"Delish" news and stories

It's time to welcome a new food blog/community to the internet fray. Yesterday, Hearst Digital Media and MSN launched their new joint venture, Delish (and with a name like that, how could it be bad). It's a food hub, along similar lines as Serious Eats (without all the cool brand-name bloggers) and Epicurious (minus the connection to Gourmet).

Right now they're focusing on fall, with rotating billboards tempting readers with features about autumn apples, school lunches and tips on how to avoid cooking disasters (okay, not so fall-ish). Their recipe archive is terrific, chock full of dishes from the Hearst Magazine stable of publications. This means that if you're looking for a recipe that was printed in Good Housekeeping, you've got an excellent new resource.

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There are several "Rachael Rayisms" (I think she coined the term herself), and we all have our favorite. Or should I say our least favorite of all the ones we don't like.

Mine used to be "EVOO," but that has become such a part of the everyday food lexicon that I consider it a real food term now and not just something that Ray says (in fact, I believe the Oxford Dictionary just added it?). I'm gonna go with "Delish," because it embodies everything that's silly about the worst cooking shows and just overall lameness. Plus she says it in that new Christmas Dunkin' Donuts commercial and it drives me nuts. Other phrases she uses: "You guys!," "Parmigiano Reggiano," "awesome," and the classic "Yum-O."

To get you in the mood, after the jump, 2 minutes and 46 seconds of Rachael Ray saying "mmmmmmm."

• During the crazy holiday season, everyone could use a holiday planner, with ideas for things to cook, cookie swap recipes, customized placecards, and more.
• A step-by-step video guide to making the perfect pie crust. More videos: the world's easiest mashed potatoes and how to carve a turkey.
• Some winter escapes(though not to warm weather).
• More recipes: Italian Pasta Bake, White Hot Chocolate, Infused Vodka, Turkey Gravy, and Orchard Fruit Pie.
• Also in the mag (not online yet): a Christmas gift guide, how to make your own gingerbread house, and a look inside Martina McBride's fridge.

• Summer is for grilling: Grilled Caponata with Charred Bread, Beer Can Chicken with Dirty Bird Rub, and Grilled Peach Upside-Down Cake.
• Kids love Frankenstuffers.
• What does actress Anika Noni Rose keep in her fridge?
• Or how about Dennis Franz?
• Having a big party? Print out these DIY place cards.
• Even dogs love salad (right?).
• Make some vegetarian dinners: Portobello Mushroom and Almond Pesto Lasagna, Zucchini Fritters with Roasted Red Pepper Dip, and Grilled Vegetable Salad with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette.
• Another celeb: Jane Seymour makes a centerpiece with flowers and crayons.
• More recipes: Pineapple-Shrimp Tostadas, Asian Chicken Cutlets, Chicken Burgers with Barbecue Onion Sauce, and Spiked Pink Lemonade.

Interesting map over at Bostonist. It shows the number of Dunkin' Donuts locations within a 5 mile radius of the downtown area. Seems that there are 50 of them! Of course, that was when this map was posted on April 26. I'm sure another dozen or so have opened up since then. It sort of gives you a comforting feeling, if you live in Boston. Not sure how many Starbucks locations there are.

Speaking of Dunkin Donuts, have you seen the new ad with Rachael Ray. Ugh. Are they trying to drive customers away? I don't need her to come up to the counter and order a bagel and coffee and give an insincere "delish" to get me to come in. I already like the place.