Jan 13 2009
Rachael Rays Big Orange Book
In the 10 years since she served up her first 30-minute meal—and thousands of delectable dinners later— Rachael Ray has learned just about all there is to know about getting a great tasting meal on the table in a hurry, whether it is one of her patented 30-minute miracles or something just a tad more involved for a special gathering. Rachael’s Big Orange Book is the ultimate resource for busy cooks. Need kitchen inspiration? It’s all here and it’s all new—and bigger than ever!
Just one for dinner tonight? Forget the cold cereal. Rach has a chapter of recipes that make dining on your own a thoroughly civilized occasion, with great meals that won’t leave you with a fridge full of leftovers. Vegetarians on the guest list? No problem! Choose from dozens of meat-free meals that are every bit as satisfying as your tried-and-true standards and savory enough to please the carnivores in your crowd. Observing a Kosher menu? Check out the selection of menus just for Kosher cooks, all ready in less than, you guessed it, 30 minutes. There’s even a mother lode of burger recipes for fans of the bun—so many options you could make a different burger every day for a full month!
In addition to her latest 30-minute creations, Rachael has put together an array of menus and recipes for easy entertaining, from quick snacks to serve for game night and easy hors d’oeuvres, to soup-to-nuts menus for her favorite holidays and special occasions. Whip up a pasta buffet for a special mom on Mother’s Day, please a crowd with a super-simple Oscar party menu, and give thanks for not one but four fantastic menus that keep holiday stress to a minimum by getting you out of the kitchen in record time.
Best of all, these recipes have all the huge flavors you’ve come to expect from Rachael, with something to please every taste—and every food budget. You’ll even find the treasured family recipes that Rachael and her husband, John, have enjoyed for years; see if they don’t become beloved family traditions in your home as well. Whether this is your first introduction to cooking the 30-minute way or you are a long-time convert, you’ll find irresistible new recipes here to make the most of every second you spend in the kitchen.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars At Least You Can Read This One!
I like that this cookbook is actually one of hers that you can read. The print isn’t orange on a blue background. And the pages in this cookbook are heavy quality instead of that recycled, matte stuff.
These recipes seem a little better than some of her past productions in that these recipes actually have ingredients that you can buy. The Golden Ice Cream Cakes were very cute and tasty and easily made with store bought ingredients. She put these in the Oscar Night Party section but these would be very cute birthday cakes.
I also liked the red, white and blue slaw and thought it very tasty with the bleu cheese crumbles added. I would have not thought of that on my own. The recipe for the German Cheese and Beer Fondue I had made before from the food network website but am glad it’s in this cookbook. It’s a very good cheese fondue.
The Thanksgiving meal suggestion was Turkey Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie. It’s something I will definitely make but after Thanksgiving using the leftovers. It calls for a banana so we’ll see what twist that gives this dish. The butternut squash riscotto I had made from one of her other cookbooks so I see it’s included here as well.
This is truly a big book. Over 350 pages…worth the money per recipe unlike her little books she put out a couple of Christmas’ ago. The pictures are good quality though there are only a few.
This would make a great Christmas gift combined with one of her garbage bowls and Sutoku knife. What a cute under the tree gift. What I like about having the vegetarian section is that I don’t think it’s meant for vegetarians to purchase but for the meat eater who wants to eat less meat on occasion. We tried doing the “Meatless Monday’s” where the meal was completely vegetarian but it didn’t work out to every Monday, too many vegetarian recipes taste like “side dishes” and not “meals.” But this way the hubby sees you cooking out of this book and he’ll assume there’s meat in the dish even though he can’t necessarily see it. ‘Cause we all know Rachael is the queen of meat eaters. LOL. So the family is happy and you’ve gotten them to eat a little healthier with no one the wiser.
The roasted garlic and tomato Ratatouille pasta dish was very good. I would recommend it for the company pot luck. Would be very tasty and still not rock your budget for the company dinner.
All in all a lot better than several of her last cookbooks. Sell those on Ebay and purchase this one. You won’t be disappointed.
2 Stars The Big Orange Splot
Rachael Ray’s Big Orange Book is the Food Network/morning talk show diva’s attempt to compile her recipes. When Ray began, her 30 minute meals were doable by the average person, with a few ingredients. In her Big Orange Book, however, count on having TONS of ingredients, complicated directions, and unholy combinations. After all,she invented the “sammie” (sandwich) and the “stoup” (a hybrid of stew and soup)
In the Big Orange Book, there are specialized sections for those practicing kosher,vegetarians (look elsewhere-Ray is clearly out of her element when there’s no meat),Oscar parties (people still watch THAT?),Thanksgiving and Christmas. Of course,there are tons of artery-clogging hamburger recipes. There are few pictures of the recipes, and the recipes aren’t easy to find. She has her “rollover recipes” in which the same recipe gets reincarnated to pay off karmic debt,I think.
The Big Orange Book is NOT for those on a budget,don’t live in Ray’s enclaves of West Hollywood,Greenwich Village and Boston’s South End,and like something simple–like a 30 minute meal. It’s got some good recipes that somewhat redeem it,but it makes a good doorstop. YUCK-O!
5 Stars A Great Way to Manage Stress in the Kitchen
Orange is the color of cheerfulness and the “Big Orange Book” gets you ready to have fun in the kitchen and frees you up for more time to do what you really want – relax. This book is comprehensive including the fast and easy dishes which make a hostess shine. I love the veggie dinners because I’m trying to get my husband to eat heart smart and I am succeeding with Rachel’s excellent recipes. It’s about time we focused on food and mood because there is so much science nowadays to support this relationship. To learn how to shed stress by making that endless to-do list shorter, how to eat right to generate more positive energy instead of spinning your wheels – it’s time to take back your power read,Addicted to Stress: A Woman’s 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life and don’t forget to put something orange in your home for a quick pick me up.
5 Stars Another Great Book from Rachael Ray
Excellent book containing wonderful, easy to make recipes. Who would expect anything less from Rachael. I’ve tried 6 of the recipes so far and what can is say- “Delish” I like it so much I’ve ordered 3 more to give as gifts!
5 Stars Rachael Ray ROCKS
Racheal Ray does it again…
Easy to follow recipes, and a great book.
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