Those Hormel "Compleat" meals

[Gary]

I looked for them in the grocery today and found them.
$2.89 per meal and most were 7.5oz meals?
Really? "I don't think so. Homey don't play that."

Sadly, once I got home I looked through the Sunday paper
and the two food coupon sections.
They had one for $1.00 off a "Compleat" meal.
Well my store doubles dollar-off coupons every
Sunday and Wednesday. I'll go back next Wed
and get one for $0.89. That's still not all that
good of a price but I'll try one.

If you want to dip that low in food, Banquet meals
always sell for $1 or less here. A few of them
aren't so bad.

Noticed yesterday in trivia, yesterday (Sept 10) back
in 1953, Swanson dinners first hit the market.

[jmcquown]

On 9/11/2016 7:51 AM, Gary wrote:
> I looked for them in the grocery today and found them.
> $2.89 per meal and most were 7.5oz meals?
> Really? "I don't think so. Homey don't play that."
>

If you want shelf-stable, microwaveable food, that's what's out there.
:) I agree, the price for those things is pretty high considering what
you get. Don't hold your breath.

> Sadly, once I got home I looked through the Sunday paper
> and the two food coupon sections.
> They had one for $1.00 off a "Compleat" meal.
> Well my store doubles dollar-off coupons every
> Sunday and Wednesday. I'll go back next Wed
> and get one for $0.89. That's still not all that
> good of a price but I'll try one.
>

I haven't seen the days of double coupons in at least a decade.

> If you want to dip that low in food, Banquet meals
> always sell for $1 or less here. A few of them
> aren't so bad.
>

But Banquet requires a freezer. ;)

> Noticed yesterday in trivia, yesterday (Sept 10) back
> in 1953, Swanson dinners first hit the market.
>

Convenience! I remember having Swanson "TV dinners" in the 1960's when
Mom & Dad went to the Marine Corps Ball. My brothers and I thought it
was a hoot. It was the only time we were allowed to actually eat on
trays in front of the television. Usually fried chicken, mashed
potatoes, peas & carrots and some sort of dessert thing (a brownie?
spiced apples?) in a metal tray. What fun! LOL

When I was a teen my mother started buying Freezer Queen brand "family
size" entrees - I think Banquet still sells them. It was usually Sliced
Beef in Gravy or Sliced Turkey in Gravy. IIRC those slices of "meat"
were so thin you could practically read through them. The container was
mostly gravy. To counter that, as sides, she served instant mashed
potatoes or Minute Rice and she heated up a can of vegetables. Woo hoo!

Bless her, Mom really did hate to cook. She often asked me where I got
my "cooking gene". I think I learned how to cook in self defense. ;)

Jill

[Gary]

jmcquown wrote:
>
> On 9/11/2016 7:51 AM, Gary wrote:
> > Sadly, once I got home I looked through the Sunday paper
> > and the two food coupon sections.
> > They had one for $1.00 off a "Compleat" meal.
> > Well my store doubles dollar-off coupons every
> > Sunday and Wednesday. I'll go back next Wed
> > and get one for $0.89. That's still not all that
> > good of a price but I'll try one.
> >
> I haven't seen the days of double coupons in at least a decade.

My regular store (Farm Fresh) doubles coupons every day of the week up
to 99cents. On Wed and Sun they will double $1.00 coupons.

[cshenk]

Gary wrote in rec.food.cooking:

HT had a 1 for free on Saturday.

Meantime, dont expect much. They are shelf stable but quite bland.

--

[meda...@gmail.com]

They are a good "backup" plan. I keep them on hand at my office. We don't have a refrigerator. We do have a microwave. I never plan on eating them, but on hectic days I'm glad to have them. They're not too bad if you steer clear of mashed potatoes. Make sure they're piping hot and eat quickly.

[dsi1]

I bought 3 of the Complete meals. I have a small refrigerator at the office but I like the idea of having foods that require no special handling. They were on sale for $2.49 each. I like to eat in the office if I can, because it saves me money. Outside food would cost me 7 to 13 bucks. Typically, I'll eat a hot dog and bun or instant cup noodle. That cost me about a buck. The Complete Meal will cost twice that but it's a lot cheaper than my other options. I'll probably think the potatoes are just fine. I don't get a chance to eat potatoes very often so yeah, I'll think they're OK.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On 9/11/2016 5:35 PM, dsi1 wrote:

