Rethinking Canned Dinners

Let's face it, canned dinners are seductive. They're easy to make ,without any fuss or pots . Open one for a quick lunch or dinner. However they,re not that perfect.Canned meals do have their downsides. what to do? Be choosy and informed the next time you shop for them.

Don't get me wrong.Some tinned dinners like Spaghetti-os are still quite good.They pretty much taste the same as when they first came out in the mid Sixties. For me, they're a great lunch and a throwback to my childhood.Other canned foods like Underwood 's devilled ham and devilled chicken are perfect. The meat tastes like it was freshly ground and has the perfect creamy texture for spreading. Both meats are my favorite to work with, and I love creating salads with them. The same goes for Swanson's chicken chunks.Add a cream sauce and canned veggies and it's perfect for Chicken a la King. The problem comes from the canned ravioli , namely Chef Boyardee''s version. The chicken stuffed ones looked good , on the picture. In reality , absolutely not. The sauce was as fiery as an arribiata , in fact so much so I had to scrape it off the pasta to eat the pasta.The sad part was that there was no warning. I just figured it was a regular sauce. It wasn't which ruined it for me.Then there was the ravioli's texture.It was mushy . The squares were starting to separate as it was being heated up and I ended up with goop.

I'm all for convenience over convention. However I think there are better alternatives to canned dinner You can try  the TV or microwave kind like Stouffer's. Their lasagna is actually pretty close to the homemade kind, full of meat, a pulpy sauce and chewy - not smooshy,  noodles. Also their meals for one are creative and well thought out, with both the execution and nutrition.Marie Callendars also has some excellent meals, from their pot pies to their signature Italian dishes .Again, like Stouffers, these have a homemade taste. You can make from  scratch instant meals. Stir fry is one of the quickest especially if you buy from the salad bar or already cut veggies. Just add soy and dried ginger. Minute rice is another easy meal to whip up. Add veggies, and any leftover meat. Spice up with saffron or oregano and voila  you have a tasty dinner. Eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients and the  simplest to cook up. Have breakfast for lunch or dinner with a quick scramble, bacon and toast. A frittata can be whipped up in seconds. Add Parmesan and mushrooms, and serve with rounds of toasted Italian bread.

 Be judicious when you shop for easy to prepare meals. Sometimes the best ones are the homemade kind. If you're too busy  to cook, then try the ones recommended. The last thing you need is a bad dinner after a frazzling day.

Retasting Stouffer's

Sometimes a microwave meal is actually good. It s that way with Stouffer's, This is a company that actually  cares about what goes into  its. dishes and strives for a homemade taste. Another plus is that the company makes dishes just for one as well as for a crowd. Any home chef can make a meal for one for lunch and then one of the bakes for the family later on.

One of the Stouffer's meals best qualities is the flavor. The meals do actually  taste like homemade.I recently ate their stufferd peppers and it was exactly like something  I would have made.The stuffing, chopped beef and rice, was perfectly tender and tasty.I love the fact that the pepper had a good bath of tomato sauce. The last was plentiful, easily sopped up with bread. The stuffed peppers also come in the crowd size as well. My meal was part of the Just Me line, where you can get single servings. The line also has also Swedish meatballs which has four meatballs and  a small side of egg noodles and cream sauce.There is ,of course, their signature dish, French bread pizza. which not only makes a quick tasty meal but also a quick tasty snack too.The company has also cashed in on the baked mac and cheese craze creating individual cups filled with elbow macaroni and cheddar. These are great fast meals and can even be complimented with a salad for a  more substantial lunch or dinner. Even breakfast lovers can enjoy a meal for one with bacon and eggs , sausage and eggs and Southwestern scramble..

Another plus is that  the company also has dishes that the other brands don't.They have a Welsh rarebit which is a great weekend dish when you want something fun and hearty.Try  their cinnamon apples either for dessert or if you have a pork roast.One of the best aspects of Stouffers is that they have party sized dishes. This is a boon , especially for the upcoming party season. They have a large lasagna, perfect for an indoor tailgating party. Serve it with Stouffer's chicken enchiladas.It's eight corn enchiladas stuffed with meat and served on a bed of rice.These can be customized , such as a sprinkling if Parmesan over the lasagna or a side of tangy salsa with the Mexican dinner.Another idea is taking two of the family pack meals and also using them. Have a bake fest with the girls . Before doing the  dirty work of pie baking and cookie cutting, treat them to a hot meal of Salsbury steak or chicken breasts. Treat your   pajama party to the spaghetti and meatballs.

Stouffer's is the perfect  brand for those who want good food quick. Heat up anything from their breakfast for one to their party dishes. It's like you whipped up a tasty dish , but without all the stress and mess.