Watching Rachael Ray

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!

This Week’s Recipes:

MENU PLANNER SHOPPING LIST for the week of November 16 - 22, 2008

PRODUCE
2 bananas
1 1/2 cups seedless green grapes
1/2 butternut squash
1/2 red bell pepper
1/4 bell pepper
1 1/2 pounds mixed mushrooms (such as
cremini, portobello and shiitake)
18 large basil leaves
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
1 bunch plus 5 sprigs fresh thyme

DAIRY
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
MEAT AND POULTRY
1 pound lean ground beef
Four 1-inch-thick boneless pork loin chops
(about 1 1/2 pounds total)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
(about 1 3/4 pounds)
3 turkey thighs (about 3 3/4 pounds total)

BAKERY
4 thick slices country bread

GROCERY
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 cup apple juice
Four 8-inch flour tortillas

YOUR E V E R Y D A Y ITEMS
Ingredients below are from the kitchen:
1 lemon
2 1/2 onions
3/4 cup chopped red onion
6 cloves garlic
1/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup butter
4 large eggs
6 slices bacon
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
One 1-pound box medium pasta shells
3 cups couscous
1 cup white rice
6 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped chipotle chiles in
adobo sauce
One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
One 6-ounce can white tuna in olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 cup roasted, salted peanuts
1/2 cup golden raisins
One 10-ounce box frozen corn kernels

We start in the kitchen again, with a fiery recipe for Chipotle Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp! And when she turns to the sink - I discover I LOVE her skirt! Cute, cute, cute!

Anyway… after the shrimp have started around the audience - it’s time for Audience Incognito! Somewhere among the audience is a genuine celebrity… just hanging out, in disguise. The Clues… One of the BIGGEST shoes on television - and first guess gets the prize, as Maksim Chmerkovskiy is hiding behind the girl who wins. Whoo! They even gave him a pillow potbelly. How cute is he? Rach helps cut him free and giggles “I’m gonna pass out! I just saw his SKIN!” He laughs and says the woman who won was staring from the moment he sat down.

He says it sucks that he had to leave the show when partner Misty May-Treanor left the competition due to an injury, but at least he wasn’t eliminated. Good news is that Misty’s recovery is going well, and they say she’ll be back stronger then ever. Who’s he naming as the winner? Brooke, definitely. He thinks it’s gonna be Brooke and Warren in the finals. He says Warren has a lot to move, but he comes out and gives it his all. He’s a good sport too - he’s not a diva, says Maks “He’s a sweetheart, and he has that toughness about him because he has too. He loves to dance - I don’t know if I’m saying too much - sorry Warren!”

How has his life changed with DWTS? He says it’s weird, he doesn’t want to sound vain by saying he’s a big star. He says it is what it is - he loves what he does, and don’t believe everything you hear. He wants people to know that it’s not the dancers show - it’s the Stars show, and he did not break Misty’s foot. They make it comfortable with the stars - want to work hard, work hard. Want to be chloris leechman, we can do that all day. He competed for 24 years, he’s done - but he loves it. He does, however, choreograph the WHOLE DWTS tour! And he’s going to work with an audience member - and Alicia is excited as they get a quick lesson. (don’t forget to get the behind the scenes chat with Maksim too!)

A quick stop in the prep kitchen for a Guacomole Salsa, it’s time for a NASCAR cookoff! It’s Rach’s first trip to a NASCAR race at the invite of Mario, for an Asphalt Chef Cookoff. It pairs 3 cooks, with 3 race car drivers, and she’s paired with Carl Edwards. They hit up a chili - and Carl says she turns up the heat, and that’s Rachael, not just the cooking! He encourages her with “48 seconds left - that’s like TWO LAPS!” The winner? Mario’s team! Awww, but she swears they were neck and neck.

After the cookoff, the next day, Rach gets to see what Carl does - taking a spin around the track in the pace car - the coolest job in the world at 140 MPH. SAWEET!

Then, it’s time for the Supermarket Check-Out Race - and they are having the New York State best bagger competition right in the studio. These Baggers are INTO it - it’s all about the competition, they’re ready to rock it - confidence is key, and they range in age from 19 to 53! The winner in studio heads to nationals in Vegas - where they will compete for $2k, bragging rights and a trophy. In the end it’s Vanessa, age 23, who claims the prize and tri to Vegas - as well as Rachael’s award of a 5 night trip for 2 at the Body Holiday in St. Lucia.

