Rachael Ray

Spinach and Feta Quiche Bread

I love the combination of feta and spinach because the saltiness of the cheese really pairs well with the mild earthiness of the spinach and the lemon zest just wakes it all up so beautifully with its bright and refreshing flavor. Baking the quiche filling inside a ciabatta loaf not only looks gorgeous, it means you don’t need utensils to eat it – this is a perfect playdate snack, because mommies can munch with one hand and hold their toddlers in the other. Genius, if I do say so myself!

tags: snacks brunch rice, grains and breads eggs vegetables bake more

Spicy Chocolate Monkey Bread

Jazz up store-bought biscuit dough with these super spices and flavors!

tags: breakfast snacks brunch rice, grains and breads bake more

Make-Ahead Chilled Oatmeal

It’s no secret that I love oatmeal. I literally eat it all year round. I do, however, like to mix it up a bit as the weather warms up and make a chilled version of my favorite breakfast food. The best part is, it’s not only super quick to toss together, it can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This recipe is wide open to interpretation. In fact, I encourage you to play around with your favorite dried fruits and nuts and even spices. The possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination, so go wild!!

tags: breakfast snacks fruit rice, grains and breads no-cook more

California Avocado Guacamole with Roasted Tomato and Bacon

Guacamole lovers and bacon lovers, this one’s for you! Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have combined a classic California Avocado guacamole with roasted grape tomatoes and crispy bacon for a combo you’ll love.

Recipe created by chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger for the California Avocado Commission.

Copyright ©2013, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, bordergrill.com.

For more great California Avocado recipes, visit CaliforniaAvocado.com.

tags: snacks appetizers spreads or dips fruit rice, grains and breads pork avocados bake more

Cherry Tomato Bombs

Here’s a “firecracker” you can eat! Pop these creamy Cherry Tomato Bomb appetizers into your mouth in a single bite and enjoy the fireworks. Avocados are a good way to get more lutein in the diet and act as a “nutrient booster” by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene as well as lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit. This recipe provides 136 IU of lutein, a natural antioxidant concentrated in the macula of the eye, which research suggests may help maintain healthy eyesight as we age.

Serving Suggestion: If you have extra cream cheese and avocado, mix them together and add some Sriracha. Enjoy on pepper strips or crackers.

For more great California Avocado recipes, visit CaliforniaAvocado.com.

tags: snacks sides appetizers fruit cheese avocados no-cook more

Lemon Sparkler Cookies

Avocado replaces half of the butter in these festive cookies that have a citrus "spark". Rolling the cookies in colored sanding sugar gives these soft cookies a nice crunch. Using a tip from our registered dietitian, we replaced half the fat in these cookies with equal amounts of fresh avocado to increase the fruit intake. By substituting avocado, the nutritional value of the baked good is enhanced with the fruit's contribution of nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, along with "good fats" (poly and monounsaturated fats). Additionally, the overall calories in a recipe can be reduced by substituting avocado for an ingredient like butter. Two tablespoons of avocado has 50 calories, whereas two tablespoons of butter total 204 calories.

Recipe created by Chris Scheuer, Café Sucre Farine for California Avocado Commission, Copyright ©2013.

For more great California Avocado recipes, visit CaliforniaAvocado.com.

tags: desserts snacks cookies fruit rice, grains and breads avocados bake more

Baked Chicken with Herb-and-Cheese Breadcrumbs

Busy day? Try this super simple fail-proof baked chicken dinner. Rach likes to add a tomato, red onion and parsley salad tossed with EVOO and seasoned with salt and pepper.

tags: snacks lunch box dinner lunch cheese rice, grains and breads poultry bake more

Monday Night Chocolate Cake

This is the perfect Monday dessert: made in one bowl and baked in a loaf pan. You can choose to top with powdered sugar. Or whipped cream. Or ice cream. Or berries. Or all of the above. I think it would be completely acceptable to toast it with some peanut butter for a snack – or let's be honest, breakfast. Adapted from a Smitten Kitchen recipe.

tags: desserts snacks rice, grains and breads bake more

Yogurt with Spinach, Oregano, and Garlic Borani (Esfenaj)

Nothing ties a Persian meal together like creamy and tangy yogurt. Yogurt is usually served as a condiment with classic dishes like lean and juicy kebab, fragrant stew, and fluffy white rice. Sometimes yogurt is served with just a sprinkling of fresh dill or dried mint, but often it’s mixed with a vegetable to give it color and texture. This delicate yogurt condiment has few ingredients but holds a big, rich flavor. It’s best to cut off any thick, fibrous spinach stems before cooking. Like many Persian dishes, this yogurt tastes even better after chilling overnight in the refrigerator.

Wonderfully fresh and delightful recipes are in Louisa Shafia's lateat cookbook, The New Persian Kitchen. Beautiful colors, intense flavors and nutritious ingredients are found in all the dishes.

tags: snacks appetizers spreads or dips vegetables sauté more

Smoked Eggplant Hummus

Eggplant adds terrific flavor to the usual suspects in this smoky hummus.

tags: snacks appetizers spreads or dips fruit vegetables beans broil roast food processor or blender more