Rachael Ray's Blog, page 24
August 12, 2014
A Note from Rach: Fall Feasts!
Each month, Rachael pens a personal letter to the readers of her magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray. Here’s what’s on Rach’s mind for October, and don’t forget to get your copy of the issue, out on newsstands now!
I live near a wonderful smokehouse in Warrensburg, NY — a family business that dates back generations; a success story that epitomizes the American dream. Oscar’s Adirondack Smoke House is a short pilgrimage from my hometown of Lake George. On weekends, my mom or dad would drive us there to get bacon, counter cheese (super-sharp white cheddar) and, especially in the fall, the best wursts of every variety. Oktoberfest for us meant food, friends and laughter on crisp, cool evenings: red cabbage cooked with apples, sauerkraut seasoned with caraway, bratwurst and knockwurst simmered in beer with onions. Celebrate my favorite season with our fun Oktoberfest party, and this just might become your favorite season, too.
I love pumpkins—especially in the form of soup or ravioli—but, when it comes to Halloween doorstep decorations, here’s a cool new tip: Go with gourds! I haul home more gourds than I can carry, and this year, I’ll be turning the misshapen squash into the quirky front-door friends to welcome trick-or-treaters.
Apple-picking is another autumnal activity I always take a bit too far. 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! So just in time for harvest, we’re giving you a different sweet or savory apple recipe to cook every day this month in our Healthy Helping tear-out booklet.
Here’s a trend I’m excited to get behind: roasting vegetables like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts stalks and more — whole! Not only do the recipes give vegetables the showstopping attention they deserve, but roasting the entire thing amplifies flavor, retains moisture and creates a crispy, super-flavorful crust. This month, my 30-Minute Meals are full of fall favorites, like Hanger Steak with French Onion Sauce, Chorizo & Vegetable Chili, and a delicious pasta shape that makes everyone happy—bow ties—with three delicious sauces. My mom especially looks at a bowlful of farfalle with the widest of smiles!
Take a little time this October to rake some leaves into a big pile and jump in—the fall equivalent of stopping to smell the roses. Roses make me sneeze. I prefer the autumn leaves.
Love,
Rachael
August 11, 2014
21 New 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.
This week we’re featuring some of Rachael’s latest recipes, including comforting pork chops with homemade creamed corn, summery chicken sandwiches, and a crowd-pleasing steak dinner perfect for Saturday night entertaining.
And just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you can’t make a family favorite Sunday pasta supper. Check out our pick for a satisfying veggie lasagna everyone will love.
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: Zucchini Caponata is a delicious lunch on its own, served with toasted baguette or over quick-cooking polenta.
Dinner: For Saffron Lovers: Cauliflower with Penne is a magic mix of saffron, garlic, almonds, golden raisins, cauliflower, and pasta.
Dessert: It’s blueberry season – the perfect time to make this yummy snack, breakfast or even dessert: Try Blueberry Crumb Cake.
Tuesday
Lunch: Fresh veggies, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, pesto, and whole wheat pasta come together to make a healthy and delicious Tomato-Vegetable-Pasta Stoup. Perfect for brown bagging!
Dinner: Scadinavian cuisine meets American in this tasty meal: Pork Chops with Herb Creamed Corn is hearty and satisfying. Cook’s note: The creamed corn is just as delicious with chicken or any cut of pork.
Snack: Frozen Fruit Sticks are a summery treat perfect for picnics or enjoying in your own backyard.
Wednesday
Lunch: Chicken Souvlaki and Tzatziki Sauce on Garlic Naan is a delicious lunch or easy weeknight dinner. Pro tip: Cook the chicken the night before for a no-fuss lunch the next day.
Dinner: Fire up the grill tonight and serve Chianti Burgers! Red wine is mixed right into the meat and the burger is topped with caramelized onions.
Snack: Skip the packaged cereal bars and make your own. Nena’s Oat Berry Bars come together in no-time with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Cook’s note: These bars freeze beautifully, so make a double batch!
Thursday
Lunch: Looking for your favorite salad in a sammie? Cobb Clubs are the answer!
