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    RachaelRaymag.com

    RachaelRaymag.com

  • Thanksgiving Make-Ahead Recipes

    Spend more time with family and friends without sacrificing a yummy meal this Thanksgiving with this simple make-ahead menu!

  • 5 Great Brunch Ideas

    Brunch seems to be everyone's favorite weekend activity, but why go out when you can make it just as well at home? Here are our best brunch tips and ideas that will have your guests at your doorstep every Saturday. 1. Grow Some Fun Create a centerpiece that's delicious: Stud a small planter of wheatgrass with lollipops in bright colors. You can even write a guest's name on each wrapper for easy grabbing.Centerpiece ideas from the kitchen 2. Plan Your Prep Time For a dinner party, you theoretically have all day to prepare, but brunch can start as early as 9 a.m. (or as late as 2 p.m.). ...

  • 10 Desserts, Grilled on a Skewer

    You know grilling is great for meat, veggies and seafood, but those char marks look just as great on desserts! We're not just talking about fruit, either; whether you're in the mood for pie, dumplings or blintzes, we've got your grilled sweet tooth covered. ...

  • 7 Beers that Taste like Food

    Ever wonder what your favorite foods would taste like in beer form? We found seven great beers that will do the trick! Spicy Chile A perfect pairing for tacos or chips and guac, Six Rivers Brewery Chili Pepper Ale ($6) has a cooling effect -- at first. After a few seconds, the back-of-the-throat heat kicks in. The ale's infused with charcoal-roasted jalapeño, habanero, serrano and anaheim chiles, which are no joke: Brewmaster Carlos Sanchez wears a protective mask while creating! 1300 Central Ave., McKinleyville, CAsixriversbrewery. ...

  • How to Pack the Ultimate Picnic

    We swear by these picnic tips: Pack resealable plastic bags: That'll let you eat now--and later. Light is easy: Why haul a huge, hard cooler halfway around the park? A soft fabric version is just as roomy--and easier on the arm. Serving sandwiches? Pumpernickel bread is sturdier than white and won't get soggy. Avoid leftovers: They don't stand a chance under the relentless sun. For easy portion control, pack your picnic in pre-slotted containers. ...

  • Easy Recipes: No-Bake Desserts

    Start with a Scoop Coffee Cake Ice Cream: Tear up a store-bought crumb cake; stir into softened coffee-flavored ice cream along with chopped pecans; refreeze. Not Hot Bananas Foster: Mix sliced bananas with toasted slivered almonds, cinnamon and caramel sauce; use as topping on ice cream. Splash with brandy (optional). S'mores Ice Cream Sandwich: Spread marshmallow fluff on two graham crackers, then use to sandwich a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Drizzle with warm chocolate sauce. ...

  • 16 No-Cook Summer Side Dishes

    No one wants to feel the extra heat of a stove or oven during the summertime. Here are our favorite no-cook side dishes to keep you cool all summer long! ZUCCHINI LINGUINE WITH ALMONDS Parmesan cheese + lemons + clementine + basil + dijon mustard + EVOO + zucchini + almonds Get the recipe for Zucchini Linguine with Almonds ANTIPASTI BOWL White balsamic vinegar + garlic + oregano + EVOO + cremini mushrooms + broccoli + cauliflower + cherry tomatoes + soppressata + provolone cheeseGet the recipe for Antipasti Bowl RAINBOW TOMATOES AND WHITE BEANS Parsley + capers + red wine vinegar + garlic + ...

  • The Best Vacation Spots for Stargazing

    These stargazing locales vary from beach to desert, but all share a sky full of unforgettable views. Find out what spots made it on our list! Mackinaw City, Michigan The Headlands was declared as one of only 10 official Dark Sky Parks in the world by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), an organization dedicated to preserving the nighttime environment. Get there at dusk to catch monthly sunset picnics led by resident star expert Mary Stewart Adams. These unique campfire meals are free and feature folk and fairy tales that she's tailored to each night's celestial makeup. ...

  • 5 Cute Cupcake Decorating Ideas

    Use these cupcake decorating recipes and transform your sweet treats to look like savory favorites! Make them for your next party -- they're fun for both kids and adults! Faux Fast Food Give two drive-through favorites get a candy-aisle makeover! Cut a cupcake in half to create a "bun" then use sweet candies and cookies to create the full "meal." Too fun! Tip: For a surprise inside, add dollops of red and yellow frosting as condiments. Get the recipe! Dessert for Breakfast Trick your family with a surprisingly sweet start to their day. ...

