Watching Rachael Ray

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!