Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals 2: A Cookbook Review

30-Minute Meals are just that, complete meals (with sides and easy deserts) that the average cook can make in less than 30 minutes. Rachael Ray also tries to keep ingredients to a minimum, repeats ingredients in various recipes, and uses things that you will have on hand (nothing exotic or expensive here). Her cookbook is broken into 7 separate sections, so it's always easy to find the right recipe for any occasion.

1. Make Your Own Take-Out. This section is devoted to fun recipes that resemble what you would order off an appetizer menu. Great for kids, this section includes recipes for things like onion rings, burgers, sloppy joes, Philly steak sandwiches, pizza, mozzarella bites, and anything else you would consider comfort food! For a great night in, make your own take-out!

2. Monday Thru Friday Dinner Specials. These recipes are for those of us who are cooking impaired and need simple, easy to follow instructions. They are also for those who are just too busy to put any extra thought or work into dinner. These recipes include "The Best Basic Risotto," lamb chops, orange barbeque or lime chicken sandwiches, lasagna, and pork chops. Side dishes include staples like potato salad and green bean salad. Although Rachel Ray doesn't bake, she has also included fun deserts like "Fluffernutter Brownies" and "Sugar Stone Fruits with Cookies and Cream."

3. Family Style Suppers. These recipes could fall in the Monday thru Friday category, but are passed down through Rachel's family or inspired by working moms. Some are 30 minute versions of favorites she had as a kid, and others are direct inspiration from sandwiches or meals she ate while touring the country, like Southern style chicken fried steaks.

4. Double Duty dinners. Double Duty dinners are recipes whose leftovers can be used to make another easy (second) meal. Each recipe includes a Day One and a Day Two to show you just how you can stretch one chunk of cooking time into two separate dinner dishes. Examples include "A Divine Chicken Divan" which can later be used in chicken tetrazzini or a Spanish beef and rice dish whose leftovers make a great filing for stuffed chilies.

5. Passport Meals. Passport meals are recipes that can "take you away for a night." Inspired by places Rachel Ray has visited, these menus can transport anyone to anyplace they want to be on any given night. Wish you were sunbathing in Cancun? Try "Spanish Cheese and Olives" paired with "Wild Mushroom Quesadillas with Warm Black Bean Salsa" or "guacamole sauce." Add "Fresh Strawberry Margaritas" and "Crunchy Ice Cream" for a great Mexican getaway!

6. Big Nights: Very Special Dinners. These recipes are for very fancy meals at home, a great way to please on Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or upcoming engagement (hint hint). All of these are exotic, sexy, grownup dishes and most include some form of alcohol. Instead of going all out at a fancy restaurant, stay in and enjoy the heat made when you cook "You-Won't-Be-Single-For-Long Vodka cream pasta!"

7. Healthy Hunger Busters. These are real meals for those of us watching out weight. If you are the only one in the family dieting, these stick to the ribs meal ideas are ideal for your family and good for you! While most of these are seafood or chicken dishes, there is a great Thai-Vietnamese salad bar and even deserts like "Star Anise Blackberries with Lemon Sorbet" and "Fat-Free Chocolate Sorbet Banana Splits."

For a quick, easy, and exciting meal, keep Rachel Ray 30-Minute Meals 2 in mind and remember that you can always make time for a decent meal, no matter what your skill level!