Question For Dandykins! (or, anyone else)

[Revawter]

Dandy, do you like ANY pre-packaged foods? If so, what?

Lately I have been making my babies Annie's Organic Mac and Cheese, which is actually pretty good (I only started making it after I read an article about it in the NY Times Sunday magazine, which shows what an also-ran I am).. and it got me to thinking if you use/like/recommend any mixes or food in a box.


Anyone?

And we all want Dandylin's opinion since she is our resident food expert :)

[hort1]

My son really goes for the Annies. I'm considering seeing if I can get a case discount as he routinely has friends over and they pretty much go through a couple of boxes at a time.

We also keep Schwan's pierogies stocked for him (frozen item).

I don't use a lot of boxed items, but I do keep some Zatarain's on hand for something quick - I usually toss in some shredded chicken or smoked sausage. I have a falafel mix package that has been in the pantry for about three years now.

[ignoramoose]

I just bought some Annie's mac and cheese at Safeway yesterday! Got a few different kinds. I am sure the little munchkin is gonna :love:

[Revawter]

It's REALLY good.

The little peace parmesan is super cute too.

What else is good?

[shellockjohn]

Dandy, do you like ANY pre-packaged foods? If so, what?

Lately I have been making my babies Annie's Organic Mac and Cheese, which is actually pretty good (I only started making it after I read an article about it in the NY Times Sunday magazine, which shows what an also-ran I am).. and it got me to thinking if you use/like/recommend any mixes or food in a box.


Anyone?

And we all want Dandylin's opinion since she is our resident food expert :)

I used to eat Annies. My mom wouldn't buy regular Mac and Cheese. But now I really don't like eating any pasta dishes.

But I remember liking annies white cheddar mac and cheese.

[ignoramoose]

It's REALLY good.

The little peace parmesan is super cute too.

What else is good?


I almost bought the one with the groovy box and peace sign pasta! But I already had a few boxes in the cart, and thought I should just try those first. Whole wheat pasta and alfredo, and shells & white cheddar, sounds yum!

[Revawter]

I almost bought the one with the groovy box and peace sign pasta! But I already had a few boxes in the cart, and thought I should just try those first. Whole wheat pasta and alfredo, and shells & white cheddar, sounds yum!


I did notice that it takes a bit longer to cook than the box says... unless you want it crunchy al-dente.. But it tastes good!

[Glam]

John Cope's dried corn - the one that comes in a box and you grind it up in a processor to make corn casserole - is really really good.

[Krystalyn]

I love lean cuisine tv dinners
stoffers mac & cheese, lasagna, chicken "tetrazini" type thing
marie calendars swedish meatballs

love pasta roni, kraft mac and cheese, rice a roni, stuffing.

most the stuff is better than sandra lee's stuff.

but hamburger helper is just nasty!!!

[dandylin]

I like Annies Mac and Cheese for weekend lunch for the kiddies. I sure feel better about it than the dayglo Kraft stuff :laugh:

I love California Pizza Kitchen Pizzas! (just discovered them a month or so ago)

And I love Annie's I think it's Annie's, frozen breakfast burritos.

My kids will only eat Jif peanut butter, though my 8 year old is getting closer to the Natural stuff

I love Campbell's Tomato Soup and used to eat it growing up but I've over the last few years, developed high blood pressure and salt really scoots my numbers up so I try to avoid it when I can.

My daughter is crazy over Little Debbie Brownies (the ones with the multi-colored sprinkles) thanks to my MIL.

Lunches for me are generally leftovers as is my breakfast a lot of the time. I love eggs (too, too much) and bacon. Peppery thick sliced YUM!


My tastes have changed dramatically over the last 10 years or so since I've discovered whole foods and organic produce. Eating locally grown products (in the summer especially) and locally raised beef has changed how I look at food and the amounts that I consume. My husband and I have purchased for this year, shares in a local organic farm. It's not cheap, but I think it's important to support organic farms.

I'm no nutty nut, I eat good stuff and don't generally limit my diet to certain things. I eat a very well balanced diet with a huge variety of food in there. Mainly because I have 2 small kids and am 43 years old. The very best thing I could imagine doing for them is to be around while they grow up.

I love to cook, most things I make from scratch. I'm going to go the granola route this weekend (found some nice recipes) Most of my fanatacism comes from the fact that I love to cook and I love good, simple food. I rarely make fancy schmancy food, I just make interesting, really good food. :smile9:

I just worry about what we are feeding our kids in this country more than anything. They get processed overly cooked crap from the moment they start eating out of baby food jars (not only that tasteless crap ta boot) to the day they die. It's not that much harder to make mac and cheese than open the carton. It's easier, I think, to make a cake from scratch.

So there, I over answered your question Revababy!

[RainGypsy]

My son really goes for the Annies. I'm considering seeing if I can get a case discount as he routinely has friends over and they pretty much go through a couple of boxes at a time.

We also keep Schwan's pierogies stocked for him (frozen item).

I don't use a lot of boxed items, but I do keep some Zatarain's on hand for something quick - I usually toss in some shredded chicken or smoked sausage. I have a falafel mix package that has been in the pantry for about three years now.


Is that Zatarain's stuff good? I haven't tried it yet. I was just curious if it is really authentic tasting, or if it is more on the lines of glorified rice-a-roni-type fare.

[Fidget]

i love the orgaganic Annie's Mac and cheese - did you know TARGET sells the orange box of Annie's for 99 cents in the grocery section? This is at my local regular Target. The yrecently added a dry and frozen good section. It's almost $2 cheaper than at the local grocery store!!

SHHHH on a very rare occaion I make Strawberry cake and it starts out as a white cake box mix! Other than that my cakes are all from scratch.

[dandylin]

Is that Zatarain's stuff good? I haven't tried it yet. I was just curious if it is really authentic tasting, or if it is more on the lines of glorified rice-a-roni-type fare.
Oh forgot that stuff! I like their red beans and rice for a quick dinner

[hort1]

Is that Zatarain's stuff good? I haven't tried it yet. I was just curious if it is really authentic tasting, or if it is more on the lines of glorified rice-a-roni-type fare.


You aren't going to mistake it for real from scratch cooking, but for what it is it's OK. You really need to add in some meat, and I usually give it a good dollop or six of tabasco. I think you usually add in a can of tomatoes as well. Of course, they are high in sodium.

I realized we also have some Near East couscous mixes on the shelf, but they've been there a while too.

I keep a few packages of Ramen around too, mainly for when I'm sick.

[Glam]

Is that Zatarain's stuff good? I haven't tried it yet. I was just curious if it is really authentic tasting, or if it is more on the lines of glorified rice-a-roni-type fare.

I like to keep a box or two in stock. I like it with sausage, and usually throw in whatever leftover veggies I have. I especially like it with corn and tomatoes.