“Cooking ‘Round the Clock”

On a recent expedition to the bookstore I picked up a copy of Rachael Ray’s cookbook Cooking ‘Round the Clock. Now I realize that this is not her newest book (in fact it came out in 2004), but since I was at Half Priced Books (one of my favorite places to be, besides the kitchen of course) the selection is limited (there are still TONS of great finds and at a great bargain).

The recipes in the book are designed to be made at particular times of the day (hence, Cooking ‘Round the Clock). There is a section called “Rise and Shiners”, “Let’s Do Lunch”, “Early Bird Specials”, “Sit Down Suppers”, “TV Dinners and Snacks”, “Bistro Meals” and last “Late-Nite Bites”. The ingredients, procedures, and amount of work involved for each recipe is supposed to be reflected by the section it is.

There were several good recipes; with quite a few of them I will be trying very soon. The different sections are cute and have appropriate recipes. Rachael Ray includes entries, drinks, salads, appetizers, snacks, and even desserts (even though she claims that baking is not her thing). On most recipes she gives a fun or interesting fact or explains where she came up with the recipe. I like this little personal touch, which is not found in most cookbooks.

However, my only complaint is that there are only a handful of pictures. I love pictures in cookbooks for many reasons. First, pictures help give you guidance as to how your product is supposed to turn out. Also (as I have stated before) I believe good pictures of food can make you smell the food, taste the food, want to make the food. So pictures in cookbooks are BIG for me. Another complaint I have about Rachael Ray cookbooks are the recipe set ups. She likes to list all of the ingredients and directions all together. My preference is to have the different parts to the same recipe separate. If there is a topping for a muffin, I would like the ingredients, as well as the directions, for the muffin and the batter to be separate.

One recipe in Cooking ‘Round the Clock did have me laughing and reminiscing about my childhood. It is for something Rachael calls “Polish Smash”. Her personal note and the actual recipe is what got me laughing.

This is what Rachael Ray writes about this particular recipe:

Now this is the recipe:

Polish Smash
from Cooking ‘Round the Clock By: Rachael Ray

1 large baking potato
3 Tbsp. butter, divided
¼ c. milk
1 scallion, chopped, or 2 Tbsp. chopped chives
1 tsp. dried dill
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Sausage: ¼ lb. kielbasa or 2 hot dogs or 1 knockwurst or bratwurst, chopped into bite sized pieces
1 c. frozen peas

Prick potato several times with fork and microwave on high for 8 minutes. Let stand until cool enough to handle.

Cut potato in half and scoop all the flesh into a small bowl. Mash with 2 Tbsp. butter and milk. Add scallions, dill, salt and pepper.

Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and remaining butter. When butter has melted into oil, add sausage. Fry meat in pan until crisp and brown. Add potatoes to the pan and smash them together with sausage. Add peas and continue to cook another 2 to 3 minutes, to get potatoes hot and the peas heated through.

Serves: One

The reason I laughed about this one is because MY grandmother (Mama Kitty) made something like this one time for my siblings and I. However MY grandmother’s version could be called “Red-Neck Smash” as her ingredients consisted of hot dogs, mashed potatoes, corn, and cheddar cheese. Mama Kitty would take a 9×13 inch pan and line the bottom with the hot dogs, and then the potatoes (which where mixed with the corn) and then topped it with cheese and bake it in the oven. I remember LOVING it as a kid but I am not too sure now (mainly because I am not a big fan of hot dogs, only occasionally)!

Anyways, I will be posting a few recipes soon from the book (my pictures included). I also recommend checking it out next time you are out the book store or library.