Watching Rachael Ray

Love. Love. LOVE that skirt! Thumbs up, style team! It’s the season of Re-Gifting, you know, and one of the viewers takes the idea of re-gifting to a whole new level - one year he got a $4 bottle of wine, and regifted it to his buddy, a wine expert - by changing the label. AND he got away with it! Tsk tsk tsk! If that’s not enough, there’s two re-gifters in the front row. One says one person’s trash is another persons treasure. All the gifts she’s been given that she doesn’t use, she saves to re-gift. She headed a candle in her pile that she hands to her friend’s birthday dinner - and they opened it in front of the co-worker who had given it to her! It turns out, her best friend had given the candle to her co-worker, and then her co-worker gave it to HER, and she turned around and gave it back to her best friend! Kaaaaaarma! The viewer says if you re-gift - MAKE NOTES! That way you won’t get caught regifting to the person who gave it to you.

And then there’s the Rooster Lamp. Andrea says she won’t regift unless she uses something first, but she always re-gifts. Rachael is speechless. Bright it home. Use it. Then pass it on?! Oh. My. The perfect gift to give, she says as she wags her finger at them - give charity donations in a friends name instead. Ha!

Next up - it’s Mary Steenburgen, who is married to Ted Danson (Lucky woman!) and has a Holiday Movie coming up - Four Christmases. She brings a gift - but says Rachael better not regift it! Ha! It’s a beautiful throw from her store, Rooms & Gardens. Mary admits to regifting Wine, because everyone comes over bearing wine, and she can’t drink red wine, and Ted can’t drink enough of it, so she passes it on. We also have two more seasons to Curb Your Enthusiasm to look forward too, as well. Mary calls it a traffic accident waiting to happen. You bring your own wardrobe, they don’t get paid, and there’s no script. They say things like “You’re having a party. GO!” and it’s all about improvising, which she LOVES.

One of her favorite films she’s done was Stepbrothers with Will Ferrel, because she has a sense of humor like a 12 year old boy. (ME TOO!) She says Will is hysterical, but he’s really so normal and sane. He’s not ‘on’ all the time like others, he can be really quiet.. then one thing comes out and they’re all on the floor laughing. She’s got good tummy muscles from simply trying not to laugh at work. She’s a notorious giggle “I’ve ruined so many takes in my career it’s pathetic!”

She also has a line of soy candles, Nell’s Compass, which she developed to benefit Heifer International - they give people pairs of animals, and teach them to care and raise them, and then as they breed, they pass them along to others so it goes full circle.

Who discovered Mary? Jack Nicolson! She was a waitress, and was in an improve group, doing comedy for cab fare. She thought it might be what she did forever. She went to a casting meeting, and an inner voice said turn around, don’t leave… they were casting something but only famous people or gorgeous models. Mary managed to ask to see the script. She read it over, and heard a voice asking if she was waiting to see him - and it was Jack Nicholson. He called her back to read, and the rest is history. Click here for more backstage with Mary!

Check out Rach’s Yum-O! Holiday Cards too!

We stop off in the kitchen for a quicky Oven-baked Buffalo Blue Cheese Chicken Nuggets, it’s time for the next guess - NASCAR champ, Jimmie Johnson! Rachel tells him he’s a sharp dressed man, and he gives his wife all the credit. Big congrats for Jimmie for the big win - the third consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Title, something that hasn’t been done in 30 years. He says it hasn’t really set in just yet. It took a lot of hard work, and he has all the confidence in his team to be able to do it next year for number 4.

When asked if he’s helping decorate the new house, is he part of the process? He says that there was a process that phased him right out, because he just wasn’t much help. He’s happy with a recliner in front of a tv - and his wife hid it in “Some cabinet looking thing”. The best gift he’s ever gotten was the car that he ever wanted. And yes, he’s been pulled over for speeding. He has an excuse for it though… “I was just on the race track at 200 miles an hour and my eyes are off, I’m sorry.” It worked!

Then, Gretta is on hand with some Holiday Shopping Tips - in an advice booth, like Lucy from Peanuts. Ha! (The Dove scented water for teenage girls instead of perfume? GENIUS! I’m so using that one!)

Then it’s dinner time with Cauliflower-Chedder Soup with Ham and Spice Mustard Pinwheel Dippers.

Everyone knows that Oprah has her big giveaway show (if a little smaller this year) and this time Rach is joining the fun, with the help of the Radio City Rockettes as she gives the audience a TON of goodies! (hit the giveaway button folks to enter for your chance at some too!) She’s giving away everything but the kitchen sink today! And in the current issue - over at Rachael Ray Mag - you can enter to win some outrageous sum of 91,000 bucks worth of stuff between now and Christmas. They start right away with the Sony Milo - and Silpada Designs Jewelry, and the Radio City Rockettes DVD. The crowd goes wild - and Rach tells them to pace themselves!

