Rachael Ray

Last week, I posted a “Supermarket Score” blog with some new ideas for using up buttermilk.  One idea in particular – the homemade ricotta cheese – elicited some facebook comments and emails from some of my friends.  They were intrigued, but wanted to know more.  “It can’t be that simple to make at home!” some said.  “How do I know if I’m doing it right?” said others. Be not intimidated!  I’ve got a Play-By-Play coming your way to walk you through the whole thing so that you, too, can show off your own homemade ricotta cheese to your friends and family. GATHER YOUR EQUIPMENT & INGREDIENTS To make about 1 3/4 cups of fresh ricotta, you’ll need: · A medium saucepot · A fine-mesh strainer · [...]...

“Supermarket Score!” is all about taking a look at the great deals and delicious meals that are hidden in commonly found supermarket items. I’d be willing to bet that when you hear “buttermilk”, you probably think of either (A) pancakes, (B) biscuits, or (C) that mystery carton of dairy in the back of the fridge that only makes an appearance for Sunday morning pancakes and biscuits. Buttermilk often finds its way into our baked goods because the culturing process it goes through renders it full of lactic acid, which reacts with leavening agents like baking soda to create a higher rise and more tender product.  So carry on with your light & fluffy pancaking ways, Saturday morning champions! Why let [...]...

“Supermarket Score!” is all about taking a look at the great deals and delicious meals that are hidden in commonly found supermarket items. So I know what you’re thinking and I agree: nothing says “bring it on” like a post that has white beans in the title. But seriously, I know I don’t have to sell you on the merits of the great & mighty bean! This member of the legume family manages to find its way onto my table at least once (and often more) a week. When I’ve got the time I cook them from scratch, but the prepared canned varieties are a great way to add fiber and protein to a meal that either contains no meat [...]...

“Supermarket Score!” is all about taking a look at the great deals and delicious meals that are hidden in commonly found supermarket items. I can remember, clear as day, being a kid at my babysitter Kimmy’s house and watching one of the boys across the table from me eat raw ramen noodles with his lunch.  Horror.  Or so I thought with the worldliness of a five year old. How behind the curve I was on the universal glory of ramen noodles. Being a college student at culinary school has a way of necessitating some fascinating dorm room inventions, often times with the most classic of college foods – ramen noodles – at the core of it all.  Taking a bit of that alma [...]...

So last week’s “Supermarket Score: Pumpkin” post garnered quite a few comments (much to my appreciative surprise).  I heard from many a die-hard baker out there that could appreciate the suggestion of a Pumpkin Corn Muffin, but didn’t want to go the boxed mix route.  They wanted to go old school and make them from scratch. So this week’s post is all about you, at-home-bakers!  A Pumpkin Corn Muffin to call your very own (and kudos to you for shirking off a boxed mix in pursuit of getting your hands a bit dirty)!  What I particularly enjoy about this recipe is the amount of salt in it.  While it does have some brown sugar to help bring out the sweetness in the [...]...

“Supermarket Score!” is all about taking a look at the great deals and delicious meals that are hidden in commonly found supermarket items. It’s that blissful time of year where pumpkin starts emerging in all forms from muffins and martinis, to lattes and lobster rolls (well, maybe not so much the latter).  The point is, now is our chance to savor as much pumpkin as possible - and with good cause!  Pumpkin has a low glycemic index and is a great source of fiber and vitamin A.   Plus it’s readily available (en masse especially this time of year) in the supermarket baking aisle But what to do with it beyond quick breads and pies?  Check out these four great ideas for making [...]...

“Supermarket Score!” is all about taking a look at the great deals and delicious meals that are hidden in commonly found supermarket items. Fall is – hands down- my favorite of the four seasons.  Living in New York’s Hudson Valley means a corner cannot be turned without a picturesque view of colored leaves, pumpkins, cider doughnuts, and apple orchards.  It’s the last of those that especially takes over this time of year. The bucolic dream of a fresh haul of locally-grown and hand-picked apples means that a box of fruit landing close to my body weight in size inevitably nests itself on my kitchen counter each and every fall.  About five minutes in - when the dream has worn off – it [...]...

Just put streusel on it.  Seriously, thats the secret.  Doesn’t sound complicated does it?  That’s because it’s not. Streusel is one of those amazing “quick fix” ingredients that I always have on hand for occasions where a little but of nutty crunch is just the gilding that lily needs.  Plus, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love streusel? Making your own streusel is a no-brainier and it keeps for months in the freezer.  Just combine 1/4 cup each of flour, light brown sugar, rolled oats, and chopped nuts (I like hazelnuts but you can use whatever you like).  Toss in a dash of cinnamon and 1/2 stick of cubed cold butter and “rub” the ingredients between your fingers to break the butter [...]...

“Supermarket Score!” is all about taking a look at the great deals and delicious meals that are hidden in lesser-known yet commonly found supermarket items. With Labor Day weekend and an early kick-off to football season coming just down the pike, I think it’s important to take a little time to celebrate where we are.  To reflect on the memories of a great summer.  To pop open a few beers and kick back with some friends.  To thank the sweet merciful heavens for sending the children back to school (c’mon, I know you all are thinking it…). But let’s go back to that beer part for a second.  The great thing about beer - well, one of the many great things about [...]...