Deep Foods Undhiu

March 20, 2008 | Reviewer: Jess

Deep Foods Undhiu (Mixed Vegetables) Price: $4.00
Serving: 1/2 package, 5oz.
Calories: 210
Fat: 22%, 14g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 19%, 470mg
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrates: 6%, 19g
Fiber: 11%, 3g
Weight Watchers Points: 5 per Serving

Deep Foods says: Mixed Vegetables sauteed and seasoned in authentic Indian style. Vegetarian Delight.

Jess says: When it comes to microwave food, I’ve been around the block a few times. I know the staples, the Stouffers and Lean Cuisines of this world. And I know about the niche markets of vegan delights and celebrity named frozen food brands. I have explored the freezer cases of many a supermarket, organic market and convenience store. So it is with great pleasure that I embark on new territory. Oh to be the Leif Erickson of this flash frozen new world! It is an honor, ney, a privilege. To find this Undhiu Indian food brand was a special treat because, damn, I love Indian food. The things Indian chefs can do with mere peas! Peas! Bring it on, I say.

It was only when I opened this box that I realized there was no rice in this meal. What a let down. No matter how tastily compiled your Indian fare maybe, you need that starchy rice goodness to sop up all the liquid and expand in your hungry stomach. Otherwise you have less of a meal and more of a spicy soupy appetizer. So I left the meal to thaw and picked up some basmati rice, naan and stuffed grape leaves at this foodery of unknown ethnic allegiance down the street. They mix Indian, Mediterranean and American all over their menu, but they are cheap and delicious so I don’t ask too many questions.

Back at the office, and now super hungry, I fell into a trance staring at the microwave and took in the sweet, spicy smells of this meal coming to life. True to smell, the taste was nothing short of kick ass. It’s on the sweeter nutmegish side with a good helping of veggies. And what is that tender burst of goodness my mouth encountered? A sweet potato! Well, hello beautiful. With the rice and naan, the portion was mighty and managed to be enough for a second lunch the next day. Each day I found myself to be the happiest of the desk-enslaved.

So now, Internet, I’m torn. How does one rate a truly delicious meal that is not a self contained entity, but merely a key ingredient to the final product? I think I still have to give it 3 stars. With the rice and naan, I spent over $8 on this meal which is A LOT for microwave food. It did last 2 days, though, which puts it at $4 a meal which isn’t too bad. But then there is the cost of doing so much extra work to get the final product together. Once I got to the eatery I just could have bought their food, which I like to pretend is fresh, and would have been done with the whole fiasco of lunching. Let us remember that the idea of microwave food is the convenience. Still, I would recommend that you try this brand if you stumble on it. Just remember to have some rice on hand.

Ingredients: Potatoes, Eggplant, Green Beans, Pigeon Peas, Corn Oil, Bell Peppers, Sweet Potatoes, Lima Beans, Tomatoes, Plantain, Spinach, Chickpeas, Sugar, Coconut, Coriander, Salt, Spices, Peppers, Sesame Seeds, Wheat Flour, Rye, Turmeric and Citric Acid.

[If you’re into Trader Joe’s products, we recommend the microwavable rice (it comes in boxes) and the frozen naan. Amy adores Trader Joe’s Garlic Naan. -Ed.]

comments

10 Responses to “Deep Foods Undhiu”

Crow on March 20th, 2008

Deep Foods Undhiu, brought to you by Deep Blue, inspired by Deep Thought. I rate the dish a 42.
Abhijit on March 20th, 2008

I strongly recommend all of the Deep Foods frozen entrees. These weren’t really designed as stand-alone microwave meals, as you’ve noticed. But they’re good enough, for prepared frozen foods, that my mother serves them at the dinner table sometimes.
Joe Lencioni on March 21st, 2008

I also strongly recommend all of the Deep Foods frozen entrees. While I’m not entirely positive, I don’t believe any of them come with rice… they are all just entrees.

In any case, my favorite so far is the Navratan Korma–it tastes just as good or better than Navratan Korma I have had at Indian restaurants.

And, while I’ve never had Trader Joe’s naan, I have had some garlic naan from Target (Archer Farms brand I believe) and it was fabulous.
rob on March 21st, 2008

I don’t like frozen meals that come with rice because the rice always sucks.
Abi Jones on March 21st, 2008

@Crow - H2G2 is 30 years old! Crazy.

@Abhijit - The only item from Deep Foods that I haven’t enjoyed were their Tandoor Chicken mini-samosas. The chicken and wrapper were both sub-par. Everything else has been delicious.

@Joe - I haven’t had the korma or Target’s naan, so I’ll have to keep an eye out for both of those things. It is tough to fit Trader Joe’s early closing time (9pm) into my schedule.

@rob - Get yourself to Trader Joe’s and get a box (a purple box) of their frozen organic Jasmine rice. 3 minutes in the microwave and you’re set. Some of the Deep Foods items used to come with rice and it was probably the best came-with-a-frozen-meal rice I’d had.
Joe Lencioni on March 22nd, 2008

@Abi - the Target naan was at a Super Target in the bakery area next to other fancy breads. Unfortunately, the korma is a rare find–it’s not on the Deep Foods website, and I’ve only seen it at one Cub Foods. Maybe I should heat eat review it…
Nomie on March 22nd, 2008

If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s handy, I find that Uncle Ben Ready Rice is okay as far as entree-accompaniment. It’s a bit plasticky, but if you’re covering it with other food it’s all right. I lived off those packets and the Tandoor Chef chicken tikka masala last semester.
Geno on March 29th, 2008

I, too, love the Deep brand undhiu. Also good is Gits undhiu. They’re not always available, because they’re made of “winter vegetables”. But in season, these are terrific meals. And I don’t mind having to cook my own rice.

I just had freshly-made undhiu for lunch, by the way, at my favorite Indian restaurant up the street. What a wonderful treat.
Kari on March 31st, 2008

I LOVE Deep frozen foods. Palak Paneer is my favorite.

I’m happy these meals don’t come with rice. I like getting those huge bags of rice and making as much or as little as I need for dinner (depending on how many people and frozen meals I’m making). My 19 month old son likes these meals for dinner too! It’s the easiest way to get him to eat spinach and other veggies.

If you want to have these meals with rice and you’re at work or some other place where you can’t cook it, try Birds Eye steam fresh frozen rice. It’s really good and it’s easy to prepare. Just pop a bag into the microwave. You don’t have to open it first or put little holes in the bag or anything. EASY.
Jeff on April 9th, 2008

Sorry, no matter how tasty the food might be, they are neither meals nor entrees. They are side dishes at best. A source of sauces that can be used the next day with leftover rice.