Rachael Ray's Blog, page 35

8 Reasons Kittens Should Play Football…Always

On Sunday, Feb. 2, practically everyone in the U.S. will be gathering to chow down on delicious food and watch blockbuster commercials (and hey, maybe catch some football, too).

But there’s another spectacle happening before The Big Game that’s making this year’s festivities even more purrfect: The Kitten Bowl!

Obstacle courses of “hurdles, tunnels, hoops, jumps, weave poles, lasers, lures and toys on strings” will have these sweet kittehs pouncing for hours of feline entertainment. And don’t worry – all of this year’s participants have already been adopted into new forever families, thanks to Hallmark Channel’s partnership with the North Shore Animal League.

The Kitten Bowl’s so adorable, we think they should play football all the time. Here’s why:

1. They’re skilled at playing, and making plays.

2. They’re dedicated teammates.

3. They might be unbelievably cute…

4. …but they can still pull off a serious game face. 

5. Naps are absolutely allowed on the field.

6. There’s no backing down from the competition.

7. And even from the sidelines, their head’s in the game.

8. Did we mention they’re adorable? 

Hosted by TV personality, activist, and Rachael’s pal, Beth Stern, and emceed by John Sterling, the legendary voice of the New York Yankees, it’s going to be a beautiful afternoon.

And, Rach will be stopping by to get in on all the furry fun!

If you love kittens just as much as we do, don’t miss The Kitten Bowl on the Hallmark Channel this Sunday at 12 EST.

[All images provided as a courtesy of the Hallmark Channel. Copyright 2013 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Marc Lemoine]

Live on Facebook This Thursday: Watch With Rach!

Rachael’s got a big show planned for this Thursday’s annual “Super Bowl Recipe Playoff,” and to make things even more exciting, she’ll be watching and chatting with fans live on Facebook.

Chat with her about what’s happening on the show, ask your top questions about game day food, and get behind-the-scenes commentary.

Be sure to join her this Thursday, Jan. 29 from 10-11 a.m. ET at Facebook.com/RachaelRayShow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21 Kid-Friendly Meal Ideas

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. Note: We’ll include tips for picky eaters and easy food swaps if you don’t have an ingredient on-hand.

This week, we are focusing on meals that will please everyone in the family, or at least can be broken down into components that will please even the pickiest eaters. You can stop being a short-order cook and make just one dinner each night… paradise.

Pastas, burgers, and pizzas are always good bets. Kids don’t have to survive on frozen chicken nuggets every night – we promise! We will also focus on packed lunches this week to help inspire brown bags beyond PB&J.

Insider Tip: It’s always a good idea to have a platter of fresh fruits and veggies you know your kids like (like raw carrots, cucumbers, grapes, and sliced apples) on the dinner table so they are sure to have a healthy side.

Meatless Monday

Lunch: Cold Ginger, Soy and Honey Sesame Noodles sound exotic, but just have a few ingredients and are anything but boring.

Dinner: Surprise the family with a childhood favorite of Rachael’s: Lasagna Bread Pizza. Serve with salad for a full meal, and skip the beef for a Meatless Monday twist.

Snack: Everyone will love these three-ingredient Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies. And, they’re great for lunches!

Tuesday

Lunch: Today’s packed lunch is mini on size but big on taste with Lunch Box Sliders like Bagels and Cream Cheese or PB&J Pancake.

Dinner: Creamed Spinach Knife and Fork Burgers can be a meal for everyone. If you have kids who won’t even look at spinach, serve them the burger without the spinach topper. Who can resist a homemade burger a-top toasted, buttered, white bread? Be sure to have your kid’s crudité platter ready so they get their veggies.

Snack: Homemade Honey Graham Crackers are delicious on their own or topped with peanut or another nut butter.

Wednesday

Lunch: Skip the same old sandwich today and make Pasta Salad with leftover pasta and other ingredients you already have in the fridge.

Dinner: Kids will love Cacciatore Chicken Thighs with Whole Grain Pasta, since chicken and pasta have broad appeal. If you have a kid who isn’t a sauce fan, just serve with a tiny bit of sauce, or without altogether.

