Rachael Ray 50

November 1, 2019

Ray (Everyone Is Italian on Sunday) celebrates her 50th birthday with a cookbook full of recipes, memories, and stories about her family and friends. Ray shares recipes that celebrate her Italian roots (spaghetti aglio e olio) and her friendship with Jacques Pepin (chicken with tarragon), along with her American favorites (rolled meatloaf). She even throws out a few recipes for her dog, Isaboo (ditalini and muttballs). Readers won't find many desserts since Ray admits she doesn't have a sweet tooth; the collection only includes a few sweet recipes, such as baked pears with gorgonzola and crispy prosciutto. Instead, she emphasizes savory dinners, side dishes, and weeknight drinks. The straightforward recipes feature simple directions and rely on common pantry staples. The strength of this cookbook is Ray's personality, which shines throughout. VERDICT Ray's fans and everyday cooks will find an engaging book full of good food and great stories.--Ginny Wolter, Toledo Lucas Cty. P.L.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2019
At 50, Ray looks back at her favorite memories of food, family, and friends. This collection of essays and recipes makes up a culinary scrapbook of a life rich with love, experiences, and EVOO. Ray writes with animation and nostalgia about her early life and relates stories of her mother's childhood, growing up with a Sicilian immigrant father who relished feeding a crowd. Later, Ray shares bubbly reflections on her life as a chef and media powerhouse, a wife, a friend, and a celebrity. The essays evoke warmth and happiness, with each followed by recipes tied to that era or theme of her life. Sicilian classics cap stories of her grandfather; steakhouse fare appends the story of her family's restaurant; meals prepared for her celebrity guests, dishes from pivotal points in her career, and favorite holiday dishes all follow endearingly rambling essays on related topics. Drink recipes from her husband, musician John Cusimano, are also included. Recipes themselves are chatty with ample description and many are accompanied by gorgeous photos. A treat for fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)