>> They are a good "backup" plan. I keep them on hand at my office. We don't have a refrigerator. We do have a microwave. I never plan on eating them, but on hectic days I'm glad to have them. They're not too bad if you steer clear of mashed potatoes. Make sure they're piping hot and eat quickly.
>
> I bought 3 of the Complete meals. I have a small refrigerator at the office but I like the idea of having foods that require no special handling. They were on sale for $2.49 each. I like to eat in the office if I can, because it saves me money. Outside food would cost me 7 to 13 bucks. Typically, I'll eat a hot dog and bun or instant cup noodle. That cost me about a buck. The Complete Meal will cost twice that but it's a lot cheaper than my other options. I'll probably think the potatoes are just fine. I don't get a chance to eat potatoes very often so yeah, I'll think they're OK.
>

I usually take leftovers, but I keep a few frozen entrees in the freezer
for times I don't bring a lunch. Eating out can easily be $200 a month.
In addition, I enjoy the company of one or two of my co-workers.
We've been eating together for many years.

[dsi1]

Unfortunately, the freezer in my mini-refrigerator sucks, otherwise I'd stock up on $1.25 frozen dinners. Unfortunately, I don't have any co-workers - boo hoo! :)

[jmcquown]

On 9/11/2016 5:50 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> I bought 3 of the Complete meals. I have a small refrigerator at the
>> office but I like the idea of having foods that require no special
>> handling. They were on sale for $2.49 each. I like to eat in the
>> office if I can, because it saves me money. Outside food would cost me
>> 7 to 13 bucks. Typically, I'll eat a hot dog and bun or instant cup
>> noodle. That cost me about a buck. The Complete Meal will cost twice
>> that but it's a lot cheaper than my other options. I'll probably think
>> the potatoes are just fine. I don't get a chance to eat potatoes very
>> often so yeah, I'll think they're OK.
>>
>

Sorry for piggybacking, Ed.

dsi1 acts like potatoes are a foreign food. Oh wait... he's in Hawaii.
:) Better to heat up a cup of Ramen noodles than cook a potato.

Of course we are talking about that stuff that will keep if the Bomb
eventually catches up with us. Living in shelters with shelf stable food.

> I usually take leftovers, but I keep a few frozen entrees in the freezer
> for times I don't bring a lunch. Eating out can easily be $200 a month.
> In addition, I enjoy the company of one or two of my co-workers. We've
> been eating together for many years.

I rarely eat out. Leftovers make great homemade frozen entrees. :)

Jill

[Ed Pawlowski]

On 9/11/2016 5:57 PM, dsi1 wrote:

>
> Unfortunately, the freezer in my mini-refrigerator sucks, otherwise I'd stock up on $1.25 frozen dinners. Unfortunately, I don't have any co-workers - boo hoo! :)
>

Co-workers can make a job hell or a pleasure to go to. Fortunately I
have the second case. Two of us have been having lunch together for 25
years and the occasional third or fourth joins us.

[Dave Smith]

In my last job we used to go out and eat together and it made the job a
lot more enjoyable. However, there was one guy who was a bit of a
loner, maybe more or a loose canon. I was never partnered with him. In
fact, I flatly refused to work with him. He was nuts.

[Bruce]

In article <A7mBz.2111$OT5...@fx19.iad>, adavid...@sympatico.ca
says...

>
> On 2016-09-11 7:32 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > On 9/11/2016 5:57 PM, dsi1 wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> Unfortunately, the freezer in my mini-refrigerator sucks, otherwise
> >> I'd stock up on $1.25 frozen dinners. Unfortunately, I don't have any
> >> co-workers - boo hoo! :)
> >>
> >
> > Co-workers can make a job hell or a pleasure to go to. Fortunately I
> > have the second case. Two of us have been having lunch together for 25
> > years and the occasional third or fourth joins us.
>
>

> In my last job (...)

Time for your memoirs, Dave. You owe it to the world.

[Roy]

You seem to have expressed that remark to Dave rather "snarkely" (new word)...I take it you don't like old folk reminiscing about their working years.
There are certain dangers of eating with co-workers though...sometimes more intimate relationships develop. I had that "problem" a number of times. I won't bore you with the details, I'm sure you'll never have to worry about such situations.
====

[Bruce]

In article <e5cde207-0e14-410e...@googlegroups.com>,
wil...@outlook.com says...