While they are passing that out, an audience member gets to play a game for a prize. Amy plays Name That Voice. It’s easy - Hulk Hogan, though Amy gets it wrong. Number two is Carol Burnette - and Amy gets it correct. Kelsey Grammer is number three - and she can’t figure it out. Amy is not too good at this. She has to get this one - it’s Fran Drescher! There’s no denying that one, and Fran comes out to join them from back stage, laughing all the way!

She has arguably the most recognizable voice in television, with Rach a close second most likely. She says her parents are always being interviewed about her, did they know her voice was strange? Her mom, who has the exact same voice, says “We never knew it was funny…” Fran, at 51, “finally has a boyfriend” (she was married before), and is now a Public Deplomacy Envoy for Women’s heal issues. Sweet! She was in Europe, and she and her boyfriend fell in love on the iChat! Who knew? She’s decided to carve herself a life again it was time to make room. And she slowed down, and then it happened.

The Nanny, which was actually only on for 6 years, has never been OFF the air for 15 years, and will be moving to Nick at Night in 09. She still wears some coats and boots that she helped herself too from the set. It was her show, her baby, and even now she Tivo’s it. Fran is a uterine cancer survivor - and has the Cancer Schmancer organization where she’s raising awareness and lobbying in Washington. She was misdiagnosed herself, and if she hadn’t gone for 7 second opinions, she wouldn’t be here. Cancer Schmancer teaches that Stage 1 is the cure - and help women learn to get diagnosed early, and raise survival statistics. If you can get treated in Stage 1, you have an almost 95% chance of getting to 5 year survival rate, where at stage 4, it’s only 25%. She has been extremely busy in Washington, and admits the next step would be to become an elected official, as we need more honest, hard working people in office.

After a quick stop in the Kitchen, where Rachael shows some easy “Nibbly Bits“, Fran’s back with some Stump The Rach! Today’s fun items include a Turkey Lifter, “Batman’s jock strap?” asks Rach, and Fran says “Batman is really well endowed!” Next up is an Ornament Hanging Kit to help you reach the top of the tree, and Rachael drops the ornament on demonstration. hah. Then there’s a Pie Gate - to keep the fillin in the pie for leftovers. As if anyone has that much pie left over! Last but not least - it’s an Auto Outfit - decorate your car as a reindeer. Someone had too much time on their hands for THAT one. Ha!

Giveaway time! It’s the Epson wireless printer/copier/photo printer.

Next up - time to crash the Rosie Live set! True to her word, Rachael brings goodies for everyone, it’s snack time! Ok, so it’s a buffet spread, not a few snacks, but oh yuuuuuummy, it looks fantastic. She also brought the jelly belly’s for Liza. Rosie says it’s going well, but she’s a little nervous. Alex Baldwin is gonna be by, and Rosie asks what she’s doing - and then says they have some surprised guests.. hm.. wonder who will be stopping by? (Rach, of course, makes an appearance in the final number. *L* She brings Rosie the Bird.)

Giveaway time! Aveno Skin Care basket, and the Dirt Devil Kruz. Then, in the kitchen - it’s the Rachael Ray 5qt. sauce pan, and her 3 pc Gusto Grip Knife set by Furi, Rachael gifts to everyone. THEN! It’s a super easy meal made with 5 ingredients: Spiced Pork Tenderloin Wellington with Sweet Red Onion Wilted Spinach, and Pear Galette.

A couple of more gifts - The Hamilton Beach All-Mtal Stand Mixer, and the Nescafe Dolce Gusto by Krups. And ONE last gift - the T-Mobile G1 with service for a year.

Whew. Hit up the giveaway link to enter for your chance at all of these, and they are all linked to help if you want to go shopping too. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Rosie’s back, taking a break from rehersals, to show us how to make the ONE O’Donnell meal she knows how to make, though she warns everyone that the build up may be better then the meal. She made a string bean casserole to go with it - homestyle, you know, the beans and the cream of mushroom soup, and the fried onions on top. in fact, she recommends eating the fried onion layer, and give the mushy stuff for everyone else. I agree! *L*

So Mom taught her sister how to make spaghetti, her brother roasted chicken, and her London Broil with the secret ingredient - 7 Seas dressing (Italian dressing). Click here to watch the Broil In Action. And watching these two cook together is like watching my family in the kitchen. Grabbing and tasting and moaning and searching and running into each other- Love it!

