Blog Posts by RachaelRaymag.com

Today's classics? You bet. Every home cook should try these 10 best-ever chicken dinner recipes-with easier-than-they-look techniques-from stuffed chicken breasts to whole butterflied chicken and more.

Dress up any get-together with these fancy-and fuss-free-party foods that come together in a snap.

CHEESY

Tomato Stacks:
Slice fresh mozzarella and tomatoes. Layer the mozzarella and whole basil leaves between two slices of tomato. Season with salt and pepper and secure with a toothpick.

Cheesy Pitas:
Stuff halved pocket pitas with asiago cheese and sliced scallions. Heat in a toaster oven until the cheese is melted, then slice into wedges.

Taco Dip:
Lightly season softened cream cheese with taco seasoning. Top with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato and shredded cheddar cheese. Serve with tortilla chips.

Tomato Soup Shots:
Warm store-bought tomato soup and divide among shot glasses. Serve each with a melba toast topped with brie cheese.

Parmesan Chips:
Spread heaping tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese on a nonstick baking sheet about an inch apart and bake at 350° until golden-brown, 6 to 8 minutes.

Salad-on-a-Stick:
Skewer cucumber squares, black olives, cut green peppers,

Looking to feed your family or your guests a delicious dinner that costs $10 or less-for the whole table? We've got a week's worth of new ideas that'll keep you (and your wallet) happy during the holidays and beyond.

Some of the biggest convenience-food innovations to hit stores have had a long shelf life.

Here's a roundup of the top paycheck-friendly time-savers of all time-plus a new prefab

fave we expect to stick around.

By Ashton Keefe

Replacing a wooden spoon? No problem. But when it comes to spending a little more on tools that will really make a difference in your everyday cooking, these winners from our 2010 best-of lists can't be beat.

As we've written about in Every Day with Rachael Ray, over the past year Rachael and team members from her non-profit organization Yum-o! met with Congressional representatives in Washington, DC, and wrote letters, made phone calls and held press events to raise awareness about the Child Nutrition Act. Many of you also got involved by telling your representatives how you wanted them to take action. Which makes this such great news: On Monday, December 13, 2010, President Barack Obama signed S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, into law.

Lots of good should come out of this action:

• It will improve and strengthen federal child nutrition programs, including the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, school breakfast, school lunch, after school and summer meals and meals served in childcare settings.
• It'll get more children eating local, healthy produce by helping communities establish farm-to-school networks, create school gardens and incorporate more local foods.

Guest list? Check. Recipes? Check. Setting the table? No problem. Deck the table with these beautiful and festive centerpieces-they only look fancy, but they're simple to pull together.

We found five hard-working kitchen tools that help make quick work of the most delicious holiday dishes.

1. HANDHELD SLICER
Great for: Julienne vegetables, sweet-potato pies, slaw, ratatouille and french-fried potatoes. Works well on skinny veggies like shallots, onions, cucumbers, carrots, zucchini and squash.
Tip: You can wash this baby in the dishwasher!
Try: Fancy Potato Pancake with Herbed Sour Cream »
Our picks: The top handheld slicers »

2. HEAVY-DUTY BAKING SHEET
Great for: Scones, chocolate chip cookies, baked goods, roast meats, chickens and veggies and practically anything that gets baked or roasted without throwing off a lot of liquid.
Tip: Because it's so durable, don't be afraid to roast this pan at high heat (unlike flimsy cookie sheets).
Try: Dinner Rolls for a Crowd »
Our picks: The top baking sheets »

3. IMMERSION BLENDER
Great for: Pureed potatoes, pulverized tomatoes, mashed parsnips, fruit smoothies, soups and chowders.
Tip: Look for a model with a detachable