According to Forbes magazine, Rachael is the top earning celebrity chef in a top ten chart that features Gordon Ramsey at number three. She is worth $18 million and leapt from small-time cable stardom to Oprah-esque success. She began winning audiences with catchphrases like "Yum-o" on her first Food Network show, 30 Minute Meals, in 2001. Today she has four Food Network programs, including Tasty Travels and $40 a Day. Her nationally syndicated, Oprah-backed talk show, Rachael Ray, is averaging 2.6 million viewers this season, and her Every Day With Rachael Ray magazine has 1.5 million readers. She endorses Dunkin' Donuts too! You've probably never heard of her - but here is one of her recipes - in American.

   

Granma Evelyn's Christmas Hermits

Ingredients

1 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs, well beaten

1 cup raisins

1 cup dates, chopped

1/2 cup jarred maraschino cherries, chopped

1/3 walnuts, chopped

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons boiling water

2 1/4-2 1/2 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.  In a large bowl, cream the shortening, adding the sugar gradually. Add the eggs, fruit and nuts. In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water; then add this mixture to the shortening mixture. In a medium size bowl, sift together the flour, allspice, cinnamon and salt. Add the flour mixture to the main bowl and stir.

Drop the batter in rounded teaspoons, about 1 inch apart, on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. Remove the cookies from the cookie sheet and place on a wire rack to cool. Serve and enjoy! Makes 30 - 40 cookies.