This Must Be the Place

America's favorite self-taught cook welcomes readers into her home for the first time, with 125 recipes and personal essays that speak to the power of nourishment, comfort, and inspiration during the most difficult moments.

"The purpose behind this collection of stories and recipes from the hardest year of my adult life (and probably most everyone else's), was to reach out and share some of the things that I've learned. We've all been, the world over, through a collective experience together. It's not often you can say that. Anyone on the planet paying attention felt the same fear, heartsickness, worry, and sadness--but because of the nature of the virus, it was harder for us to connect to each other. I wanted to share my stories and recipes to reconnect."

During the early months of the pandemic in upstate New York, far away from her New York City television studio, Rachael Ray and her husband, John, went to work in her home kitchen hosting the only cooking show on broadcast TV. From her kitchen counter and stove, with the help of her iPhone cameraman (John) and her detailed handwritten notebooks, Rachael produced more than 250 meals--everything from humble dishes composed of simple pantry items (Tuscan Meat Sauce Lasagna and Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon-Maple Dressing) to more complex recipes that satisfy a craving or celebrate a moment at home (Porcini and Greens Risotto and Moroccan Chicken Tagine).

Organized by season, This Must Be the Place captures the recipes, images, and words that will forever shape this time for Rachael and her family, offering readers inspiration to rethink and rebuild what home means to them now.