Rachael Ray

I lied.  This drink I concocted doesn’t remotely resemble chocolate, except maybe in color.  And I really do not like it when people try to tell me carob is anything like chocolate, because it ain’t even on the same planet. However, I made this drink this weekend just to see what it would taste like, as I had a jar of carob powder eyeing me for months in my pantry.  I don’t even remember why I bought it., it was probably part of some cockamanie diet I was trying, so of course there it sat, unopened. Finally I decided to give it a try, as I have been looking for dairy alternatives lately in an experiment to see if I am still [...]...

A semifreddo is a sweet, frozen mousse. You make it almost the exact same way that you would make ice cream, except you don’t need an ice cream maker. Semifreddo means “half-cold,” or half-frozen, in Italian. I think this is because it contains eggs and whipped cream, so it doesn’t freeze solid into a block of ice, but stays soft and pliable, like ice cream. You can flavor a semifreddo with almost anything, whether it’s chocolate, nuts, fruit, fruit juice, jam, or nut butter. Depending on what you put in it, you’ll want to whip up your cream and eggs first, and then fold in fresh fruit, chunks of chocolate, or nuts. Alternately, you may want to melt the chocolate and whisk [...]...

It’s hard to believe that I (lover of all things chocolate) have never made chocolate chip muffins, but it’s true. My kids recently discovered them at Tim Horton’s with friends which inspired me to make some hopefully healthier and more reasonably sized versions at home. They make a great after-school snack or even dessert - the sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on their tops make them a little bit special. Like most muffins, they freeze well. Chocolate Chip Muffins (adapted from Joyofbaking.com) (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups flour 2/3 cups sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup chocolate chips Topping: 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line [...]...

I just made the most insane cookies yesterday! I HAD to share this recipe with you ASAP because it’s THAT good. I’m a cookie freak. No. Seriously. If I had to choose one dessert to have for the rest of my life, cookies would be it. I spend a lot of my time creating and perfecting cookie recipes, like this one and this one and my mind is constantly consumed with different cookie combinations and flavor ideas. What can I say? I’m a bit of a cookie monster. Lucky for you, eh? This was the case yesterday. I had no intention of baking anything and my day had already been a flurry of insanity and craziness, so I wasn’t really in [...]...

Always on the lookout for a new muffin, I went to my old friend Joy the Baker’s blog and came across these berry streusel muffins with the right amount of jam (key - not too much) swirled in. A new regular in my repertoire for sure. Joy says any kind of berries (including frozen, which I used here) and jam can be used -added bonus. Raspberry Jam Streusel Muffins (adapted from www.JoytheBaker.com) (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients: 6 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup milk 2 eggs 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups flour 3/4 cups sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2- 1 cup frozen or fresh raspberries (or berry of your choice) 3 tablespoons raspberry jam (or fruit jam of your choice) For the topping: 3 tablespoons cold butter, [...]...

I am always on the lookout for a new bar recipe that is a little bit more upscale than your typical brownie. Think dinner party but your kids will also love them. These grasshopper bars fit that bill - elegant and delicious, and special enough for company. They have three layers and there is some chilling time required, so give yourself some time here. They store well in the fridge so you can make them up to 4 days in advance. Grasshopper Bars (adapted from Baked Explorations: Classic American Desserts Reinvented by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito) (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients For the brownie base: 3/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 5 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate (60-72%), chopped (or use [...]...

When should girls start wearing makeup? I think the the answer is to follow your daughter’s lead and make sure whatever she chooses to wear - be it clothes or makeup - is age appropriate. There is nothing worse than seeing a young girl who is trying to look too grown up. I want to grab her and say “Honey - don’t rush it! There is plenty of time.” I also think there is a fine line between being too controlling and setting some parameters for your kids when it comes to self expression. I used to walk to school with a neighborhood friend in 5th grade whose mother picked out her clothes for school and my friend had no choice [...]...

I must have seen a recipe for Carrot Soup somewhere so it was in my head when I got home from work last night and wanted a comforting meal and fast.  Usually when I am in this mood and it’s winter, I think of soup.  I was so impressed with the simplicity and ease of this dish that I had to share the recipe.  Added bonuses?  My daughter loved it, you could use it as a base and add gnocchi or shrimp and the ingredients are all-each of them-good for you in some way or another. Carrot Soup Ingredients EVOO 1 medium onion, peeled and roughly chopped 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and roughly chopped 6-8 fat carrots, peeled and roughly chopped 4 cups of chicken stock 1 [...]...

Rachael Ray and Yum-o! Fight Childhood Hunger in the Classroom with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® Campaign Author and Daytime Host Rachael Ray Partners with Anti-Hunger Organization to Help Kids Get Access to School Breakfast NEW YORK (Jan. 17, 2012) - To help combat hunger in the classroom, Rachael Ray and her Yum-o!® organization are teaming up with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® Campaign, a national movement to end childhood hunger in America. In addition to raising awareness about the issue, Yum-o! is donating $100,000 to support Share Our Strength’s work to increase participation in school breakfast programs. Could you pass a pop quiz on an empty stomach? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly one in five children in America [...]...