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Rachael Ray Bench Scrape or Food Mover….

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Bench Scrape or Food Mover
 

I’m completely drawn to colorful things in life – the more color, the better. That’s probably half of the reason I collect all things Rachael Ray in the kitchen – everything is available in the brightest, most beautiful and downright “happy” colors.

Some collectors choose the same color for each of their Rachael Ray kitchen tools, gadgets, dishes, bakeware, pans, or cookware. I basically go with whatever color I’m “feeling” at the time. If it’s during baseball season, I’m drawn to red (because the only thing I’m thinking during these months is St. Louis Cardinals baseball). If it’s college basketball season, I lean toward blue (UK Wildcats, of course).

The rest of the time, I’m liable to choose orange, agave blue, purple, or green, entirely based on my mood at the time.  My oldest daughter’s kitchen scheme is ideal for the Agave Blue collection, so I’ve been grabbing her this and that in this beautiful color.

Naturally the beauty is only half of the reason I love Rachael Ray’s line of kitchen gadgets and dishes. The other reason is they’re completely fun to use, dependable, and save time and effort.

One of my favorite Rachael Ray kitchen tools is shown here, the Bench Scrape Shovel – not that I ever actually call it that. I’ve always just called it my “mover” – on 30 Minute Meals, Rachael Ray always refers to it as her “food mover.”

Appropriate enough.

While mine is, obviously, red (must have bought it in the summer) – the bench scrape is also available in orange, blue, purple, and agave blue…. which reminds me, I need to order one for Emily.

 Details:

  • Bench scrape shovel for collecting and transporting ingredients from the cutting board to a pot on the stovetop
  • Shovel face crafted in durable, nonporous stainless steel; soft taper at shovel’s edge for scooping ease
  • Secure and comfy ribbed rubber covers shovel handle; safe for use in the dishwasher
  • Measures 6-1/2 by 6-1/4 inches with a 1-1/5-inch high handle; weighs 8 ounces

This is one of those things that, each time I use it, I wonder, “How did I ever get along without you???”  Then I remember – with hands that smelled more like onions and garlic and multiple trips back and forth to the stove.

It’s a really cool, fun, and useful kitchen tool and I love it.  What’s more, it’s less than $7 on Amazon. With Mother’s Day around the corner, you might want to grab a couple.

See Bench Scrape Shovel for more information.

Mega Post of Rachael Ray Dishes, Bakeware, and More

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Rachael Ray Ramekins Set
I’ll admit to a couple of full-blown obsessions in my life:

  • cats
  • polar bears
  • squirrels
  • okay, all animals
  • baseball
  • chai tea lattes
  • coffee
  • chocolate
  • sweet potatoes

Also making the list is Rachael Ray dishes, bakeware, pans, kitchen gadgets… all things Rachael Ray.  I’ve noticed that I’ve begun projecting my obsession onto others.  Not only am I forever telling you about Rachael Ray products you “simply must have…” I’ve started factoring them into my gift-giving.   “Oooh, I should give her a Rachael Ray platter…” “I want to give them a Rachael Ray set of dishes…”

Sigh. I mean well.

It’s just that when you KNOW something is exceptional, you want everyone else to experience it, too.  Trust your girl on this one, if Rachael Ray’s name is on the front of the box, your kitchen will be all the better for it.

Rachael Ray 10
Rachael Ray’s line of beauties come in a gorgeous array of colors. They’ve even added a few colors recently – including a light blue that’s perfect for my oldest daughter’s kitchen. As a matter of fact, yes, I’m trying to snag a billion and one things for her.

Personally, I tend to favor the reds, purples, and deep blues in our kitchen, but I’d certainly never say, “No” to the orange, green, pumpkin, or light blue.

They’re all welcome.

If your kitchen and world of cooking is anything similar to mine – it’s the essence of busyness. At times my kitchen seems like an episode of Iron Chef America. Other times it’s closer to a carnival – but it’s always an aromatic cluster of making, baking, and cleaning it all up.

Rachael Ray Cucina 12 Piece Cookware Set
With all of that going on, dishes and bakeware get chipped, cracked, and sometimes downright shattered.

For whatever reasons (I suspect unicorns may be involved), Rachael Ray dishes and bakeware hold up to whatever my kitchen throws at them.

