Rachael Ray Express Lane Meals: What to Keep on Hand, What to Buy Fresh for the Easiest-Ever 30-Minute Meals: A Cookbook

by Rachael Ray

How can you get a wholesome, delicious dinner on the table without spending time on long lines at the supermarket? Rachael knows how!Her secret weapon is keeping plenty of versatile, flavorful ingredients in the cupboard, fridge, and freezer, combining these staples with just a few fresh items—never more then ten—to create delicious meals for every night of the week. In Express Lane Meals, Rachael provides her personal go-to list of must-have items—so you can do a big shop every week then simply zip through the Express Lane to make any of these 30-minute meals.She divides the recipes into three “Meals for the Exhausted,” “ Meals for the Not Too Tired,” and “Bring It On! (But, Be Gentle).” No matter which you choose you’ll learn handy tricks and shortcuts to get the most impressive-looking meals on the table in 30 minutes or less. These are Rachael’s quickest and easiest recipes yet and a breeze to shop for—because you shouldn’t have to spend all of the time Rachael saves you in the kitchen standing in line at the grocery store!RACHAEL RAY IS A VERY BUSY LADY . . .And she knows you’re busy, too. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious, healthy, and home-cooked meal every night of the week. Not when cooking is as simple as this! In Express Lane Meals, Rachael Ray is back and faster than ever! With her latest batch of recipes this beloved Food Network phenomenon takes her 30-Minute Meal concept to the next level, creating recipes based on staples from a well-stocked pantry and just a few fresh items—so few you’ll never be stuck on a long grocery line again. YUMMO!

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Reference, Ebooks, Culinary

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 18, 2006

About the author

Rachael Domenica Ray is an American cook, television personality, businesswoman, and author. She hosted the syndicated daily talk and lifestyle program Rachael Ray. Other programs to her credit include 30 Minute Meals, Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels, $40 a Day, Rachael Ray's Week in a Day, and the reality format shows Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off and Rachael Ray's Kids Cook-Off. Ray has written several cookbooks based on the 30 Minute Meals concept, and launched a magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray, in 2006. Ray's television shows have won three Daytime Emmy Awards.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I purchased this cookbook when it was first released. My opinion then was it wasn't marketed realistically. Unfortunately I still feel this way. These are not items I would regularly buy, have as staples in the pantry or prepare daily.

[Vicki Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought myself this book 3 years ago when my kitchen was remodeled. It was my reward for being without a kitchen for 2 months (and during the holidays!) I wanted to cook something I wouldn't normally cook but I didn't want to be stuck in the kitchen or hours after a long day of work. This book fit perfect! Now 3 years later, I still go back to this book for at least 5 of my families favorite meals. Chicken with sweet carrot rice and lime scallion sauce. FANTASTIC! Black bean and corn stoup! everyone loves it! The night I made linguine with red clam sauce I thought my family would throw in the towel and cry uncle. They loved it! Want some quick family meals, this is the way to go.

[Philitsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look, I really don't like Rachael Ray as a person (or at least her TV persona). She's just too syrupy for my taste. And it's "olive oil", not "E-V-O-O"! But she provides a service for busy moms with this cookbook and many other of her 30-minute meal cookbooks. I like this one because it tells me what to buy from the store -- or if you're pressed for time like me, order online from your grocer. Her cutesy little commentary throughout the book can go out the window as far as I'm concerned. I just like cooking a meal in less than an hour that tastes like I spent all day on it.

[Virginia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, Rachel Ray. These recipes just didn't appeal to me. Some also contained ingredients that I just probably wouldn't be able to find easily at a midwestern grocery store, diminishing the "easiest-ever" claim.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah January, I love this month! Cleaning, reorganizing, purging. Introspective contemplation. Wintering. More time for cooking, lots of hot tea, and of course books and reading. Part of my reorganizing and purging was to go through a lot of old cookbooks and I had quite a collection of Rachael Ray cookbooks from back in the day. I think I have her first six or seven cookbooks. Most of them only had a recipe or two that I still wanted to make all these years later. But this cookbook dating to 2006 had the most recipes I still want to make again, updating some to be slightly more current and, it's the only one of the stack that I'm keeping. 3.5 Stars overall for a lot of reasons but, still a keeper for me 😊

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

None of the recipes stood out to me and there are NO pictures, except for a few in the beginning. I do not like cookbooks without pictures. Some of Rachael's recipes seem like she's always trying to throw the oddest ingredients together just for the sake of a new recipe. Plus, none of these recipes look like they'll be quick or particularly easy (unless you buy pre-cut veggies at a salad bar, as she suggests, but who does that?). The entire concept of "Express Lane Meals" doesn't make much sense with the complexity of some of these dishes

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wafflewiches are an interesting riff on a Monte Cristo.

If the Provencal Vegetable Stew would be good enough for Julia Child, then it would be more than good enough for me.

I very much like the idea of the Nicoise Salad made with beef steak instead of tuna. And I love the tuna version.

[Stephanie Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good cookbook. I got a quite a bit of recipes from the book.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Rachael Ray and I love her 30 minute meals.

[Adrianna Lamm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have used some of the recipes in this cook book. They are not ideal meals for children with dietary issues or special needs. I love her show and Love the idea of 30 minute meals. Other then those two draw backs this cook book is great.

