The crazed schedules of working people and busy families just don't allow for the time it takes to do all the shopping, cooking and cleaning that gourmet cooking requires, especially on weeknights. In response, most cooking magazines now have quick-cooking columns tucked in the back, after pages and pages of elaborate recipe spreads.

A few newer magazines devote themselves completely to the art of seemingly effortless cooking, such as Everyday Food from Martha Stewart's team, and Every Day with Rachael Ray from the Food Network's perky speed-cooking expert, which is set to debut this month. They promise what sounds like the impossible: a great-tasting dinner made with fresh ingredients that's ready before the kids start getting really whiny.

But do they work? Do they deliver on their promises?