Warnings/Recommendations of Prefixed Foods

Hi Girls and Boys,

I am not a big fan of prefixed foods like soup mixes, cans, powders etc...usually olive oil, garlic and lemon take me far enough, but once in a while I fall for a convenience product, especially as I have schoolage children that want a snack in the afternoon.

I think maybe we could start a file to list our experiences with different products.

I'll start with two of them:

Very disappointing:
"Tahini" Creamy Sesame Dressing Mix from Casbah.
Folks, save your money. There is a powder inside of the package that looks like sand, smells like sand and also tastes like sand - and we prepared it exactly as stated on the package. (There's no web-address or telephone number on the package or I would have told them). We have some tolerance for packaged foods, but this was awful.

Good:
Bear Creek "Blaz'n Saddles Chili SoupMix"" As good as precooked beans can get. Chili flavor, real beans.....if you have to settle for fast, take this.

Bear CreekTahini

[momoreg]

Hero makes a boxed vacuum sealed Rosti that's surprisingly good, and tastes like fresh potatoes. It's useful for camping, or for those who are temporarily without a kitchen, like we are right now.

Here's a link:
http://www.3emarket.com/cgi-bin/uncgi/marketclub?page=/items/her-70213.html& cart_id=69057328.23213

[ April 09, 2001: Message edited by: momoreg ]

[Mezzaluna]

Because I recently was subjected to some: Manischewitz Potato Kugel mix (for Passover). It's dehydrated potatoes and a lot of junk in a box. I'll bet the box tastes better. DRECK! Granted, there are dietary restrictions during Passover, but why do people think that is a reason to use ugly stuff like this????

[Afra]

MY question is, why do food companies keep making all these junk foods? I wish they would stop making these and start making real food so everyone can eat healthy. There are a lot of times that I go to the store and have a difficult time trying to figure out which foods are healthy and real and which are not.

[Pooh]

Knorr Soups are a good bet. We like the chicken vermicelli. Just add some broken capellini and it's quite acceptable.

[Pooh]

Thanks Momo.

I always wondered...now, time to try!

[Marzoli]

Maybe it's just me, but seems like most premade mixes for sauces and stuff have so much salt and sugar that I just can't eat them.
I finally got brave enough to make my own spaghetti sauce instead of using a bottled one. It was actually good. Worth doing when I'm not in a rush.
Did have one question: I've never tried couscous--don't know if I'd like it, but I wondered about some of the mixes that have things like spinach in them and seasonings.
Any recommendations?

[Nicko]

It's interesting to note that while I was at the CIA they had a clam chowder contest between all of the chef instructors. They were set up in teams of three and one of the teams as a joke entered a canned clam chowder. They took third place in the contest....

[ April 10, 2001: Message edited by: Nicko ]

[kokopuffs]

Classico brand spagetti sauce taste good; it has no added sugar, either.

[foodnfoto]

Fantastic Foods brand of convenience products are very good. My faves are Vegetarian chili, and instant (yes, just add boiling water) refried pinto and black beans. Not crazy about the tabouleh, but the veggie burger mix is pretty good too and no weird ingredients. Also, as far as sauces go, San-J makes a great thai peanut sauce, szechuan sauce and teriaki sauce. The tamari and shoyu sauces are good too and they use organic soybeans as well.

[Pastachef]

I love couscous, and so do my college girls. I buy the plain and cook it with some chicken broth. After putting it in a warming pan I cover the top of the couscous with a topping made of a little olive oil, chopped garlic, basil, diced tomatoes, peppers and onions.

[mofo1]

I agree with pastachef. Buy straight up couscous without any of that other stuff. Cokk it according to the package and then add whatever your heart desires. I use it like rice all the time. I also like to cook wheat berries with it. They're kinda chewy and nutty,

[mofo1]

You can also cook it, although cokking is good, too.

[Isa]

As long as people buy prepared food there will be companies to make them. Customers should not be scared to voice their complains to the manufacturers of poor quality products. Also a call to the makers of good quality products to let them know you are satisfy would be nice too. And let's not forget that in the end, the customers is always right....