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Summary: 30-MINUTE MEALS 2
Review: WHAT IS WRONG WITH KAREN? I LOVE WATCHING RACHAEL COOK. EVERYTHING LOOKS SO GOOD AND SHE'S SO ENTERTAINING. SHE'S ALWAYS GIVING YOU LITTLE TIPS ON HOW TO PREPARE CERTAIN FOODS. I'VE ENJOYED HER COOKBOOKS TOO. DON'T LISTEN TO KAREN, SHE MUST HAVE BEEN HAVING A BAD DAY THE DAY SHE WROTE HER REVIEW. I KNOW I'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH RACHAEL.
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Summary: Great recipes but hate the chapter organization!
Review: Her last cookbook suffered from this too - but at least this one has a good index in back to let you look up recipes by type of food. For instance, if you're looking for a yummy Chinese-style recipe, it's a toss-up as to whether it'd be listed in the "Make Your Own Take-Out" chapter, or the "Passport Meals" chapter. There's something to be said for the more traditional method of organizing cookbooks, and unfortunately, I find myself using her cookbooks much less than I otherwise would, as a result.
Rating: 
Summary: 30-Minute Meals 2
Review: Karen's review was totally off-the-wall! Bad day, Karen? Praise for the cook, Rachel Ray. She not only cooks well and quickly, with fresh ingredients, but also with creativity. She is very entertaining as well. I personally enjoy hearing about her family. I look forward to more of her cookbooks. Sorry, Karen. Rachel wins, you lose!
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Summary: Response to Karen...
Review: I don't usually respond to reader comments, but could not resist doing so with Karen's review. One has to remember that we are not all in need of innovative yet time-consuming cooking tips. I think Rachael Ray's audience is comprised of people who don't have a lot of time (young mothers, working stiffs, etc.) and are frankly too tired to really come up with creative meal ideas. Rachael
manages to put together quite a bit in the small space of 30 minutes, and to expect more is silly. She is definitely the go-to girl for quick meal solutions during the work week - and frankly, I do enjoy her chatty asides and perky personality. I will note that watching her make the food is more rewarding than reading the recipes in the book. It's unfortunate that Karen's critique was not more constructive, rather than a derisive tirade.
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Summary: Karen is a Nutball -- Rachel is WONDERFUL
Review: Rachel's show and book is geared to beginners and people without alot of time to spend in the kitchen. And is excellent if that is what you are looking for.Anyone that thinks that it isn't enough...simply does not understand the audience and if you feel you are above and beyond the rest of us...why did you purchase the book? Why bother attempting to make yourself feel better by bashing others via your pc? Did it work? Go look in a mirror and study yourself. Karen, start your own show, create your own cookbook, and we will all watch your maybe 3 followers shiver in fear of being poisoned.
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Summary: Karen
Review: Rachael Ray can't cook. Her show is awful, and her book is even worse. I watch her show on occasion and have learned no new cooking tips from her. She does not give any advice on how to become a better cook. Her common tips, "squeeze the lemons upward to avoid seeds" and "it is so fun to smash garlic, a great stress relief" do not enhance any cooking. And who cares about her grandpa? Also, why would I want to waste my time watching her make dessert? Open store bought cake, scoop store bought ice cream, sprinkle with store bought almonds. My five year old cousin could come up with that recipe. Her book is for people who can't cook and don't want to learn. It is just as easy and tasty to make tuna helper and you don't have to buy a book.
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Summary: At last!
Review: I am a big fan of the 30 minute meals show on the Food Network, so I was really excited when they advertised this book on the show. I am a mom of 2 young children and LOVE to cook, but don't have as much time as I'd like on weekdays to cook the traditional gourmet meals. After the birth of my second child, I bought several cookbooks which specialized in making quick meals, but was disappointed as to the quality of the ingredients (not fresh). I recently purchased this book and have only made 2 meals so far, but WOW! They have both been incredible, highly flavorable meals to myself, my husband and my 2 year old very picky daughter. They also were both done in about 45 minutes (I'm sure w/practice I'll get down to 30). I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves food but doesn't always have the time to cook for 2 hours to get a fresh, flavorable meal.
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Summary: Lots Of Fun!
Review: I watch 30 Minute Meals on the Food Network every day and was happy to find Rachael's new book. I love her enthusiasm and sincerity in what she does. Not only is the show fun to watch, but this book is fun too. I've already tried a few of the recipes therein - my favorites are, I have to admit, her variations on fast food recipes (such as the O Rings)! I love the fact that everything is so simple and easy to follow. If you are a big picture cookbook fan however, you will not enjoy this book. I was a bit disappointed just to find those few photographs in the middle. I love seeing what the dishes should look like after they are prepared. All in all, this is a great book however. There are loads of varied recipes for every type of person - vegetarian, meat-eater, light eaters and/or those who like to indulge every once in a while too. I myself am looking forward to soon trying out the Black And White shake and Orange Freezes recipes! I also enjoyed the Q&A section - especially Rachael's answering where she got that cool stove she uses. I'm sure I am not the only one who was wondering about that! If you are a beginner cook and/or don't have a lot of time, I recommend this book along with the show as well. Definitely light-hearted and enjoyable.
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This follow up to Rachael's first 30 Minute Meals is fabulous! The recipes are so much more diverse and really EASY! I just made French Dips and Oven Roasted Potatoes last night and my meal was so good, so easy, and so healthy. Her recipes are for anyone at any cooking level. And they taste great! Thank you, Rachael!!!
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Summary: Rachel Ray gets real
Review: The value of this book is that you are likely to actually use it. Some cookbooks are exciting reading but when it comes to actually finding that magre de canard or black-truffle flavored oil, if you live in a rural area or are just pressed for time, your shelves aren't likely to be stocked with such items. Rachel Ray not only uses more down-to-earth and readily available ingredients, she takes no more than 30 minutes to make a fine meal that stands in for a family dinner with kids, a romantic evening at home with your honey or guests dropping by TOMORROW and you can just about make it to the Shop-and-Drop to get provisions in. Her desserts are, for example, often based on vanilla ice cream. But they are not boring and who doesn't like a treat of a good creamy ice cream once in a while? Ray, who comes from New England, a region with a wealth of good sense in cooking, uses healthy things like yogurt, commonly available fruits and veggies, and combines them with intelligence. Is this Haute Cuisine? No, but it is in the tradition of excellence in home cooking and it's pitched to the cook who wants a nice meal with only a modest investment of time and money. Highly recommended.
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