Yes, proceeds from the sales of Nutrish will indeed go toward funding no-kill shelters and awareness campaigns, and it's not as if she's the first media-centric chef to go to the dogs -- or cats (remember Rocco DiSpirito's Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys?). Still, I'm continually shocked by the branding stretches some of these folks are making.
(Aaaannnd I've just run across Paula Deen's Butt Massage. I know it's likely a handy and delicious mix of herbs, spices and faerie dust, but still. Ew.)
Okay. I'm all for rabid celebrity fanaticism, and I enjoy the occasional portrait tattoo. But seriously?
Yep, a Rachael Ray extremist showed up at Borders Books in Syosset, New York for Monday's signing of Ray's new Yum-O: The Family Cookbook and proudly showed the chef her moderately-to-completely terrifying ink.
I can't help but wonder at what point in Rachael Ray's career trajectory this chick decided to indelibly inscribe her devotion. 'Cause honestly, if this is from 2002's $40-A-Day Ray, I can kinda get behind it, 'cause we all need a gentle a reminder to eat on a budget (even internationally!).
Apparently, even if Rachael's show were actually getting cancelled (it's not), she won't go down without a fight. The TV chef is working on an animated series that stars herself as a young chef. The show is being produced by Oprah's company, Harpo Productions (naturally) and is scheduled for debut in January 2009.
Now, I'm not sure how I feel about this one, but to be quite honest, an animated version of Rachael might be easier on the eyes. Then again, it'll still be her voice.
Unfortunately, it's only her syndicated daytime show on ABC, not all 9,832 of Rachael Ray's other shows on the Food Network. According to an "impeccable" source to New York Post's Page Six, "They are seriously talking about taking her off the air."
Is her grin too scary? Too much Yum-o? Apparently, it's her ratings, which was a meager 2.2 when the show debuted two years ago, and has dropped down to a measly 2.0. Yikes.
Also in this issue: ideas for two more parties you might throw, for Oscar night and Mardi Gras; caramel cheesecake; ideas for winter getaways, and what's in Al Roker's fridge.
I know, I know, it seems like we have Rachael Ray news at least once a week here, but hey, the girl is popular and seems to be EVERYWHERE (your television, Dunkin' Donuts, boxes of Triscuits) so...
Ray has just signed a new two-year deal to continue cooking for Food Network. Besides her 30 Minute Meals show (she'll do 60 episodes under the deal), she'll also host a new program titled Rachael's Vacation, which sounds a lot like her $40 A Day show only in foreign countries. The new show starts on January 12.
She'll continue to do her daily syndicated show too, of course.
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."
I know, I know, you sit there in your comfy chair watching Rachael Ray make "delish" meals every day, and you think to yourself, "gee, she'd really look better in a V-neck sweater."
Well, now you can dress her yourself! The folks at Cartoon Doll Emporium have created a virtual doll of the queen of the 30 minute meal. You can choose her top, her pants, her shoes, even what type of food she's carrying in her hand. There aren't that many food choices yet, but maybe they'll add some EVOO soon.
Some of you will probably like her the way she appears before you add any clothes.
I still remember the first time I tasted french onion soup. We were out to dinner with my grandparents (I must have been seven or eight) and my sister and I were allowed to order anything we wanted. As we were checking out the menu, I saw a waitress go by with a little crock-shaped bowl with melted cheese on it. I knew I had to have it. Thus started a life-long love affair with this delicious soup.
Over the last twenty years I've had some good french onion soup, some bad and some sadly mediocre bowls too. I've experimented with making it totally from scratch and in a pinch have followed Rachael Ray's short cut recipe. Last week the Oregonian's Foodday featured this classic soup, making me consider another round of trial and experimentation. If you're in need of a good, warming bowl of soup, you should check out that article and accompanying recipes.
Now, this isn't exactly breaking news. Bourdain has had a lot of things to say about Rachael Ray, as well as other TV cooks like Sandra Lee and Emeril Lagasse. But his venom is a little bit more specific this week.
The Kitchen Confidential author/No Reservations star takes a dig at Ray for endorsing Dunkin' Donuts in the latest issue of Outside:
"She's got a magazine, a TV empire, all these best-selling books - I'm guessing she's not hurting for money. She's hugely influential, particularly with children. And she's endorsing Dunkin' Donuts. It's like endorsing crack for kids ... That's evil!"
Of course, Ray's reps answered Bourdain by saying that if you watch her shows (all 40 of them), she actually preaches moderation.
Yes, I know how much we all love Rachael Ray. Or hate Rachael Ray. The fact of the matter is, one way or another, we all have a strong opinion of her. Though I feel bad for her recent marriage troubles, I do find her wildly, annoyingly over-perky. Then again, I could be just jealous of all her success.
Whatever your feelings, this minute-and-half video on YouTube of Ms. Ray making all of her tell-tale sounds of joy while eating is pretty funny.
Like many classic kitchen tools such as the cast-iron pan, old-fashioned pastry blender and our good friend the mortar and pestle, the mezzaluna has a simple design that gets the job done. Whether chopping chocolate, chervil or nuts, all you need to do is rock the crescent-shaped blade back and forth.
The mezzaluna is a tool that has no need to be reinvented with a whimsical design. The last time I checked, nobody looked at a knife and said, "Aw how cute." As far as I'm concerned the handle should be wood, stainless, black plastic or antler if you want to get fancy.
So why one earth would anyone want a mezzaluna that looks like a grinning frog? Beats me. I'm sure it works fine. It does have a rubberized antimicrobial handle and is made by Austrianalian knifeworks Füri. Lest I be called out for being a hater, I'll just say that the Froggy Mezzaluna is an RR product and leave it at that.
A jar of honey can become a sticky mess. Next time you're adding honey to another dish or a mug of tea, use a honey dipper to prevent a thick gooey layer from spreading.
In response to the unleashing of Rachael Ray's "Nutrish" line of dog cuisine, celeb-skewing artist 14 visually muses on what product line extensions might come about should other TV chefs join the pack. Paula Deen's Varmint Vittles or Gordon Ramsay's 100% F***ing Organic Hell Hound, anyone?
Okay. I'm all for rabid celebrity fanaticism, and I enjoy the occasional portrait tattoo. But seriously?
How did we miss this?!?!
Unfortunately, it's only her syndicated daytime show on ABC, not all 9,832 of Rachael Ray's other shows on the Food Network. According to an "impeccable" source to 
Lots of ideas for your 
I know, I know, it seems like we have Rachael Ray news at least once a week here, but hey, the girl is popular and seems to be EVERYWHERE (your television, Dunkin' Donuts, boxes of Triscuits) so...
I know, I know, you sit there in your comfy chair watching Rachael Ray make "delish" meals every day, and you think to yourself, "gee, she'd really look better in a V-neck sweater."
Now, this isn't exactly breaking news. Bourdain has had a lot of things to say about Rachael Ray, as well as other TV cooks like Sandra Lee and Emeril Lagasse. But his venom is a little bit more specific this week.
I haven't had a great breakfast in a while. I usually just grab a granola bar. But here are some recipes for breakfast foods, including 
Like many classic kitchen tools such as the cast-iron pan, old-fashioned pastry blender and our good friend the mortar and pestle, the mezzaluna has a simple design that gets the job done. Whether chopping chocolate, chervil or nuts, all you need to do is rock the crescent-shaped blade back and forth.
Summer is for grilling: 
Chocolate-stuffed bananas on the grill
Tyler Florence welcomes new daughter
Beware kids' menus!
