Coming soon to Cary, NC...

I am SO pumped!! Rachael Ray is coming to B&N in Cary, NC on December 12th for a book signing for her new cookbook, Big Orange Book. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!! It was the very first thing out of my mouth when Chris got home last night! Thank you to Tiffany Clements for telling me about this. I am not sure she really wanted to tell me since she really wants to go as well. She is a good friend. I'm not sure she could tell how thankful and excited I was through Facebook chat : )! Thanks, Tiff!!

I absolutely LOVE Rachael Ray! Anyone who knows me well knows that I make Rachael Ray meals religiously at our house! I would make her meals every night if we weren't on a tight grocery budget. I have two of her cookbooks and I am about to have a third when I go to the signing. I am really hoping that I don't act like a little schoolgirl when I go. I am all worried about what I will say to her when I see her. Isn't that CRAZY?? I mean, she is just a person. How silly!

Here are some of my favorite recipes (Most of these I can make without a recipe now. If any of these sound good to you and you would like the recipe and can't find it online, just let me know):

Classic Rachael Ray Cookbook
-Curry in a Hurry with Jasmine Rice (I seriously make this once a week. It is Chris' favorite. I use Patak's mild curry paste...found in ethnice food aisle in the grocery store. I also leave out the raisins.)
-Zesty Chicken Cutlets Parmigiana (The marinara sauce for this is SO easy. I use this now whenever I want marinara sauce.)
-Chicken Fried Steaks with Creamed Pan Gravy and Biscuits
-Herb Smashed Potatoes with Goat Cheese (just as a side)
-Wild Mushroom Risotto with Tuscan Style Chicken with Rosemary (serves a large party but I just cut the recipe in half)
-Rosemary Chicken Breasts, Brown Butter and Balsamic Ravioli, Tomato and Onion Salad (This was my first Rachael Ray recipe. I timed it and it really only took me 30 minutes. I used to make this once a week as well. I can't have the ravioli right now because of the no dairy diet so it is just not the same. The ravioli is SO easy and great as a side with ANYTHING!!)

Rachael Ray Yum-O cookbook (This is my new one that Chris got me for our anniversary this year so I haven't tried a lot yet. It is a family/kids cookbook.)
-No-Thyme Quick Chicken with Smash Broc-o-tatoes and Gouda Gravy
-Dracula's Transylvanian Goul-ash
-Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Fingers (I use the Flip-Sides crackers instead of pretzels)
-Whole-Wheat Mac-n-Cheese for the Family
-Chicken with Rachel Ray's Apple Cider Gravy or Skillet Barbecue Gravy (both are SO easy and fast!)

These I got online:
-Marinated No-Mystery Meats (a marinade and gravy that can be used with any meat...awesome!)
-Brandied Tarragon Cream Chicken with Camembert Rice (great for company)
-Manny's Manly Meat Sauce
-Cinnamon Peaches with Sugar Biscuits and Whipped Cream (so yummy..so easy)