Here are some customer reviews of
30-Minute Meals 2
: Would have gotten 5 stars if a lot of the recipes had ingredients that weren't so expensive. The author has great taste but I guess price is no object for her. Many of these recipes cost a lot for the ingredients which is a problem for those on a tight budget or on a fixed income. Would recommend giving this book to a friend or family member with a healthy salary and then hope to be invited for dinner.
 I got this book for my birthday, and love it. Though there is only a small section of pictures, that's okay with me--I can picture what the dish will be in my mind by reading the recipe.
There have been some complaints here about the recipes taking more than 30 minutes, but I think that depends largely upon the skill of the cook. I can make these in 30 minutes, including washing and chopping, but I don't measure things and I chop fast.
There have also been complaints that the ingredients used aren't staples. Some of that depends on where you live. I love the variety of ingredients and can find everything at the grocery store, but I've lived in parts of the country where many ingredients are harder to find. (Basically, if you live on a coast or in the city, everything will be available without having to look at specialty shops).
On the downside, I've found my grocery bills to be about 30% higher than when I cook more basic food. To me, it's worth the extra money because I get the flavor of eating out, but the convenience and wholesomeness of making my own food. If you are looking for more inexpensive, quick to make foods this book isn't it. (Though, if you substitute cheaper cuts of meat or mushrooms for the more expensive ones listed that would help. It would also help to grow your own herbs. I spent about $8 on fresh chives, thyme, mint, cilantro, parsley and sage today--all things I could have grown myself.)
I'm a fan of Rachael Ray's other cookbooks and of her TV show. I have tried quite a few dishes from this book already, as many have been featured on the show in the last year or so. Rachael's cooking style is not cutting edge gourmet; instead, her dishes are easily made and appeal to a wide range of people. At the same time, however, they have a bit of creative flair that keeps them from being ordinary. The book is not a glossy coffee table model, but is one that you won't mind taking into the kitchen. Rachael's energy and enthusiasm come through in her writing, which makes the book fun to read as well. I'm very pleased with my purchase.
Rachael is my cooking guru. My family loves to eat dinner at home ever since I began watching Rachael Ray and following her recipes. I do find that I can make the meals in 30 minutes. Also, Rachael uses ingredients that I can find in any grocery store. She doesn't use strange tools or ingredients.
This cookbook is much better organized that the first one, however I do wish that the books would be spiral bound in the future.
If you love the show "Thirty minute meals" on the food network, you would absolutely enjoy this book. She gives the whole menu-including the main, the side(s), and sometimes even dessert. They are listed together in 2 or 3 pages so that way everything is right in front of you. You don't have to fumble through pages to find what you need. There is a wide variety of food choices-fruits, vegetables, soups, salads, pasta, seafood, chicken, steak, drinks, dipping sauces, bread with toppings, and quick desserts(mostly ice cream with unique toppings that are simple). Ingredients are common and she doesn't use spices that you will probably never use again. The sections include:
MAKE YOUR OWN TAKE-OUT
MONDAY THRU FRIDAY DINNER SPECIALS
FAMILY-STYLE SUPPERS
DOUBLE-DUTY DINNERS
PASSPORT MEALS
BIG NIGHTS: VERY SPECIAL DINNERS
HEALTHY HUNGER BUSTERS
Alot of the menu plans are exactly from her show. I think most of the newer episodes. Not sure about that though. The only thing that I would like different is if it had pictures. It only has about 5 pages in the middle of the book. However, I highly recommend this book- Rachael Ray fan or not.
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