Back in the kitchen, Rach makes her Ancho Beef Chili that she used in the asphalt cook-off.

We finish off with the audience Maksim dance challenge - and of course, with a teacher like that, are we really surprised that he was able to instruct and he tells her to make sure that she lets them know they never met before - because she might be really good. Ha! Of course, she’s not bad for only having 30 minutes, and we get to see Maksim wiggle his hips, which is NEVER a bad thing!

(And with that Lessa is OFFICIALLY CAUGHT UP! WHOO!)

We start out in the kitchen again, with BOB - The Big Orange Book - and a quicky recipe for sweet baked brie.

Then, it’s time to bring out Anthony Edwards! YAY! When complimented on being a snappy dresser - he just laughs “I do what my wife tells me!” As beloved Dr. Mark Greene did 180 episodes of ER, before he he died on the show, and Rachael (along with me and the rest of the fans) Sobbed when it happened. He returned to ER, for the final season, in a flashback experience. Will George Clooney come back? Anthony says it’s a lot of fun and it was a show that changed their lives, and he’s sure whoever can will come back.

He admits to watching it, and then having the experience of moving to New York and having little old ladies yelling at him “GET BACK ON THE TV, why’d you die on that show!” Once when out with his little girl, she was all “he’s dying so he can be with us!” Awwww…

He’s loving having the time to spend with the kids, and walk them to the school, and his wife game him cooking lessons that Christmas - it took him a while, but he realized it was a gift for HER, she wanted him home cooking. He cooks at least 3 nights a week now. He laughs when he says what all guests say - he wants to do the RR show again, because at Letterman you get cold cuts, at RR you get 15 different kinds of shrimp…

Going back to ER, Anthony equates it to going back to high school as an adult and being in your favorite class again. For his comeback, he wouldn’t take any pay either. Instead, he asked the Warner Brothers give to his charity instead, Shoe 4 Africa, where they’re about to build the largest children’s hospital in Africa. He’s a runner, and raises money for the charity, and when they asked for help building the hospital, he instantly said yes. It’s 100% charity - no admin costs, so give a dollar, a dollar goes toward the hospital. Check it out.

They talk about Africa, and the people and the need there, and how life-changing visiting there can be, then they touched on the recent passing of Michael Crighton, who based Noah Wylie’s character on his own experiences. He was always proud to have created this, and giving it to the producers and let it grow. “He will be greatly missed.”

When asked what the best trick for remembering lines for ER? “Learn them before you go to work.” And it came back to him pretty easily when he stepped on set once again - he never left, the people just looked 6 years older. He still keeps in touch with some of the old crew - recently had lunch with Noah, and JulieAnna lives in NYC and he sees her once in a while as well.

Up next for Anthony? A film with Uma Therman last spring called Motherhood. He plays the forgetful husband which his wife called typecasting, though he doesn’t know what she meant by that. ha! When the movie comes out, he said he’ll come back and maybe they’ll get to cook together. Yay!

A quick pass through the prep kitchen for some tips for different Lasagnas, it’s time to hit the kitchen again, for Sloppy Joe Manicotti, that comes in as a dinner for 4 that costs under $10.

Next up, it’s Rach to the Rescue, as the team heads to help poor Jamie, a University of Tennessee fan who along with her friends take the devotion to the team seriously. Sunday is the high holy day! Jamie loves hosting game parties, but has a fear of frying food - she’s a southern girl who can’t cook southern! Jen, the winner of Hey Can You Cook is on hand to help, and teaching Jamie a dish sure to please any fan - Fried Chicken! Check out the Rach to the Rescue site to see if Jamie scores a touchdown with her friends, and watch webisodes from the road trip! Hint - total touchdown, and a (joking) marriage proposal. The fried chicken was THAT good.) And of course, it’s not a Rach to the Rescue segment, without Jamie being given a Kenmore Elite Double Oven Range!

And STILL - dinner time! Spinach and Artichoke Tortellini Bake, and Tomato and Sirloin Tortellini Bake is what’s on tap for fake out lasagna day!