Is it any reason I’m so obsessed. The fewer things I have to actually replace, the better.

Not only is every item in my Rachael Ray collection sturdy, it performs to absolute perfection. Seriously, I’ve never had a single issue.

Finally, can I just go all girly here and say that one of my favorite things about collecting Rachael Ray dishes, cookware, and bakeware is the colorful prettiness? They’re simply brighter and more beautiful than the rest and, yes…. sometimes looks truly do matter.

Rachael Ray Rise Serving Bowl
As we come to the end of one year and the start of another, I’d love to suggest one thing: Begin your own collection of Rachael Ray merch. Either find the one or two colors that “speak” to you, or go full spectrum and grab every available color. Whichever way you go, you’ll soon be singing the same praises I am.

To everyone who’ll listen…

Rachael Ray Lazy Tongs - Purple
Click through any of the Rachael Ray products in the post above for more information and to find similar items in every conceivable color.

You can also find countless Rachael Ray products on Amazon:

Rachael Ray Round Platter - Red

If you shake a leg (and take advantage of a speedy shipping option), you could even order Rachael Ray products from Amazon and have them in time for Christmas – whether it’s for gift giving or your own table!

Kitchen Gadget of the Day: Rachael Ray Egg Whisk “Sir Whisk a Lot”

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Rachael Ray Tools Egg Whisk "Sir Whisk a Lot", Orange

If I keep going at the rate I’m going, I will eventually have every kitchen gadget, cookbook, and cooking tool Rachael Ray has ever made. I don’t have any of her pans, yet, but I’m all over the gadgets and cookbooks.

Well, almost all over. It comes to my attention that I don’t have the great looking Rachael Ray Tools Egg Whisk “Sir Whisk a Lot”, Orange. How could something like this happen???

  • Classic round egg whisk whips up egg whites into fluffy goodness
  • Specially designed handle with sturdy base can stand up on your counter
  • Metal whisk element
  • Bright orange coloring won’t get lost in the kitchen!
  • Dishwasher safe

Love it, need it, simply must have it.

More Rachael Ray Cooking Tools and Kitchen Gadgets:

If you can’t see the slideshow below on your device, click the following link! – Rachael Ray Cooking Tools


Rachael Ray Fancy Boy Grinders: 24/7 Seasoning and Pink Himalayan Salt

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Rachael Ray Fancy Boys Grinders

So there I was shopping in my local Kroger recently, minding my own business.  I was in the spice aisle, grabbing a box of baking soda (something I’m almost always low on) when a couple of colorful orange topped grinders on the top shelf caught my eye.

Right away, without even seeing the picture or name on the front, I knew they were Rachael Ray. As you may know, if you read the food blog regularly, I’m a HUGE fan of all things Rachael Ray – so it only makes sense that my radar would go off.

Naturally they both went immediately into the cart.

One of my new found treasures is the Rachael Ray’s 24/7 Seasoning Grinder (on the left in the picture above). The other is the especially lovely Rachael Ray Pink Himalayan Salt Grinder.  I have used them religiously since first bringing them home and absolutely swear by them.  They add so much flavor and personality to everything and, at the risk of sounding insanely girly, they look sooooooo pretty sitting on the counter.

I just have to point that out – besides, I’m a girly girl, what do I care if I sound girly?!?!

I’ve seen these two particular grinders in several stores around town, and I just assumed that’s all there were.

Boy was I wrong.

A quick search on Amazon turned up SCADS of these beautiful Rachael Ray Fancy Boy Grinders and yes, as a matter of fact, I must have each and every one. Check them out in the slideshow below – click through any that catch your eye.

If the slideshow doesn’t show up for you, simply click the following link: Rachael Ray Fancy Boy Grinders.

You are absolutely going to love these grinders.

Why You NEED the Rachael Ray Stoneware (Review)

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For my recent birthday, my husband gave me the Rachael Ray Stoneware Set shown here. He knows I love, love, love Rachael Ray cookware, bakeware, cookbooks…. okay, Rachael Ray anything. I’d seen these beauties online but I was delighted to see that they’re even more beautiful in person.

The first thing I used mine for was Spinach Artichoke Dip.  They’re also ideal for potato casserole, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, baked spaghetti, chicken casserole, etc. I LOVE that they make your food even more beautiful and the handles are simply a stroke of genius.