Dessert: Raspberry Bars are super-delicious and they freeze well. No raspberry jam on-hand? Use your family’s favorite like strawberry or mixed berry instead.

Thursday

Lunch: Pack a thermos full of Mini Meatball Orzo Soup for a warm and filling midday meal.

Dinner: Leftover Lover’s Turkey Tetrazzini features kid favorites like pasta, peas, broccoli, and turkey. If you don’t have turkey on-hand, use leftover or rotisserie chicken.

Snack: Ham and Cheese Rice Balls repurpose leftover rice into something even better. Feel free to swap-in any veggie or protein you have handy – just be sure to chop all the ingredients into very small pieces.

Friday

Lunch: Pizza Sushi (tortillas rolled with cream cheese, sauce, and pepperoni) will make your child the most popular kid at lunch.

Dinner: Quick and Easy Pork Tenderloin is tasty and comes together in a flash. Feel free to skip the sauce for kids.

Dessert: Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars are homemade Twix bars – but even better!

Entertaining Saturday

Brunch: Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Waffles leave frozen waffles in the dust.

Dinner: Impress your guests with Risotto with Peas and Pistachios. Add protein like grilled or roasted chicken for an extra-hearty meal.

Cocktail: “Get Cozy” Sangria is a BLD cocktail – great at a weekend brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Family Sunday

Brunch: Christmas Breakfast Casserole is delicious all year round and easy to make with staple ingredients like frozen waffles, eggs, and ham. Prep it the night before for a relaxing Sunday morning.

Dinner: Comfort food delight Cheesy Italian Penne Shepherd’s Pie features turkey with mac and cheese right on top. Get ready for lots of requests for seconds!

Dessert: There’s nothing like family bonding over chocolate with Super Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Fondue.

6 Easy and Delicious Greek Yogurt Swaps

Greek yogurt is definitely all the rage and with good reason. High in protein, calcium and vitamin D12, with a thick and creamy consistency – even the fat-free version! – Greek yogurt tastes like anything but “diet” food. A go-to delicious breakfast on many healthy eating plans is a cup of greek yogurt with some berries, chopped nuts, and maybe a sprinkling of granola for crunch.

There are many other delicious ways to include Greek yogurt in your diet beyond breakfast – whatever the swap, you will never miss the original.

Here are 6 easy and delicious ways to incorporate Greek yogurt into your next meal:

1. Chili Topper: Calm even the spiciest chili when you swap in yogurt for the typical sour cream topper.

2. Baked Potato Partner:  Top your baked spuds with a dollop of yogurt. Add some chopped scallions or chives – or both – for some added flavor. Baked potatoes not your jam? Change up your mashed potatoes by adding Greek yogurt to lighten them up (like these Blue Cheese Ranch Mashed Potatoes) in place of some of the butter and/or sour cream.

3. Salmon Saucer: Mix up some yogurt, lemon, mustard, dill, salt, and pepper for a fantastic salmon – or any fish – sauce.

4. Taco Bar Staple: The next time you set up your family’s favorite taco bar – tortillas; sautéed turkey, chicken, and/or ground beef; shredded lettuce; chopped tomatoes; shredded cheese; and avocado are all tasty fixings – swap in a bowl of yogurt for sour cream.

5. Baking Go-To: Greek yogurt is an easy replacement for sour cream when baking your favorite muffins, coffee cakes, and even cheesecakes. It adds a tang and creaminess that actually enhances most recipes. Try Jumbo Coffee Cake Muffins or Berry Cobbler Pie Bars and you’ll be a believer.

6. Guilt-Free Dipper: Sour cream is the star of many creamy, cheesy dips. Swap in yogurt for some or all of the sour cream for guilt-free snacking. Try a quick and easy homemade ranch dressing by combining 1 cup of Greek yogurt, juice of 1/2 a lemon, a clove of minced garlic, a few tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs, and salt and pepper. Dip raw veggies (or even Buffalo-Style Cauliflower!) to your heart’s delight.

 

Never Fail at a New Recipe – Again!

I absolutely love trying new recipes. You never know what’s going to pop out of the oven, and every successful attempt feels like a tiny victory in my cooking crusades.

I won’t lie to you, though, and say it always goes well. Vivid memories of failed curries and under-done-yet-burned pancakes (how does this happen?!) are reminders that my confidence should never get the best of me.

