Confetti Rice

You’ll love how simple this rice recipe is to make. It’s ready in about 20 minutes or less, and is the perfect side for taco night.

John’s Tomato Margarita

You may not think that fennel and muddle tomatoes sound like ingredients for a margarita, but this original creation from John will truly surprise and delight you!

Bonus: Huevos Rancheros Taco Waffle

Ok, so these aren’t really “tacos,” but this recipe is a wonderful reminder that you (literally) can have tacos any time of day! Try these cornbread waffles with taco filling for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

A Week of Comfort Food and Easy Meals

Welcome to the Weekly Meal Planner! Whether you work all day and are out of steam when the dinner hour hits, or are fresh out of ideas and in a cooking rut, we are here to make your life easier.

Who’s in the mood for comfort food this week? We sure are! This week’s meal planner features easy weeknight pastas, a fun Friday night pizza dinner and a classic Sunday supper that the whole family will love.

Plus, check out our recipes for satisfying soups that are perfect for at-home or brown bag lunches. Freeze the leftovers in individual portions for no-stress lunches down the road.

Don’t know what to cook? Need help with a recipe? Feel free to ask us in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Meatless Monday

Lunch: Asian-flavored Ginger-Soy Carrot Soup is as nice to look at as it is to eat!

Dinner: Portobello Cream Sauce with Whole Wheat Linguine is so rich and delicious, no one will believe it’s Meatless Monday! Pro tip: Arugula or spinach are good substitutions for the watercress if you’re in a pinch. 

Snack: Veggie Spinach Dip is perfect for dipping or as a bagel or sandwich spread.

Tuesday

Lunch: It doesn’t have to be Meatless Monday to enjoy a vegetarian dish. Prepare Roasted Vegetable Tabbouleh with Grilled Flat Bread and Yogurt-Tahini Dressing up to a few days in advance and enjoy this super healthy meal for lunch or dinner.

Dinner: Make a batch of this flavorful Pork Stew with Ancho Chiles and Squash. Pro tip: Leftovers are great for lunch the next day!

Snack: Make your own fair favorite – Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn is even better at home.

Wednesday

Lunch: A full-bodied soup with sausage, broccoli rabe, pasta and cheese - Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Stoup is a what’s for lunch today.

Dinner: Make a fun mid-week meal tonight. Sloppy Potatoes is a healthy main course spin on potato skins - yum!

Dessert: With two oatmeal cookie layers sandwiching a layer of fudge goodness, no one will be able to resist Oatmeal Fudge Bars.

Thursday

Lunch: Cold Ginger, Soy and Honey Sesame Noodles (Bento Lunch Box) sounds exotic but is made with six ingredients you probably have in your pantry. Kids will love this as a fun alternative to PB&J.

Dinner: Kid - and budget – friendly, Penne with Turkey and Broccolini is the perfect weeknight dish that comes together in a flash. Cook’s note: If your market doesn’t have broccolini, feel free to swap in broccoli.

Snack: Turn leftover salsa from the bottom of the jar into easy, cheesy Queso Dip.

Friday

Lunch: An Italian touch elevates the classic grilled cheese to something even better. Grilled Deviled Ham and Cheese is a special sammie. Pro tip: The ham salad is also delicious with crackers or pita chips. 

Dinner: Friday night means Pizza Night. Skip the take out and make Wingless Buffalo Chicken Pizza – a combo of two classic favorites: pizza and Buffalo wings!

Dessert: Peanut Butter Caramel Swirled Brownies are the perfect way to end a work week!

Entertaining Saturday

Brunch: BLT Italian Strata is a great anytime meal that you can make the night before and bake when you are ready to serve.

Dinner: Treat your guests to an all-in-one dinner that’s elegant and delicious. Lamb with Leeks ‘n Artichokes and Lemon Rice is deceptively easy to prepare. Don’t worry, we’ll keep your secret!

Appetizer: Crab Salad Bites on Endive is a company-worthy hors d’oeuvre.

