Food Network

The BEST Bacon is Made in the Oven-Baked Bacon (Here’s How)

April 26, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Oven-Baked Bacon

It’s already been established on the food blog that I’m a huge Rachael Ray fan. If she makes it, I buy it and use it. If she tapes it, I watch it and watch it. When I saw her bake bacon in the oven on an episode, I immediately bought her baking sheet (with a rack) and couldn’t wait to test the results.

The Rachael Ray Bacon Baking Sheet with Rack QUICKLY became one of my favorite things in the kitchen. How much did I love it? Well, I ordered a second one immediately.

I’ve used it most often for baking bacon but it is also ideal for roasting vegetables and, of course, the baking sheet itself can be used for anything, simply remove the rack.

The Best Oven-Baked Bacon

The basics (please read below for the whys and hows): Place your bacon onto the pan. Place into a cold oven and THEN turn on the heat to 400 degrees. Cook for 20 minutes.

Bacon in the oven simply tastes better and I have to admit, I was surprised just how much better. I also love that it doesn’t curl up – especially useful for breakfast wraps, crispy homemade bacon bits for salads, and BLTs.

(Continued below the goodness….)

Oven-Baked Bacon at 400 degrees for 20 Minutes

While I, of course, use my baking sheet with rack for cooking bacon in the oven, it isn’t a necessity. You can put your bacon directly on a foil-lined baking sheet and you’ll do just fine. I have experimented for months with oven-baked bacon (I love my life) and these are my tips of the trade:

Buy good bacon. The whole bacon is bacon premise is incorrect and when you try different brands you’ll see what I mean. Smithfield and Oscar Meyer are the two I buy the most frequently.
Don’t pre-heat the oven. I mean, you CAN, but putting the bacon into a cold oven, then turning on the heat, seems to cause the bacon to render its fat more slowly (which is a delicious thing) and more evenly, as in less instances of a slice of bacon that’s half crispy and half fatty.
Baking Times Vary. Not only do oven temperatures and personalities vary, people’s individual preferences vary too. My husband likes for his bacon to be crisp whereas I like for mine to bend if you hold him out like a diving board. Use 400 degrees and 20 minutes as a “guide,” not as an “absolute.” Use this approach, but check the bacon at the 15 minute mark – unless you like yours to bend even more than I do, it will not be ready to eat at this point, but you’ll get an idea of how much further you want to go.
Keep Time. When you discover your favorite time frame for baking the bacon just as you like, write it down and put it someplace you’ll ALWAYS know where it is. On the refrigerator, in a frequently-used recipe box, or tattooed on your arm – this is vital information, treat it as such!

Not even remotely and ad and I have not been paid to say anything (if only I were paid to talk, I’d talk all the way to the bank!), but I highly recommend this Oscar Mayer Naturally Hardwood Smoked bacon, pictured below. Extraordinary and worth the extra pennies.

I just realized I don’t have a category for bacon on the food blog. What kind of madness is this?! I’m about to take care of that irresponsible oversight…

Done.

The Way to this Rachael Ray Collector’s Heart….

August 3, 2020 By Joi Sigers

My husband went and did it again… he proved to me, for the billionth time, that I didn’t just marry a great guy, I married my hero. I wrote a post on my food blog a while back about a gorgeous set of Rachael Ray measuring cups. I wondered how in the word I didn’t already have them… given how I collect all things Rachael Ray and am in love with the colors.

Well, not only does he apparently read my food blog (awwwww), he takes hints even when they weren’t intended to be hints!

You guessed it.. I now own the gorgeous measuring cups and a ridiculously beautiful Purple Rachael Ray Moppine Towel as well.

In the pictures, here, the purple measuring cup looks more gray, but it is unmistakably a beautiful purple. One of our cats, sweet Dokkie, seems to be inspecting the colors above, doesn’t she??! When you’re a cat mom who is also a food blogger, you do not…. absolutely do NOT…. take photos of anything without help from at least one little Nosy Parker.

