Rachael Ray

Having talked about the tools of the trade, as well as the secret of searing, I want to get a little deeper into what I think a lot of people find most challenging about grilling: cooking big things a long time. The beauty of hot-fire cooking, for most of us, comes from watching something cook and change and get more delicious in real time; grilling a steak or pork chop, or even a hamburger, is a kind of high-speed cookery, at least if you’re doing it right. It’s essentially a time-lapse version of kitchen cooking. But what about the kind of grilling that actually takes a while? The kind that requires you to judge when the thing is done inside? [...]...

I don’t think I’d be alone in giving a resounding “YES” to a poll question gauging whether or not pizza is delicious. You can dress it up, you can dress it down, you can make it whatever you want it to be. Now, friends & fellow foodies, I invite you to take the pizza-eating experience full circle and start with a dough that you make yourself. It’s easy, nearly effortless, and is surprisingly versatile. You can make a few batches and freeze them for use later. You can make your next pie a bit healthier by adding in whole wheat flour or ground flaxseed. Best of all, you can control the quality of what your family [...]...

We adopted our sweet and lovable yellow lab Chloe two years ago and with her came some horrible habits (and yes, my kids like to dress her up in fake glasses). While our dear departed yellow lab Biko was a dead ringer for Marley from the so-named movie, Chloe is truly a pure-bred princess, even if she doesn’t always behave like one. We adopted Chloe from another family almost two years ago and I should have been tipped off when we went to pick her up at the family’s home and I watched her open their garbage and eat from it, in plain sight. Other Chloe poor behavior traits: she lies/sleeps on all furniture - including couches and beds(!), snatches food [...]...

Seeing as how last week I gave an elementary primer on grilling, with most of the attention on what your basic tools should be, I figure – why not take the next step? I’m not going to attempt to get into the culinary complexities of marinades, mops, and other advanced recipes. You have Rachael for that. But the more I think about it, the more naturally the basics of live-fire grilling organize themselves into four distinct subjects: 1: Basic Tools and Techniques. What kind of grill to use, what kind of coals, the principles of high heat and kosher salt. If you only have ten minutes to learn to grill, this is that ten minutes. 2: The Brown and the Black: searing, [...]...

Last week we made fries for a weekend afternoon snack. Since that was all we were eating, they needed a little jazzing up. Fries that could hold their own without the mess of condiments dripping across my couch.  I came up with Masala Fries – fries that were perfectly crispy and given a light dusting of chaat masala. Chaat masala is a finishing spice mix which brings together heat, sourness and a touch of sweetness. Just a little gives the dish so much pop making them completely addictive. And then there is an additional topping. Fried fresh cilantro. If you don’t have cilantro, any other fresh green herb will work. The fried herbs take on an amazingly different flavor and [...]...

If you are following my blog, you know that I started Weight Watchers two weeks ago and have lost exactly 1.5 pounds.  Sigh.  I am following the point system, but obviously this is going to be a slow program for me.  As I also reported last week, I gave up gluten, sugar and dairy a few week before going on WW.  I have to say that although I have lost almost no weight as a result of any of this, I feel much better and I swear I have lost inches.  My skin looks better, my waistline smaller, and I don’t feel bloated.  Plus, the best part is that I do not crave any of the things I am not [...]...

I love cooking spray since it’s got virtually no calories, is so easy to use and when I spray it in my pan or on my grill before I begin cooking, I have so much fun making designs or writing my name which gives me that, je ne sais quoi,  I can cook attitude.   But, what I’ve also discovered is that cooking spray is a terrific DIY multi-tasker that can save you time, money and your manicure so grab a can, say PAM I AM and take aim! DE-CHOPPER:  Chop chop that garlic and stick stick stick both the garlic and its gluey residue!  Spray spray spray that knife and away [...]...

I’ve spent hours and hours backstage with makeup artists at fashion shows and on photo shoots over the years, and while I’ve picked up enough knowledge to know most of the lingo, some terms still confound me. And if you’re anything like me, then there are some things (like “neutral eye” or “contouring”) that need a little explaining! Below is a handy guide to explain some of the most popular terms in the beauty world so you (just like me), will know exactly what those experts are talking about. Neutral Eye/Lip Whether it be eyeshadow or lipstick, neutral refers to a look created by products in the brown color family. Think hues such as taupe, bronze, caramel, and brown. Contouring Contouring with makeup is [...]...

You know which mornings I’m talking about. The ones where no amount of coffee can cut the fog. The ones when you no longer care if your child wears matching socks or insists on putting his underwear on backward. The ones when it’s hard enough to get breakfast on the table, never mind pack a lunch. Last week, I had one of them. The underwear was indeed going on backward and I no longer cared whether the socks matched… We just needed a second sock. Any sock. And then things got even more complicated. I burned his lunch. I was so proud of myself for coming up with a creative twist on cinnamon-sugar toast. I mixed together butter, cinnamon, sugar and — here’s [...]...