Blog Posts by RachaelRaymag.com

Whether you call it rotini, rotelle, fusilli or spiralini, corkscrew pasta is great for chunky sauces and soups because the grooves trap tasty bits of food. Try it in these main-dish recipes that take only 30 minutes or less.

MORE IDEAS FOR PASTA:

How to pair pasta with sauce »

15 pasta sauce recipes »

The golden rules of cooking pasta »

These meatless main dishes are so hearty, you won't miss the meat (and you'll still get the potatoes!).

MORE VEGGIE-FRIENDLY RECIPE IDEAS:

From meat-eater to vegetarian in 5 easy steps »

Vegetarian burger recipes »

Vegetarian-friendly party menu »

Why should pancakes have all the fun? Here are six unexpected ways to turn our favorite batter into dinner or dessert.

Start with our favorite batter recipe:

In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Beat in 1 cup milk, 3 beaten eggs, 5 tablespoons melted butter and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil until smooth. Makes 2 1/2 cups.

MORE LIKE THIS:

Dinner recipes »

Dessert recipes »

Breakfast recipes »

How's this for an herbal remedy: Turns out that the jars in your spice cupboard can make you happier. Studies suggest that saffron in particular can be an effective antidepressant. (It's been used in traditional Persian medicine for centuries!)

Get your fix with an uplifting cup of tea: Add 3 strands saffron to 3 cups boiling water, along with a cinnamon stick and 3 cardamom pods. Simmer for 30 minutes, then add sugar to taste. You can also add blanched almonds if you have some in the pantry.

Or, try these recipes for a boost, each of which comes together in 30 minutes or less:
Tomato-Saffron Risotto Milanese Sunset Orzo with Spanish Shrimp Piquillo Pepper Chicken with Spanish Rice








Carbonara with Saffron Creamy Saffron Farfalle with Crab and Shrimp Rach-aroni Paella













By Adam Bible

MORE LIKE THIS:
How to feel better with sneaky spices that do double duty »
5 detoxifying teas and tonics recipes »
4 ways to have a happy kitchen »

Dr. Mehmet Oz, famed heart surgeon and host of The Dr. Oz Show, tells us what belongs in a healthy fridge and talks to Rachael Ray about what's behind his closed doors.

DR. OZ'S HEALTHY FRIDGE CHECKLIST

Eggs: "They're an inexpensive source of protein, and they don't elevate your cholesterol-eating fat does."
Leafy greens: "The greatest sources of vitamin K are green, leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli and kale."
Whole grains: "They're not stripped of nutrients like refined wheat, and they have more fiber to keep you full."
Blueberries: "Antioxidant-rich foods like brightly colored berries keep skin supple and smooth."
Low-fat yogurt: "It has all the key nutrients your bones need. Don't buy fat-free yogurt-it's filled with sugar."

DR. OZ TALKS ABOUT WHAT'S IN HIS FRIDGE WITH RACHAEL RAY

Rachael Ray: Congratulations on having the healthiest and most packed refrigerator shelves I've ever seen. No wonder your family is so gorgeous! How many mouths are you feeding?
Dr. Oz: I have four

When you have another "not again!" moment at the stove, don't you wish there was a genius standing right next to you to tell you how to fix it? Well, invite over the Every Day test kitchen cooks!

Q: Do I really need to let meat rest before slicing
and serving it?
A: You should. When meat is hot, its proteins are tight, and all the juices get pushed to the middle. Letting the meat rest for a few minutes allows the proteins to relax (which makes it
more tender) and evenly distributes the juices. Resting time depends on meat size: A whole turkey might need 20 minutes, while a steak that serves two will only need 8 to 10 minutes. If you're worried about it getting cold during
that time, keep it warm by loosely tenting it with foil.
See more: How to cook steak »

Q: I usually cook boneless chicken breasts, but I've heard that bone-in chicken breasts taste better. Is that true?
A: It's true! Any meat that's cooked on the bone is going to be juicier and more flavorful. But there's a
catch:

We taste-tested dozens of gluten-free mixes from the grocery store and picked our favorites for baking; then we came up with fun ways to use them in the kitchen.


Best Pancakes: Kinnikinnick Foods Pancake and Waffle Mix
These slightly sweet, crepe-like pancakes are "as tender and fluffy as the silver dollars from my favorite diner," one taster praised. Read more »

Try it in: Crunch-Berry Pancakes »


Best Muffin: Authentic Foods Blueberry Muffin Mix
While some competitors had a gritty texture, these vanilla-y, blueberry-dotted babies were smooth and cakey, thanks to superfine rice flour and rice bran. Read more »

Try it in: Blueberry Scones with Melted Peaches »


Best Brownies: Gluten Free Pantry Chocolate Truffle Brownie Mix
These rich brownies strike all the right chords with a crackled top and a dense,
fudgy interior sprinkled with chocolate chips. Read more »

Try it in: Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches »


Best Pizza Crust: Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix
Sure, this crust

Follow these simple steps and you'll breeze past the checkout line with cash in your wallet and time on your hands.

1. Score no-brainer freebies
Supermarkets like Publix and Bi-Lo will give you certain store-brand items for free when you buy the national-brand equivalent. "This is a risk-free way to sample store brands, which are often as good as the national brands-and almost always cheaper," says marketing expert Janet Eden-Harris. In fact, most are so confident in their private-label goods, they offer money-back guarantees, says savings expert Kimberly Danger, author of Instant Bargains.
See also: More ways to save up to $3,000 a year at the grocery store »

2. Stay on budget as you go
Use the new handheld devices from Stop & Shop and Giant Food that let you scan and bag items as you go. You'll shave 10 to 15 minutes off your shopping trip. And since the device displays your running total, you'll be more likely to stick to your budget, says consumer research psychologist and