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'15' minutes of fame: Jamie Oliver's watching the clock

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Author: 
Andrew Warren / TV Media
Jamie Oliver stars in “Jamie Oliver’s 15-Minute Meals”

Jamie Oliver stars in “Jamie Oliver’s 15-Minute Meals”

Jamie Oliver's on a mission, and this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone at all familiar with the charming British chef and TV host. He's battling to improve unhealthy western diets by pushing the use of fresh ingredients, cooking meals from scratch and campaigning to improve the quality of lunches offered at public schools.

It's an admirable battle he's fighting -- who doesn't love a good home cooked meal? -- but in today's hectic and rushed world, it really can be downright difficult to find the time to whip up a whole meal that's as nutritious as it is delicious. In his latest show, "Jamie's 15-Minute Meals," he's set out to show that amazing food can be put together even when the clock isn't co-operating.

Part of CBS's Saturday morning "CBS Dream Team ... It's Epic!" programming block, "15-Minute Meals" showcases exactly that. Oliver's come up with a collection of recipes that are as quick and simple as they are delicious, and true to the show's name, they can all be made in 15 minutes or less -- and to prove it, Oliver makes them in real time while we get to watch.

OK, so prepping these meals from the true start to finish could take a little bit longer. But Oliver's point is that the prep work -- washing and cutting your vegetables, making a rub for your meat, what have you -- can easily be done ahead of time when there's time to spare. When you watch Oliver at work in the kitchen, it's clear that making succulent, nutritious meals can be even quicker than calling for delivery -- and a heck of a lot easier on the wallet, too.

"Jamie's 15-Minute Meals" is, of course, merely Oliver's latest TV offering. The British chef got his start on television with "The Naked Chef" (the title referring to the recipes, and not Oliver himself!), but American audiences probably know him best for "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," a series that ran for two seasons on ABC and netted itself an Emmy award for Outstanding Reality Program.

It's no secret that the average western diet isn't the healthiest, but Jamie Oliver is working hard to show that there's always time to cook up a meal from scratch. Catch "Jamie's 15-Minute Meals" Saturday mornings on CBS.