Most cookbooks extol the virtues of cooking from scratch using all fresh ingredients. "Semi-Homemade Cooking" does quite the opposite. Subtitled "Quick Marvelous Meals and Nothing Is Made from Scratch," author Sandra Lee provides recipes based on a variety of pre-packaged and deli foods easily obtainable at most local grocery stores.

Many foodies may turn up their nose at this concept, but truth be told, the majority of home cooks do resort to pre-packaged short-cuts to cut down meal preparation time. The recipes are fairly simple and quick, but you might be surprised at some semi-gourmet results such as Steak Pinwheels with Sun-dried Tomato Stuffing.

Where purchased prepared foods are used, they are specified by brand name in the recipe ingredient listings. The author explains this is to insure you achieve the same result as intended by the recipe. However, many do begin with a fresh product, and you should be able to successfully substitute your own homemade versions or similar products for packaged goods if need be.

The book is full of rich color photographs of the finished dishes. Many of the recipes include not only wine suggestions, but also music suggestions. There are also a few pet recipes included. If you're short on time, "Semi-Homemade Cooking" can help you become a packaged gourmet cook.