OOOOh! Rachael’s outfit is a TOTAL win today! So cute and slimming, and very flattering. Thumbs up from WRR! Even her hair is VERY cute!

We open the show by welcoming 40 of the recent NYC Marathoners in the audience, and introducing one more runner who’s going to join her at the kitchen table - newlywed Ryan Reynolds, star of one of my favorite movies - Definitely, Maybe. Ryan says running the marathon was an incredible experience, he doesn’t actually recommend it, but it was awesome. He’s time was 3 hours 50 minutes. He says there was a moment, about 5 miles in, and he could see 4/5 miles ahead of him and it was a seething mass of people ahead of him, and he realized “I’m not gonna win this thing, no matter what I do!” Ha!

He says there was no easy way to do it, and raising money for Team Fox and Parkinson’s disease, in the name of his father who’s suffered for 15 years. He wouldn’t be fighting for it if he didn’t think they were literally at a tipping point for finding a cure. It’s right there, and Team Fox is a grass roots arm of Michael J Fox’s foundation, and it’s brilliant. IT shows the power of the individual, the power of one. What was it like when he met Micheal? It was incredible, he’s skin-covered inspiration. Ryan says he saw him at mile 23, and it was about 2 hours before that he’d technically passed away, (hahha!) and he had no idea he was there, it’s impossible to see one person, as your body deteriates as you move, and he looked to the left and there was Michael. His dad couldn’t be there, and MIchael was a surrogate for him at that moment, so that he could finish strong, with 15 pounds of goosebumps.

Rachael says that she met Michael on the show and got to dance with him - COOLEST day ever. Ryan says next time - they’re dancing! Cheek to Cheek! Then they have a candid talk about nipple chaffing, and Rachael presents him with Boob-Eez, and he jokes “You can dress them up, dress them down, I’m rather excited by this…”

Bt his REAL surprise, is Green Bay Packers uniform, signed ball and tickets. The numbers on the jersey’s are the month/day he got married to the beautiful Scarlett Johansson. Back to Team Fox, where Katie, the CEO, announces that the runners raised $450,000! And, there’s a new Team Fox challenge - for all new members, every dollar raised will be matched dollar for dollar, and for existing members, every dollar additional from this years total will be matched too. Ryan himself personally raised $81,000 and Rachael presents him with a check for $19,000 because she likes round numbers, and now he’s raised $100k.

Ryan says it’s beyond generous, and she should give it to the big guy himself - and Michael J Fox comes out to surprise Rachael, AND dance with Ryan! Ryan jokes “He shows up, I just wanna run!” Ryan says seeing him at the race got him through the last 4 miles, Michael joked that it was only 2, but whatever. More teasing about nipple bleeds, and then Michael says he’s feeling great, doing good, and they feed you so well there! Her son’s in college, and a 20th anniversary - he’s officially an old guy he says. When asked what his son’s going to college for? “About four years, I believe.” quips Michael.

(Love. Him. And Ryan. I know. I say that a lot. But srsly! I do!)

His advise to newlywed Ryan? “Just remember, If a man says something in the forest, and his wife isn’t there to hear him? He’s still wrong.” All joking aside, Michael is touched and humbled by what Ryan and Team Fox did, and is touched by the desire to maybe make his Father’s life better and humbled to even associate that with the work they do. It’s a mutual love fest for a while as Michael thanks everyone. And Team Fox is so awesome, because people can have something simple, the power of one, a bake sale, and people do marvelous things. Ryan agrees, that it takes on a life of his own. His friend, agent, waxed his entire body for Charity - and he was robin williams hairy! Now he looks like the star of a disney movie - and Michael quips “Team Resilient!”

Next up - it’s a teeny tiny studio makeover with KC! And we mean small - Louise and Anton live in the smallest apartment ever. 290 square feet studio in NYC. They can never find anything, it’s like a dorm room. In a perfect world, they’d like for everything to have a home, so they could have a home, instead of a place their stuff lives. Kristan is up for the challenge! The important thing is smart storage - everything has to be accessible. Louise and Anton help KC pack up, then disappear as KC gets to work - and the reveal is amazing. You have to see it to believe it!

And we’re not done yet- it’s dinner time! Turkey and Stuffing Meatloaf, Sour Cream and Onion Mashed Potatoes, and Cider Gravy.