Some might would shoo the cat away and take professional-level pictures but not me. I simply take what I consider to be the cutest picture!

Rachael Ray Moppine Towel and Measuring Cups

As you can tell, the purple moppine towel is absolutely gorgeous – such a deep, bold shade of purple. I love the way Rachael Ray Moppine Towels (Amazon link) are made – you can put both of your hands into the hand pockets, allowing the rest of the moppine towel to cover your forearms, protecting you entirely from the hot deliciousness you’re removing from the oven. When you click through the link Rachael Ray Moppine Towels (Amazon link), you’ll see the WIDE array of colors available. I’ve had the red before as well and it’s also a beauty.

You can find the gorgeous Rachael Ray Measuring Cups on Amazon, too.

Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

The Pioneer Woman’s Stainless Steel Turner: Bought One… Buying Another… With Eyes on Buying a Bunch…

January 5, 2017 By Joi Sigers

When it comes to kitchen gadgets, tools, and dishes, it doesn’t take much to make my foodie/cook/food-blogger heart skip a couple of beats. A new spatula, tongs, beautiful coffee mug, or even new wooden spoon (I guess you’ll believe me next time I say it doesn’t take much) leave me positively giddy.

I recently ordered something off Amazon – kind of a late Christmas gift to me, from me: The Pioneer Woman’s All Purpose Turner. My inner foodie and cook wanted to jerk it out of it’s package and put it to use immediately. My inner food-blogger told them both to cool their jets – then she said the words they both have come to hate, “There are pic-tures to taaaake!”

After the obligatory pic-tures were taken, I took it for a test drive with one of my favorite things to cook/eat/photograph – eggs over easy.

Side story: When I was growing up, my mom cooked all of the suppers but my dad cooked all of the breakfasts. It possibly had something to do with the fact that my mom was a night owl who detested mornings. Anyway, he knew how I loved my eggs and we always referred to them as “runny eggs.” (since I was old enough to speak, I wanted them to spill out golden yumminess all over my sausage, bacon, or whatever else was on the plate). I guess I assumed that “runny” was their God-given name, not just a dad-given name, so once we were at a restaurant (I wasn’t very old, in my defense) the server asked how I wanted my eggs. You guessed it, I answered, “Runny” – to which my dad QUICKLY intervened, “Over Easy.” I was really glad he spoke up because the server looked even more loss for words than my husband.

Okay, so I wasn’t that young.

The Pioneer Woman’s All Purpose Turner is beautifully flat so it slid right under the egg without having to be convinced. It has been a dream come true with burgers, veggie burgers, fish, sauteed onions, fried mushrooms, and many runny eggs.

This well-made and great-looking turner is what I’ve always wanted from a spatula/turner and then some. One thing I love (harkening back to the pic-tures perhaps) is that the Pioneer Woman’s All Purpose Turner allows your food to be more beautiful. Why? Simple – because you don’t have to wage war on it in the skillet anymore.

This one qualifies as a MUST HAVE, guys. In fact, it’s even a MUST HAVE if you already have one. I love it so much, I want to add to its family. It’s going to be a large brood.

Last-Minute Gift Idea for Cooks in Your Life: Rachael Ray Moppines

December 13, 2016 By Joi Sigers

A while back (actually quite a while, I believe) I wrote a review or Rachael Ray’s Moppines. Loved them then, loved them now. This morning, while thinking of great last minute Christmas gift ideas for cooks, I thought of these moppines and how much I love them. I checked Amazon and, sure enough, if you order them asap, they’ll arrive before Christmas.

Speaking of love, I’ve got NOTHING but mad love for Amazon, too.

Since reviewing my own red moppines, A LOT of gorgeous new colors have been added to the Moppines Collection – meaning you can go all matchy matchy with anyone’s kitchen color scheme.

brown
mustard
celery green
blue
brick red
smoke blue
orange
purple
red
burnt orange
lavendar
green

And they are all gorgeous. Click here to take a closer look.

The Pioneer Woman on Amazon: Colorful, Beautiful, and Fun (and Her Merch is too!)