Product Features

  • Multiple Use Stoneware – Dishwasher, microwave, freezer safe and oven safe to 500-Degree F for convenience and versatility; The glazed interior is nonporous so foods won’t interact
  • Contemporary Design – Contemporary, playful shape in a vibrant and fun color goes directly from oven to table
  • Wide Handles – Extra wide handle holes allow you to get a good grip from any angle
  • Easy Storage – Both items conveniently nest together to save space in your cupboard

I have mine sitting out on a baker’s rack because they’re too beautiful to hide in the cupboard.  These gorgeous stoneware casserole dishes come in a variety of beautiful, vivid colors.  I wanted red first because I go primarily with the colors red, purple, black, and white in our kitchen. Also, how beautiful will they be at Christmas?!

Make no mistake about it, though, I want all the colors! The orange and yellow dishes would be stunning on a Thanksgiving table but they’re also summer-y too.  You can’t go wrong with any of them. I love the personality of Rachael Ray cookware and bakeware.  They’re bright, colorful, playful, and refuse to take life too seriously.  Put these at the top of your Christmas wish list.  No, scratch that…. buy them for yourself today.  They’ll add even more color and beauty to the holidays that are just around the corner!

Take a closer look at the gorgeous Rachael Ray Stoneware 1-Quart and 1-1/2-Quart Oval Bubble & Brown Baker Set, Red – many other colors (all gorgeous) are available.


Review: Rachael Ray Moppines

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I receive a commission if you visit a link and buy something on my recommendation. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra, and I only recommend products and services I trust. All opinions are my own.

Rachael Ray Moppines A while back my husband ordered me a set of red Rachael Ray Moppines. Since I’m unapologetically addicted to all things Food Network and all things Rachael Ray, I had seen the moppines online and on television before but had never gotten around to ordering them for myself.

The upside to never getting around to something is that sometimes a hero (or heroine) on a white horse will order it for you.

Rachael Ray products are always exceptional, whether they’re her cookbooks, magazines, casserole dishes, kitchen tools, or moppines. If her name and smiling face are on it, you need it.

What are Moppines? They are all-in-one oven mitt and kitchen towel. Clever, so very clever. The large kitchen towel has pot holders built in two of the corners, allowing you to use them to handle hot pots without burning yourself.

The waffle weave fabric is incredibly absorbent, so I’m able to sponge up water on the counter with it or dry washed dishes then simply hang my moppine up to dry. I find myself tooling around the kitchen with my moppine slung over my shoulder, so it’s there when I need it.

As someone who is forever burning herself, what I love most of all about the moppine is built in oven mitts. The oven mitt pockets are padded and lined with terry fabric to insulate hands from the heat. Instead of searching around for two pot holders, you simply put one hand into each of the moppines pot holders and remove the casserole dish, cake pan, cookie sheet, or pizza pan.

A few night ago, I found another way that the moppine is a must-have. I was removing a past dish from the oven with my moppine and a little sauce spilled over the side of the dish. Instead of landing on my arm or clothes, the piping hot sauce landed on my moppine.

I’ve never claimed to be very graceful in the kitchen.

See Rachael Ray Moppines to see the different colors of moppines available and to grab a set for yourself. I promise you, you’ll love these.

So much so that you’ll wonder how you ever functioned without them.

Not only are the Rachael Ray moppines functional, they look gorgeous in your kitchen.

Cooking for Isaiah Has Recipes That’ll Astonish PLUS a Tailgating Recipe for Proof

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I was recently sent a new cookbook to review that I’m very excited about. Excited to tell you about and excited to cook each and every recipe in the 223 page book! You know how, sometimes, as you’re thumbing through a cookbook you’ll go, “I might make that… I’ll try that one… nah… nah… There’s one I might try…. nah…” With this cookbook, I thumbed through the entire book and each recipe was met with a, “I can’t wait to make that one!”

Not a single nah.

Cooking for Isaiah was written by Silvana Nardone, founding editor in Chief of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine. Rachael Ray, herself, wrote the foreword. Silvana is also a columnist for Every Day with Rachael Ray with the “No-Recipe Zone” and “Sweet Spot” columns.

However, in this particular interest, I’m certain she carries a much simpler name – one worn closer to the heart. When you get down to it, this cookbook was written by “Isaiah’s Mom.”