But there’s gotta be a trick or two to getting this new recipe thing right. And maybe if we all felt a little more empowerd, we’d explore a new dish or flavor and get another win under our belts.

I’m lucky to work at a place that’s absolutely overflowing with food knowledge. So I tapped the talented Show Cooks team over at “The Rachael Ray Show” to get the scoop. Beyond watching the show, which is amazing every day, follow the Show Cooks on Twitter to get behind-the-scenes peeks and great tips, too!

In the meantime, let’s conquer dinner.

1. Read the Whole Recipe, First: Seriously. Do this. Don’t even pick up a knife or start pulling out your spices until you’ve thoroughly read the ingredients and steps needed to make your dish. These 3 minutes are the difference between success and stress, so take ‘em! They’re also important to complete the next two steps…

2. Check Your Equipment: Do you need a rolling pin, a special kind of spatula, or a loaf pan? If you have to flip something out of a skillet, do you have a plate that will work? Confirm you have all of the tools you need for the recipe, and set them out. Also, go a step further by deciding what you’ll serve your meal on, and get that out, too.

3. Do a Freshness Test: As you start to pull your ingredients, take a gander and double-check that they’re still good. As the Cooks put it: “Check to make sure nothing is living in your flour” (we’ve all been there!). If you need it, test your baking soda to make sure it’s still active (add a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice to a small amount and make sure it bubbles), and make sure that your spices aren’t old and lacking flavor.

“Mise en place” means you’ll have an easier time cooking something new. Photo: Louisa Shafia

4. Prep Your Ingredients Before You Cook: The practice of mise en place (French for “putting in place”) will save you. By measuring, chopping, dicing, slicing, and generally prepping everything you’ll need ahead of time, you can focus on actually cooking. You’ll be able to get your timing just right, and it also looks really pretty on your countertop!

5. Keep it Conservative: If you’re making something with a lot of spice or heat (in a savory dish), or one that’s very sweet, consider holding back a little. The Show Cooks reminded me that once you’ve added ingredients to a recipe, you can’t take them out. But, you can always add more, later.

Ready to try something new? Here are some fresh ideas from Rachael:

Flatiron Steak Soba

Cacciatore Chicken Thighs with Whole Grain Pasta

Creamed Spinach Fork and Knife Burgers

[Top image of Mixed Mushroom Ragu via Patrick Decker. Here's how to make it!]

Real Food, Fast: Morning Glory Muffins

I’m always on the look-out for breakfast on-the-go-recipes.

Muffins are a popular choice, but many of the recipes are loaded with sugar and white flour. You may think your morning muffin is a healthy option, but I assure  you, it’s often no better than a piece of cake.

I like to make sure my kids always have a balanced breakfast, but when you are a busy family on-the-run, that’s not always an easy task. My kids love muffins, and let’s face it, they are great take-along food.

Determined to make a muffin that was better for us,  I came up with these Morning Glory Muffins. I can feel good about giving these muffins to my kids as an on-the-go breakfast or snack, because they are made with whole wheat pastry flour and chock-full o’ good ingredients like apples, carrots, and walnuts.

Whole wheat pastry flour is my secret for keeping these muffins light and moist. Pastry flour is ground much finer than regular whole wheat flour and also has less gluten in it. It’s a great choice if you want to use a whole wheat flour but still keep the recipe light.

Morning Glory Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients

1 1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed natural brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

2 eggs

2/3 cup canola oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 Fuji apple, cored, peeled and grated

1/2 cup seedless raisins

1 carrot, peeled and grated

1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped

1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. dried, shredded, unsweetened coconut, divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.

2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugars, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Be sure to break up any lumps caused by the brown sugar.

3. In another bowl whisk together eggs, oil, vanilla, apple, raisins, carrots and walnuts.

4. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until just combined.

5. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups and top with extra coconut if desired. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean.

Looking for a few more hearty and healthy breakfasts? Try:

Breakfast Cookies

Quinoa Pancakes

Spinach-Feta Mediterranean Burritos

How to Make Sure Your Pup Gets Enough Exercise in Winter

Sure, there are awesome products like winter boots to protect paws from cold and salted streets. Coats, hats, scarves (Isaboo has one!) are also all options.