November 10, 2016 By Joi Sigers

The Pioneer Woman Flea Market Oven Mitt and Pot Holder Set

The Pioneer Woman Kitchen Set Pot Holder and Oven MittSigh. As if I don’t spend enough money on Amazon on Rachael Ray products, now they have another obsession of mine right there in plain sight for me to splurge on – The Pioneer Woman is primed to jump in my cart a few times a week.

Everywhere you look in my kitchen and dining room, you see Rachael Ray and The Pioneer Woman. Ironically, they’re two of the celebrity cooks I turn to the most for recipes and television entertainment as well. I love that their kitchen merch compliments one another so beautifully.

Everything is so bright, colorful, and happy – like the ladies, themselves.

My family knows that when it comes to buying gifts for me, they can’t possibly go wrong with these two collections.

The Pioneer Woman Cast Iron Cookbook Holder

The Cast Iron Cookbook holder above is definitely something I need. It’s already available on Amazon, so no waiting is involved. Whoot!

The Pioneer Woman Flea Market Salt and Pepper Shakers

The Pioneer Woman Flea Market Salt & Pepper ShakersWhile a lot of The Pioneer Woman is already on Amazon, others – like the salt & pepper shakers above – are coming in just a few days (you can go ahead and throw merch in your cart, though, of course – a trick my husband often wishes I hadn’t figured out).

Click through any of the links above or below for more gift ideas for cooks in your family – especially the one you see in the mirror. You know that one’s on the “nice list” after all!

Balsamic-Drizzled Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil “Salad”

July 21, 2016 By Joi Sigers

I’m over the foodie moon in love with Rachael Ray’s Balsamic Drizzle (Balsamic Reduction). It’s HEAVENLY on chicken but my favorite way to use it is shown here: a Balsamic-Drizzled Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Appetizer that is beautifully delicious (and deliciously beautiful) with pasta, pizza, or even on its own. It even makes a delicious (and filling) lunch all by itself.

One of the coolest things about this appetizer/lunch is it needs no recipe. It’s kind of refreshing to break away from “exacts” every now and then, isn’t it?

For this Balsamic-Drizzled Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Appetizer, simply round up your ingredients:

Basil Leaves (fresh, of course)
Rachael Ray’s Balsamic Drizzle
Mozzarella Fresca (Fresh Mozzarella)
Fresh Tomatoes

Layer your basil on the plate or platter, then arrange the tomato slices and slices of Mozzarella on top. Drizzle the entire production with the Balsamic Drizzle. This beauty makes a perfect appetizer, quick lunch, OR a replacement for tossed salad with pasta or pizza.

Balsamic Vinegar Drizzled Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Appetizer

Salina Capers: The Magical Ingredient in this Tartar Sauce Recipe!

July 18, 2016 By Joi Sigers

Salina Capers

April’s Eat. Feed. Love. box included a beautiful jar of Salina Capers (cultivated in volcanic soil and handpicked on the island of Salina in Sicily – how’s that for an epic bio?).

While I immediately fell in love with the jar and vowed to use and display it even after the capers were “long gone,” I had one teensy problem…. how was I going to make the capers “long gone?!”

Although it’s difficult for a foodie, let alone food blogger to admit, I’d never used capers before. Ever.

I went about using what would soon become a new obsession by sneaking them into some of my everyday recipes. I added them to my favorite egg salad recipe, to deviled eggs, and even into potato salad – the capers shined through in each and every dish I added them to. The flavor is just beautiful and, I have to tell you, capers and eggs make a special kind of magic when they team up. While the egg salad recipe (linked to earlier in the paragraph) is killer without the capers, it’s extra delicious with them.

However… as delicious as each of these were (and they were phenomenal), my absolute favorite way to use capers is in tartar sauce.

We eat a lot (a lot a lot a lot) of fish in our family. Whenever I read that experts recommend eating seafood several times a week, my first thought is always, “Is that all???” I actually was already a bona fide fish fiend long before learning how much healthier it is for you than other meats.