They move to the table for a little chat, and Rosie admits to being a little nervous about the show, especially with Liza and her opening number - she’s dreamed of it all her life. Rosie says she’s gonna ask Liza to serenade her. Rosie’s gonna have her sing when Rach comes in with the snacks - and Rach has another little surprise. Does she have still have a crush on Tom? Rosie admitted last time that she has a new Tom Cruise - It’s the guy from Escape to Chimp Eden! He’s sent her a message, she’s the proud adoptive parent to a chimp - he’s honored and flattered that he’s her new Tom Cruise! Awww!

It’s Rach to the Rescue Time! Bonnie needs Thanksgiving help! She wants her family to be surprised that she managed to pull it all off. Alex Boylan pulls up with Aida MollenKamp, the food Editor of Chow.com, to help her make a homemade dinner with all the fixings - to rave reviews from her family as they have an early dinner. And, of course, another Kenmore Elite Oven is gifted as they hit the road again.

After a quick stop in the kitchen where Rach shows us how to make a simple Ice Cream Tiramisu, Rachael admits to watching the Real Housewives of (Orange County, New York, Atlanta). These ladies don’t do a lot of baking, but sure know their dough! Ha! Vicki - Orange County, Jill - New York and NeNe - Atlanta, are given a big challenge. They never know what anything costs, don’t care either, and so Rachael challenges them to put together an A-list look on a “Real! housewife budget” - just $200 and only 45 minutes!!

They even took their credit cards away for the duration. Ha! Put a stop to the cheating possibilities there, hm? They did admit that it was more like 10 hours of torture, not 45 minutes, too. Ha! They certainly give it the college try, while making little digs at the others, and themselves - and Jill calls her stylist, asking for help. Ha! They even had a blackout while they were shopping! Vicki points out, though, it’s not how much money you spend, but your attitude and how you pull it off.

They even showed the prices of their Before Looks - Vickie went from over $14,000, looking stunning at $112.93. She learned that TJ Maxx is not just for luggage - you could buy a cocktail dress there too - maybe not all the time… but. She feels good.

NeNe’s before was over $18k, and downsized looking like a cougar for sure, for $126.53. Nene doesn’t love it, but says it’s ok. Honest to a fault, that NeNe!

Jill’s before was over $64k! (her BAG was $16k! Lordy.) She went down to $184.92 - and looks just as fabulous - if a little less blingy. heh. Jill says she’d definitely wear it, it feels great, but don’t tell her husband that. Ha!

She has a surprise though, for Rachael - and as a group, they knew Rachael was going in for surgery, so brought her a gift. It’s the DVD of course, with a gorgous robe that they bought on a budget. While they’re hugging - Vicki has a wardrobe malfunction as the strap on her gown breaks - to the amusement of everyone.

After all that - it’s Dinner Time with Florentine Meatball Calzones with Creamy Tomato Dipper.

It’s the big finale for the two finalists, Donna and Madison, for Hey Can you Cook 3! And Donna wants Rachael’s boots if she loses as a consolation prize - they are pretty cute boots! Of course, before they can get started, there’s a recap of the past weeks of competition. Then, it’s time for the Thanksgiving Throwdown, for the quick challenge. First up, they have to roll out a pie crust and put it in the pan, then cover the bottom of a dish with squash chunks, and finally they have to stuff the turkey and tie it up - first one done gets the advantage for the final Cookoff.

Hey can you cook? Prove it! Madison is off and running, quickly tackling the pie crust, while Donna takes the slow and steady route - Madison gets to the second station where she starts peeling the squash - while Donna points out “Nobody said anything about baking - they just said hey can you cook!” She clears the station and races to the second station, where she tells everyone the kitchen has her name all over it. Madison admits she doesn’t even have a kitchen - but her mom taught her how to cook, so she should get it. Donna’s making up for lost time, and catching up quickly, but once again it’s Madison who gets to the Turkey Stuffing first. Donna is right behind, her, but in the end - Madison pulls it out and wins the challenge by seconds!

They move on from thanksgiving preparation to leftovers - they have 25 minutes to make a meal from leftovers - they’ll have turkey, the pantry, and featuring a trio of leftovers. Each Trio of dishes comes with an assistant - it’s the other three Hey can you cook finalists - including Marvin! Madison, as winner, gets to choose - and she decides she’ll work with Lindsay, with Potatoes, peas and roasted squash while she strategically gives Donna Marvin to work with - along with gravy, carrots and green beans.

Marvin promises not to turn any stoves off. Honest. (hahahah!)