Dinner: Top your family’s favorite fish (snapper, trout, halibut, and swordfish are all great options) with a breadcrumb crust of fresh herbs, garlic and lemon zest. Fish with Mixed-Herb Gremolata Breadcrumbs is what’s for dinner tonight.
Snack: Pomegranate Guacamole is a creative take on the classic dip that’s delicious with chips, veggies, and pita crisps.
Friday
Lunch: Treat yourself to a restaurant-quality salad for lunch when you enjoy Crispy Noodles Salad with Sweet and Sour Dressing. Pro tip: If you’re brown-bagging, be sure to dress the salad just prior to serving to avoid soggy noodles.
Dinner: Make Friday night an upscale sandwich night and serve Chicken Francaise-wiches. These delicious, lemony, summer sandwiches can be made with chicken or fish. Make it last: You can also use the sauce for this dish over a side of pasta.
Dessert: Lemon zest awakens the flavors of this seasonal Lemon Black and Blue Cobbler.
Entertaining Saturday
Brunch: Pull out the waffle maker and prepare Oat, Bacon, and Pecan Waffles with Bourbon Maple Syrup, a decadent, grown-up brunch.
Dinner: Transport your guests to Italy tonight. Steak doused with grilled lemon, topped with a flavorful parsley sauce, and accompanied by a warm potato salad are just a few of the elements that make Bistecca Fiorentina with Parsley Sauce for Steak and Warm Potato Salad a winner.
Appetizer: Who doesn’t like fondue?! Healthier Cheese Fondue with Pretzels and Veggies is just a bit healthier than the original and just as delicious.
Family Sunday
Brunch: Grilled Caesar Salad with Poached Egg takes your prep to the grill and adds protein with poached eggs for a creative, brunch-ready dish. Pro tip: Try it with grilled chicken for dinner!
Dinner: Lasagna with Roasted Eggplant-Ricotta Filling feeds a crowd – perfect for Sunday supper. Pro tip: Take it easy and make the lasagna up to two days in advance.
Dessert: Making your own popsicles couldn’t be easier. Use up fruit and other pantry items that you’ve already got on-hand!
August 8, 2014
13 Perfect Panini & Grilled Sammies
Warm, crispy bread. A distinctive crunch. Fresh, hot, flavorful fillings like meat, cheese and veggies. Panini are the perfect food.
You might typically think of panini as lunchtime fare, but they truly make ideal meals for any time of day. We’ve even picked a few for you that would be 100 percent suitable for brunch so you can try ‘em for yourself!
Of course, it’s hard to talk about panini and not include a few more of our favorite grilled sandwiches from Rachael. One of the main differences between the two is whether or not you add butter or some sort of oil to the outside of the bread – panini are typically grilled “dry.”
Either way, you don’t need a fancy contraption to make the perfect sandwich. Something heavy to give them their distinctive “press” (Rachael has a handy glass weight, which you can use for tons of dishes!) is all that’s necessary.
Bonus: Wow your friends with your knowledge of Italian: “Panino” refers to one sandwich, while “panini” refers to many.
Your favorite grilled chicken salad gets a boost from crispy foccacia and melted Provolone cheese!
Pimiento and piquillo peppers, along with Manchengo cheese and Serrano ham create a truly Spanish flavor combination that will have your tastebuds saying “Gracias!”
Saltimbocca Panini with Fresh Baby Arugula
The peppery bite of arugula plus a bright splash of lemon juice will make you think of a fresh, spring salad when you try this light and tasty panini.
The Absolute Best Roast Beef Sandwich
Ever made your own horseradish sauce? You’ll never buy it from the store again when you whip it up for this hearty roast beef sammie.
Cheeseburgers are great – but grilling them makes them even better! You won’t miss a typical, soft bun once you take a bite of this crunchy, savory burger.
Egg-Battered Asparagus, Ham, and Cheese Sandwiches
Fresh asparagus in a Monte Cristo dipped in a lemon, cheese and egg mixture means this sammie is great for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any snack in between!
Pepperoni. Roma tomatoes. Fresh, ground pepper. We don’t have to tell you why this sandwich is tops.
Rach builds a variation of a classic Reuben with homemade dressing, ground turkey, sauerkraut, and two cheeses on marble rye or pumpernickel bread.
