Blog Posts by RachaelRaymag.com

Pumpkins aren't just for jack-o'-lanterns! Put yours to good use with these 8 creative Halloween decorating ideas.

By the staff of Every Day with Rachael Ray

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Halloween recipes »
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Pumpkin is high in fiber, low in fat and packed with vitamins and minerals-all the more reason to think outside the pie shell right now and serve up these easy, savory pumpkin recipes for dinner.

THE RECIPES:

Pumpkin Ravioli with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds »

Pumpkin Barley with Turkey »

Pumpkin-Potato Pie »

Penne with Pumpkin Cream Sauce »

Pumpkin Polenta with Chorizo and Black Beans »

Penne-Wise Pumpkin Pasta »

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Pumpkin dessert recipes »

Halloween recipes »

Rachael Ray's newest 30-Minute Meals »

The original German Oktoberfest celebration comes sooner than its name implies, in late September. But that doesn't mean you can't throw an Oktoberfest bash any day of the year, like right now! These traditional-with-a-twist German dishes, like Beer-Roasted Pork Shoulder and Potato Dumplings, are all you need to get the party started.

THE RECIPES:
Get the grocery list for this party »


Bavarian Cheese Spread »

Beer is the secret ingredient in Obazda, a classic Oktoberfest spread. Serve it with soft pretzels or dark rye bread. Ours is made by blending creamy brie, tangy blue cheese and soft butter with a little German lager, and sprinkling with paprika for bite.

Get the recipe »





Beer-Roasted Pork Shoulder »

This spin on Oktoberfest Schweinshaxe is made with pork shoulder instead of the traditional shank, as it might be easier to find in your local market. If you want to skip the bottle of beer, you can add cider or stock to amp up the flavor. Meanwhile, here's what had us hooked: Prep

Rachael Ray's buddy Gretta Monahan has some tricks for winning Halloween costumes that start with your makeup bag.

ZOMBIE COSTUME
Makeup How-To
Grab concealer, dark eye shadow, dark eyeliner pencil and hair gel to get the best effect.

1. Dab concealer on and around the lips and mouth. This will create a pale effect without a face full of makeup.
2. Dip an eyeshadow brush in a dark matte shade and dust it over the upper eyelid and under the lower lashes.
3. Tap a tiny bit of the same shadow onto a large blush brush and run it up and down the cheekbones to create a sunken look.
4. Draw stitches with a soft black eyeliner pencil: Make 1-inch lines perpendicular to the lips.
5. Slick a dime-size drop of hair gel through the hair to dampen it.

Costume Tips
What's great about a zombie costume? As one of the undead, your little one can wear regular clothes-no special costume needed! You can also play around with this face and easily turn it into a vampire (draw pointed fangs instead of

Giuliano Hazan came up with this so-simple-it's-not-even-a-recipe Pasta Bake to use up leftover pasta, and it's got to be the world's easiest, most delicious way to serve it up. Every home cook should know this one! Try it next time you find yourself with a fridge full of noodles.


INGREDIENTS:
Leftover pasta
Heavy cream
Butter
Parmigiano-reggiano cheese

DIRECTIONS:
In a baking dish, toss leftovers with heavy cream to coat. Dot with bits of butter and layer with parmigiano-reggiano cheese. Bake in a 425° oven until a light crust forms, about 12 minutes.

That's it! Enjoy!


Recipe by Giuliano Hazan | Photography by James Wojick

MORE LIKE THIS:

See more baked pasta recipes »
15 easy ideas to top your pasta »
How to make a 3-step tomato sauce, pesto sauce, cream sauce »
Pasta cooking myths, debunked! »
Marcella Hazan's tricks for perfect pasta »
Pasta shapes + best sauce matches »

The other night our friends and cookbook authors J.M. Hirsch and Melissa Clark read from their new books at a local Barnes & Noble (him: High Flavor, Low Labor, our latest Cookbook Club selection; did you try his Linguine with Cilantro and Pepita Pesto? and her: In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite) and talked about raising adventurous eaters in a "Chicken McNuggets world." Melissa passed around her rosemary shortbread (delicious-the crowd helped itself a few times!) while the two of them read a few parts from the books and then answered questions.

Each talked about how important food was to their families. J.M. recounted how his eats dinner together every night, even though the timing for his six-year-old son might be a little early for adults. And Melissa shared how she tries for two or three times each week to eat as a family with her two-year-old daughter. Both are fans of getting your kids in the kitchen, making sure they're aware of where food comes from and seeing how it gets

Now here's the kind of downsizing we can get behind: making mini-versions of your big-time favorites, like pizza, chicken sammies, corn dogs and more. These small bites are great for a crowd on Game Day-or for any get-together.

THE RECIPES:

Mini Corn Dogs »

Buffalo Thigh Sliders »

Mini Caesar Pizzas »

Mini Meatloaves Smothered with Onions »

Mini Ham and Egg Casseroles »

Mini Franks with Smoky Ketchup and Maple Mustard »

Mini Fruit Tart Buffet »

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The all-appetizer party menu »

No-cook get-together party menu »

Game day party menus, recipes, tips and ideas »

If you're anything like us, you want a no-fuss breakfast that keeps you going all morning. That's why we love these hearty dishes-they come together in five ingredients, with items you likely have on hand (or are easy to swap). Plus, they don't make a huge mess in the kitchen; often you just need one skillet, and some you can even do some the night before. Pretty good for recipes that are ready before the java kicks in.

THE RECIPES:

Crispy Mediterranean Breakfast Wraps »

Potato Pancakes with Avocado Mash and Eggs »

Cannoli French Toast »

Spinach Ricotta Pie »

Peaches-and-Cream Barley »

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Take 5 Recipes »

Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Meals »

$10 Spot: Family dinners for under 10 bucks »