Cooking for Isaiah is a labor of love. Silvana Nardone was challenged to create delicious meals for her young son, Isaiah, after he was diagnosed with food intolerances to gluten and dairy.

Description:“The cornbread was flavorful, moist and light with a deliciously tender crumb. My only hope with this recipe was that Isaiah would love it… And then Isaiah took a bite. The look on his face was pure heaven.”
Cooking for Isaiah is a love story of Silvana Nardone’s journey to develop great-tasting meals for her son, Isaiah, after he was diagnosed with food intolerances to gluten and dairy. The results of her efforts are found in the pages of this book, through 135 recipes that are not only easy to make, but taste and look delicious.
From “S’mores Pancakes with Marshmallow Sauce” to “Double-Decker Toasted Cornbread and Spicy Greens Stack,” and “Chicken and Waffles with Maple Bacon Gravy” to “Chocolate Birthday Cake with Whipped Chocolate Frosting,” all of the recipes in Cooking for Isaiah are entirely free of gluten and dairy. Crafted with a variety of cooks in mind, an ingredient substitution chart shows you what to swap if, for example, you need to cook without gluten, but dairy is okay. You’ll also find Silvana’s tried-and-tested all-purpose flour and pancake mix recipes, sure to make gluten-free cooking and baking accessible to all. Written by Silvana Nardone, Editor in Chief of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine, this charming, personal cookbook belongs on every cook’s shelf.

The cookbook is a labor of love.  Silvana Nardone was challenged to develop delicious (so delicious even a child would love them, without feeling like he was being robbed of a normal childhood filled with the kinds of foods kids love) meals for her son, Isaiah, after he was diagnosed with food-intolerances to gluten and dairy.

Remarkably, symptoms that had been plaguing young Isaiah cleared up almost immediately after his mom removed gluten and dairy from his diet.

While this cookbook would seem like a gift straight from Heaven for people of all ages who avoid gluten and/or dairy, I want to make one thing perfectly clear: Cooking for Isaiah is an outstanding cookbook for anyone – even those of us who are bedfellows with gluten and dairy.

There are two groups of people who will want to RUSH over to Amazon and buy this cookbook the very minute they finish reading this cookbook review:

  1. Anyone who is gluten and/or dairy-intolerant – or loves someone who is.  These highly-original and creative recipes and meal ideas will knock your socks off.  The recipes will open up a whole new culinary world in which you’ll delight in exploring.  It’ll make eating fun and exciting again.
  2. Everyone else!  Even those of us who aren’t the least bit intolerant of gluten or dairy will fall instantly in love with this cookbook.  There is a wonderful chart on the inside back cover (as well as on page 17) that gives you substitutions to use if you want to… well… gluten-ize and dairy-ize the recipes.   Basically, it’s as simple as using your everyday flour, cow’s milk, pancake mix, and cornbread where the author has used her own gluten-free recipe for flour and pancake mix, or where she has substituted with Rice Milk (although I’m such a fanatic for Rice Milk, I wouldn’t dream of substituting for it… LOVE the stuff!).

The creativity the mom-author shows in these recipes boggles the mind while it leaves you drooling over the pictures (the ones in the book as well as the ones in your own mind).

About the Author, Silvana Nardone
Silvana Nardone is the founding Editor in Chief of Every Day with Rachael Ray, where she has been honored with the magazine industry’s top awards since its launch in 2005. She is the magazine’s “No-Recipe Zone” and “Sweet Spot” columnist. A writer, editor, cooking instructor, and food consultant, she is the coauthor of Saveur Cooks Authentic Italian, has been featured in many publications including the New York Times, and has appeared on NBC Weekend Today, WCBS News This Morning, WABC Eyewitness News This Morning, E! Entertainment True Hollywood Story, Fox News Fox & Friends, and the Food Network’s Roker on the Road. She was profiled by Big Apple Parent and About.com for her focus on gluten-free and dairy- free cooking. Silvana owned an Italian bakery, Fanciulla, when Rachael Ray hired her to launch her magazine. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband Stephen and two children, Isaiah and Chiara. Visit her blog at DishTowelDiaries.com.

