Price: $1.40 (on Sale @ Kroger)
Serving: 1 meal, 10oz
Calories: 290 per serving
Fat: 20%, 13g
Cholesterol: 12%, 35mg
Sodium: 31%, 750mg
Protein: 14g
Carbohydrates: 10%, 31g
Fiber: 16%, 4g
Sugar: 2g
Weight Watchers Points: 6 POINTS

Banquet says: Glazed chicken breast with rib meat patty in herb sauce on a bed of rice with a side of vegetables

Kristen says: I’m not quite sure what drew me to this particular meal, I’m not really a gravy fan but perhaps it was the 10 for 10 deal Kroger had going on for regular banquet meals and the fact that the Banquets selects meals were also on sale conveniently next to it. I was intrigued by the fact that Banquet was going “Select” it would be like Golden Corral putting out crab cakes, it doesn’t make sense but you want it to. My curiosity piqued, I dove into this classy bargain basement frozen meal without looking back.

When I took the meal out of the paper box, the black plastic container was already broken. Sure someone could have poisoned my food but I reasoned silently that Banquet put so much money into the food that the packaging quality had to take a back seat. I microwaved the entire tray for 6 minutes and it was still a little frozen so I threw it in for another 1 and a half minutes. The meal was steaming as I took it out and the black container had completely lost the war with the microwave so I had to transfer my food onto a plate.

Banquet’s vegetables were very good, minimal in volume but typical for a frozen meal. The chicken was also good, but obviously not from just one chicken. Yes, they did say patty in the description so I knew what I was getting into. There was one awkward “cold” bite of chicken (after six minutes) but other than that it cooked well, and I mean well. The gravy was a nice addition, very rich but not too overpowering. The rice was a little overcooked but very buttery. The whole time I was eating this almost decadent meal I couldn’t believe it was only 290 calories. I was actually full at the end, not something I usually anticipate or have happen when dining ala freezer. It was definitely worth the $1.40, good on you Banquet selects!

Price: $2.49 at Trader Joe’s
Serving: 2.7 oz. (2 servings per bowl)
Calories: 110 per serving
Fat: 2%, 1g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 19%, 450mg
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 8%, 23g
Fiber: 4%, 1g
Sugar: 1g
Weight Watchers Points: 2 per serving, 4 per bowl

Annie Chun says: Dear Friends,

As a busy mom, I sometimes have to eat my meals on the run. That’s why I created my two-minute Miso Soup Bowl – a warm lunch or dinner that you can enjoy anywhere. In Japan, miso is valued for it energizing qualities, health benefits, and rich taste. I pair my delicious miso broth with tofu, spinach, scallions and soft, fresh cooked udon noodles, which are tastier and more flavorful than dried noodles. Keep a few packages in your desk or cupboard, then just heat and serve for a tasty nutritious meal. Happy eating!

Annie

Jackie says: Dear Annie,

Thank you for providing this delicious soup, and for educating me on the beneficial qualities of miso. Thank you also for using eco-friendly cornstarch bowls and freeze-dried veggies that kind of make me feel like I’m eating space food.

Your broth is, indeed, rich and tasty. I did add a little bit of soy sauce, but that has more to do with my sodium addiction than your seasoning prowess. The noodles are soft and delightful, and the freeze-dried veggie block rehydrates quite nicely.

Soup-wise, my only problem is with the tofu. It loses that slurpy, silky quality of the tofu in restaurant miso soup. But I do appreciate that the item is shelf-stable, which makes me feel like less of a fridge hog, and if the tofu weren’t freeze-dried or however you make your space-packet, it probably would have to be refrigerated. So I am willing to accept the slightly spongy tofu.

However. It is apparently becoming quite hip in soup packaging to label something as two servings that is clearly not meant to be shared. I’m not going to eat half the soup and save it for later, nor am I going to slurp the noodles with a friend. I entreat you, and the entire soup community, to stop pretending we’re not going to eat all the soup in one serving. Because we are.

I appreciate the suggestion to keep a couple of packages in my desk or cupboard. I think I will.

Happy eating!
(This is how I’m going to sign off all my letters from now on)

Jackie

Price: $1.07 (on sale at Wal-Mart)
Serving: 11 snacks, 85g
Calories: 190 per serving
Fat: 11%, 7g
Cholesterol: 3%, 10mg
Sodium: 22%, 520mg
Protein: 9g
Carbohydrates: 23g
Dietary Fiber: 4%, 1g
Sugars: 2g
Weight Watchers points: 4 points

Michelina’s says: white chicken in spicy tomato sauce in a golden crust

Colby says: Wow. To be honest, my expectations in starting this adventure were a little low. I have never really enjoyed Michelina’s products in the past, and this was my first foray in their “Lean Gourmet” line; an area of frozen foods that is very hit or miss. Michelina’s didn’t hit a home run here, but the ball reached the outfield wall- a double that could be stretched for a triple.

The “Buffalo-Style” part of the name is slightly misleading. In reality, the “spicy tomato sauce” claim is much more like the truth. The ingredient list backs this assertion, as there is no mention of any sort of buffalo sauce, but there is hot sauce and tomatoes*. The sauce is actually quite good. Michelina’s is not making an empty claim of “spicy” like so many others do. Each bite has a good amount of kick, and a little bit of tang (probably from the onions and blue cheese powder), without being overpowering. Also making the ingredient list in third position, behind enriched wheat flour and water, is cooked white chicken. Take it as you will, but at least there is real chicken in these snack rolls.

What gets to me about these snackers are the directions. Looking at the package, you would assume you could just peel off the top and stick it in the microwave. I am here to tell you that you would be making a false assumption (like I did). I caved to authority and followed directions, placing a double-layer of paper towels (how wasteful) on a microwave-safe plate and microwaved the snackers for 90 seconds. They turned out pretty well. As the picture shows, there was some seepage, but the snack rolls were thoroughly cooked. However, if I buy these again, I am rebelling and cooking them in the package. Deal with it, Michelina.

I liked these. I ate the whole package, which is 1.5 servings, and my stomach is happy with me. They get 3 stars because they aren’t something I would ever eat as a meal, but when buddies come over to watch the game, these could find their way into the line-up. Also, I am sure they will make a great 3 a.m. food; a bread-like substance filled with hot sauce, cheese, and a greasy protein. That is the recipe for an under-the-influence victory, and it won’t throw your diet into a tailspin.

*I realize that buffalo sauce and hot sauce can often be used interchangeably, but this sauce does not conjure up thoughts of buffalo wings in my head. Therefore, I declare it to be a hot sauce, not a buffalo sauce.

Hey everyone, I’ve been travelling through some remote portions of the American Southwest, and unsuprisingly there is not much Internet access out here.

So, apologies for the lack of reviews - there will be new ones going up today (uh, Thursday?) through Monday and then we’ll be back to the 3-times-a-week schedule.

Thanks for being patient with my need to see some canyons.

Sincerely,
Abi Jones

P.S. I’m sorry that the meal I left up for a week and a half was so disgusting.