Rating: 
Summary: Good, but flawed
Review: I purchased this book because I wanted a collection of the recipes from the show. Some of the best are in here, included the fabulous Curry with built-in chutney. But the recipes I am looking for are hard to find, as there is no index and the chapters are organized in a playful but not-so-helpful manner. For instance, I saw an interesting recipe for a chicken pot pie made with a hollowed out bread round. I know it's in here, but is it in the "Comfort Food" chapter? "Kid's Favorites"? "Meals with fewer than 10 ingredients"? It's a bit frustrating. Finally, there are too many burger recipes (11) for my taste.On the plus side, the book does not suffer from the overly cutesy manner that Ms. Ray often affects on the show. It is a straightforward listing of the recipes. I just wish that the book was better organized, had included an index, and a few pictures.
Rating: 
Summary: 30 Minute Meals Is The Best
Review: I read a few of the negative comments, all I have to say is that when you are a hit the whiners come out. Just go to her site on the Food Network and you will probably see these same people there. This is one of the books of hers that I am adding to my library. Eventually I will add all her books. Anyone that can make a healthy meal without spending a fortune or all day in the kitchen is a winner in my book. Rachael keep the cookbooks coming and don't let the whiners get you down. Jealousy abounds when you are a hit.
Rating: 
Summary: 30 minute meals
Review: I think this cookbook is best used as a guide. I followed to "the letter," some of the recipies are a bit bland to my taste...however, there are many good ideas to start with here, and they just need some personal "tweaking."
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was disappointed by this book, based on the positive reviews I'd read here. Too many of the recipes were very similar to one another. Many were variations on hamburgers (or pork-burgers dressed up as Asian wraps). Too many were chili recipes. Some were ideas more than recipes (figs and proscuitto). I like what I've cooked so far, but I don't think this is a very innovative cookbook.
Rating:
Summary: Thai it, you'll like it.
Review: I was given this book as a Christmas gift. I've used it many times already in just one month. The recipes are practical, easy and tasty for cooking every day dishes. The mini meatball soup, Carbanora, and Thai it you'll like it Chicken are very good. I will make them again. Can't wait to try the Curry in a Hurry next. This book has helped me cook more meals at home and not feel overwhelmed in the kitchen. It is a good book for someone with limited cooking skills and someone who doesn't want to spend all night in the kitchen after work, so these recipes are perfect for weeknights. A lot of the recipes can be served with some rice or salad and you have a complete meal. There are a lot of italian pasta recipes in the book, so I would have liked more Asian/Mexican and hearty soup recipes. I would like to see a follow up book to this one, with more 30 minute recipes. You really can't go wrong with this book, and you will be sure to find a few recipes that will become favorites to make on a regular basis.
Rating:
Summary: So far, so good - but watch the show too!
Review: I've made one dish so far, the Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce. On the show that aired 2/5 she recommends adding some of the poaching liquid to the chicken before shredding. This tip was not in the book, and would have made the task easier. It was good to watch her make the recipe on the show to learn the shredding technique. So far, so good. My husband loved the enchiladas, and tonight I am making Moo Shu pork pockets. Good to see some newer shows on the air. After making more recipes, I'll be sure to report back.
Rating:
Summary: 30 minutes and you'll eat well.....
Review: I've watched Rachel Ray's show since it's debut. She's fun, kitchy and informative...so I got this book. While I agree with other reviews that this book doesn't have an index (very frustrating) it does have some great ideas. And it's good for those who hate to spend a boat load of time in the kitchen while everything else tends to hit the fan. Been there. So while it's a good sound book with some great recipes, it's organization is a bit lacking.
Rating:
Summary: Rattle them pots and pans
Review: If you're tired of heating up leftover leftovers but aren't quite up to cordon bleu, Rachael Ray's "30-minute meals", derived from her hit show on the Food Channel, offers up all kinds of yummy possibilities. Ray is fun to watch on her show; she's perky and down-to-earth and doesn't make cooking seem like some kind of exalted rite that intimidates beginners who haven't progressed beyond Boiling Water 101. Her bouncy exuberance comes across in her book and makes it enjoyable to read. I especially like the way her book is organized; there are special sections on Top Ten Meals With Fewer Than Ten Ingredients, Top Ten All-Time Favorites from her TV show, 30-minute pastas, salads and veggies, make your own take-out (pizza, sandwiches and Tex-Mex), burger recipes, Asian flavor, comfort food, and her own family favorites. Can all of these meals actually be made in 30 minutes? Well, unless you're as well-organized as Ray on her show with everything right at hand, slicing and dicing up a storm, probably not; but none of them should take more than 45 minutes and some of them really can be made from start to finish in half an hour. Her book is pretty heavy on pastas, which are typically quick to prepare, and if the Asian isn't 100% authentic, it's still fun to make and delicious to eat. Ray's instructions are simple and direct, easy for anyone to follow. What's more, none of the meals are difficult to prepare and all of them emphasize healthy eating. This is a great book for anyone who enjoys good eats without all the hassles that go into preparing them. Grab it and hit the kitchen.
Rating:
Summary: Rattle them pots and pans
Review: If you're tired of heating up leftover leftovers but aren't quite up to cordon bleu, Rachael Ray's "30-minute meals", derived from her hit show on the Food Channel, offers up all kinds of yummy possibilities. Ray is fun to watch on her show; she's perky and down-to-earth and doesn't make cooking seem like some kind of exalted rite that intimidates beginners who haven't progressed beyond Boiling Water 101. Her bouncy exuberance comes across in her book and makes it enjoyable to read. I especially like the way her book is organized; there are special sections on Top Ten Meals With Fewer Than Ten Ingredients, Top Ten All-Time Favorites from her TV show, 30-minute pastas, salads and veggies, make your own take-out (pizza, sandwiches and Tex-Mex), burger recipes, Asian flavor, comfort food, and her own family favorites. Can all of these meals actually be made in 30 minutes? Well, unless you're as well-organized as Ray on her show with everything right at hand, slicing and dicing up a storm, probably not; but none of them should take more than 45 minutes and some of them really can be made from start to finish in half an hour. Her book is pretty heavy on pastas, which are typically quick to prepare, and if the Asian isn't 100% authentic, it's still fun to make and delicious to eat. Ray's instructions are simple and direct, easy for anyone to follow. What's more, none of the meals are difficult to prepare and all of them emphasize healthy eating. This is a great book for anyone who enjoys good eats without all the hassles that go into preparing them. Grab it and hit the kitchen.
Rating:
Summary: Quick and Easy
Review: Like another reviewer, I had to respond to some of the negative reviews posted here. This cookbook is pretty darn good. Racheal Ray's recipes are resource for my kitchen.
I dislike Rachael Ray's show very intensely. Her cutesy little catch phrases, like calling Extra Virgin Olive Oil "EVOO", and exuberant manner are not even Emeril-esque kitsch - they are simply cloying. Ms. Ray, its not a children's show, its a food show. We aren't four years old.
Which is why I find this cookbook so amazing - its actually very good. I think too many Americans think only take-out, fast food or overprocessed "convenience foods" can fit into the fast paced modern lifestyle. Ms. Ray proves you don't need to spend 2 hours in the kitchen to come up with a healthy meal.
If you are seeking an innovative cookbook with "wow-your-friends" type recipes - look elsewhere. If you need a challenge when you cook, look elsewhere. But if you want to Coq au Vin instead of Hamburger Helper, this is a good book for you.
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