French Toast Grilled Cheese with Apples
“French toast and fresh apples with a fig or maple spread” sounds like something off the menu of your favorite brunch spot. Now, enjoy it as a grilled sandwich you can make at home!
A Rachael Goes to Monte Cristo
French toast “Rachels” are go perfectly with homemade Russian dressing for dipping!
Rachael combines two classic flavors for a sandwich that’s everything you want: Crunchy, hearty, and with a surprising combination of flavors that will have you wanting to grill up another as soon as you’re done!
Italian Grilled Cheese-n-Tomato
Basil, mozzarella and crusty Italian bread make this sandwich a close relative of your favorite bruschetta or caprese salad!
If you love eggplant parmigiana, you won’t be able to say no to this sandwich. Your favorite purple fruit bulks up this grilled cheese with a “meaty” texture that vegetarians and omnivores alike will love.
August 4, 2014
Fire Up the Grill with Fantastic Summer 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.
Keep the summer celebration going (only one month left!) and fire up the grill for dinner this week.
We’re featuring recipes for everything from grilled steak and burgers to chicken thighs and fish. We’re also highlighting some super easy baking recipes, including a fantastic, fudgy, dairy-free chocolate cake that comes together right in the baking pan. Little chefs will love to help (and eat!).
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: French Bread Pissaladiere – a warm, toasted bread finished with sautéed onions and two cheeses – makes a simple meal with a side of salad.
Dinner: Firm and chewy with lots of flavor, Tofu Burgers are sure to satisfy even the most die-hard meat lovers.
Snack: This flavorful homemade Herby Honey Mustard Dipper is delicious with chips, veggies or crackers – anything you feel like dipping!
Tuesday
Lunch: Freshly baked Italian rolls, favorite cold cuts, and homemade giardiniera, make mouth-watering Italian Subs with Garlic Vinaigrette and Giardiniera Relish.
Dinner: Simple is best! Rosemary-Garlic Steaks with Arugula, Tomatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano is an impressive all-in-one meal perfect for a quick weeknight meal or weekend entertaining. Pro tip: Be sure to bring the steaks to room temperature prior to grilling so they cook evenly.
Snack: Try out this spicy variation of everyone’s favorite dip: Smoky Guacamole.
Wednesday
Lunch: Grilled Potato Salad is a terrific side or lunch, no matter if you enjoy it on its own or topped with leftover chicken.
Dinner: Grilled, juicy chicken thighs make delicious Korean Barbecue Chicken Thigh Sliders. Cook’s note: This sauce is equally wonderful with chicken breasts or pork tenderloin.
Snack: Delicious as a snack or breakfast (or second breakfast!), Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake Muffins with Streusel Topping are banana muffins to the max!
Thursday
Lunch: A BLT without the bread? Genius! BLT Salad will become a regular in your lunch rotation.
Dinner: Moroccan spices, a fresh herb and lemon sauce and fluffy couscous make Grilled Fish with Moroccan Chermoula Sauce and Zucchini Couscous a winner.
Snack: Fresh corn is in season and is the key ingredient that puts this Corn Bread Crostini recipe over the top.
Friday
Lunch: Add a new dimension to tuna melts with flavorful ingredients like capers, red onion, and lemon in these Mediterranean Tuna Melt Paninis.
Dinner: Celebrate the end of the work week with a sure-to-please, match-made-in-heaven sammie: Grilled Cheese Burgers.
Dessert: Grab the kids and make this fun, and dairy-free, Crazy No-Bowl Chocolate Cake.
Entertaining Saturday
Brunch: Serve this perfectly balanced, sweet and salty casserole for brunch this weekend. Savory French Toast and Sausage Bake is sure to get rave reviews. Cook’s note: Plan ahead, as you’ll need to refrigerate a portion of this recipe overnight.
Dinner: It doesn’t have to be May to put together a fantastic spread that’s perfect to feed a crowd. Try Cinco de Mayo Feast: Surf and Turf Mexican Soft Tacos.
Appetizer: Bacon and Deviled Eggs is a fabulous pre-dinner snack – watch them disappear!
Family Sunday
Brunch: Your kids will love this riff on the Dr. Seuss classic: Green Eggs and Ham!
