Canned food fail
The good thing about this time of the year is that TV shows are coming back. Around Christmas time, they all go on break and right about now, they're all starting back up. With the weather the way it is, it's great to sit at home, watch TV and eat something tasty. But with the economy the way it is, sometimes I want to take the cheap route and eat something that's less than two dollars. Last week I was in Trader Joe's they had this display for Organic Joe's O's Pasta. It immediately reminded me of Chef Boyardee. For just $1.50, I could have pasta in a can. Not just any pasta... ORGANIC pasta!! How could I refuse?
The first thing you notice about the Trader Joe's O's pasta is that the sauce is a pale orange color. I never knew tomatoes could be that color.. then again, what do I know? The color was a little disturbing but that's not enough to keep a man away from his canned goods.
Within minutes, my Trader Joe's O's were heated up and ready to go. I was supposed to really prepare myself, but for some reason I thought this was going to be good... the first bite was a huge disappointment. The pasta was way too sweet. To confirm my suspicion, my two roommates also tried the pasta and they both said it was way too sweet. It was almost dessert-like in its sweetness.
My best guess is that these things are targeted towards kids. Trader Joe's probably isn't trying to make canned pasta for adults. They have other aisles in their store dedicated to frozen treats for adults. Those things have to be better than canned stuff.
I'm curious though... what kind of things do you love eating straight out of a can? And when you're in a pinch, what kind of frozen food or pre-prepared food do you reach for in the pantry or the fridge? I used to love Rice-a-roni but have kind of grown out of it. And these canned O's just won't do. Help a cheap bastard out, folks! What should I stock up?
(I invite you to follow me on Twitter so you can get more of my non-sense in another medium.)
I know it may sound weird but I like baked beans out of the can...straight out of the can. I really don't mind eating any food cold (well most any) but something about baked beans cold is a favorite of mine.
I keep Idaho Potato flakes in the cupboard for instant mashed potatoes whenever i need something warm and comfy, or a quick side-dish. They are so quick, easy and tasty.
Jessica
February 9, 2009 10:49 am
I like anchovies a lot which usually come in a can. They say a glass jar is better but you can't always find those. Tuna is easy too. But my number 1 staple for fast food is bowl of instant noodles. Not the cup-o-noodle kind. But the larger, korean bowls. They taste way better. Oh and there's always a Costco sized box of frozen but microwavable Jamaican beef patties in my freezer.
Heidi
February 9, 2009 12:16 pm
I love canned asparagus with mayonnaise. I don't even bother using a plate... I just spoon a blob of mayo right into the can! Don't hate me...
Of course, I prefer fresh asparagus, but we all have our things, don't we?
Jen
February 9, 2009 7:54 pm
I like to keep it simple - no salted added beans. I can easily make my own version of chili.
Kim
February 9, 2009 8:58 pm
that stove really does look dirty. I think the only things that I can eat out of a can are fruit and pickles (but not together). I used to eat bamboo shoots in chili oi straight out of a jar (the ones from Chinese grocery stores) but I stopped buying them after realizing how much oil and salt I was eating. Although if someone opened a jar in front of me, I'll probably eat it anyway.
Ang
February 9, 2009 9:11 pm
Really good tuna in olive oil. Spanish tinned seafood, like mussels and clams. Um... not sure what else but my brain's a bit dead right now.
Su-Lin
February 10, 2009 5:28 pm
I loved chef boyardee as a kid. My mom used to pack it in a thermos for me for lunch in elementary school and I thought it was so good! Recently I bought it, for old time's sake, and I couldn't get past the first spoonful, it was so gross.
Speaking of gross, I love spam straight out of the can with a spoon. great with ramen. Best cheap meal ever- you get your carbs and protein!
Jane
February 10, 2009 6:21 pm
A grown up version of Rice A Roni is Middle East brand rice and pilaf in a box. Kinda salty, but I find that better than overly sweet. The long grain rice is my favorite. Also, the frozen pierogis from Trader Joe's are my absolute favorite. Boil then fry them with some onion & spinach and serve with sour cream and apple sauce and how have a fairly healthy, tasty meal!
Eat It Brooklyn
February 14, 2009 9:39 am
Oh, man. I was hoping that'd be great - it has such promise ..
I've gotta admit, tinned anchovies satisfy and comfort like, well, nothing else. Love your blog.
Rochelle
February 17, 2009 11:13 pm
Ahhh Spaghetti-O's rip off... I spent many a night eating those. Not straight from the can. I pretended to like the hot dog ones because I like meat but really... And that crap is mad sweet now if I tried to eat it again.
If it's cold out and I'm in a "hella bad mood" it's NE clam chowder in a can. I don't buy it often or much so if there's none in the cabinet and I'm in that bad mood... I might slap someone. But seriously for quick meals, frozen udon is always in the freezer, frozen veggies (for quick fried rice) and frozen dumplings to go with my udon. Mmm. The frozen udon isn't that cheap though - think $5 for 4 or 6 bundles - but it's cheap enough for a really filling, quick meal, if you keep stock/broth or bouillion cubes on hand... throw those dumplings in... and you're good. Add a fried egg and/or hoisin sauce on top and you're golden. (I had some form of this for dinner last night... lol)
Yvo
March 3, 2009 10:39 am