Who’s the judge? The Naked Chef himself - Jamie Oliver! He’ll be looking for something exciting, and he’ll be taking it seriously as America can learn a lot from how to stretch the Turkey dinner all week long. Hey - can you cook? PROVE IT! They’re off… as Jamie joins Rach in the kitchen to make his Whole Roasted Cricket Ball Squash.

We check in the prep kitchen where things are whisking along - despite the “uh oh” we hear… and on stage - Rosie O’Donnall! They talk a bit about her school for Broadway Kids - where they get to have a 17 week in school program to learn everything about putting on a show, then they all get to go see a Broadway Show. Rachael has visited the school, and said it was a jaw dropper - Rosie is surprised, and Rach says that it was a surprise, a thank you for her Birthday Show that Rosie helped her with.

We see a clip of Rachael’s visit to Act 2, where they decide to help out - with a rooftop makeover. Lorie Klinger is on hand, and says she wants the kids to feel like they have a place to chll out, thier place. Kristan Cunningham is on hand to transform the barren rooftop into a welcoming area for the kids, as well as a place to hold fundraisers and charity events. It’s STUNNING - including a custum built mosic tile wall. Rosie’s stunned - and wants to move in!

They then talk a bit about the variety show on Thanksgiving Eve - Rosie Live! Rosie has always wanted to do a live variety show at night, and hopes to bring back a bit of the past in a family entertainment show. They told her Variety shows don’t work - but all the competitions shows, are just variety meets gong show! She wanted to take out the gong! And for the opening number? Liza!

So - they make a deal - Rachael wants to crash the set, and promises to bring snacks if she can sneak in. Rosie tells her if she brings food - she can get past security on ANY show she’s on - anyone can! In return, Rosie says she’ll come back and show Rach how to cook the one meal she can make. When her mother got sick, she taught each of her kids how to make one meal - because she knew she’d was dying. Rosie’s meal is the London Broil. She’ll return tomorrow to show it off!

And if we like Rosie Live - she’ll do 6 more episodes in January. She told them she wanted a special, and if it does well, then they’ll do more. Otherwise, it’s a one night deal!

Backstage - Donna and Maddison are racing around with their helpers as time runs out! Madison is sure that her strategy works, Lindsay rocked as a helper - they made a turkey mashed potatoes burger, and squash potatoes with a sweet apple desert - while Donna made a meatloaf and carrot soup, with green salad on the side. Time for Jamie to do some tasting! While he does, Rachael hits the kitchen to make Roast Turkey Breast with Citrus Pesto and Shallot Gravy.

And FINALLY it’s time to discover the winner of this years Hey Can You Cook competition! Jamie thought Madison did a good job, it was crisp and soft in the middle and it was well presented- the gravy was a bit thin though, but the apple thing was delicious. Jamie told Donna - who said Marvin was extremely supportive and helpful - Jamie thought her ingredients were tougher - but her meatloaf was wonderful, the soup was delicious, if a little too sweet. It was tough - and the winner was…. Madison!

This one is one you have to seen - no recap can have the tissue and sniffling count as high as actually watching it, so if you missed it, here you go, thanks to TVWiz2009 on youtube.

For more, you can check out the Bride Blogs and the Buddy blogs too! Also, the Surprise Wedding Singer - Wynonna Judd - as well as the reception celebration.

And what’s for dinner? Bacon and Herb Cheese Tartlets, and Spanikopita.

Wow. That’s a LOTTA pies. We start in the kitchen where there are a ton of Pumpkin Pies on the counter, to discuss mail order pies for those who don’t like to bake. Like Rachael - of course! They scoured the country for the top three favorites - and here they are:

#3 - Little Pie Company
424 W. 43rd Street & GCT Dining Concourse
New York, NY
877-872-7437
$65

#2 - Achatz Handmade Pie Co.
75700 North Ave
Armada, MI 48005
(And other locations)
586-784-4PIE
(586.784.4743)
$25.95

#1 - Sweetie Pies
520 Main Street
Napa, CA 94559
707-257-8817
$27.75

If a pumkin pie cost me $65 bucks? it better come encrusted in gold. Or bacon. Ha! And if you’re like me and are just shaking your head, check out the Pumpkin desert fakeout - Pumpkin Pudding. Yum!

Next up, fresh from the 26th season of Wheel of Fortune, and holder of the world record for the most frequent clapper - Vanna White! Vanna laughs and wants to know who took the time to count everytime she clapped. I mean really! She does admit she’s turned more letters then anyone - and has a pumpkin pie tip too. When you have the last piece that no one wants? Scoop out the filling and mix it with vanilla ice cream for Pumpkin ice cream. Yum! (And everyone knows who her “Fun Nanny” was right? Jen Johnson from Big Brother 8! I do love it when my shows keep crossing over… ha!)

