cover image Rachael Ray's Big Orange Book

Rachael Ray's Big Orange Book

Rachael Ray, . . Clarkson Potter, $24.95 (360pp) ISBN 978-0-307-38319-8

Ray offers up her biggest collection of recipes to date. Dedicating whole chapters to kosher and vegetarian meals, meals for one, burgers, holiday menus, starters and appetizers, her trademark 30-minute meals and more, Ray covers the gamut in this tome named after her favorite color. Recipes are designed for cooks of all levels, and meals with more than one course are marked so that cooks can maximize time and effort. Dishes range from the familiar, such as a weeknight pot roast, to the more ambitious lemon and garlic chicken with grilled prosciutto-wrapped asparagus served with a pesto three-bean salad. Ray includes something for every appetite, from the hearty Buffalo chicken chili mac and sausage mushroom ragu with rigatoni to the more refined tomato and shrimp salad with horseradish dressing. She also includes family hand-me-down recipes and dishes that require longer than 30 minutes. Lavish photographs accompany each dish, making even the simplest meal mouthwatering. With its attractive package and moderate price tag, Ray's multitude of fans will flock to this extensive collection, making it a great holiday gift purchase. (Nov.)