Hormel Chili Meals: Chili n’ Spuds

October 9, 2008 | Reviewer: Andrew

Photo of Hormel Chili Meals: Chili n’ Spuds Price: $1.70
Serving: 1 package, 10oz
Calories per scone: 250
Fat calories per serving: 63
Fat: 11%, 7g
Cholesterol: 7%, 20mg
Sodium: 32%, 760mg
Protein: 14g
Carbohydrates: 11%, 33g
Fiber: 16%, 4g
Weight Watchers Points: 5 Points

Hormel says: Hormel doesn’t say anything about its product other than it’s new, ready in 90 seconds and, specifically, this is chili NO BEANS with diced potatoes.

Andrew says: Forgive my pro-chili bias, but I love this meal unabashedly. If chili had a lobbying group, I’d be the Jack Abramoff of it, stealing money from native soup eaters and using it to lavish the finest chili makers in the world with gifts and trips. And no jury would convict me, because chili is great.

Of course, I generally like my chili with beans, but this dish swaps out kidney beans for diced spuds, and frankly I’m OK with that trade. The chunks of potato are real potato, with the skins left on and everything! The first six ingredients on this refreshingly natural ingredients list are potatoes, beef, water, corn flour and chili powder. It may be made in a factory, but this is real chili, just like I’d make it. It’s real chili just like I’d ask my culinary-skilled sister to make.

And it’s got fair heat to it. Bully to the chili powder, chili powder flavoring (huh?), spice (not sure which ones) and paprika for bringing caliente to the whole operation. And it’s hearty. It’s 10 ounces of meat and potatoes (quite literally) and it fills me up more than most Lean Cuisine dishes for less money (!) and is actually pretty low-fat.

Did I mention this is shelf-stable? Push comes to shove, in a post-financial meltdown world where we’re all using burning garbage as our main energy source, you could keep these in your pantry for at least a year after purchase — plenty of time to barter your man-sized safe for a pallet of ramen noodles. And when you’re ready to eat, fill a tin pot or modified watering can (get creative! You’re homeless!) with water, bring it to a boil over your fiery trashcan, plop this whole thing in the water, wait about 9 minutes, take it out and slice it open with your executive letter opener/survival knife. Hot chili and spuds, anyone?

On a more positive note, perhaps buying these will actually help stave off total economic chaos … if enough of us do. I, for one, welcome our chili-making overlords.

comments

10 Responses to “Hormel Chili Meals: Chili n’ Spuds”

Lisa J. on October 9th, 2008

I think this is the scariest looking 4 star meal I’ve ever seen on this site.

I’ll admit, I’m intrigued.
Ginia on October 9th, 2008

This meal looks disgusting, but the review was hilarious. After the Financial Meltdown, I plan to live off of day-old bread and lard, myself.
Heather on October 9th, 2008

These Hormel meals are nothing short of VILE.
Adina on October 9th, 2008

this review almost makes me want to eat hormel chili.

ok not really but still, a valiant effort.
c. rodgers on October 9th, 2008

Andrew…i love your enthusiasm about chili!
Jeri on October 10th, 2008

While I agree that most of the shelf-stable Hormel meals are scary, I can see that this one might be OK, because after all, canned chili is shelf stable and it’s good. Potatoes instead of beans is an interesting variation. If I see this for cheap I might give it a try.
So Good Blog/News Round-Up 10/10/2008 | So Good on October 10th, 2008

[…] Heat Eat Review tries Hormel Chili n’ Spuds. […]
mandy_Reeves on October 12th, 2008

I love the Simpsons reference at the end. Hmmm…sounds like it could use sour cream…I would need to diffuse the heat in the chili a bit. def gonna try this one!
Kim (AKA Mom) on October 12th, 2008

Andrew - loved the levity, will always be sure to read your reviews as they appear in my in box of daily HER entries. Keep up the good work. We call it a burn barrel and it’s always available to you any time you are in need of preparing a meal.
Jeff on October 21st, 2008

I’ve gotta say that while a lot of people hate the Hormel meals, I’m with Andrew on this one. I love them. Especially the Chili-based ones. I am also quite partial to the turkey and veggies, Dinty Moore stew, and Spaghetti.

Of course, I also heartily enjoy MREs.