Rachael's Fan

I enjoy 30-Minute Meals, the Food Network show with Rachael Ray, a lot (I rush home to watch the show when I can - it's on at 6). She's so easy and enthusiastic, and the recipes really are quick and practical. (I like Sara Moulton, too, but on one show, entitled One-Pot Meals, she dirtied a total of about 11 pots and pans making two dishes. That is not my idea of a one-pot meal.) So I was pretty excited when the food editor came over to invite me to a "Meet & Eat" with Rachael Ray at the Food Network studios.

She was exactly as she is on TV, giggly and friendly, but much smaller than I thought she'd be (a common experience for me; I once saw Rosie O'Donnell on the street and even she looked small to me). The food was Rachael's favorites from the show and was great: sausage-stuffed mushroom caps, skewers of ginger beef, chicken wrapped in pancetta with a balsamic reduction. It was a "Christmas in June" theme, to illustrate that you can entertain with quick recipes. I was a big geek and had her sign the cookbook they gave us. She gave us suggestions for where to eat on our upcoming trip to Orlando.

On the cookbook front, I tried Mark Bittman's Pork and Turnips and it was pretty good. Why have I never cooked with turnips? They have such an interesting flavor and are pretty hearty. I think Bittman's book may turn out to be a keeper.