After a bit of conjoling - Vanna admits to being 51 years old. She eats, exercises, gets up with the kids early, goes to bed early, just does whatever one else does. Rachael says Dang - she said work out! But Vanna counters with the fact she eats too. And she brought a gift for Rachael - a picture of the puzzle from last week where Rachael was on the Wheel! Before and After: Rachael & Manta Ray.

Has she ever hit the wrong letter? Screwed up at all? And she says yes, once - she turned the wrong letter, and they had to throw the the puzzle out. “Now they light the letters up before I touch them, so it doesn’t happen again!” One time in 26 years? Pretty good record there.

What does she do in her spare time, for fun? She crochet’s, and has her own line of yarn. She learned at 5 years old from her grandmother - and half the proceeds of her yarn go to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital. Hit up the giveaway button for your chance at Vanna’s Beginner Crochet Starter Kit!

Does she get to keep the clothes? No. She says she could get them at a discount, probably, but “really, where would I wear those things?! I’m a simple person.” She remembers auditioning even, and that she was a nervous mess. Merv Griffin picked her, he said, because she and Pat looked like a brother/sister team, and she had a huge head. Literally. Nice.

Are her kids good eaters? They eat ANYTHING. Even fish eyes. Um. Ew.
Vanna is also one of those people who does their shopping for Christmas all year long - finishing in July. Ha! (Me, I haven’t started yet. hah.)

Did you know the Wheel weighs 4000 pounds! It’s really hard to turn, actually. They do have a mock up practice version before they actually play. Unexpected moments? Interesting wins - one guy was so excited he dropped down and kissed Pat’s feet! Watch Wheel of Fortune, as they’re giving away 5000 bucks a night to celebrate their 5000th show coming up!

Check out more Backstage with Vanna.

After a quick check in the Prep Kitchen and Rach shows how to make your own hot pockets and dipping sauce, and it’s time for a new Human Lab - Anti-Aging! Maureen, who’s 53, says that her wrinkles are taking over, while Madeline 43, can only see herself getting old in the mirror - her husband is 7 years older and people think she looks older, while Kerry, 39, is just starting to get more wrinkles. They’ve all tried numerous things, and agreed to try more for the Human Lab.

Maurine tried the Cosmetic Skin Solutions Derma Rolling System - which claims to stimulate production of collagen and improve existing wrinkles. Madeline tries Facial Magic, which is a facial muscle exercise program. Kerry tries the Platinum Red Rejuvenating Facial Light, which claims to reduce aging through medical grade red light therapy.

So - do they work?

After four weeks, Maureen says that there’s a definite difference in her laugh lines, and a big difference in the soft lines around her eyes. She feels it’s like a mini face lift without the pain. Dr. Ciraldo is on hand, and says that its a physical exfoliation that makes it work. Maureen will continue using it, and has had a big confidence boost.

Madeline says she loves the Facil Magic - she loves the way it feel,s and the results, and she looks younger. Dr. Ciraldo says that it’s as simple as toning the muscles in the face, just like we do all our other muscle groups.

While Kerry hasn’t seen a huge difference herself, her friends have commented on the changes and that excites her. She’s going to give it a couple more weeks in hopes of seeing a big change herself, then she’ll be sold.

Vanna comes back to turn some letters for us, and in doing so let’s everyone know what’s for dinner - Pumpkin Turnovers with Sherry-Shallot Warm Brussels Sprouts Slaw. (….uh. ew? Course, I am not a fan of the Brussel Sprout, so….)

Got questions about the BIGGEST food day of the year? Rachael has ya covered, with all sorts of tips and tricks today! We start out in the kitchen with a Rach Family Classic - Mom’s Nut and Cheddar Ball.

Today we have a huge all-star team to help answer questions! Rocco DeSpirito, Sunny Anderson, Ming Tsai, and Aaron McCargo, Jr! They all take a spin and then settle down at the Thanksgiving Table - it looks like the Foodie Version of The View. Colby is in the audience, gaterhing questions for the Foodies to answer.

How much turkey do you buy? Rocco says you need at least 1 pound per person, and 1/2 a pound for leftovers. So basically 1 and 1/2 pounds per person. And then Rach says to go for two smaller turkeys - they cook faster.

How do you defrost a turkey? Sunny says 24 hours for every 5 pounds - plan ahead! And defrost in the fridge. It’s safest. Big Daddy Aaron says he puts it in his tub, sometimes, but really - cooler, big sink, and keep the cool water over it, turn it over a little while. Keep it wrapped and water running. If you FORGET to do all that? Quickest defrosting way - Sunny says go Vegetarian with ToFurkey! Ming says Dominos pizza. Aaron says his is the quickest way.

