Rachael Ray

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and in my house this romantic holiday has turned into a family event - and I couldn’t be happier. We make a nice dinner, eat together, and I always make a special dessert. I have to say this is a far more enjoyable way to spend the day, or evening (which I have always considered a non-event), than pre-children when my husband and I would feel obligated to brave the masses and try to get a reservation at an overcrowded restaurant. Dessert on Valentine’s Day doesn’t necessarily mean chocolate (of course it usually does to me), but definitely something special. Here are a few recipes from our website that would be perfect for Valentine’s Day: Hot Fudge Sundae Cupcakes Triple Layer [...]...

When I first started dating my now-husband, his palate was pretty limited and there was a lengthy list of foods he would not eat, including, off the top of my head, beans (black, white, garbanzo, you name it), tofu, squash, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, coconut, and many many more. He has come a long way since then, and has embraced beans, which was a particular mission of my mother’s. One food he still can’t tolerate is coconut, which I love. Sad for him because many of my favorite desserts have coconut - including hello dollies and these chocolate dipped coconut macaroons. It’s actually sad for me too because I just end up eating his share of the coconut treats. I [...]...

I am recovering from an incredible weekend of eating (I’m sure I’m not alone) - capped off by a Super Bowl chili extravaganza. Today is definitely a day for yoga pants (hold the yoga).  I am a self-professed saltaholic, and love nothing more than a crispy, salty snack to mindlessly munch. I made these roasted garbanzo beans (or chick peas) yesterday and was pleased with the result - a healthy substitute for salty chips. I used canned beans, tossed them in a little olive oil with some spices and roasted them in a hot oven for 40 minutes. I will definitely make them again. Crispy Roasted Chick Peas (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients 3 cans chick peas 3 tablespoons olive oil (you could [...]...

When I first starting baking, your standard chocolate chip cookie or classic brownie was more than enough for me. As I have continued on my baking journey, I have delved deeper and deeper into different kinds of recipes. Classic recipes are my favorite - think lemon squares, oatmeal cookies, blondies, red velvet cupcakes. I went through a cake phase (I subsequently realized not my strong suit), a cream puff/eclair stage, muffin madness, a cheesecake binge, the list goes on. I’ve noticed that the current trend in baking is recreating childhood treats in your kitchen - homemade twinkies, ho-hos, cream filled frosted cupcakes. My friend gave me this cookbook for Christmas - “Baking Out Loud” by Hedy Goldsmith - which features many [...]...

Do you set specific “screen time” (TV, computer, video games, iPads/Pods/Touches) limits for your kids? One hour per day? Two hours per day? Only on weekends? I don’t, and it has worked well for my three kids to date. Now before you think I let my kids snuggle up to the TV or Wii and settle in for 6 hours at a time, let me clarify what I mean. I have never set screen time-specific days, times, or hours, or established a screen time as a reward system for my  kids. In our family, once the kids have completed everything that needs to be done for that day or time (homework, chores, etc.), my kids are allowed to entertain themselves without [...]...

It being the new year, I started 2013 with the best of intentions. I would eat more fruits and vegetables, eliminate or cut down on processed foods (good bye fries and chips), cut down on wine (ugh), vary my workout routine (hello stretching), and no sugar during the week (this means baking too). I officially started this regime this past Monday, I made these brownie/cookie combo bars Wednesday night. Three days is better than none, right? These bars - a thick, gooey brownie, topped with a chocolate chip cookie layer - are off the charts rich. Just to ward off any requests for calorie count, full disclosure - they come in at 7 eggs and 4+ sticks of butter. They are [...]...

I am a mean mom because I love my kids. I respect my kids. I expect a lot from my kids. Now, they might not realize this now, but they will some day. When they question my punishments, I always tell them, if I didn’t care about them, I would let them act in any they wanted, but it’s because I care that we have rules that should be followed to be a part of our family, and there are consequences if they break these rules. My older daughter thinks my husband and I are so mean that she doesn’t like to have friends over - we are “always yelling,” according to her. I told a friend of mine this [...]...

Even though I swore I never would be “that mother,” I have to admit I have evolved into the parent who makes sure my kids get an equal number of gifts to open on Christmas morning. I didn’t start out that way, as I told myself that my family would be different and my kids would just have to learn that that was life, and sometimes things would be seemingly unequal. Be grateful for what you have and remember how lucky you are. (My poor children. I tend to go on. And on.) Year after year, after gifts were distributed, and turns were taken opening one gift at a time, there was always one kid who had nothing left to open [...]...

I have always loved cookie cake and fondly remember the cookie cakes from the 80’s and 90’s. I was a frequent patron of the Original Cookie Company (I think that was the name?) at my local mall in high school - nothing better than a slightly undercooked giant chocolate chip cookie with thick frosting. Then when I was in my 20’s it seemed like every time I walked into my office break room there was a half-eaten cookie cake on the table. The cookie cake seems to have fallen out of style a bit, but I am ready to bring it back. (Note for future project: home-made Carvel-style ice cream cake with chocolate crunchies - beloved yet mysteriously absent.) My son’s [...]...