Recently I wanted to make some gluten free fired catfish nuggets with tartar sauce. The problem is, I had become completely and utterly bored with the tartar sauce I typically make. Serviceable and tasty… sure, but BORING.

So I turned to my first sources when I’m looking for can’t-miss recipes: Rachael Ray, the Barefoot Contessa, and Alton Brown. Ina Garten (the Contessa, of course) had a tartar sauce recipe that sounded like HEAVEN to me and called for…. you guessed it… my beloved new friends, capers.

I gathered up the ingredients and made what is, without a doubt, the best tartar sauce on earth. The capers make the difference and this particular tartar sauce will never be accused of being boring. It defies description – you HAVE to try it for yourself.

Below is the way I approached her wonderful recipe – click here to watch the Barefoot Contessa make this freaking amazing tartar sauce.

Barefoot Contessa's Tartar Sauce with Capers

July 18, 2016

by Joi Sigers

Category Barefoot Contessa Dips and Sauces Food Reviews Quick and Easy Recipes Seafood

Ingredients

1/2 cup good mayonnaise
2 tablespoons diced dill pickle
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Salina capers
1 teaspoon whole-grained mustard
Pinch kosher salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Combine in the food processor (or a "mini-chop") and voila - the best tartar sauce you ever had.

One of My Favorite Cookbooks: Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals 2

June 2, 2016 By Joi Sigers

Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals 2If you’ve read the food blog for any length of time you know I collect cookbooks as eagerly as a Reality TV Star collects compliments. I’m so bad, I even have cookbook collections within my cookbook collections. The following are a few of these “extra special” collections..

Rachael Ray
Michael Symon
Food Network-Related
Cooking Channel-Related
Cooking Light
Christmas-Themed
Thanksgiving-Themed
Gluten Free

Before I had to give up gluten/wheat, Cookie cookbooks, Bread cookbooks, Pie cookbooks, and Cake cookbooks were on the list. But I don’t want to think about that now. Some wounds never heal.

I take a great deal of pride in my Rachael Ray cookbook collection. I’m a huge fan of Rachael Ray’s and actually collect just about all things RR, not just her cookbooks.

The cookbook pictured above is one of my favorites: Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals 2. Like each of her cookbooks, this is one I turn to again and again. I’ve memorized which recipes are in which cookbooks, so retrieving them is quick and easy.

Some of my favorite recipes from this cookbook are:

Sirloin Burgers with Mushrooms, Swiss, and Balsamic Mayo
Black & White Shakes
Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad
Red Bean Salad
Root Beer Floats
Philly Steak Sandwiches
Ice Cream Sundae Sandwiches (use gluten free cookies to make it gf)
Fried Mozzarella Bites (I use gluten free breadcrumbs)
Burrito Bar
Special Fried Rice
Sausage Calzones (use gluten free pizza crust to make it gf)
Warm White Beans with Thyme
Balsamic (or Honey) Glazed Vegetables
Green Bean Salad with Red Onion and Tomato
Crispy-Topped Baked Beans with Bacon
Mexican Chunk Vegetable Salad
Rio Grande Spice Rub Strip Steaks
Honey Mustard Barbecued Chicken
Butter Bean Salad
Corn on the Cob with Chili and Lime
Maple Mustard Pork Chops with Grilled Apples
Emmanuel’s Baked Artichoke Hearts
Fresh Oranges with Lime Sorbet
Meatball and Macaroni Soup
Southern Green Beans
Winter Vegetable Stew
Spanish Beef and Rice
Mexican Rice
MANY More!

I’m actually making the Mexican Rice for supper tonight. It’s outstanding.

With such an overwhelming passion for cookbooks, I spend a great deal of time on Amazon. I’ve recently discovered something that has been a real game-changer: Used Cookbooks. I have had great success with these – I always “mark” the results I want with “Like New” and each time they have been, indeed, like new. If you look, you can even find NEW cookbooks at Used cookbook prices.

My Motto: Money saved on one cookbook means money I can spend on the next.

