Jamie Oliver's "30 Minute Meals" on TLC

I am sure you will all agree with me that it's really becoming difficult to live nowadays, and because prices of goods going more and more expensive, families are now considering all ways of helping with the budget. Gone are the days of mom being at home while dad takes care of work, and because most families now have both parents working, the kitchen is sacrificed a bit. As people are becoming too busy living their lives, people resort to most things instant - canned goods, instant noodles, and yes, that would also include regular use of the microwave.

I am a big fan of cooking shows, and as much as I admire celebrity chefs cook good food in the traditional way, I also admire the chefs who are making good use of technology and prepare great dishes without having to consume that much amount of time. Last weekend, I got to read this, and thought about sharing it here on my blog:

TOO BUSY? ARE MICROWAVE MEALS BECOMING A HABIT?

TLC’S BRINGS HOPE FOR THE CULINARY UNINSPIRED WITH

JAMIE’S 30 MINUTE MEALS

- Catch the energetic, instructional cooking series first on TLC this April -

In a bid to tackle the issues of kitchen confidence and the common excuse of the lack of time among today’s working population, the rock star of the food world Jamie Oliver, returns this April on TLC with a brand new series, JAMIE’S 30 MINUTE MEALS. Inspired by the family-oriented feasts he has enjoyed on his travels, watch Jamie as he whips up substantial nutritious mains, delicious sides and salads, gorgeous puddings and refreshing drinks from scratch – all in under half an hour! JAMIE’S 30 MINUTE MEALS premieres every Thursday at 1900 hrs (7:00 pm SIN/HK), beginning April 21 and encores Saturdays at 1700 hrs (5:00 pm) and the following Thursdays at 1300 hrs (1:00 pm).

Jamie Oliver has been educating people to enjoy being in the kitchen and embrace cooking since his days as the Naked Chef. Now in JAMIE’S 30 MINUTE MEALS, the cooking super star turns the term ‘fast food’ on its head and introduces a revolutionary way of cooking in just 30 minutes. From talking about organisation skills in the kitchen to dishing out tips, tricks and shortcuts to cooking, Jamie provides the essentials so that you too can put insanely delicious plates of food on the table in no time, without compromising on quality!

As Jamie himself puts it, it is all about making people brilliant on a daily basis. Each week, he whips up a completely different two to three course menu. Played out in real time against a countdown clock, the recipes are demonstrated in a simple step-by-step manner.

Too busy? Too expensive? Don't know how? It’s time to stop making excuses! From summery vegetable pastas to spicy Thai curries to comforting warm pastries and pies, find out how the process of cooking a meal can be cheerful instead of a chore when it is done the Jamie way. Whether you're a beginner looking for step-by-step instructions, or an experienced cook looking to breathe new life into your repertoire, JAMIE’S 30 MINUTE MEALS has the answers. (Source)

We don't have Cable TV at home, but if we do, I will surely watch this, as Jamie Oliver is one of those celebrity chefs that I admire. Anyway, if you have TLC, and you want to perk up your cooking, making good use of your kitchen gadgets (read: microwave, blender, oven, etc...), do check it out, okay?

Some of the dishes to be cooked in the show include:

Killer Jerk Chicken | Jool’s Pasta | Sea Bass and Crispy Pancetta | Sardines | Steak Sarnie | Duck Salad | Spinach & Feta | Oozy Mushroom Risotto | Asian Style Salmon | Roast Beef | Chicken Pie | Wonky Summer Pasta | Stuffed Focaccia | Tasty Crusted Cod | Thai Red Prawn Curry | Summer Veg Lasagna | Smoky Haddock Corn Chowder | Rib Eye Stir Fry | Kinda Sausage Cassoulet | Piri Piri Chicken | British Picnic | Fish Tray Bake | Cauliflower Macaroni | Moroccan Lamb | Rogan Josh Curry | Crispy Salmon | Spaghetti | Thai Green Curry | Tapas Feast | Spring Lamb | Sticky Pan-Fried Scallops | Mustard Chicken | Trapani-Style Rigatoni | Chicken Skewers | Cheat’s Pizza | Super-fast Beef Hash | Smoked Salmon | Broccoli Orecchiette | Stuffed Cypriot Chicken | Steak Indian-Style

Now, I say "some," because each episode tackles multiple dishes... and if you're asking how is he going to do salad, main course, and desserts in under 30 minutes, well, you really have to watch it starting April 21 on TLC.