The first recipe I made from this outstanding cookbook was the Toasted Ham-and-Tomato Cornbread Sandwiches with Jalapeno Mayonnaise.  I simply used my favorite Buttermilk Cornbread Recipe instead of the “Double Corn Cornbread” called for.  The Double Corn Cornbread recipe is found in the book on page 75 and sounds awesome.  In fact, I plan to give it a try – but I simply had the ingredients on hand for Buttermilk Cornbread, so I went with it.

Besides, I adore buttermilk cornbread and I knew there’d be enough left over for breakfast the next morning.  I love to split cornbread in half, butter it, and toast it lightly on the griddle, right beside eggs as they fry.  Then I top off the cornbread with a layer of Pepper Jelly and place the fried egg right up on top.  SO GOOD.  Then again, the cornbread with pepper jelly is a special experience, with or without the egg.

Toasted Ham-and-Tomato Cornbread Sandwiches with Jalapeno Mayonnaise

1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley leaves (I used cilantro)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
salt
4 (4-inch) squares Double Corn Cornbread (page 75) or store-bought cornbread – split and toasted
shredded lettuce (about 2 cups) for topping
1 pound deli-sliced smoked ham
4 tomato slices, for topping

1. In a food processor, combine the mayonnaise, jalapenos, cilantro, lime juice, honey, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Process until smooth. (This jalapeno mayonnaise is so good you’ll want to eat it straight from the food processor bowl – trust me on this one. Your’s truly spread some on a Ritz cracker and had a fine time.)
2. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the jalapeno mayonnaise on each cornbread bottom; top each with shredded lettuce, ham, and a tomato slice. Spread the remaining jalapeno mayonnaise on each cornbread top and set in place. To serve, cut diagonally.

I actually cooked my cornbread in a large round pan, so my sandwiches were triangular. They were all kinds of cute and even more delicious than I can tell you – however, next time (and there will be many, many next times) I’ll go the square route because it’d be easier to maneuver the tomatoes and lettuce on a wider playing field.

The jalapeno mayonnaise would be incredible on…

  • BLTs
  • Homemade Vegetarian Subway Sandwiches
  • Turkey Paninis
  • Chicken Paninis,
  • Egg sandwiches
  • Ritz Crackers…

The Toasted Ham-and-Tomato Cornbread Sandwiches with Jalapeno Mayonnaise would be an excellent recipe for tailgating.  You’d surely rack up points for creativity AND taste.

Recipes such as this one keep your family on their toes.  The reason I love creative, original recipes is this:  They show your family that you love them enough to make their meals extra-special.  Who wants to come home to the same meal every night?  Keep things interesting and unexpected!

Other Recipes in Cooking for Isaiah:

  • Penne with Walnut Cream Sauce
  • Tomato Live Black Bean Soup with Avocado Cream
  • Chicken Potpie Soup
  • Hash Brown Belgian Waffles with Apple Sausage and Fried Eggs (You should see the picture!)
  • Chocolate-Dipped Chocolate Doughnuts
  • Bacon-Apple Cornbread Stuffing
  • Creamed Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
  • Grilled BBQ Onion-Smothered Double Bacon Burgers (I don’t think a teenager would even breath between bites.)
  • Raspberry-Lemon Meringue Layer Cake
  • Chocolate Birthday Cake with Whipped Chocolate Frosting
  • Super Fudge Brownies
  • Rocky Road Rice Crispy Treats
  • Grilled Vegetable Pesto Pizza
  • Chocolate Chip-Banana Split Belgian Waffles with Wet Walnuts and Hot Fudge Sauce
  • Grilled Corn Cakes with Strawberry Syrup
  • Isaiah’s Pumpkin Muffins with Crumble Topping
  • Asparagus Risotto Casserole
  • Creamy Corn Chowder
  • Isaiah’s Whipped Hot Cocoaccino (I’m enjoying one right this minute!!!  This is so delicious – it calls for rice milk, which I always have on hand.  Amazing – you’d know how amazing if you could see me licking my lips like crazy.)

Do yourself a huge favor and order a copy of Cooking for Isaiah: Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Recipes for Easy Delicious Meals right now. You will not find recipes like these anywhere else.

As for me, my oldest daughter will be home on her lunch break in a few minutes, and I plan on meeting her in the kitchen with a mug of Isaiah’s Whipped Hot Cocoaccino. She’s kind of under the weather and I KNOW this will set her world right again.