  • Summer Olympics Backyard Bash

    Carry the torch in your very own backyard by throwing a summer Olympics-inspired party! With a few tricks, your get-together will be so action-packed it'll deserve its own opening ceremonies. <br style="font-size:14px;"> <br>

  • Seasonal Superfood: Asparagus

    Asparagus shouldn't just be looked at as a regular green vegetable anymore. There are tons of reasons and ways to use this summer superfood; here are just a few! Fights cancer and keeps you looking young: Green asparagus has more glutathione -- one of the most powerful cancer fighters -- than any other fruit or vegetable. Glutathione also helps your body absorb nutrients and slows down the aging process. Promotes heart health: One serving provides more than half of the folic acid you need in a day. ...

  • 7 Ways to Throw a Party for Less

    1. NIX BOTTLED WATER Instead of splurging on packaged drinks, slice lemons, oranges, limes and cucumbers, then toss a few of each into ice-water pitchers. Try it! Juicy Water 2. STRETCH BIG CUTS OF MEAT Pork shoulder is bang-for-your-buck party food: It costs less than $2 per pound and the fat marbling ensures moist meat no matter how much reheating it endures. Season, sear and toss into your slow cooker with a sauce (we like EVOO, canned tomatoes and vinegar); cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Serve straight out of the crock with fixings for a taco or slider bar. ...

  • 5 Great Grilled Pizza Recipes

    It's crispy and crunchy and meaty and cheesy and delicious -- and now it's on the grill. Watch out, burgers. Scoot over, sausage. It's time for pizza without the oven.Double Cheese Pizzas with Fire Roasted TomatoesThese little pizzas have a spicy secret: The tomatoes are cooked in a red pepper oil that packs a delightful punch.Get the RecipeSpice Grilled Eggplant, Feta & Spinach PizzasGrilling transforms eggplant, enhancing its natural smokiness and sweetness as the slices cook. ...

  • 8 Ice Cream Sandwich Recipes

    These gorgeous ice cream sandwiches are layered with grown-up flavors, but will still make you feel like a kid on summer vacation.Salted Brownie Sundae BitesStart with a double dose of sea-salt-sprinkled brownies, then add a chunk of coffee ice cream and a ribbon of fudge sauce. Talk about "sundae" best!Get the recipePistachio Neapolitan CakewichesThese party-perfect sweets make a bold statement without a lot of work. Just sandwich ice cream between two layers of cake, freeze, then cut into bars. ...

  • 5 Techniques for Great Grilled Chicken

    Chicken is one of the most popular meats to grill, so here's a chicken grilling guide with five techniques that get it right every time.Technique #1: Rubbing Rubbing spices and seasonings onto chicken beforegrilling gives it high-impact flavor. If you blend the spices with oil first, you'll have twofold success: The oil helps seal in the juices and prevent the chicken from sticking to the grate. Tip! Nix the chill before you grill! To cook chicken pieces quickly and evenly, let them stand at room temperature for about 45 minutes before placing them on the grate. ...

  • Seasonal Superfood: Blackberries

    Blackberries are in season in the late summer and -- other than being delicious -- we've gathered the top 5 reasons why you should buy them, plus what to do with them! They're nutrient rich. That deep color means blackberries are loaded with antioxidants, which work best in tandem with fiber. They've got that covered, too, with 8 grams per cup. They help tame allergies. Blackberries contain an antioxidant called quercetin, which acts like a natural antihistamine to reduce inflammation. They satisfy your sweet tooth (without sugar overload). ...

  • Explore London for Less

    Eat and sightsee your way through London without spending a fortune! We've gathered the best insider deals and steals for these must-see activities.1. Grab Some GrubBrixton Market in south London houses more than a dozen canteen-style restaurants, ranging from American burgers to Pakistani street food. Make sure to order a banana, butterscotch and cream crepe (£5 [$8]) from live-music venue Brick Box. (COld Harbour Lane and Brixton Station Road)Make your own! Puffy Pancake with Nutty Banana Buttersscotch2. ...

  • Summer Food Festivals 2012

    Pork, Peanut & Pine FestivalSurry, Virginia (July 21-22, 2012)Slow down and smell the pine sap at this family-friendly festival held at Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry, a county known for its lumber industry. Join local farmers for a celebration of agriculture that features tractor pulls, antique farm equipment, steam-engine displays and pony rides. ...

  • Taste Test: The Best Domestic Beers

    <span style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We tasted over 50 domestic beers to find the top 10 nationally available beers for summer. These foamy finalists deserve an invite to your next summer shindig!</span> <br>

  • Fabulous 5-Minute Fudge Wreath

    Make our easy and delicious fudge wreath this season! It's the perfect treat to give friends and family during the holidays. SERVINGS: 32PREP: 5 min + chilling INGREDIENTS:Unsalted butter, softenedOne 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips1 cup butterscotch chipsOne 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (save the can)1 teaspoon pure vanilla extractOne 8-ounce can walnuts, plus more for topping½ cup raisins or dried currants (a couple of handfuls)Candied red and green cherries (optional)DIRECTIONS:1. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with softened butter. ...