Longer playtimes sometimes have to get cut short. You may not make it to the dog park when there’s a sub-zero wind chill. Your dog may not want to spend as much time outside, even if energy levels still stay high.

If you are heading outside, keep proper attire in-mind and remember that the more aerobic the exercise, the warmer your pup will be, reminds the experts from the ASPCA.

But if you’re facing more time indoors than your dog is used to, it’s time to get creative. The good news is that it’s not tough, as long as you have a solid understanding of what your dog needs. Here are some simple ideas that anyone can try:

1. You don’t need to move much: Games like hide and seek are perfect for busy dogs in small spaces – and quite frankly, it’s adorable to play. You’ll challenge their training skills (commands like “Sit!” and “Come!”) and have fun doing it. Here’s how to play from the ASPCA.

2. Busy minds make better dogs: Try puzzle toys that contain treats or teaching your dog a new command like spinning or backing up. Give Fido lots of things to chew on in order to fight boredom. This redirects their focus from your furniture or shoes to more productive activities.

3. Be a stair master: If you live in an apartment building or have a split-level home, you’re in luck, according to petMD. As long as your dog’s knees are healthy, jogging the stairs is a great way to make use of indoor space. You’ll get a pretty nice workout yourself, too!

4. Make a playdate: Socialization is very important to your dog’s physical and mental health, according to VetStreet. Indoor daycare facilities are awesome because they provide large spaces to run and lots of pals to play with. If that’s not an option for you, have a friend who lives nearby bring their pet over (or vice versa) for some friend-time.

We also checked in with our friend, NYC Veterinarian Dr. Charles Berk, about how to have a healthy pup in the winter.

“In addition to working on exercise, I recommend that owners adjust feeding schedules seasonally based on activity level,” he says. “For some dogs, like bulldogs, that means decreasing portions of meals in the summer, but for most other dogs, it means decreasing  the amount of each meal in the winter.”

4 Tricks for an Organized Kitchen

Disorganized kitchens are the bane of cooks everywhere.

They cause that looming, stressed out feeling you get when you open the junk drawer (I have three rolls of Scotch tape?) and can’t even see the bottom. The little sigh you utter when your pantry (you just put everything in its place last week!) is once again in a state of chaos. Or, the mega-frustration of looking for a critical ingredient (where’s that tomato paste?) and having to scramble.

And forget about hating your messy kitchen in the moment. Sitting down and thinking about actually getting it in order turns the proposition into an unconquerable task. Who has the time?

Thankfully, there’s help.

I had a chance to sit down with Liz Jenkins, a certified professional organizer and member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Jenkins has worked in kitchens of all sizes for all sorts of families.

Here’s what she suggests for tackling your kitchen fiasco:

1. Take Stock

“I go to work in people’s kitchens, and they don’t have a clue about all the stuff they have,” Jenkins says. It’s not surprising: Kitchens are notorious for hiding duplicate tools or appliances you never use.

When she starts with a client, Jenkins empties the kitchen completely. It all gets turned out and grouped together to really see what’s lurking in drawers and cabinets.

If that method isn’t practical, Jenkins recommends evaluating each (and every) item that you own in smaller batches. Even if you only do one drawer at a time, empty that drawer, and honestly look at the contents.

“What is the purpose for each of the items that’s in there?” she asks. “Did you really need an avocado pitter or a pineapple slicer? If you use them, great, but there are some things that people end up with in their kitchen that they only thought they’d use.”

Pro Tip: Seek multi-use tools instead of one-hit-wonders for a more efficient kitchen!

If you don’t use tools regularly, decide whether or not you really need to keep them, or set them aside to be placed elsewhere. Which leads us to the next step…

2. Zone It

Make use of wall space when cabinets and drawers are limited. Photo: Flickr / everydaypants

Forget trying to mimic what your best friend’s pantry looks like or where your mom keeps the silverware in her kitchen. How do you cook?

“One of the things I try to work with all my clients on is looking at actually how they use the kitchen,” said Jenkins, who often spends time observing her clients in action. Instead of focusing on what fits in certain areas in your kitchen, place utensils and appliances that you use regularly in front-and-center locations or in logical groups.

