by Catherine Misener
Need lunch in a hurry? Want something that is good for you and tastes good? For convenience and taste, it’s hard to beat the Premier Harvest line of Meatless Meal Kits.
For convenience and taste, it’s hard to beat the Premier Harvest line of Meatless Meal Kits. Chili, Sloppy Joe, and Taco varieties are all low fat (1.5 – 2 grams fat per serving, 0 saturated fat and 0 cholesterol) and high in soy protein (6.25 grams per serving).
Premier Harvest uses the Nexsoy brand non-GMO soy flour. Nexsoy uses a chemical-free process, which eliminates the “beany” aftertaste found in some soy products. The result – a quick & easy, healthy and tasty meal is ready in minutes.
THE TEST:
Each Meal Kit was prepared according to package directions, although the cooking time was reduced to 10 minutes (from 15) for the Sloppy Joe Kit. We asked subscribers to our weekly newsletter, Enjoy Soy, to sample the Meatless Meal Kits and let us know the results. (We also test each variety) Here’s what they thought:
THE RESULTS:
Chili Meal Kit – Very easy to prepare, satisfying and tasty. We sprinkled a bit of cheese on top, served with tortilla chips and it was a very good lunch. The chili was spicy, but not too much, and very hearty. You could add your favorite beans to jazz it up a bit. You could not tell it was made from soy – no aftertaste or beany taste, it had a texture just like any chili.
Taco Meal Kit – Fast and easy to make, and very filling as a taco with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Also good on nachos! A bit spicier than other taco fillings, overall good mouth-feel and taste; pieces were a bit smaller than other soy meat substitutes but good for tacos. A good meal for a quick lunch on a busy day.
Sloppy Joe Meal Kit – Yummy – my kids like it quite a bit. Very easy to make and ready in about 10 minutes. Tangy, tasted like regular sloppy joes. You could add more onions or sliced onions on top or chopped red bell pepper. Low-fat, but does not taste that way. You could also use a french roll or sub, instead of the typical sloppy joe bun, for a nice touch – serve with some thinly sliced purple onions, tomatoes, and your favorite lettuce and you have a satisfying sandwich for anyone!
FINAL COMMENTS:
Just about everyone who sampled the Meatless Meal Kits enjoyed the ease of preparation and the taste and texture of the dish. Some varieties were a bit on the spicy side – some of the younger taste-testers loved the spice, two did not – so it is a matter of personal preference. At SoyFood Kitchen, we do not usually use meal kits or mixes – we actually enjoy spending hours in a hot kitchen, but there are times when we get so caught up in creating and testing recipes that we forget our own little ones need some substance. When we have to have lunch on the table toot sweet, we now know we can offer them a very healthy and enjoyable meal in minutes – thanks to Premier Harvest.
We realize that unless you are one of those odd people who live in a kitchen (that would be us), you may actually have a life that prohibits you from preparing lengthy, time-consuming recipes and you want some quick & easy meals to offer your family and to personally enjoy. So we are going to be reviewing several “convenience foods” – dishes that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes (often in less than 15). Until then, please try any of the Meatless Meal Kits from Premier Harvest. For more information or to order them online, please visit eFood Pantry – Soy Products.
And a very big thank you to those subscribers who helped in this review – Linda and her family; Judie from Texas; and Chris from Texas.