Jamies 30 minute meals...discuss

I have a whole heap of these recorded on the V+ box, and I have been working my way through them, and I have to say, I am buying into this. I like the recipes and I like the simplicity and his use of shortcuts. I am going to ask for the book as a holiday gift.

What do the collective you think? Do you really think all this can be done in 30 minutes?

I think I love Jamie.

The Guardian tried some of them out:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/oct/26/jamie-olivers-30-minute-meals

That Guardian piece is really funny! I haven't seen the programme nor have I tried any of the 30-minute recipes, but my past experiences with Jamie Oliver have been unsuccessful. I'd say 0/5 for taste is about right.

And the 1 million dishes to wash up after. 

That's a shame. I like the show and some of the recipes look tasty. Personally it doesn't bother me if it takes longer than 30 minutes, but I'd like for it to taste good at the end!

Rachee, if you're looking for quick meals, Rachel Ray does 30 minute meals and I've found them to be quite nice.

I made a Food Challenge for myself over the past 2 weeks and I've used only Jamie Oliver meals.  Love them all.  Granted that it takes me longer than 30 minutes because I don't have a food processor (which he uses on every single one) but I think they've been really good.

I've also made my own 30 minute meals by picking and choosing his simple and fast recipes from the 'regular' recipes on his website.  Last night we had parmesan chicken breast with posh ham and farfalle with carbonara and spring peas.  Great combination tied together by the parmesan and pancetta.  It took me less than 30 minutes (the longest part was waiting for the pasta to cook).

I love him too!

That's a shame. I like the show and some of the recipes look tasty. Personally it doesn't bother me if it takes longer than 30 minutes, but I'd like for it to taste good at the end!

Rachee, if you're looking for quick meals, Rachel Ray does 30 minute meals and I've found them to be quite nice.

Sometimes I buy the Rachel Ray Magazine at Costco, but I never feel the want to try any of her recipes, with the Jamie ones, I want to try them all. I have a food processor, and like you say, I don't mind if it takes more than 30 minutes, I just think they look really tasty. Jamie for President!

There was also an evening standard article that did the same thing and came to the same conclusions. Too much waste, expensive ingredients (loads) way too stressful in 30 minutes, is technically possible if you do really diligent prep, but probably isn't worth it.

I've watched a couple of his 30 minute shows and honestly the ingredients looks super weird, he always uses WAY too much mint for instance and always uses a TON of lemon and I don't care what they say about olive oil, using a pint of it in everything is surely no good for you (not to mention, greasy) I swear he owns a mint, lemon and olive oil company. I think he tries to add freshness back in with all that mint and lemon but that's such a cheat and just overpowering.

I think tonight I may try the dressed potato salad one of the Guardian people made. They said it was delicious. I'm not a huge lover of sweet potatoes and I'm trying to find a nice way to prepare them.

I don't care what they say about olive oil, using a pint of it in everything is surely no good for you (not to mention, greasy) I swear he owns a mint, lemon and olive oil company.

I've not watched this series but have noticed the olive oil thing on some of his other ones.

I've made some meals based on his recipes and they are okay. But to be honest, I cut out or changed about half the ingredients to make it easier on myself and they still took longer than 30 minutes.

IMO, Rachael Rays meals tend to have a little better flavor wise but take even longer (her 30 min curry dish took me 1.45 hours the first time) so in some ways you are better off doing a from-scratch recipe.

Also, totally unrelated to his cooking skills, I can not stand looking at Jamie Oliver. His face reminds me of a petulant 4 year old and I just want to Supernanny him.

Also, totally unrelated to his cooking skills, I can not stand looking at Jamie Oliver. His face reminds me of a petulant 4 year old and I just want to Supernanny him.

LOL Finally someone who puts words to my exact feelings about Jamie Oliver!  So glad I am not the only one

LOL Finally someone who puts words to my exact feelings about Jamie Oliver!  So glad I am not the only one

You're definitely not alone! I can't stand his face or voice! Or his cooking, for that matter! I don't like watching Gordon Ramsay either, but I actually think some of his recipes are really good. You have to have one or the other - watchability or good recipes. Preferably both, like Rick Stein. 

You have to have one or the other - watchability or good recipes. Preferably both, like Rick Stein. 

Speaking of Rick Stein, we have one of his fish cookbooks and it is AMAZING! 

My main criticism of Jamie Oliver is that he calls everyone "brother" when speaking to them. This said, his Italian restaurant has satisfied a whole bunch of my preggo cravings.

Speaking of Rick Stein, we have one of his fish cookbooks and it is AMAZING! 

My main criticism of Jamie Oliver is that he calls everyone "brother" when speaking to them. This said, his Italian restaurant has satisfied a whole bunch of my preggo cravings.

Yeah.  No kidding.