Dinner: Clam Bake Chowder is a beach party in a bowl!
Dessert: Use your favorite brownie mix to whip up a batch of these super-simple and scrumptious Peanut Butter Brownie Cups.
August 2, 2014
Your Best Brunch Yet!
When I was a kid, Sunday mornings were sacred in my house. My mom took our sleep seriously.
A morning person trapped in a family of night owls, she tiptoed around our kitchen while we snoozed, hoping we’d rest up enough for our busy weeks ahead (and often ready for a kindly, but stern, lecture about how we all needed more rest).
I loved waking up later than usual to the aroma of brunch wafting up to my room. It smelled like pancakes and bacon, accompanied with the sound of sizzling eggs in a skillet and toast popping up in the toaster.
We’d yawn all the way to the table to gratefully gobble everything up, and usually ended up so full that napping seemed like a good idea afterward. I think this was her plan all along.
With these amazing recipes from Rachael, my wish for all of you is the same: a little extra sleep, a wonderful meal with your friends or family, and the opportunity to hang out in your PJs for as long as you like.
Grilled Caesar Salad with Poached Eggs
Have you ever grilled lettuce before? This amazing salad will transform your brunch table with a new flavor that everyone will love.
Rum Raisin French Toast with Maple Bananas Foster and Ham Steak
The sweet and savory combo here is just tops. You might look at the combination of bananas and ham with a bit of curiosity, but trust me, they come together beautifully!
One bite of these, and you’ll forget English muffin breakfast sandwiches from the drive-thru ever existed. Peppered bacon glazed with maple syrup is the super-secret ingredient!
The sweetness in these gluten-free ‘cakes comes from roasted sweet potatoes, coconut oil, vanilla, and cinnamon. Bonus: No added sugar!
Apple, Cheddar, and Mushroom Monte Cristos
Apple in a grilled sandwich?! Oh yeah, you read that right. You wouldn’t believe the superb crunch you get with this pairing, along with crispy bread.
A “Rachel” sandwich is a Reuben made with turky or pastrami instead of corned beef. Try this hash made with the same flavors!
Cinnamon, apples, and an unbelievable mish-mash of breads make this strata tops! Cook’s Note: This recipe recommends you make it the night before so all the flavors can meld. To me, this just sounds like you get to sleep in even later!
Maybe I’m partial to the breakfast sandwich, but Rachael just does them right. Try this sliced steak and deviled egg salad sammie on a biscuit for the ultimate brunchwich.
Cayenne pepper in a pancake? Oh yeah! These flapjacks are inspired by Rach’s upstate New York home, along with Rachael Ray show guest Rainn Wilson and his cookbook, Soul Pancake: Chew on Life’s Big Questions.
Tex-Mex Bacon and Egg Chilaquiles
According to Rachael, a “chilaquile” is a “ripped up, toasted tortillas with toppings. Like a gigantic dinner nacho.” We’re just going to enjoy them for breakfast, instead!
Drunken Irish Soda Bread French Toast
Hearty soda bread paired with dark rum and cinnamon is a refreshing twist on your basic French toast. If you can find the kind of bread with raisins, even better!
What’s brunch without coffee cake? These muffins will make your kitchen smell heavenly.
Spicy and crunchy, this frittata has it all! It’s also super-fast to prepare, so you can have a warm and hearty egg dish on the table in no-time.
(Oh, and don’t forget to mix up a few Mimosas and Bloody Marys for the grown-ups. Orange juice in champagne glasses would be fun for the kiddos, too!)
Bonus recipe: Be a kid again, and try Green Eggs and Ham!
July 28, 2014
5 Ways to be a Better Volunteer
The ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, in its fifth and final year, has enabled shelters around the country to find homes for hundreds of thousands of pets since 2010. Hosted in partnership with our friends at the ASPCA, it challenges top shelters to be even better and race to save as many lives as they can, improving over their numbers from the previous year.
The numbers for each ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge are staggering – hundreds of thousands of animals have been saved since its start.
Looking at all these successful shelters, we wondered: What could they teach us about being better volunteers? Whether it’s at an animal shelter or any good cause you care about, we want to help everyone do a little more good in the world!