Dry turkey - can you really keep it moist. Ming shows the secret of keeping it moist - BRINE the Turkey. Use a cooler with equal parts sugar and kosher salt in the water with the turkey. Mix it until it tastes like sweet sea water - keep it cool. Ice (bagged - so it does dilute) or in the garage in the winter for cooler climates - 24 hours. It pulls the juice from the turkey, replacing it with the sweetsaltwater - which makes it cook faster, and it’s extremely juicy. Also - fake out? Warm chicken broth next to the cutting board. Cut it, dip it, drop it on the plate and people THINK it’s the juiciest thing ever. Thanks Rachael’s mom. Ha!

Gravy tips - Rocco’s shocking tip. Hienz pork gravy in a jar as a starter… take all the drippings of the turkey, put it in a fat seperater, pour the juice into the pork gravy starter, and you get perfect gravy every time. Ha! Sunny says “Uh….love ya Rocco, but no.” She has a quick gravy without the tricks. She makes it like my mama does - right in the Turkey roasting pan. She shows quickly how to make a Red Wine Onion Gravy.

Next up - some Turkey Carving Tips from Ray the Butcher. Rocco adds that make the presentation, then bring it back to the kitchen and carve it away from prying eyes. Also, use an electric knife, it does a lot of work for you. Make sure the turkey rests, for 20-30 minutes so the juice stays in, Aaron does it one side at a time - and he slices up the leg, so that no one fights over it. Heh.

Alrighty - putting stuffing in the bird. The table agrees that the crunchy stuff is the good part, cook the stuffing outside the bird. If there’s stuffing in the bird - to get it done, will make the turkey itself very dry. Try Stuffin’ Muffins - cook it in the muffin tin! Cute AND crunchy all over. Yum!

Here’s a viewer tip for you - Saving a stained table cloth.

The perfect Mashed Potatoes - to help soupy potatoes Aaron says to help keep mashed potatoes perfect, use a small bit of instant potatoes. Another tip - add sweet potatoes, and Sunny says she’ll recook them, with cheese. Rocco says that if they’re gummy, add chicken stock, runny, add breadcrumbs.

Difference between sweet potato and a yam? They’re two completely different, though they taste mostly the same. Sweet Potato is the most nutrious potato ever - the yam is the complete opposite. Either one will taste good though, and 99% of the time, the sweet potato is what you find in the store, even if they call it a yam.

Is it ok to use canned/jarred cranberry sauce? Big Daddy has the answer - don’t be scared to make it, keep it simple and try Big Daddy’s Cran-Apply-y Basil Cranberry Sauce. You can even cheat a little by starting with canned cranberry sauce. unless you try - you’ll never know.

Viewer Tip - Pumpkin Centerpiece.

Fool Proof Pie Crust? Rach waits for her sister to bring the pie. Ha! Rocco suggests that if you are bringing the pie make sure you make it yourself. It’s 3-2-1 Three parts flour, 2 parts fat, 1 part ice cold water. Easy to remember, add a little salt and sugar, it’s easy. Rach can even remember it. Ha!

What the heck do we do with all the leftovers! Sunny uses the stuffing, roll them into balls, roll them in seasoning and pan fry it and serve it with pesto. Rocco thinks breakfast! Eggs go with everything. He snags the gravy, and makes his Thanksgiving Egg Cake. I may have to try that one - looks YUMMY!

Whew! All of that AND What’s for dinner tonight? Cran-Raisin Barbecue sauce over chicken, and cider sweet potatoes.

Whew. What a PACKED episode of Thanksgiving Tip Goodness! Final thoughts? Sunny, in her interest of going green - if you do paper plate, use BYOP - bring your own plate. They can fill up their plate of leftovers and take it home! Less trees, less dishes. Big Daddy wants crispy skin - 2 pts butter 1 pt mayo, garlic and herbs, under the skin on the skin, wrap it up then 1 hour before it’s done take off the foil and crisp away! Ming - House cocktail! Cranberry juice, reduced with ginger, put it in the bottom of champagne flute - with champagne or sparkling cider. But of course - go get his book! Rocco takes us home with gratitude not attitude, and connect through food. Stay in the moment, do what you can do, cheat as MUCH as you want, you have his permission, enjoy your family and friends. Don’t lose the moment by trying to do too much. And, of course, he has a book too. ha!

