Rachael Ray

This year is Queen Elizabeth’s 60th year of reign, rather, her Diamond Jubilee. The country is on an adrenalin kick over this and people’s calendars are filling fast with events. There will be events of every scale, be it national, regional or local; some hush-hush and some very public with performers like Sir Paul McCartney. The streets will be buzzing and people will pull out all of their royal memorabilia to add their own touch to the event, making this momentous occasion their own. Great Britain is one of the few countries left where the royal family plays such an active role in the day to day running of the country. Each time there is a cause for celebration, the country [...]...

On my quest for the perfect brownie recipe, I have discovered a new favorite in the past month. Peanut butter caramel swirled brownie - it is a delicious combo of creamy and slightly salty peanut butter, rich caramel and fudgy brownie. I have made these four times in the past two weeks - a good sign. These are best served cold from the fridge and small - if you can! Peanut Butter Caramel Swirled Brownie (adapted from a recipe by Bobby Flay) (Click here for printable recipe) Ingredients: 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter (not natural style) 1 tablespoon corn syrup Pinch salt 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into chunks 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped 2 ounces bittersweet [...]...

Back in October we adopted three year old adorable Chloe (I mean how cute is she?) and she came with a fancy dog dish, about 20+ extra pounds, and a bell (large jingle bell) on a ribbon to hang on the back door. She walks up to the bell and “rings” it (ie, knocks against it) to go outside. Brilliant. Here are instructions on how to teach your dog to ring a bell to go outside from the ASPCA (www.aspca.org): Stage One: Teaching Your Dog to Touch the Bell with His Nose Many pet stores sell dog doorbells (I have seen them at PetSmart) or you can make your own using a couple of sleigh bells from a crafts supply store. Attach some [...]...

I have been hearing more and more frequently about people consuming kombucha on a regular basis and how it is a wonder drink - it purifies you, energizes you, some claim it cures a hangover - or even cancer. It also is an acquired taste, according to most people. So what is kombucha? It is an effervescent, fermented drink made with yeast, tea, sugar, and bacteria. Although it’s sometimes referred to as kombucha mushroom tea, kombucha is not a mushroom — it’s a colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha tea is made by adding the colony to sugar and tea, and allowing the mix to ferment. The resulting liquid contains vinegar, B vitamins and a number of other chemical compounds. A cottage [...]...

On the Cleaning Lady Blog we talk a lot about natural cleaning products (vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are the stars) but we haven’t actually covered how to quickly and effectively handle a laundry stain. Hot water or cold water? Apply soap or leave it alone? Here is a how-to on what to do when you spill on your favorite top. The most important thing is to move quickly! Blot up any excess liquid with a clean white cloth, paper, or other towels. Remove excess solids by gentle scraping or chipping with a dull knife or metal spatula. If the spill is a thick substance like mud, removal may be easier after the stain has dried. Excess can be brushed off [...]...

My 6th grader daughter (turning 12 in May) spends plenty of time on the family computer visiting YouTube and using the Photo Booth program. She has not yet asked to get on Facebook (she must know what the answer would be) but I have heard that some of her classmates are. They also have cell phones, which she knows better than to ask for as well, but I started wondering, if she did ask, what would the acceptable age be for her to get on Facebook. Never? In my dreams. Facebook seems to me to be yet another tool for kids to hurt each other and get into trouble. According to Facebook, the minimum age is 13. Tools are put in [...]...

My father-in-law is an incredible chef. He’s one of those culinary masters that has perfected the sleight of hand that, no matter how closely I watch him cook, sneaks something into every meal that makes me go “hhhmmm….what is that?”. A recent peek in his refrigerator revealed one such secret ingredient: the elusive green peppercorn. Green peppercorns live in the supermarket aisle of “all things pickled”, usually nestled as only one or two inconspicuous jars living between the capers. These less-acclaimed, younger and softer cousins of the well-known black peppercorn come packed in a vinegar brine to keep them preserved, otherwise they’ll go south very quickly after being picked. Unlike their dried black counterparts, these peppercorns can [...]...

Half the fun of discovering a new restaurant is sharing it with people you know will enjoy it. As Rachael Ray’s resident restaurant guru, here’s an inside look at what I report back to Rach about some of my favorite restaurant finds and food experiences! From: Kappy To: RR Sent: Wednesday, January 4, 2012 11:05pm Subject: Another L.A. Food Marathon Hey Rachael- you know I never have enough time to eat whenever I’m in another city. So, I recently got back from L.A., where I did another one of my marathon eating frenzies. I used to work in a kitchen there about 10 years ago and there were a lot of young talented cooks ready to make their mark. I feel like L.A. is still [...]...

I am 41 years old and how I didn’t know this is beyond me.  When I think of buckwheat, I think of pancakes and pancakes are usually made with flour, right?  I thought buckwheat was some kind of whole grain flour, but that’s not the case at all! Buckwheat is not a wheat at all, instead it is related to, of all things-rhubarb, sorrels and other weeds and flowers.  It is not a grain and not a wheat, it’s a seed!  I was so happy to hear that I might actual be able to eat something that feels bad for me, ie pancakes or crepes, but isn’t! The uses for buckwheat are endless, from using the groats to make porridge or kasha [...]...