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Express Lane Meals by Rachel Ray is another of my ‘bargain’ books to add to my cookbook collection. I scored this ’like-new’ book for $0.75. The recipes are definitely user friendly.

Besides an insightful comment, each recipe comes with lists of what to keep on hand and what to buy fresh.

Rachel not only tells us how to get a wholesome meal on the table without spending time on long lines at the supermarket, but includes a cheat sheet for all the go-to basics to cut and carry each time we do a big stock-up shop (NOT that I would EVER cut my cookbooks, but I do photocopy such things!).

Contents:
Introduction
Keep It On Hand: The Master List of What to Buy, How Much to Keep Around, and Where to Store It
Meals for the Exhausted
Meals for the Not Too Tired
Bring It On! (But, Be Gentle.)
Index
Express Lane Shopping Lists

I’m thrilled with this addition to my collection and recommend it to all who are interested in cooking, or cookbooks, or just want to put a quick meal on the table.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Express Lane Meals is a quick and easy cookbook by food network celebrity Rachel Ray. There are three parts to this cookbook; Part 1 - Meals for the Exhausted, Part 2 - Meals for the Not Too Tired, and Part 3 - Brng it on! (But, be gentle). Meals for the Exhausted is exactly that, easy Pasta Meals, Toasted Sandwiches, Soups and Salads. Meals for the Not Too Tired had a few interesting recipes like Cheese Steaks, Crab and Corn Chowder, Turkey and Sausage Burgers - yum, and Bring it On is filled with delicious recipes like Curry Spiced Turkey Meatballs, Ginger Orange Carrot Soup, and Sweet Soy-Glazed Chicken with Carrot-Sesame Noodles. I usually go for cookbooks with vibrant pictures of the food. The photos could use some work and there were far too many pasta recipes. The recipes were good and quick, which is the point. I will definitely give some of these recipes a try.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like Rachael Ray, then her fun, casual style should be familiar. I think that once you get her basics down, you can pretty much guess what's happening next. I liked the "staples list" provided and the "shopping lists" for each recipe... very helpful. I don't think there would ever be a need to own more than one Rachael Ray book, but having one around is great for inspiration and quick meal ideas. There are a few recipes in this particular book that have become family favourites. I usually NEVER buy a cookbook unless almost every recipe has a corresponding full-color picture- this one only has a few photos at the beginning. Disappointing; it would have scored 4 stars.

[carrietracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good cookbook for everyday use. It lists items that are helpful to keep in the pantry and then tells you exactly what you might need to buy each night. It also breaks down the meals into exactly how much you don't feel like cooking. The recipes work out well, and while it's no gourmet delight, it comes in handy when you cook mosts nights tired after a long day at work.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another yum-o cookbook! We really liked Dinner, Wrapped Up: black bean, chicken, and chorizo burritos. Spicy black bean soup with limed-up shrimp was pretty good. The soup was excellent while the shrimp were ho-hum. And the turkey cutlets with pumpkin-pistachio muffin stuffin' and chipotle gravy wasn't bad! We lots of other recipes marked for future eats!

[Christina]

I just got this for Christmas and would love to reference it for it's master list of things to keep on hand and where to store them list since i am trying to organize my new kitchen. It looks fun it has a section on every page in the upper right for the express shop list to make things easier.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite RR book so far. Great for those of us who spend more time at work than at home. The shopping list of staples (who knew you'd need it??) helped us get the basics squared away so that we know what to always have on hand.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful. Recipes are in 3 sections: Meals for the Exhausted; Meals for the Not too Tired; and Bring It On! (But, Be Gentle.) There is also a useful section on what to have in your house and pantry and handy shopping lists. I saved quite a few recipes, especially from the first section.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've made a few of these meals now, and they are REALLY easy to make.
Just add on about 15 minutes to the "30-minute meal", and you'll be good. If you did not buy pre-cut vegetables, the meal invariably takes about 45 minutes to add for prep time.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have made quite a few of the recipes the only thing is they are no way 30 minutes. Maybe if you do all the prep in advance (which I would recommend - mis en place your heart out) otherwise you will be in the kitchen all night.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such great recipes! They are easy to make, and they taste great. She has really nice twists on standards. I love her ideas, just not her voice. I get the recipes that I want and never haver to hear the voice.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

i actually am quite taken with this sh*tty little cookbook, i am not too ashamed that i own it and have made quite a few dishes from it, this is real simple food nothing fancy but sometimes thats ok. still havent made the chicken leeky dish but its on my list

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a great job in telling you what you should always have in your pantry to make a quick, tasty, and fairly healthy meal.

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect ideas for what to keep onhand so you aren't tempted to call for takeout. A little planning goes a long way.

[Vica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good recipes some bad. Coupleof our family favorites have come out of it. Like Cowboy Spegheti.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

reread looking for new meals

[April (The Steadfast Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. These recipes are okay, but Rachael Ray generally irritates me anyway... so maybe I'm biased?

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of my Rachael favorites. Simple to the point and helpful. Love the use what you have and stocking your staples suggestions. It's a keeper

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helped Corey and I decide what we considered "basic essentials" to have stocked in the kitchen.