Exclusive Rachael Ray Interview + My Top 3 Meals This Week
And ultra-easy, budget-friendly pantry recipes that are perfect for fall.
Happy Monday and welcome to October!
It’s been quite the delicious week since my last What’s Good dispatch.
First, I was able to attend an ultra-locally-sourced FarmStand to Fork Dinner at Dogpatch Urban Gardens. It was a stunning start to fall, and a treat to cheer on both my pals at Harbinger and the owner of Dogpatch, Jenny, who is a fellow member of the Les Dames d'Escoffier (LDEI) Greater Des Moines Chapter!
A few days later, I was able to introduce another friend to the remarkably-layered, vegetable-forward plates at chef Katie Van Dyke’s Iowa Culinary Institute dinners. It was another delightful autumnal feast (course four is pictured below).
And the next day, after listening in/laughing/tearing up as my girl Jill absolutely crushed her 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes speech, I hustled over to RoCA for their first wine pairing dinner in more than a year. The owner clued me in that they’re hoping to host one cocktail event and one wine event per month moving forward. So if you’re local and interested, watch RoCA’s website and Instagram for more!
After that, it was definitely time to get to work on my CSA produce.
What to Read…
A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to start the day with a woman who helped teach me how to cook—well at least through the screen. I was an avid viewer and fan of 30-Minute Meals back in the early 2000s, and have followed Rachael Ray’s career ever since. So it was a treat to hop on the phone with Ray just before she rode over to film a new episode of her daytime talk show. We chatted about everything from her biggest kitchen fails and why she never bakes to what she likes to sip on as she whips up dinner to the simpler-than-ever way you can recreate some of her favorite recipes.
Get the dish on this story and all of the rest of my content that’s new this week:
EatingWell: The #1 Healthy Habit Rachael Ray Says Has Changed Her Lifestyle—and Her Dinner Plans
EatingWell: 11 of the Best Fall Products Coming to Trader Joe's, According to Employees
Bicycling: Recent Study Suggests Vegetarians Are at Higher Risk for Hip Fractures—Here’s What You Need to Know
Better Homes & Gardens: How to Cook Patty Pan Squash 5 Ways—Plus How to Pickle It
Better Homes & Gardens: How to Make the Most of Your Instant Pot During Thanksgiving
Better Homes & Gardens: How to Make the Most of Your Air Fryer During Thanksgiving
Better Homes & Gardens: Canned Food Recipes For When You Want to Cook From Your Pantry
What’s Inspiring Me…
After initially seeing this in my friend Chelsea’s Instagram Stories, I had to read it about three more times. It hits so close to home.
Anyone who knew 16-year-old me knew that “skinny” Karla feels constantly-cold, snippy, achy, distracted (from counting calories and coming up with another lie about what I had/hadn’t eaten), depressed and overwhelmingly anxious. Not good feelings at all.
So this absolutely hit home, and when I shared this sentiment on Instagram myself, the responses in my DMs were overwhelming proof that many of my friends and followers feel the same way.
Collectively, my social media pals and I came up with some additional items to add to this long list. First, I started with mine:
Vacation—without counting calories / Creamy gelato on vacation / A vacation brunch with bubbles / A brunch cinnamon for the table / Pizza for the table / A table shared with friends / Friends who help you realize your dreams / Dreaming up new ways with carbs / Eating as many carbs as your body craves / Craving color / Living in color / Coloring outside the lines / Taking up as much space as you damn well please
Then I asked for my Instagram pals’ additions. So good, y’all. (Chime in below if we forgot anything you’d like to add. )
Wine night with friends
Bread and butter
Chips and guacamole
Ripe watermelon
Breakfast in bed
Fries with mayonnaise
Shamelessly licking the bowl
Everything