Sarah Brown is the executive director of the Humane Society of Pinellas, the largest no-kill shelter in Pinellas County, Florida. Her shelter competed in the Challenge last year – with stellar results. After an email interview, we learned a few things from Sarah, and thought they could help you, too!
1. Get started.
If you’ve always wanted to volunteer at an animal shelter, but haven’t known how to start, now’s the time to try. “Shelters wouldn’t exist without the help of the volunteers. They are so critical to the operation,” said Sarah.
She even guarantees you’ll love it: “I promise it will be a rewarding experience.”
Courtesy of Humane Society of Pinellas
2. Feel the love.
Give yourself a high-five: taking time out to do a little good helps the world around us. And, it helps your heart feel a bit happier, too.
“Seeing an animal get a second chance at a forever home is such a rewarding experience,” she said. “Animals end up at shelters because of unfortunate circumstances, not because they are damaged goods.”
3. Be a team.
Don’t you feel like you can save the world when you volunteer? One of the best parts of working at a shelter is by partnering up with people who are just as passionate as you.
Whether you’re volunteering or participating in ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, Sarah says be a great communicator, and don’t forget to ask for help when you need it.
“Without teamwork during the challenge, you cannot realize success,” Sarah said. “Teamwork is the core of the operation. The blood, sweat and tears that my team put forth for this challenge was mind-blowing.”
Every life counts! Image courtesy of Humane Society of Pinellas
5. Go for it.
Volunteering can be hard work. You might encounter challenges that you’ve never faced before. But you and your community can make a difference!
For example, Sarah explained that during the first week of the Challenge, Tropical Storm Andrea caused one of the roofs at their facility to collapse. But were they about to quit? No way!
“The sheer support from other local shelters, community members and the ASPCA team was overwhelming to us,” Sarah recounted. Despite having to shut down for a couple days during the Challenge, they still placed first in their division by the end of the first month. Bravo!
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and volunteer! And don’t forget to enter the “I Rescued My Pet” contest with an awesome photo of you and your adopted pet for a chance to win a Rachael Ray prize pack worth $400!
[Top image courtesy of the Humane Society of Pinellas]
A Foolproof Week of 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.
This week, enjoy some quick and casual grilled sandwiches for dinner, along with all-in-one weekend suppers that are sure to please. As always, our lunch picks are perfect for at-home or brown bag noshing. Be sure to check out the veggie fries recipe that is a great healthy alternative to potato fries – even the pickiest kids will find them irresistible!
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: Ciabatta bread slathered with a roasted garlic paste and layered with three cheeses makes a delicious White French Bread Pizza . Top with fresh arugula for a complete lunch.
Dinner: Take a break from the grill and make a crowd-pleasing baked pasta tonight. Unstuffed Shells - a trio of Italian cheeses with spinach and pasta shells - will become a new favorite.
Snack: Spicy Hummus: Quick Chickpea Spread is a great dip or sandwich condiment.
Tuesday
Lunch: Enjoy a throw-back lunch today! Tuna Salad Stuffed Tomatoes is a classic recipe for a reason.
Dinner: The whole family will love Pierogi-wich with Kielbasa, an”inside-out” pierogi sammie featuring the flavors of caramelized onion mashed potatoes, melted cheese, and grilled kielbasa. Yum-o!
Snack: Serve your family a new irresistible way to serve pickles with Fried Pickle Chips with Ranch Dipper! Pro tip: The homemade dip is also great for veggies, pita chips, or crackers.
Wednesday
Lunch: Prepare this Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad the night before for a better-than-take-out brown bag lunch. Pro tip: Be sure to pack the vinaigrette separately and dress and toss just prior to eating to prevent a soggy salad!
Dinner: Pork Milanese comes together in a snap and panko breadcrumb provide a delicious crunch that kids will love. The orange and red onion salad makes this dish unique.
Dessert: Yogurt, fruit, honey, and crystallized ginger make a very delicious and aptly named Berry Easy Dessert.
Thursday
Lunch: Chilled Greek-Style Tomato Stoup with Avocado-Feta Salad is a healthy and beautiful make-ahead meal.
