Rachael Ray: Just In Time
by Rachael Ray
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Book Reviews of Rachael Ray: Just In Time
Book Review: Almost didn't buy this, but glad I did!
Summary: 4 Stars
I own several of Rachael Ray's cookbooks and I was not blown away by her last two ("Express Lane" and "2,4,6,8") so I wasn't even going to buy this one. But I gave in to a weak moment and purchase it a few weeks ago. So far, I've been VERY impressed! I really like the fact she has added some 15-minute and 60-minute meals to her 30-minute repertoire.
Last night I made the "French Onion Burgers with Oven Fries and Dijon Gravy" (p. 34) and while the burgers were great the fries and gravy were AMAZING. I've also made the "Spicy Sausage, Chicken, and Bean Pot" (p. 98) and - as a big fan of spicy food - this was a winner. The "Cold Chicken Satay Noodles" (p. 112) were very good, and I loved how she used honey in the peanut sauce. She's right, too, they were REALLY good eaten cold for my lunch the next day. Finally, her "Sorta-Soba Bowls" (p. 118) - one of many MYOTO (make-your-own-takeout) recipes she includes in this book, continue to be one of my favorites since I saw her make this recipe on TV. I add shrimp to give it some protein, but it's equally good on its own and don't forget to make the sesame seed sprinkles!
The reason I'm giving this only 4 stars is that, as in all of her cookbooks so far, these recipes are almost impossible to make in the given time allotment (15 minutes, 30 minutes, etc.). The 15-minute cold noodles mentioned above took 30 minutes - maybe it's my stove, but I just don't have enough BTU's to boil water that quickly! Any 30-minute recipe I've ever tried has taken at least 45 minutes, and usually well over an hour. The 60-minute burgers/fries I made last night took over an hour just because of the prep time. This doesn't affect the taste of the recipes, but you do have to allow considerable more time than she tells you.
Book Review: She's back!
Summary: 4 Stars
First, let me say that at this point you know if you are a Rachael Ray fan or not. If you do not like the way she cooks (or whatever), just skip it. However, for those of us who appreciate Rachael, you will not be disapointed with this book. I have almost all of her books, other than the last two because her ingredients were getting too unusual for me to get easily or get my family to eat. In this book, you get back more to the root of Rachael in simple, easy to follow, shop for, and prepare meals. These are the kind of meals that you will use again and again and can actually put into your menu rotation (if you have one). This book is just not meant for gormet chefs and upitty people who feel like this style of cooking is beneath them. It is for busy moms and single folks, and people who would swing through McDonald's for the 10th time this week if they didn't know they could come home and throw some simple, easy to deal with food together in 30 minutes or so. It is for the people who have heated up fish sticks and macaroni from a box 3 nights a week for years and just need something else to go on. Like I said, you know who you are. I love Rachael and I think this book caters to the people who know and love her best -- normal folk.
Book Review: Better than I expected
Summary: 4 Stars
I am not a huge Rachel Ray fan. I don't always care for her television appearances. Thus I was fairly surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. I think it was spot on at times, very easy to read, very user friendly, and absolutely delicious.
Ray may be a better author than she is a TV personality. There wasn't much in here I didn't like. The recipes are presented in a very easy to follow style. Ray kept her attempts to be charming to a minimum and was straight forward, whicvh is when I feel she's at her best. I have never been LESS confused with reading a cookbook than I was reading this.
If you enjoy food-related cookbooks I also recommend a hilarious send up of the genre, "Maybe Life's Just Not That Into You." Had me in tears. Maybe Life's Just Not That Into You: When You feel Like the World's Voted You Off
As for the Rachel Ray book, yes, I was surprised she she's such a good writer. The book made me more confident as a chef going into the holidays. What more can you say?
Book Review: Pleasantly Surprised
Summary: 5 Stars
I received this book as a gift and was, to my surprise, very impressed. Although I am a Rachael fan and watch her TV shows, I find that the cookbooks of hers I already own, I rarely use. This book is an exception. Whether intentional or not, the recipes in this book seem to be much healthier and use fewer ingredients than some of her other books. As someone who dreads grocery shopping, I have found this book has several "go to" recipes that I can make if I just pick up a couple items at the store on my way home from work. The meals also seem to be more well rounded with more vegetables and leaner meats than others. I really love the soup section as there are very simple yet creative recipes that feel like comfort foods, yet are super healthy. Contrary to other reviewers I find the layout makes the book very easy to read, and I have no problem differentiating the color of the writing from the background. If you want a cookbook you will actually use, and not just admire the photos in, this one is a great choice!Book Review: Fabulous flavors for quick casual and formal meals
Summary: 5 Stars
I love to whip up quick, healthy dinners. Rachael Ray's book combines ingredients in fresh innovative ways - e.g. balsamic vinegar with peppers, sultanas (golden raisins), olives on polenta with slivered almonds.
This book has so many fresh veggies and grains that with a few substitutions many of the dishes can be part of a healthy diet.
Substitutions I'd make:
1. replace the EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) which Rachael likes in abundance - with olive oil spray
2. leave out the butter
3. use non-fat yogurt instead of cream
4. use non-fat cheese instead of real cheese
Then many of the recipes in this book might even pass the Pritikin or Ornish criteria for nourishing, low fat meals. Maybe Rachael can give us another one that meet those dietary guidelines.