Today we start the show with a new game - Voices of Daytime. Abby, an Adorable Audience Member is up to pay the game. Rach will read a quote, Abby makes her best guess, and if she does well she wins a prize. natch. Who said is glad when the tabloids are talking about Rach because it gives them the week off? It was Dr. Phil. Who feels no guilt for bribing a child? Judge Judy - and Abby gets it wrong. (I would have gotten it right, of course. *grins*) The last quote - about salting, something. Abby thinks it’s Regis - but it was Joy Beher! Abby ends with 1 of 3, and Rach gives her the lunch tickets at Palm Too anyway.

Rach gives a fake shout out to the view, demanding to know why Sherri Shepherd hasn’t been on - and who walks down the center aisle with a HEEEEEY MAMA! I’m HERE! They have a seat on set, and get a little goofy talking about trading booties for busts. Sherry gives such energy and fun to the View. Is there anything they won’t talk about? Nope. They talk about journals, and she keeps hers to make sure her son knows who she is - then she realized that her journals detail who she’s slept with! “Now my boy will think i’m a ho! I know, I said it!”

Her three year old son Jeffrey is a fan, and loves to bribe Barbra for job security “Babra on da VIEW!” Sherri is all about being a New Yorker, and taking the subway - she’s so new york now. She gets on the train and is all “Ain’t no bodie gonna let me sit down? you SEE me with mah Baby..” She’s shameless about her baby, she is - and it’s too cute! They talk a bit about dating and getting back into the scene, and how these younger boys are coming at her - and what is she gonna do when she has to take her hair off! When do you take your hair off - and her friend says you dont do it until you hear “i love you” - that’s a sensitive thing! “You don’t get all this ALL the time!” She laughs and continues “They love the different looks - it’s when you take it of and are all THISISME! they start to worry. What they gonna do when some day ya gotta take ya teeth out?!”

Some of her favorite moments of the show? Janet Jackson - she’s slept outside to get tickets to her concert. She talked about it one day, and she hid all morning, and walked out to give her front row seat tickets to her concert! She went on to talk about the concert, and how she’s all about the booty, since she doesn’t have one, Rach has this jucilicious booty, and Janet’s got one too. “I took 96 pictures of Janet’s booty!” Rach laughs and says she’s glad all her junk is in the trunk - she doesn’t have to see it, pass the pasta! Sherri laughs and says she just expands like pinochio up top!

When taking her baby to see Madagascar 2, which she’s in as the mama lion, her son was all MAMA! POOP IN MAH DIAPER! So she chooses to see it as he was SO excited, he pooped his pants. Ha!

In a going too far segment - it’s the issue of airlines charging fees to confirm the seat you want. One audience member says you can’t put a price on comfort - she gets nervous enough as is, as once she almost got seperated from her infant daughter. She will pay to sit in a window. Sherri says there’s no way sitting in coach is comfortable at all, anyway! Another audience member is against it - she has a large family -6! - She can’t afford to have to pay more to make sure she and her family sit together - what if her 8 year old is sitting elsewhere? Sherri says take the free food in first class, and save money there! To charge for every little thing is wrong, it’s like kicking you when your down. It should be a give you can sit with your child! It makes ya not wanna fly.

Sherri says she’s an eater - not a cook. She makes hot dogs and microwaveable ravioli! And Rach puts out a plea for a man who likes to cook to write in and she’ll set it up. Ha!

After a quick stop in the prep kitchen where Rach pimps her Big Orange Book for a Thanksgiving Turkey Stoup to keep in mind for leftovers, it’s time for Jarod’s Wild Animals. It’s Kangaroos, Tigers, Monkeys, and antelopes, oh my!

Hey - what’s for dinner? “Day After” Turkey and Gravy Whole Wheat Spaghetti.

It’s another cute black skirt/legging combo for Rachael today as she reminds us of the prizes our three Hey Can You Cook ladies are vying for, as well as giving us a ‘best of’ sizzle reel to get everyone caught up for the next challenge. Lindsey, Donna and Madison are ready to get started as they take their seat in the front row to watch the challenge. Lindsay says she misses Marvin - he was a pressure reliever, and when he was around he was bubbly. Donna is most threatened by Madison, she’s a kid and pretty damn good. Rachael makes sure Lindsey isn’t slighted by complimenting her. Madison says her phone is going crazy, her classes have been taping it and her boyfriend says no dates! Ha!

Time for the next challenge - a crack of dawn wakeup by Colby. Well. THAT can’t be bad to wake up too, can it?! They’re headed to the docks to catch a ferry to Ellis Island - and today’s challenge is an elimination challenge, no quickfire to be found. They’re pleased they’ve gotten rid of the men, and are ready to go head to head. They meet up with Colby to get their next challenge. They talk about cooking - family traditions, cooking traditions. The challenge is to create a balanced meal inspired by these traditions - in 25 minutes. They must focus on a trio of ingredients inspired by three of the nationalities that came through Ellis Island. Italy: Spiced Sausage, Jarred Tomatoes, Corn Meal. Ireland: Cabbage, thick cut bacon, potatoes. Greece, ground lamb, artichoke heart and rice.