Dinner: Turn your everyday chicken breast into one special sandwich when you make Grilled Honey Lime Sandwiches with Five Vegetable Slaw Salad. Pro tip: Going low-carb? You can always skip the roll, but keep the toppings, for a still-satisfying meal.
Snack: A tasty alternative to potato fries, Crispy Veggie Oven Fries are irresistible.
Friday
Lunch: Peanut butter sandwiches aren’t just for kids. Everyone will love PB&H Extreme, a wheat bread delight featuring peanut butter, banana, bacon, honey, and cinnamon.
Dinner: Turkey Cheeseburgers with Beer-B-Q Sauce on Pretzel Rolls have ground mustard, grated onion, and herbs and seasonings incorporated right into the burger. Top with extra-sharp cheddar and a homemade sauce, and then serve them on pretzel rolls to knock them out of the park!
Dessert: Indulge in Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies tonight (you deserve it!). These brownies are topped with a peanut butter layer and finished with chocolate ganache.
Entertaining Saturday
Brunch: Soul Pancakes are flapjacks with a spicy kick.
Dinner: Steak Au Poivre with Herbs de Provence Oven Fries is the perfect meal for Saturday night entertaining. A cognac butter sauce makes the steak extraordinary.
Appetizer: Serve a satisfying app when you swap out lettuce leaves for crackers in this light and lively Crab Salad Lettuce Cups.
Family Sunday
Brunch: Treat the family to a classic anytime Spanish egg dish. Tortilla with Tomato Toast transforms a few simple ingredients into a fabulous meal.
Dinner: Grilled Corn Polenta with Sausages and Broccoli Rabe is one of our favorite all-in-one summertime meals! Cook’s note: Broccoli is a good swap for broccoli rabe.
Dessert: Oh Baby – Berry Cobbler Bars have layers of deliciousness, such as a shortbread crust topped with a sour cream and Greek yogurt custard, berries, and a crumble topping. You’re welcome!
July 25, 2014
Shelter Story: How Hundreds of Pets Found a Home
The ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge, in its fifth and final year, has enabled shelters around the country to find homes for hundreds of thousands of pets since 2010. Hosted in partnership with our friends at the ASPCA, it challenges top shelters to be even better and race to save as many lives as they can, improving over their numbers from the previous year.
“If you adopt from an animal shelter, you know you’re giving an animal a second chance at life. And you’re giving an animal a home that they might have never had before,” says JoAnne Jackson, executive director for the Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) in Houston.
JoAnn and CAP’s Director of Operations, Kappy Muenzer, know a thing or two about helping shelter pets find new homes. Last year, CAP helped hundreds of animals find new families in the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. So many, in fact, that they saved 625 more lives than the same time in 2012, and they even won their division.
Even though they’re veterans in the animal welfare world, they challenged themselves and their team to bring new life to the way they ran adoption events. And it worked.
Photo courtesy of Citizens for Animal Protection
“We just were adopting animals left, right, and center,” JoAnn said.
According to Kappy, the shelter tried everything from fun events like only charging $17.76 for adoptions on the Fourth of July and free cats on Mother’s Day and free dogs on Father’s day, to participating in Houston’s Pride Parade, where they passed out 50 percent-off coupons to the crowd. But the most effective events were fee-waived, where animals went to loving homes for no cost (Note: Applicants still went through the same screening process to receive their pets).
This not only helped more animals get into loving homes, but the new pet parents were able to spend the money that would have gone towards adoption on necessary supplies (or even a donation to the shelter!) instead, Kappy said. The no-fee events were underwritten by a local Subaru dealership, with whom they still partner to this day.
It’s this attitude of creativity and hard work that helps shelters across the country give pets in need another shot at happiness.
“Sometimes we have animals coming in that are injured, sick, neglected. Being able to take these animals in and watch them heal, and then be able to place them in a new home, that to me is the most rewarding.”
P.S. Love animals? Don’t forget to enter the “I Rescued My Pet” contest with an awesome photo of you and your adopted pet for a chance to win a Rachael Ray prize pack worth $400!
[Top image courtesy of Citizens for Animal Protection]
10 Healthy, Homemade Pops for Kids
Over the years I’ve discovered there are very few things I can’t safely pack for my son’s lunch.
