CSNStores.com, which is made up of various online stores including AllBarstools.com (Home Bars) and Cookware.com and offers just about everything a foodie could want, contacted me regarding a giveaway! How lucky am I? How challenging was it for me to figure out what one cool thing to pick out among so many other cool things on the site? What did I want to test in my kitchen and secretly dream of owning?
How did I figure it out? I focused on Rachael Ray.
I know, a lot of people do not like Rachael. They find her voice abrasive and she is goofy, but perhaps that is why I can relate to her so much? When I saw her show 30 Minute Meals for the first time years ago, I was so inspired. It was actually kind of healing for me to see a “real woman” and self-taught cook, creating meals for regular people. Wearing jeans and a cotton top, laughing and talking to herself, she was so real and down to earth. So was her food! I do not like all of her meals but many are tasty including her Lime Chicken Sandwich on a Cheese and Chorizo Biscuit from her book Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats. Dare I say, “Yummo?!”
So when I saw that I could try out Rachael Ray’s Casserole Dish thanks to cookware.com I jumped at the chance. I got this goofy geeky feeling inside over the idea of owning a Rachael Ray product! I have actually never seen one in real life before, it is not something you find around here. I did struggle between choosing this casserole dish and Paula Deen’s. I am also a huge fan of hers but when I thought of how heavy a 5 quart cast iron pot was going to be, me and my weak hands knew Rachael Ray’s would be easier to lift in and out of the oven, as well as keep sparkling clean.
I will also be receiving Rachael Ray’s Lazy Spoon and Ladle set, so curious to see if I like this one. I am a little bit more dubious, might be more gimmicky than helpful but if it works how happy I will be not to have to use a spoon rest all the time. I am looking forward to testing them out. Hope I like them! I must admit that I do love the fact that they will match the casserole dish. Is that silly?
From this experience I have concluded that I am a bit of a kitchen geek and still a big a fan of the Rachael Ray of the past. The new fashionista Rachael Ray is more of a stranger to me. When these items show up and I cook fabulous dishes in my kitchen I will commune with the old Rachael. The one who talked about how she thinks the ladies on Desperate Housewives should eat more food because they are too skinny. Yup, that’s my kind of gal.
Let us know how that spoon and ladle set works out. I just may have to procure one if you say it’s effective!
What awsome picks and it’s so cool you get to try them out. I love the old Rachael Ray shows too. I even buy our dog her dog food. Her products are all through the US and Paula Dean’s too. Both look good but I wonder about the “gimicky” stuff too.. and often look at their kitchenware displays (& Matha’s too) thinking “what the heck is that thing used for?”.
Have fun trying them out ;o)
what great things to try out, can’t wait to hear the verdict.
I’ve never hear of Rachel Ray, she hasn’t reached these shores. But I like the look of the casserole dish and the lazy utensils (just my kind of thing). I also agree about those anorexics on Desperate Housewives, so I’m going to check out some more about her. Thanks Suzie, always a pleasure and an education to visit your blog!
Rachel Ray is always a “ray” of sunshine! She’s so bubbly and happy all the time, gotta love her enthusiasm. Lucky you, goodies for your kitchen, great pick! I do love the colours as well, very cheery. You can never have too much cookware, and this looks like it will come in handy. Have fun with it. And lazy spoons, very cool.
How fun these look – do keep us posted!!
I love going to our local ‘Ross Dress For Less’ as they have a great little cooking isle – with a Duke’s Mixture of products – often big name items, at a fraction of the price!!
I got a lovely stainless steel ‘WareEver’ pan (2 qt), my mini french press & a small clear glass teapot (with mesh strainer), & my salt grinder there – your post makes me want to go for a look-see what’s there this week!!