Lindsay won last week, and got to choose first and assign the other ladies their country. Lindsay takes Italy, gives Madison Ireland, and Donna gets Greece. Donna says she’s got no problem with that - she’s got Miditerranian roots! Donna’s talking a bit of smack, as Lindsay’s advantage may have just turned into her disadvantage. But hey? Can you cook?! PROVE IT!

They move to the outside kitchen area that Colby has set up, and they’re off! Time starts, and Lindsay kicks Donna away from the burner that she’d started, and Maddison says there was a little bit of tension as everyone jockeyed for position. Madison is going traditional and making Irish Cabbage Wraps. Donna is making Mediteranian Meatballs with salad, and artichoke fritters, while Lindsey is going for sausage and pepper dish with corn fritters. Madison cut herself, and tried to hide it because she didn’t have time to go to the paramedic. Lindsay takes one of Donna’s pans, and she has none of that! Madison runs into problems when the food processor didn’t work, and had to mash by hand. Mmmmmmm lookit the bacon! Donna is in a panic, and Madison knocks over a bottle of olive oil into Donna’s dish, but she salvages it as best she can, and they plate like crazy as the time counts down…

Everyone finishes on time, and it’s time to find out who the surprise judges are. It’s a blind tasting - no one will know who made which dish. As it’s about Family Tradition - the judges are family: Madison’s mom, Donna’s husband, and Lindsay’s husband as well. They’re all excited, but a little worried about what their family members will think. The ladies are escorted off, as the families settle in for tasting. Donna’s dish - they think the meatballs were underseasoned, the rice a little dry. Madison’s they thought the bacon was chewy instead of crunchy, and lindseys was pretty evenly liked. All three girls talk a bit of smack about the other dishes, but it’s mostly friendly banter.

Time to hit the kitchen, where Rach is joined by Katie Lee Joel, wife of Billy Joel and the author of The Comfort Table - hit up the giveaway tab down there for a chance to win your copy! Katie is there to bake Spiced Apple Cobbler with pumpkin Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce, which she swears is easy enough for Rachael to make without messing up. Though - they forget the butter, which makes everyone laugh as Rachael says she’s rubbing off on Katie. Whoops. “Pretend there’s butter in there!” Hahah!

While it bakes, they sit at the kitchen table to chat, and discuss the book. Katie says that everytime she thinks about her memories, they center around a table, and when you put comfort and table together, it spells comfortable! Rach laughs and says does your brain hurt to be that smart? And Katie admits that Billy Joel came up with it. He’s pretty good with the words, you know!

Their holidays are filled with family food and friends where they kickback and relax and enjoy everyon. They end with live music, and sing along, though she admits to having the worst voice in the family - and hey, it can be a bit intimidating singing along with Billy Joel! Some of her top tips for Thanksgiving include planning ahead - who to invite, the menu, get the house in order, and don’t forget the guest bathroom! Stock up on the TP, and include a discretely placed plunger. Yes - Katie Lee Joel WENT there, people. *LMAO*

Her biggest Thanksgiving disaster? It was her and Billy’s first, and she decided to invite 15 people to dinner, and her kitchen hadn’t even been used yet - her oven wasn’t properly calibrated, her turkey breast was dry, the legs bloody, the rolls burnt on top and doughy on bottom… it was awful. So plan ahead!

Time to test the cobbler - and yuuuuuuuum, looks good from here! Then it’s time to make something for Dinner to send home with the eliminated HCYC contestant - Porchetta. Then, it’s finally time for the HCYC Elimination!

Cue Creepy Lighting! Lindsay - they loved the fritters, but thought the vege’s were a little undercooked, but were a little underwelmed by the sausage - and her hubby thought it was… a little red. *L* Donna, they thought it was balanced, but the meatballs were a little dry, and the rice underseasoned compared to the rest of the dish. The family agreed that the rice was bland - her hubby said it was good, the flavor excellent, and didn’t like the rice. Madison’s Irish wraps needed some added condiments, but it was flavorful, and the mama said the presentation was a little weak, and the potatoes a little overcooked. Madison? “MOOOOOOM!” Ha!

The winner of the challenge is Donna! And who joins her at the kitchen table to celebrate? Madison, which means Lindsey is eliminated. Don’t forget to check out her final thoughts behind the scenes.

We’ll see ya when we see ya!