Blog Posts by RachaelRaymag.com

From Bacon-Pecan Popcorn to Ranch, your favorite flavors are popping up all over. Make these combos in minutes, for pennies, with no special equipment or superfancy ingredients needed.

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Quick, who do you believe: the raw-food enthusiast who says cooking vegetables saps them of vital nutrients? Or researchers across the country who've found that roasted tomatoes are higher in cancer-fighting lycopene? The happy truth: Both are right. When you cook produce, it loses some nutrients, but the heat-induced changes make other vegetables easier to digest, according to food scientist Luke Howard of the University of Arkansas. Raw or lightly cooked, there's no wrong way to eat your veggies. Here's the win-win, with recipes to try.

CORN
EAT IT RAW...

Great for B-complex vitamins, which ramp up energy and sharpen your mind.
Try it in Summer Corn and Tomato Pasta »



EAT IT COOKED...

Provides a special vitamin-A precursor, which helps ward off lung cancer.
Try it in Fiesta Pork with Corn and Cheesy Polenta »




TOMATO
EAT IT RAW...

Great for vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, and potassium, which improves nerve and muscle function.
Try it in No-Cook Vegetable Lasagna »

All of these delicious, easy recipes come together in no time-great to have on hand for a busy, lazy, long weekend with family and friends. MORE LIKE THIS:See all Fast Ideas »Try our best July 4th recipes, menus, party ideas and how-tos »Get fun outdoor party ideas »

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New dessert recipes

We tried nearly 80 low- or no-sugar flavored still waters from the grocery store. Here are the five that made a splash with kids and their parents, along with recipe ideas to try.

Diet Berry: Skinny Water Sport Shape Goji Black Cherry
We loved the bright cherry and goji berry flavor of this "diet" water. "Takes me back to the fruit punch juice boxes of childhood!" one panelist said. Bonus: The drink's enhanced with vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. ($1.25 for 16 fl. oz.)
Recipe idea: Frozen Grapefruit Shirley Temple

Lightly Sweetened: 365 Everyday Value - Pomegranate + Polyphenols
This wallet-friendly drink, fortified with vitamins and polyphenol extract (good-for-you antioxidants), has a sweet-tart combo of cranberry and pomegranate. It earned perfect scores and little heart drawings from testers! ($0.79 for 20 fl. oz., at Whole Foods Markets)
Grown-up recipe: Try it in The All-American

Kid Fave: Hint Strawberry-Kiwi
"Mom, please buy this!" begged an 8-year-old panelist, saying

Bring the classic summer dessert out of its shell! Start with one or two of our basic fillings recipes and three doughs variations, and you can play up these 18 combos all summer long.


Star Struck
peach and raspberry filling + flaky pastry, cut into stars + vanilla ice cream

Blue Moon
blueberry filling +
lemon-cornmeal dough, chopped and
cut into moons

Plum Crumble
plum filling + nutty shortbread, chopped +
whipped cream

Lovin' Cup
strawberry filling + flaky pastry, cut into disks with heart-shaped vents

Get tips, plus filling and dough recipes »





I Heart Cherries
cherry filling +
flaky pastry, cut into hearts

Flower Power
nectarine filling +
lemon-cornmeal dough, cut into flowers

Berry Highball
raspberry filling+
nutty shortbread, cut into bars +
whipped cream

Get tips, plus filling and dough recipes »








Red, White and Blue
blueberry and raspberry filling +
flaky pastry, chopped +
vanilla ice cream

Yin Yang
blackberry and peach filling +
nutty shortbread, cut

These ultra-fresh, simple, no-cook side dishes are a fast and easy way to get the season on a plate.

	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 cheese Get the recipe for Antipasti Bowl »
	RAINBOW TOMATOES AND WHITE BEANS Parsley + capers + red wine vinegar + garlic + EVOO + multicolored tomatoes + cannellini beans + pine nuts Get the recipe for Rainbow Tomatoes and White Beans »
	CREAMY CORN SUCCOTASH Basil + scallions + whole-milk yogurt + lemon juice + EVOO + corn + sugar snap peas + lima beans + red bell pepper +

Itty bitty size, big bold flavors.

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Rachael Ray's best burger recipes

July 4th recipes, menus and party ideas

Video: How to grill burgers

Video: How to make a burger patty