Cool sushi? No problem. Hot pasta? Easy. Even chilly ice cream isn’t all that hard.
I can pack anything, that is, with one exception. Frozen pops. I just haven’t found a way to pack them without also needing to pack a straw so my son can slurp them up by lunch.
The difference between pops and ice cream? It’s all in the thermos.
When I’ve packed ice cream (OK, not really ice cream, but a pureed-frozen-fruit-soft-serve-ice-cream-like product), I pop the empty thermos into the freezer for at least an hour. Then I add the “ice cream” and pack it with an ice pack wedged up against the side. By lunch? Still chilled ice cream.
Frozen pops just don’t work that way. Which is too bad, because they can be a great way to turn healthy snacks into tempting treats for kids.
And that is the beauty of summer vacation. More lunches are had at home. And that means healthy frozen pops can make their way onto the menu.
I have two rules when it comes to making frozen pops for my son. First, I don’t get fancy. Whatever fruits and juices are on-hand will be delicious.
Second, I don’t spend a lot of money. I have a bunch of dollar store pop molds. You can spend more on fancy ones, but why? The kids don’t care.
Aside from pop molds, the only equipment you need is a blender. Add a mix of solid fruit and liquids, then puree until smooth. Pour into the molds, freeze and be happy.
So where to start? Here are 10 of my favorite combinations. You’ll notice that bananas make frequent appearances. That’s because they give the frozen pops a great, smooth texture.
1. Leftover fruit salad. Seriously. Don’t overthink this. Whatever is left, dump it and the juices into the blender and puree. It will be delicious.
2. Banana, pineapple chunks and coconut milk. Pina colada for kids, anyone?
3. Raspberries, banana, cocoa powder and a touch of honey.
4. Banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder, a splash of milk and a touch of honey. That’s right… A peanut butter cup on a stick.
5. Cherries, bananas, a dash of vanilla extract and a super-tiny inch of salt.
6. Applesauce and raspberries. This is OMG good. And it’s even better with cocoa powder.
7. Mango, peach juice and orange segments.
8. Kiwis, bananas and strawberries.
9. Watermelon, lemon juice and honey.
10. Grapes, grape juice and banana.
Want more quick ideas? Try:
- Gluten-Free, Three-Ingredient Cookies
- DIY Pizza Kit
- 10 Ways to Get Kids to Tolerate Their Veggies
Photo Challenge: What’s Your Favorite Summer Flavor?
Recently, we asked our friends on social media to tell us what foods and flavors of summer make them happiest, using the hashtag #summerfoodfaves. Try it for a second: Close your eyes, think of summer (sunshine, friends, no coats!). What’s on your table?
For some of us, it’s a bowl of beautiful, fresh fruit. For others, it’s barbecue. Here are some of the best photos that came in from our audience. And if you want to be a part of the next Photo Challenge, hang out with Team Rachael on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Fresh Greens in New Orleans
via @VeganFashionBlog / Instagram
Patrick Vilyus of @VeganFashionBlog gets his greens on at the SEED Vegan Restaurant in New Orleans.
So. Many. Cherries.
Via @whatjewwannaeat / Instagram
Amy Kritzer stocked up on fresh cherries from her local Whole Foods in Austin. So delish!
Pull It!
Nothing screams “summer” more than firing up the grill! Jessica Hirsch digs into a delish pulled pork sandwich at New York City’s Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque.
Everything’s Berry Good
Via @homemadedelish / Instagram
Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that taste the sweetest.
Blend it!
Via @wtameal / Instagram
We’ve been on a smoothie kick at the office – this might be next! What a Meal blends up a refreshing beverage with coconut water, pineapple, and mangoes.
Last But Not Least…Everything’s Better with Hummus
via @RachaelRay / Twitter
Rachael loves whipping up fresh dips for pita, chips, and veggies in the summer. This special blend that she created at her house in upstate New York uses chick peas, tahini, lots of lemon, garlic, ground cumin, harissa, and EVOO.
And, an honorable mention to our pal, the illustrious Andrew Kaplan, who’s convinced us that we really need a cherry pitter in the office.
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