Find Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals 2 on Amazon, it’s easily one of my favorites in my collection.

Also See:

Just two of MANY Rachael Ray Cookbooks in my collection.

Cookbook Review: Rachael Ray Top 30 30-Minute Meals Comfort Food

May 12, 2016 By Joi Sigers

Two of My Rachael Ray Cookbooks

I have collections within my cookbook collections (as you’d expect from a Crazy Cookbook Lady). I have Michael Symon cookbooks, Food Network cookbooks, Gluten Free Cookbooks, Cooking Light cookbooks… and you’d darn well better believe I have a Rachael Ray cookbook collection. It may or may not require it’s own shelf.

It does.

One of the coolest little cookbooks in this collection is pictured here. It’s the Rachael Ray Top 30 30-Minute Meals Comfort Food cookbook and it’s a lot of yum for such a little guy.

Like all Rachael Ray cookbooks, Comfort Food reads just as you’d expect a Rachael Ray cookbook to read – just like you’re watching a 30 Minute Meals episode.

From the Back Cover:

Curl up in front of the fire with the delicious homespun fare of Rachael’s comfort food. Treat yourself with these Top 30 meals, a collection of her greatest hits. The perfect way to unwind after a busy day―you deserve it!

Rachael Ray Top 30 30-Minute Meals Comfort Food Cookbook

Rachael Ray Comfort FoodRecipes from the 30 Comfort Food Meals Include:

Chunky Guacamole
Pork Chops with Golden Applesauce
Rosemary Grilled Chicken and Wild Mushroom Sauce
Chili Mac
Super-Stuffed Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Quick Creole Shrimp with White Rice
Turkey Corn Chili
Quick Potato & Carrot Latkes
Chicken, Corizo & Tortilla Stoup
Everything Jambalaya on White Rice

Each meal takes 30-minutes or less to prepare and the ingredients are easy peasy to find. This particular cookbook wouldn’t be a great investment for vegans or vegetarians (unless you’re adding to a collection, of course) but it’s a can’t miss for everyone else.

The little spiral-bound, hardback cookbook is also available for Kindle or, of course, the free Kindle reading app.

See Rachael Ray Top 30 30-Minute Meals Comfort Food for more information.

The Chew: An Essential Guide to Cooking and Entertaining (Review)

April 19, 2016 By Joi Sigers

The Chew An Essential Guide to Cooking and Entertaining Cookbook

I was sent a copy of a fun new cookbook (packed with personality), The Chew: An Essential Guide to Cooking and Entertaining to review on the food blog a few weeks ago. I actually waited a little while just to let it get closer to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day shopping because this book is a perfect gift idea.

Just be sure to grab yourself one while you’re at it.

I love everything about this cookbook. The recipes are just the sort of recipes you’d expect with the names you see on the cover and the same can be said of the “spirit” of the cookbook. When you see the characters on the cover and see them in action on The Chew, you know they march to the beat of their own wooden spoons and that makes for pure entertainment.

It also makes for a must have cookbook – whether you watch the show or not.

The hosts bring their positive energy to every page of this cookbook – as well as their expertise in the kitchen.

Some of My Fave Recipes from this Cookbook Are:

French Onion Soup – Clinton Kelly
“Blow Your Mind” Baked Chicken Wings – Daphne Oz
Omelette in a Jar (made in the microwave!) – Carla Hall
Slow-Roasted Salmon with Avocado Salad – Michael Symon
Oven-Roasted BLT with Tangy Mayo – Michael Symon
Hush Puppies (with Dipping Sauce) – Carla Hall
Basic Tomato Sauce – Mario Batali
Classic Basic Pesto – Mario Batali
Hash Brown Frittata – Clinton Kelly
Grilled Cheese Espanol – Mario Batali
Whipped Pina Colada Dip – Daphne Oz
Clinton’s General Tso’s Chicken – Clinton Kelly
Spicy Queso Dip – Clinton Kelly
Dad’s Death by Chocolate – Michael Symon
Dynamite Disco Fries – Carla Hall
Popcorn Shrimp – Daphne Oz
Mario’s Spicy Dollar-Saving Pasta – Mario Batali
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brussels Sprouts and Brown Butter – Michael Symon
Banana Dippers – Daphne Oz
Chicken Potpie with Cheddar-Chive Biscuits – Carla Hall

As you can see and even expect from most cookbooks, the majority of the recipes aren’t “gluten free,” however thanks be to God we live in a time where gluten free all purpose flour and gluten free bread exist – meaning that any recipe you see in a cookbook can be made gluten free.

