Originally Posted by
emma69
Part of my dislike (not hate) is that fact that she, and others (including a fair number of magazines and cook books) are dumbing down food prep. I am SO sick of reading 'Take a store bought pie crust' or 'Take one store bought vanilla cake' etc. Really, does anyone think a basic pie crust or cake are rocket surgery??? People seem suddenly scared of baking, or making something as simple as pastry. Sure, by all means, buy pre-made puff or filo, because they are more fiddly and time consuming. But a pie crust? In a pie dish, where small tears bumps etc are not going to be noticed? This is cookery 101 stuff, not haute cuisine!
I don't know your family situation but I come home from work as does my wife with our 20 month old son. We make a simple dinner while we are feeding him. Something like enchiladas from scratch with a salad or rice. We don't often have the time to make a pie crust from scratch or take a few hours to make homemade tomato sauce.
Sandra Lee appeals to a certain demographic and Michael Symon or another fine chef to another. I can't say I ever cook Chef Symon's meals but I do cook Claire Robinson's easy recipes or something similar.