Jenkins explains: “So, the more you use it, the closer it should be to your workstation. The less frequently you use it, the farther away it should be.” As an example, her French press, tea kettle, grinder, and coffee are all in reach of each other and near the stovetop because she makes coffee every morning. But her muffin tin is in a higher, less convenient cabinet because she hardly ever uses it. She calls this practice “zoning.”

If you really enjoy baking, have all your standard baking items in one cabinet – flour, sugar, baking powder, etc. Or, try keeping ingredients for your daily smoothie near each other in the fridge. You’ll know right where to go!

3. Bin and Label ‘Em

Labels make it easy to put everything back in its place. Photo: Flickr / collinanderson

As quaint as labeling sounds, “corralling” and then notating your pantry items is where the magic happens. “I’ll gather up like items, group them all together, put them in a bin, and put a label on it,” Jenkins says, noting that this is “hugely helpful” for two reasons:

1. You’re likely not the only person who uses your kitchen. If somebody takes something out, now they know exactly where it goes back.

2. You can easily assess how much you have of certain ingredients. “It could actually save you a bunch of money if you can see everything you’ve got,” she says. “Then you don’t end up buying things you already own, and wasting a lot of stuff that goes stale or bad.”

4. Make the Time, Get a Pal

This is the big enchilada. We’re all so busy!

“You have to make time to get organized so you can save time later,” says Jenkins, who’s a mom and knows how busy things get. But imagine your perfect kitchen when you’re done!

Having help also saves time. If you can swing it, Jenkins recommends hiring a professional who has worked in kitchens and understands what systems work to help you out. But if motivation or resources are tight (I hear ya!) use the buddy system.

“Having an outside perspective is really helpful,” she says. “Somebody to say ‘Hey, do you really use that?’ Someone you feel comfortable with and that you trust – you can help each other.”

Jenkins reminds us to make it enjoyable, too. “Put on some fun music, get in there on a day when you don’t have kids running around […] and really tackle it in one, big, clean sweep.”

Parting Words of Wisdom

No matter your situation, we could probably all use a little bit more time and a little less stress. Decluttering and optimizing will help with that immensely.

Follow Jenkins’ lead and use the brilliance of mise en place when you tackle your own projects. “That’s kind of my whole philosophy when it comes to the kitchen: Each thing in it’s place according to usage.”

And remember, you can’t go wrong. “There is no ‘perfect.’ It’s about what works for you.” We couldn’t have said it better!

Did you try any of the steps above? Let us know how it worked in the comments!

[Top photo via Flickr / ginnerobot]

A Gluten-Free Treat Any Kid Will Love

When it comes to my son and the food he eats, I’m incredibly lucky. Aside from the typical veggie-phobia that plagues so many kids, I’ve faced few feeding challenges.

I know plenty of parents who struggle mightily with food allergies and sensitivities, a whole host of conditions that can put everything from nuts to gluten to dairy and seafood off the menu.

We’ve been lucky enough to avoid all of this… Until a couple weeks ago, when his pediatrician suggested we try a few weeks without gluten.

I didn’t think he was sensitive to this protein found in wheat (it’s also added to many other foods), but I agreed to give it a try anyway. Several weeks later, I’m still pretty sure gluten isn’t an issue.

But it was a fascinating experience. I’m already pretty tuned in to reading labels and knowing what goes on our plates. So, really, this was just one more ingredient to keep an eye on.

My No. 1 takeaway from the experience? The easiest way to avoid gluten is to avoid processed foods. A diet built on produce, meat, and seafood is naturally gluten-free.

Of course, treats were one of the challenges. Baked goods minus the gluten tend to be pretty tricky. And they tend to rely on specialty ingredients or pre-made mixes.

But, a baker friend taught me the easiest naturally gluten-free recipe ever. It’s just three ingredients for delicious cookies. Mix them. Scoop them. Bake them. Eat them!

So, for all you parents who are struggling to find gluten-free treats for your kids… Here’s an easy lunch box cookie to try:

Gluten-free Peanut Butter Cookies

Start to finish: 25 minutes

Makes: 36 cookies

Ingredients

1 cup natural peanut butter (smooth or chunky)

1 cup brown or granulated sugar

1 egg

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with kitchen parchment or coat it with cooking spray.

