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Semi-Homemade Cooking Made Light
by Sandra Lee
Meredith Books
ISBN 0-696-23266-9
Published November 2006 - Softcover - 240 pages - $19.95

I'm not too familiar with this lady's work, and I was a little hesitant when I read the subheading on the cover - "nutritious, delicious, healthful recipes that taste like they were made from scratch,"  and in her "Letter from Sandra" she says, "It's all based on my 70/30 philosophy: Mix 30% fresh ingredients with 70% quality convenience foods to create wholesome, no-hassle dishes that fit even the most hectic lifestyle."  I have to ask: "What's wrong with 100% fresh ingredients?  Or at least 90%?  I agree that there are certain things we should have in our pantries - a good tomato sauce, beans, pasta, and the like.  I'm on the fence about organic foods at this time.  Are we so lazy (I don't buy the "I'm too busy to cook" line.  Not for a second.) we can't cook from scratch all the time?  Really, how much time do you save taking the easy way out?  This book offers these categories: Breakfast & Smoothies; Starters & Snacks; Salads & Soups; Pastas & Pizzas; Vegetarian; Fish & Seafood; Poultry; Meat; Sides & Accompaniments, and Desserts.  The recipes I fancied are Smoked Salmon Omelet (I draw the line at egg white omelets for myself); Polar Mocha; Tuscan White Bean Spread; Chicken-Tarragon Salad; Sherried Mushrooms-and-Onion Penne; Mediterranean Chili (interesting); Cilantro-Pesto Chicken; Blue Cheese-Crusted Filet Mignon; Jalapeño Pork Roll-Ups (yum); Balsamic Roasted Onions (mmmmmmm), and Lemon Kisses.  I don't like the idea of using boxed cake mixes or desserts or too many bottled ingredients - so many have preservatives which we should avoid.  I still favor as much "fresh" as possible.
Visit Sandra Lee's website.
Beautifully illustrated.  Nutritional guides.
Conclusion - A very nice selection of dishes to choose from.