Family Sunday

Brunch: Get fired – and filled – up for a day of football. Black Bean and Beef Chilaquiles with Fried Eggs will tide everyone over until dinner.

Dinner: The fragrance of Pot Roast and Popovers will beckon family and friends to a classic Sunday supper. 

Dessert: Brownie Pudding is a decadent treat – best served warm with vanilla ice cream!

Not Just for Salad: 5 Ways to Cook with Kale

When Rachael was growing up, her family cooked with kale often. Because it is not as delicate as spinach or other greens, it really holds up in recipes where heat or intense cooking processes are involved – perfect for the Italian recipes she loves!

Kale is a hearty veggie. It’s related to cauliflower, broccoli, collard greens and Brussels sprouts. So, even though you might think of kale as simply another green for your salad, it is quite versatile and can add flavor and texture to dishes in unexpected ways. From soups and purees to pasta dishes, kale compliments a lot of recipes – and adds in a great nutritional boost in the process.

The next time you hit your grocery store or the farmer’s market, pick up a fresh bunch of this tasty green and try one of these techniques:

Baked and Crispy: Tuscan Pesto-Dressed Penne with Crispy Kale with Garlic

 



Kale holds up well in the oven and gets a texture that feels similar to a thin potato chip. In this recipe, the kale is broiled until it is crackling and charred, which adds depth and a crunch to the pasta. You may find yourself munching on the kale itself, straight from the oven!

In Pesto: Caesar-Style Kale Pesto for Fish, Sliced Steak, or Chicken

 



Sweet and fragrant basil is typically the green used in pesto. Rachael changes things up by using blanched kale instead and pairing it with the flavors of a Casesar salad. You’ll love this pesto on your favorite protein!

With Grains: Pearled Farro with Hazelnuts and Greens

 



Farro is a hearty, chewy grain that is a favorite of fall dishes. Rachael adds in Tuscan kale at the end of this recipe in order for the greens to wilt just slightly in the heat of the grains, but still add a great “bite.”

In Soup: Chicken and Pearled Barley (Orzo) Soup

 



In soups, veggies like spinach can become soggy and lose their texture. They’re so delicate! But kale’s strong fibers and texture really make it something to chew on. Try it in a classic chicken soup the next time you’re under the weather.

In a Sandwich: Grilled Rosemary Chicken Melt

 



This is another instance where kale’s tolerance of high temperatures makes it the perfect green. With just the right amount of heat from your grill press, the kale here wilts slightly and becomes more tender, but still something to sink your teeth into.

Want more? Rachael has more than 100 recipes that use kale. Have fun and explore!

Help Rachael Donate 9 Million Meals to Hunger Relief!

Rachael is is back in action for the start of season 9 of the “Rachael Ray” show, and she’s got a huge goal: To work together with audience members and friends nationwide to raise enough money to provide 9 million meals to hungry Americans in her new 9 Million Meals (#9MillionMeals) campaign.

To make it happen, Rachael’s Yum-o! organization is teaming up with longstanding partners Feeding America and No Kid Hungry.

Working together with these two organizations, every dollar you donate helps provide up to 10 meals for Americans struggling with hunger! This is done through the efforts of Feeding America’s nationwide food bank network and No Kid Hungry’s work to change the way communities feed their children. Now that’s what we call stretching a buck!

Recently, Rachael told her good friend Mario Batali, “I want to see an end to hunger. I think that’s something I might see,  at least in this country [...] in my natural life. That’s the one I’ve got my fingers crossed for.”

Won’t you help make Rachael’s dream a reality?

How to Get Involved

- Visit 9MillionMeals.com to find out how to donate to either Feeding America or No Kid Hungry. You can even designate your dollars to make sure they go to where you live!

- Tweet and share your support using #9MillionMeals throughout season 9 to help raise awareness with your friends and family about this incredible way to help the hungry.

- Follow Yum-o! on Twitter or Facebook for more tips, resources and ideas.