30 Minute Meals

infobox television
show_name = 30 Minute Meals


caption =
format = Cooking
runtime = 30 minutes
creator = Mark Dissin
executive producers = Mark Dissin and Bob Tuschman
starring = Rachael Ray
country = USA
network = Food Network
debut = Fall 2001
num_episodes = 445, as of March 6, 2006
website = http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_tm
imdb_id = 0337534
tv_com_id = 22346|

"30 Minute Meals" is a Food Network show hosted by Rachael Ray. Her first of four shows on Food Network debuted in the fall of 2001. The show specializes in convenience cooking for those with little time to cook. The show is recorded live to tape, with Ray doing almost all preparation in real time. The show was awarded an Emmy for Best Daytime Service Show in 2006.

A common feature on the program is the creation of new versions of classic dishes (including clam chowder and macaroni and cheese), some of which are traditionally slow to cook. Where this is the case, Ray gives information on how to increase the speed of production. Ray will often prepare a salad or use various greens and vegetables to complement her dishes.

Ray has also done two specials with the title "Thanksgiving in 60", based around the idea of a one-hour Thanksgiving dinner.

The show also boasts a running joke of sorts in that Ray will often carry a large number of items to her cooking space in order to save time on trips back and forth. Whenever she does this she often comments about how her mother is probably watching and wondering why she just doesn't make two trips.

Equipment

Ray used a santoku knife during the early days of the series and popularized its use among at-home cooks. Currently, she uses a Füri Gusto Grip knife (using a modified santoku blade with a curved tip) that she helped design.

Since the Food Network does not allow real brand name logos to appear or be mentioned on most of their shows, "30 Minute Meals" has a graphic designer create faux labels for the food products.

Books

The series has also led to a group of cookbooks. The original "30 Minute Meals: Comfort Foods" book was widely successful, and has since led to "30 Minute Meals: Veggie Meals", " 30 Minute Meals (1)", "30 Minute Meals 2", "30 Minute Meals: Cooking Around the Clock", "30 Minute Meals: Get Togethers", and the newest: "30 Minute Meals: 365, A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners". As of February 2006, there were also three mini-30 Minute Meals cookbooks, "Cooking Rocks!: 30 Minute Meals for Kids!", and two additional cookbooks on the way.

External links

* [http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_tm/0,1976,FOOD_9997,00.html 30 Minute Meals at foodnetwork.com]
* [http://www.rachaelraymag.com/30_minute_meals/ 30 Minute Meals at Rachael Ray's Official Site]