Blog Posts by RachaelRaymag.com

These affordable dishes, starring one of your fam's favorite ingredients, will help you fly through weeknight meals-especially once the school year starts.

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We asked 22 cooks for the secret supermarket staples they add to their dishes. The result: Deceptively delicious shortcuts.

Chef SecretsCHERRY COLA ON STEAK AND PORK
We use cherry cola to cook the filling in two of our bao (steamed buns). It sweetens and tenderizes the meat at the same time.
-Eddie Huang, BaoHaus, New York City

KETCHUP ON VEGETABLES
We love to use Heinz ketchup to batter our Manchurian-style cauliflower before frying it. People wonder what that sweet and tangy taste is, and they're usually shocked when we reveal the secret.
-Suvir Saran, Dévi, New York City

COCOA POWDER IN PASTA SAUCE
Our tomato-based broth for pasta doesn't take long to make, but the cocoa powder we sneak in gives it a complex, meaty taste, and tricks your tongue into thinking it's been slow-cooked for a long time.
-Ana Sortun, Oleana, Cambridge, MA

SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK FOR FRENCH TOAST
I mix sweetened condensed milk with beaten eggs, then soak bread in it for the most decadent french toast.
-Michael

Green-decorating expert Danny Seo creates recycled crafts in his book Upcycling and came up with these easy, exclusive projects.

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We sampled dozens of cheese ravioli brands to find these melty masterpieces.

	Best for Light Meals: Celentano Light Cheese Ravioli Surprise! These sunshaped ravioli (2.5 grams of fat, 200 calories per serving) tasted better than many full-fat counterparts. Pungent romano cheese adds flavor to the mild, crumbly filling. Read more » Try with marinara, or use in our Beef Ravioli and Spinach Soup »
	Best for Weeknight Dinners: Seviroli Three Cheese Large Ravioli Stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, pecorino-romano and flecks of parsley, these oversize ravioli are flavorful enough to serve plain, and wallet-friendly enough to eat every night of the week. Read more » Toss with a little EVOO, salt and pepper, or use in our Eggplant Raviolini Soup »
	Best for Impressing Guests; Pasta Prima Five Cheese Ravioli With

A fun backyard cookout doesn't have to break the bank! Satisfy your family and friends with these fresh summer meals that come in at under $3 per person.

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Experts say five years of our lives are spent with a common cold. Ick! True or not, we wouldn't mind indulging in a few of the remedies in Jennifer Ackerman's book, Ah-Choo!.

CRACKING OPEN A BOTTLE
That's right: Wine and beer may be just the ticket to avoiding a sick day. (Sip Warm Cherry-and-Peach Sangria while you mull that over!) Studies don't indicate why-though alcohol might somehow limit virus replication-but they agree you should cut yourself off after one glass per night.

STOPPING BY THE NEIGHBOR'S PARTY
It seems reasonable to think that the fewer people (and germs) you're around, the better. But research shows that people with larger social circles are less likely to fall victim to colds.

LETTING OFF STEAM
Those who work up a sweat for 30 to 60 minutes a day catch, on average, only one cold a year. But don't try to make the rest of us look bad: Working out for more than 90 minutes a day could have the reverse effect, breaking down your immunity guard.

EATING CHICKEN NOODLE

WHY YOU WANT IT!

It's packed with beneficial nutrients!
Best right now, low-cal summer squash is contains 2 grams of protein per 1-cup serving and helps curb cravings.

It's nature's sunblock!
Squash is rich in beta-carotene, which helps make skin more resistant to harmful UV rays, keeping you looking youthful.

It's a thirst-quencher, too!
Ninety-five percent liquid, squash, when eaten raw, helps you stay hydrated in the heat of summer.


WHAT TO LOOK FOR!

Go small and heavy
Choose smaller squash that have heft for their size, which means that they're moisture-packed, firm-fleshed, fresh and yummy!

Don't sweat the scuffs
The delicate skin is bound to get a light scratch or two on its journey from field to market. A quick rinse at home, and you're ready to start.


TRY THESE RECIPES!

Grilled Ratatouille Boats
4 Servings | Prep 15 min | Cook 25 min

Ingredients:
2 zucchini, halved lengthwise * 3 tbsp. EVOO * 1 onion, chopped * 2 cloves garlic, grated * 1 eggplant, cubed * 2 tomatoes,

We've dreamt up some awesome new ways to serve individual "slices" of cake, starting with boxed cake mix.

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