Amy’s Cheese Tamale Verde

May 28, 2008 | Reviewer: Abi

Photo of Amy’s Cheese Tamale Verde Price: $4.19
Serving: 1 package, 10.3oz.
Servings per box: 1
Calories: 360
Fat: 25%, 16g
Cholesterol: 7%, 20mg
Sodium: 33%, 780mg
Protein: 10g
Carbohydrates: 15%, 45g
Fiber: 20%, 5g
Sugar: 5g
Weight Watchers Points: 8 Points

Amy’s says: Corn masa tamale filled with Monterey jack cheese and Anaheim chilies. Topped with an authentic verde sauce of organic tomatillos. Spanish rice made with organic brown rice and tender black beans are served on the side. Gluten free.

Abi says: I’ve been eating a lot of small meals throughout the day. Oh, just kidding. I’ve been eating a lot of almonds throughout the day, so many almonds that I think I actually got sick from them yesterday. You see, I discovered some local lightly roasted (baked, not fried) almonds at my nearby natural foods store and I figured that I’d start bringing a million and one little snacks with me to the office and just snack throughout the day rather than eating a big lunch time meal. Because big lunch time meal = nap and I no longer work at home.

This tamal from Amy’s definitely fits into that filling-yet-not-stuffed category. For one, it is much flatter than the image on the box, something I don’t understand because Amy’s seems to have a really compressed supply chain where marketing folks shouldn’t dictate reality. Alas, this tamal is not super cheesy, featuring about half the filling shown in the photo.

On the plus side, the flavors in the tamal are mild and fresh, with a fluffy masa that’s significantly better than the stuff in Trader Joe’s tamales. There’s a tiny bit of heat (spice, not temperature), but nothing that’ll send a midwestern farm boy running for the water pump. The tomatillo salsa isn’t overpowering like a lot of red salsas, so it adds a great color element (definitely some Biggie influence showing through here) while providing balance to bites of earthy masa and rich cheese.

The rice was definitely heavier and had a ‘tomatoes from the can’ taste to it, something that is common in Spanish-style rices and causes me to avoid them whenever possible. I’d like to trade half of the rice for some Wahoo’s spicy white beans (so freaking good!) and add a brownie. With those changes (okay, just the beans, no brownie) then this meal would be a five star choice any day.

comments

12 Responses to “Amy’s Cheese Tamale Verde”

Julie on May 28th, 2008

I’d have to take out a loan to buy Amy’s even when it’s on sale.
rob on May 28th, 2008

I eat her full sized pizzas which are 5.99 here but have not had the opportunity to try anything else, way too expensive.
Abi Jones on May 28th, 2008

As a general rule I only buy Amy’s products when they’re on sale. However, I purchased this because I needed to get cash and I had the option of paying $2.00 at a not-my-bank ATM or buying something and getting cash back.

I’m glad I bought something.
sir jorge on May 28th, 2008

this looks good, and i hope it shows up in my local grocery store. I love tamale’s, as i’m from mexico
Biggie @ Lunch in a Box on May 28th, 2008

Ha ha, so I’ve influenced you on color balance for food! I keep aiming for that five natural colors in a meal ideal, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. I agree that the tomatillo salsa adds a nice shot of green — an all-red meal somehow wouldn’t be as appealing. Thanks for the shout out.
christine on May 28th, 2008

I was lucky to find some Amy’s on clearence for 89 cents. I picked some bean and rice burritos and tofu lasagnas. The burritos were excellent, the lasagna fine for the price. I would love to try more but yes they are expensive.
Erin on May 28th, 2008

Glad to hear that this got 4 stars as I have a bunch of these in the freezer just waiting to be packed off to the office
Jeri on May 28th, 2008

I’ve been finding Amy’s stuff at Grocery Outlet. It’s still not cheap, but a significant savings (usually $2.99 for the entrees and sometimes the meals). I had the black bean tamale verde for lunch yesterday. I was surprised by the fluffy texture of the masa (that Abi mentioned) and also by the slightly sweet filling which contrasted nicely with the tang of the tomatillos. I didn’t notice any spice-heat. It didn’t taste like I’d expected it to, but once I got past that, it was quite good. With the black beans and the brown rice it made for a fairly sturdy lunch.
Katy on May 29th, 2008

Yay! New Mexican food from Amy’s! I have yet to be disappointed with anything Mexicanish from Amy’s — by far my favorite genre from them. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled at my local, and just to keep from sounding like a spoiled brat braggart, I won’t even mention the pittance we Army folk get our Amy’s for at our commisaries. (Neener!)
John Smith on May 29th, 2008

What is a Tamale? It sounds just like a burrito or enchilada. I’m from another country and have never heard of it. Great site and great writers.
Red on May 29th, 2008

A common theme here seems to be that Amy’s products are expensive. Although they are unique in the dietary landscape, I totally agree.
Nikki on July 13th, 2008

I’ve had this twice, liked it both times but it is nowhere near as lovely, hearty or cheezy as on the package. Amy’s is super expensive even in Wal-mart and I think this was $5.99 at Publix. They only carry a few things at Wal-mart and since I don’t like to shop there anyway that’s no big deal. I do usually like most of Amy’s entrees, so I will agree that this tastes pretty darn good.