2. In a bowl, mix together the peanut butter, sugar, and egg.

3. Scoop the batter by the tablespoon and roll into balls. Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet, working in batches if needed, leaving 2 inches between them. Using a fork, gently flatten each ball.

4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned at the bottom edges. Use a spatula to carefully transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.

Want more gluten-free goodness? Try:

Gluten-Free Quinoa Pancakes

Gluten-Free Viennese Crescent Cookies

Gluten-Free Squash Muffins

Weekly Meal Planner: Budget-Friendly Edition

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. Note: We’ll include tips for picky eaters and easy food swaps if you don’t have an ingredient on-hand.

This week, we are focusing on tasty meals that pack a punch but won’t break the bank. Think: Exotic meatloaf (yes, it exists!), breakfast for dinner (always a favorite!), and budget-friendly chicken (a classic!). Delicious meals don’t have to mean expensive ingredients.

Let’s get started!

Meatless Monday

Lunch: Curried Squash Soup with Apple and Cheddar Melts will be your new favorite soup and sandwich combo.

Dinner: Quick Bean and Porcini Ragu is vegetarian comfort food at its finest.

Snack: Your favorite dip in a potato! Spinach Artichoke Potato Skins are great as a side dish, too.

Tuesday

Lunch: Whip up some Mini Meatball Soup with Broken Spaghetti and Escarole over the weekend and enjoy throughout the week. Swap in your favorite greens – like spinach or kale – for the escarole if you’d like.

Dinner: Golden Lemon-Olive Chicken with Pine Nut Couscous is both delicious and practical – you can prep it over the weekend and finish it off a day or two later for an easy weeknight meal. No saffron on-hand or too pricey? Omit or use a tiny pinch of paprika or turmeric (not too much or you will ruin the dish!) instead.

Snack: Don’t let the name fool you. Breakfast Cookies also make a terrific – and healthy – snack.

Wednesday

Lunch: Buffalo Chicken Salad couldn’t be easier when you have a rotisserie or leftover chicken on-hand. Serve it on a bed of lettuce for a lighter lunch.

Dinner: Breakfast for dinner is always fun – and affordable. Black Pepper Reggiano French Toast with Italian Sausage Patties and Warm Honey is definitely a crowd pleaser.

Dessert: Cowboy Cookies are sweet and salty, crisp and chewy – and super delicious.

Thursday

Lunch: Arugula and White Bean Salad with Lemon Dressing is a light, yet satisfying, lunch.

Dinner: A steak dinner that doesn’t cost a fortune, Flatiron Steak Soba calls for an affordable cut of beef and puts the steak in a supporting – rather than starring – role. If you can’t find flatiron, use flank or skirt steak. Feel free to sub in any mushrooms you can find at your supermarket, including porcini or baby portabella.

Snack: Vegetable Nachos Supreme are healthy and delicious. Skip the chiles if you like your nachos mild.

Friday

Lunch: Lasagna Stoup. It’s lasagna in a soup bowl. Need we say more?

Dinner: A Pizzanini (or a pizza panini) is a fun Friday night dinner that’s ready in a snap.

Dessert: Super-Soft Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies will be a new family favorite. You might want to make a double-batch, since these treats go quickly!

Entertaining Saturday

Brunch: Overnight Cinnamon Coffee Cake is easy to put together the night before for a warm – and easy – weekend breakfast.

Dinner: Prosciutto- or Pancetta-Wrapped Pork Roast with Fennel and Golden Raisin Stuffing is a restaurant-worthy meal you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

Cocktail: Move over G&T! Surprise your guests with John Cusimano’s Ramos Gin Fizz.

Family Sunday

Brunch: Croque Monsieur with Fresh Spinach may look (and taste!) upscale, but is just as easy to prepare as your favorite French toast. Feel free to swap-in ham for the prosciutto and your favorite cheese for the Gruyère.

Dinner: Skip the same old Sunday meatloaf and serve this Asian-Style Meatloaf for a tasty twist.

Dessert: No-Bake Peanut Butter Fudge Pie is decadent but worth every calorie!