Photo credit: Rachael Ray Show
Aired August 25, 2015
by Lisa Lozano
Today is Rachael’s birthday, and to mark the occasion, we’re toasting her by sharing eight of her must-have recipes. From the Carbonara she makes her husband on his birthday, to the amazing multi-tiered burger she created for a YouTube star, to a pot pie with a never-fail fluffy crust – read on for the best of the best!
Rachael Ray Show
Rachael shared this recipe for the ultimate savory chicken pot pie on her first 5 Recipes to Make Before You Die episode. Rach makes individual pies with perfectly poached chicken, topping them with puff pastry, which she cooks separately, so the crust doesn’t get soggy.
No. 2: Spicy Chicken and Cheddar Waffle Sandwiches
Rachael Ray Show
Yup, you heard that right. Fried chicken ON a waffle. A cheddar waffle. With bacon. And a maple syrup sauce. It’s easy to see why Rach loves this recipe!
Rachael Ray Show
Rach describes this dish in her own words, “This is a favorite late-night dinner for my husband and I. John’s favorite meal is carbonara; he always asks for it on his birthday. We also make it when he plays with his rock band. John doesn’t like to eat dinner before a show so this has become our favorite midnight supper after a gig. It’s really like an early breakfast, with pasta rather than potatoes or bread. It is, after all, bacon and eggs.”
No. 4: Pasta with Ricotta and Peas Recipe
Rachael Ray Show
It’s also pretty obvious why Rach loves this pasta dish, with its vibrant green hue and bright lemon flavor. It’s a great option if you need to throw a meal together after a busy workday, and the rich, creamy Ricotta sauce will win over every member of the family.
No. 5: Meat and Herb Stuffed Zucchini
Rachael Ray Show
The recipe for these extremely healthy and flavorful zucchini rice boats were given to Rach by George, an Egyptian-American driver from Cleveland. Rach loves them so much that she frequently makes this dish at home!
No. 6: Big Smacker Daym Drops Burger
Rachael Ray Show
Rach created the masterpiece Big Smacker burger for YouTube burger expert Daym Drops. This triple-decker creation features bacon, a special sauce, onion, lettuce, cheese and pickles. Perfection!
Rachael Ray Show
Rachael says she would choose this super-simple but enormously flavorful pasta for her last meal. Al dente spaghetti is tossed with a simple coating of olive oil, anchovies, Fresno or Italian red cherry peppers, garlic and vermouth. That’s it!
No. 8: Macaroni and Cheese Primavera
Rachael Ray Show
The foundation of this recipe is a lightened-up version of a rich and creamy mac and cheese, with the addition of flavorful sautéed veggies and herbs. Excellent way to sneak veggies into your family’s meal!
What meal do you request on your birthday? Tell us below!