Mario Batli’s DELICIOUS SOUNDING Spicy Dollar-Saving Pasta is simple to gluten free-ize – simply substitute gluten free pasta and use gluten free panko bread crumbs for the bread-crumb topping. Get a load of the ingredients in this dish – yellow onion, pasta, garlic cloves, scallions, Italian sausage, tomato paste, jalapenos, and a panko bread crumb topping.

I don’t know about you, but this recipe, is making my mouth water. So much so, in fact, I’m going to make it one night this week.

Of course, there are recipes that are already gluten free – such as Daphne Oz’s Banana Dippers and Popcorn Shrimp (which uses rice flour), Carla Hall’s Disco Fries, and Clinton Kelly’s General Tso’s Chicken (just be sure to substitute Tamari for the soy sauce).

Michael Symon’s Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brussels Sprouts and Brown Butter uses a combo of almond flour and all-purpose flour (simply sub gluten free all-purpose flour for the all purpose flour) is at the top of my “make soon” list.

Review Continued Below….

From the Back Cover:

Everything You Love About The Chew Captured in One Book!

In The Chew: An Essential Guide to Cooking and Entertaining, the five hosts of the hit ABC daytime show invite you to enjoy the fun and flavor of cooking without the hassle and expense. Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, Daphne Oz, and Michael Symon provide mouthwatering recipes and useful entertaining tips to make cooking for your family and friends simple, cost-effective, delicious, and fun. In this fourth cookbook from The Chew, the hosts bring their wit, wisdom, and practicality straight into your home.

In Back to Basics, learn how Daphne Oz prepares her Easy Oven Roasted Turkey Breast that is both delicious and a time-saver. Clinton Kelly’s Eggs Benedict recipe is a Comfort Classic that will make Sunday Brunch the best part of your weekend. Michael Symon’s Pizza Rolls are guaranteed to become one of your Feel-Good Family Favorites. In Old Faves, New Flaves, Carla Hall offers up her Cheesy Pull-Apart Pesto Bread, putting an exciting twist on garlic rolls. And Mario Batali’s Meat Loaf with Creamy Shells ‘n’ Peas is the definitive guilty pleasure.

And There’s More:

Answers to viewer questions that give you added details and insights from The Chew hosts.
Delicious favorites handed down from the hosts’ families to yours.
Mouthwatering meals that can be made ahead of time or in a slow cooker.
Several innovative ways to put a new spin on a favorite recipe.
A wide range of recipes from breakfast to dessert, from the lighter side to guilty pleasures, and everything in between.

Review continued below…

I can’t say enough about the GREAT recipes in this book – they really are exceptional. I also love all the fun pictures from the show and behind the scenes. This fun group seems to really love each others company and it shows. There’s just a wonderful vibe about the entire book and it, along with fantastic recipes, makes it one of my favorite cookbooks, period.

What is it about cookbooks Michael Symon is tied to? They’re always among the best. Golden touch, much?

I cannot think of anyone this cookbook wouldn’t be ideal for – new cooks, veteran cooks, moms, dads, college kids, bachelors, bachelorettes, new brides, new grooms… as long as the individual enjoys positive energy and great food, The Chew: An Essential Guide to Cooking and Entertaining is a book they’re going to love.

Also See:

5 in 5 For Every Season by Michael Symon (Review)

5 in 5 by Michael Symon (Review)

Top 10 Reasons Printed Cookbooks will Never Become Extinct