*** Jenn ***

It's My Favorite, Too!

I love the cooking shows being shown on QTV 11, and one of the shows I love to watch is "My Favorite Recipes." First shown August of 2009, it featured different dishes cooked with Carnation Evap. At first I doubted if the show would last because there might not be enough dishes with milk, but surprise surprise, the show is still going, and I am loving it more and more.

First season featured Chef Aileen Anastacio as its host, but come second season, the now Chef China Cojuanco took over the show. I loved Chef Aileen's hosting, so not seeing her cook was really a big change. I admit I didn't like Chef China at first, but just like any host doing a new thing, she just needed some time to adjust. Come third season, I already liked Chef China, and I loved the show more when Chef Gino Gonzalez joined her in the show. Featuring two dishes for the timeslot, it was a great change.

There are so many great dishes being cooked in this show, but I only got to try one - the Blackened Chicken with Cream Spinach, a dish cooked in their second season. The rest of the dishes that captured my interest were written in my notebook so when I want to do something in my kitchen, I can easily choose which to cook.

Third season featured Asian dishes from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand. I liked the season, but I felt they didn't show more of the Thailand side, something that made me sad because I am liking the Thailand cuisine since I tasted it.


Now on its fourth season, Chef Gino is co-hosting the show again, and this time they are featuring dishes, which you can serve this holiday season. I always try to watch it whenever I can because I still haven't made up my mind what to serve for Christmas.

"My Favorite Recipes" is shown several times daily at QTV 11, but I always watch the 11:30AM and 6:00PM.

*** Jenn ***

She's My Kind of Cook!

We don't have cable TV at home, so whenever I had the chance to watch some cable shows, there are only three channels / shows I check: The Animal Planet, Discovery Living and Travel, and Rachael Ray on Lifestyle Network.

One time, the local network Studio 23 aired a few episodes of Rachael Ray, and that's when I started liking her. She's very bubbly, very pleasant to watch, and she makes cooking seem so easy to do. Too bad it was just a limited showing, and I admit her show was a big reason for me to wish we have cable TV, too.

While in Manila during my 14 day holiday with K, TV only had the Animal Planet... but when we went to Iloilo, I was so happy that the cable TV had the Lifestyle Network, and I was so happy that in one or two occasions, I was able to watch Rachael Ray. I wasn't able to watch the full of both episodes, but I am already happy that I was able to watch her cook.

She doesn't claim to be a chef; in one of her interviews, she happily said she is a cook, and I like her for that, because it makes normal people like me feel that good cooking doesn't always mean having a culinary degree. She really is my kind of cook, and I do hope a local network would air her show, even if it's from years back.

*** Jenn ***

From Masarap to Delicioso

I have always loved watching cooking shows. If before, I watch it just to wow myself with great dishes, I now watch it to learn something from it. From the time Chef Jackie Ang-Po started helping Heny Sison in "A Taste of Life," to "True Confections," she has been one of my favorite local chefs. Actually, it's one of my life dreams to meet her in person and eat something she cooked. I just loved the way she prepares food and the way she imparts knowledge to the viewers of the show. "True Confections" is now replaced with a new show:

{Image taken from WMN.ph}

...still on the same time slot - Sundays 6:45pm on QTV 11. Chef Aileen Anastacio is no longer in the program, and in this show, they not only prepare desserts, they mostly prepare savory dishes that would suit different occasions. I love the show, Chef Jackie and Sam Oh (who is now a good cook in my opinion) makes it look as if cooking was something really easy to do. As Sam would put it, "If I can cook this, you can, too."

Anyway, I still haven't tried any of the dishes they made, basically because some ingredients were a bit on a high end (on my part), or some requires baking which is something I cannot do (as we don't have an oven). Still, I watch it because I know sooner or later, they will prepare something I would really love to try. If there's one thing I don't like in the show, it would have to be the split-screens while they do some of the procedures - it tends to make viewers wondering which screen to watch.

By the end of each episodes, there will be some guests sampling the foods. How I wish they would have a food bloggers' episode, and how I wish I will be invited to sample the foods. :) Wishful thinking.

*** Jenn ***

ps - me hoping to taste Chef Jackie's foods led me to think of visiting her bakeshop "Fleur de Lys Pattiserie" in Tomas Morato. Who wants to come with me? KKB ha? :)

ps2 - the two pictures of the show I took while watching it. Sorry if it's not perfect rectangle; quite difficult to take pictures of images from the television.