Semi-Homemade Cooking 2    by Sandra Lee Order:  USA  Can Meredith, 2005 (2005) Softcover     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Sandra Lee presents a second cookbook – Semi-Homemade Cooking 2 - that supports her philosophy of having time to live life to the fullest, while still being able to rustle up good food for family and friends. She advocates that we use '70% ready-made products, add 30% fresh ingredients, then take 100% of the credit for a dish or dinner that's fast and fabulous!' She has filled her lovely new cookbook with recipes that let you prepare 'delicious, made-at-home meals without "letting go" of taste' by substituting convenience products for labor-intensive ingredients. Literally studded with mouth-watering photographs, this new treasure presents 'a celebration of diversity.' Four sections, each with a different ethnicity, present foods from Italy, Mexico, Asia and America. Who can resist Lasagna? This one is made more special by the personal reference to the author's grandmother and to the recipe's history. The Crab Ravioli in Creamy Sauce recipe is to die for. Guacamole and Mesquite Salsa – heaven. And the Flan Cake would be hard to pass up. How about Wasabi Crab and Green Onion Pancakes? Or Shrimp in Spicy Coconut Sauce? Outback Chili Omelet – I have to remind myself while looking at the scrumptious photo that accompanies this recipe that canned chili is used. The section on comfort food makes me realize I don't really need comfort right now but would sure hit this section on a bad day. The macaroni and cheese would set me right up. On the light side, there's Angel Food Cake with Mixed Berries. For dinner, how about Herbed Pork Roast and Creamy Mushroom Gravy? Wow! I could go on and on, and mention every recipe in this sensible new cookbook. But it's already been done in Semi-Homemade Cooking 2, which is ready to take a position of honor on your cookbook shelf. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews