Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee Whips Up Its 200th Episode - Page 2

rachael24 · 05-01-2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iwishyouwereneverborn

It's incredulous that people take her seriously and actually follow her suggestions. The idea that using so much store bought crap will save time is completely juxtaposed with the thought that so much time and money spent on ridiculous themes will take up much more time. Why not spend an hour and prepare a good, healthy, tasteful meal instead of two making horrid food and awful tablescapes.

Someone read my mind...LOL

aoneil · 05-01-2008, 09:59 AM

I think that her ideas are pretty good for the average family. The one that has 2 kids being shuttled between this and that and 2 working parents who don't have enough time in the day to prepare a meal from scratch. While, I have never followed any of her recipies I do think that she has a pretty smart concept. She may be annoying as a host, but I do think that her ideas are pretty good for the Mom/Dad that needs some shortcuts. It isn't like it is fast food or anything like that.

BerryBaby · 05-01-2008, 11:27 AM

Hamburger Helper works out very well. I use to make this when daughter was little, when pressed for time.

Anything out of a box or frozen is pretty simple to make if you read the directions. Sandra just adds a little bit of spice or something extra, which I use to do as well. They usually have these extras on the box.

But honestly, with all the in-store deli counters now serving complete hot meals, I think that is how I would go in today's world. Way back, we didn't have that option and I think it is a great idea.

I have purchased the take-out Chinese from Safeway and it is good.

Kansan · 05-01-2008, 05:34 PM

As a guy who doesn't know his way around the kitchen, I find her show informative. Heck, if you don't like it, who cares -- but the fact it's been on so long shows that viewers like it. This is one of those times where I simply shake my head -- why would anyone be "incredulous" that a cooking show is popular?

I'm not a fan of some shows but that doesn't mean I think it's ridiculous that others do.

Food Network Fan · 05-01-2008, 05:44 PM

She has been very successful at what she does. And I do think the show is good for people who aren't the best cook and want to actually see someone show them an easier way to use products rather than ingredients. It's not my thing, but some folks benefit from it I am sure.

BerryBaby · 05-02-2008, 10:44 AM

Her show is good for people just learning how to get around the kitchen. I'm beyond that so that is why it doesn't hold my interest. Like I've said before, the FN has something for everyone from the beginner to the skilled cooks.

Wow, can you imagine she has over 200 tablescapes stored somewhere. Wonder if they keep all of it, or donate it.

Food Network Fan · 05-02-2008, 12:40 PM

If she gets them started they might be willing to try more challenging things later on. Or some people just prefer a quick fix and want new ideas, she is certainly very good at coming up with those type of meals and making them a little more appealing than right out of the box.

I think the only packaged product I use now is the chinese dinner kits and I add veggies to that so I Sandra Lee that one.

I just can't seem to get asian food right when I try here at home. I do make a good egg roll though.

bluejeanz · 05-03-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BerryBaby

Wow, can you imagine she has over 200 tablescapes stored somewhere. Wonder if they keep all of it, or donate it.

Not to mention all the color-coordinated kitchen accoutrements that match her outfits. That, in itself, must take up considerable space. Now, for all the 'good' that S.L. seems to do for her fans for short-cuts, that's just one area I could never understand. What possible reason do they have for coordinating kitchen curtains to the outfit you're cooking in? If she's trying to tell us that you can change the look of your kitchen by just changing things here and there, then, okay, we get it.

I think the short-cut concept is good but many of the packaged products she uses contain a lot of sodium, not to mention ingredients that are hard to pronounce; i.e. chemicals. I don't see a problem using them occasionally but, on a day-to-day basis, it doesn't do a body good. Should moms be feeding this stuff to their kids? I used to be a big R.R. fan until I found her annoying but I think her show is several steps up from S.L.'s, in that she uses mostly fresh foods. The only packaged items she uses are stuff like rice, pasta, some canned items and an occasional frozen vege. All in all, I think R.R.'s recipes are a lot more healthy.

BerryBaby · 05-03-2008, 10:07 AM

True. I still consider both of those are aimed at the 'beginning' cook. They hold no interest to me.

Food Network Fan · 05-03-2008, 11:12 AM

I think the out of the box cooking is part of the food cost problem as well. If you buy fresh ingredients the majority if not all come from some place close to you so fuel costs will be less since they do not have as far to go.

Packaged mixes and pre made products come from where ever the manufacturer ships everything out and truck to other places. So the fuel and shipping for that is going to be huge. Add that to the fact that grains are being used for fuel and that's running up the cost of everything that eats corn and it just isn't practical to buy packaged stuff because of the cost.

And like Jeanne says they have all sorts of things in them that aren't good for you.

I think she is a great start for people but I hope they go on to expand their skills using fresh ingredients. But I guess that is up to them if they do not want to.

For parties and things like that she is ideal, because she gives decorating tips and shortcuts are always helpful if you are making a large amount of things for something you don't do every day.