Price: $3.99 ($3.50 on sale)
Serving: 1 meal, 10 oz
Calories: 330
Fat: 12%, 8g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 31%, 740mg
Protein: 9g
Carbs: 18%, 53g
Fiber: 36%, 9g
WW Points: 6 Points

Amy’s Kitchen says: This typical Mexican meal combines Amy’s popular Black Bean Enchilada and Sauce with organic pinto beans and Spanish rice accented with organic sweet corn and green peppers. It’s non-dairy, gluten free, contains surprisingly little fat and is, of course, absolutely delicious.

Abi says: This meal does not contain cheese, thus I cannot consider it an enchilada. Sure, typical Mexican meals do not contain cheese, but this is not Mexico. This is America and we eat cheese. Also, there should be some sort of tofu disclosure on the front of the box.

Ok, I am now going to eat a vegan enchilada.

The box instructed me to heat the meal for five minutes. I went for 4.5 and my meal came out of the microwave a little crisp. Perhaps you can see the crust on the beans. I also lost a lot of enchilada sauce to the crusting effect. This is rather unfortunate, as this meal is bland. Bland, bland, bland. While it wasn’t detestable or disgusting, the black bean enchilada meal isn’t delectable either. If you’ve ever lived on food stamps or government aid, this meal will bring you back to those days. Also, if you enjoy eating multiple varieties of beans in one meal, you will enjoy this dish. I didn’t enjoy the black bean enchilada and will never consume it again.

Price: $3.29 ($2.79 on sale)
Serving: 1 Tray, 10 oz.
Calories: 410
Fat: 34%, 22g
Sodium: 39%, 930mg

Green Guru says: Homemade style cheese marinated with tandoori spices, simmered with onions and bell peppers in an authentic richly spiced sauce, served with basmati rice.

Today, Kate and Abi both brought this meal for lunch. While this would seem a strange coincidence, it turns out that they both enjoy Indian cuisine, shop at Whole Foods, and like buying sale items.

Kate says:This is not the first time I have had Green Guru International Cuisine Paneer Tikka Masala. In fact, I purchase Green Guru products frequently and they rarely disappoint. The paneer tikka masala is perfectly spicy and delicious. I would not be disappointed to be served something with this flavor at an Indian restaurant, although I would be disappointed by the presentation. This brings me to my two complaints. First, when I see the picture I want my meal to be served in the same rustic hammered metal bowl and it is not. Second, the serving container separates the rice from the paneer tikka masala and there is no way to mix them without using a separate bowl. I solve this by using a separate bowl, but this is annoying and poor design.

Abi says: You know that little storefront down the street that sells every kind of take-out food imaginable and works for a quick snack but you hope that your friends from the vegan coffeeshop never catch you eating there?
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Price: $2.50/box ($1.50 on sale)
Serving: 1 pouch, 7.5 oz
Calories: 180
Fat: 3%, 1.5g
Sodium: 14%, 340mg

The Tabatchnik family says: We only use our own natural and pure artesian well water, and never add any preservatives, artificial ingredients, or MSG.

Veda says: This was my first time trying the Tabatchnick Yankee Bean Soup. I’m already a big fan of their Cabbage Soup and Vegetarian Chili, so I decided to branch out a little. Differing from the picture, the soup base is of a more hearty, split-pea-like consistency than brothy base I’d expected. While not as aesthetically pleasing as the picture, the savory blend of dill and onion compliment the fresh tasting carrots and smooth yankee bean base, perfectly. I was surprised at how unprocessed and “home cooked” this soup tasted. I really felt like I was eating healthfully, which is nice since I enjoyed two servings.

I buy all my Tabatchnick products at Safeway, they sell them for $2.50 (sale at $1.50) per box. Each box contains two servings. The only thing this brand is lacking is more convenient packaging. To microwave the products, you slice the clear “boil in a bag” type of bag and put it face down in a bowl. Once you take it out, you must lift the sides of the bag and (with Olympic accuracy) avoid the steam as the hot lunch pours into the bowl. So, as long as you have a bowl and index fingers with a high steam tolerance, you’re sure to enjoy your meal.

Price: $3.99 ($2.50 on sale)
Serving: 1 meal, 10 oz
Calories: 350
Fat: 17%, 11g
Cholesterol: 2%, 5mg
Sodium: 33%, 780mg
Protein: 16g
Carbs: 16%, 47g
Fiber: 35%, 10g
WW Points: 7 Points

Amy’s Kitchen says: Amy’s own corn tortillas, organic rice, beans, tofu and vegetables, layered with mellow Jack cheese and our special enchilada sauce. This is a real favorite with our friends and family. Gluten free.

Abi says: The words enchilada and tofu shouldn’t be in the same sentence. Don’t get me wrong, I like tofu in Pad Thai, with Peanut Sauce, as a stir fry ingredient, or in the guise of Morningstar Buffalo Strips. I have a knee-jerk reaction to the inclusion of tofu in Mexican food. Even in Tex-Mex. Fortunately, I didn’t notice any tofu in this meal. People who really like tofu in Mexican food may be greatly disappointed by this perceived absence.

Upon opening the door of the microwave I was greeted by an intensely hot plastic bag full of boiling condensation. Yes, boiling condensation. Beware of the bag and use some sort of utensil maneuvering to scoot your Santa Fe Enchilada Bowl onto a plate or just let it sit there like the directions tell you to do. After the transfer, use a pair of scissor to cut off one end of the plastic bag, then slide the bag off of the bowl. These may seem like unnecessary steps, but you need to plastic wrap part to ensure moistness and you need the scissors to prevent severe hand burns.

In terms of taste, the meal is an 8. It had some unfortunate blandness that shouldn’t be off-putting to those of you who eat polenta straight from the package. The amount of cheese could be improved (which means increased) and below I have created a sketch of the ideal enchilada bowl construction. Though I still think that the enchilada meal is the best.

Amy (of office fame) says: I think the crunching of tortilla chips [an after-market addition] is key to enjoying this bowl.

Diagram of Enchilada Bowl Perfection I will make this when I am not at work.