>
> On Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 7:03:19 PM UTC-6, Bruce wrote:
> > In article <A7mBz.2111$OT5...@fx19.iad>, adavid...@sympatico.ca
> > says...
> > >
> > > On 2016-09-11 7:32 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > > > On 9/11/2016 5:57 PM, dsi1 wrote:
> > > >
> > > >>
> > > >> Unfortunately, the freezer in my mini-refrigerator sucks, otherwise
> > > >> I'd stock up on $1.25 frozen dinners. Unfortunately, I don't have any
> > > >> co-workers - boo hoo! :)
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > > Co-workers can make a job hell or a pleasure to go to. Fortunately I
> > > > have the second case. Two of us have been having lunch together for 25
> > > > years and the occasional third or fourth joins us.
> > >
> > >
> > > In my last job (...)
> >
> > Time for your memoirs, Dave. You owe it to the world.
>
> You seem to have expressed that remark to Dave rather "snarkely" (new word)...

I'm just snarking back a bit.

> I take it you don't like old folk reminiscing about their working
> years.

Nothing wrong with that.

> There are certain dangers of eating with co-workers though...sometimes more intimate relationships develop. I had that "problem" a number of times. I won't bore you with the details, I'm sure you'll never have to worry about such situations.
> ====

I'm happily married, so those days are behind me, but I hope you're
having fun :)

[dsi1]

Congrats on that. I've never had problems working with other people - even difficult bosses. It's a talent of mine. :)

[Gary]

Sqwertz wrote:

> Kraft-Heinz has a new line of frozen foods out called "Devour", trying
> to take on Stouffers. Previously they only had the Weight Watchers
> "Smart Ones" and the Friday's lineup - not very good sellers. Doesn't
> look like many stores are carrying them yet.
>
> http://www.devour-foods.com/

I'm going back on Wednesday with the double $1.00 coupon. It will cost
me $0.89. It's worth that to me just to try out a newer product. The
breakfast one kind of appeals to me but I'll look at all.

[Gary]

dsi1 wrote:
>
> The Compleat Meal will cost twice that but it's a lot cheaper than my other options. I'll probably think the potatoes are just fine. I don't get a chance to eat potatoes very often so yeah, I'll think they're OK.

I wouldn't worry about the potatoes either. No doubt they are instant
but I actually kind of like instant potatoes for a change. I use real
potatoes 95% of the time but the instant are ok to me too. Different
taste but not horrible. It's somewhat like the difference between fresh
tuna and canned tuna. Different but both are good. :)

Having a box of instant is also a good backup for fixing real mashed
potatoes. Occasionally, I'll add in a bit too much milk and the real
mashed are a bit too runny. Just toss in a handful of instant flakes for
an instant fix. :)

[meda...@gmail.com]

Okay, that's another person who hasn't tried them who feels a need to express an opinion. I am perfectly fine with instant, love the ones in cheap frozen dinners, etc. I'm telling you - shelf stable mashed potatoes are not like anything you've ever had.

[Gary]

Not even like instant, eh? Damn, now you make me tempted to buy a
Compleat meal with the potatoes...just to see. Sounds like I'll regret
it.

[meda...@gmail.com]

Strangely, I think I've had most of the varieties and the only thing I didn't like was the mashed potatoes. The Cheese Manicotti with Meat Sauce sounds like it should be repulsive, but I like it best.

[dsi1]

I have used instant mashed potatoes. The idea of making it from scratch is unappealing. I have tried to make it before but it's typically a fail. The way I do it is to put some water and butter in a rice cooker and when it boils, dump in some instant potatoes. It's faster and simpler that way. The rice cooker also keeps the potatoes warm!

My guess is that Asians cannot make mashed potatoes from scratch. It's too white of a food. :)

[Nancy2]

The instant potatoes in the bags...I think "Idaho" might be the brand...
are really good. I think I have tried all the flavors except the ones with
bits of peel...I hate peel in potato dishes.

N.

[dsi1]

I have not seen flavored instant mashed potatoes - will be on the lookout. Thanks.

[Gary]

I never peel red potatoes. The skins are so nothing that I don't worry
about them..

[Gary]

I tried a package of it last week. I think it was garlic and bacon
flavored. yuk

Don't bother. If you like instant, buy the plain ant flavor it yourself.
Or buy some real fresh potatoes and make them yourself.

[Cheri]

"Gary" <g.ma...@att.net> wrote in message news:57D8343B...@att.net...

I don't peel any potatoes, it's the way I was raised and the way I prefer.

Cheri

[Ed Pawlowski]

On 9/13/2016 2:46 PM, Cheri wrote:
>
> "Gary" <g.ma...@att.net> wrote in message
> news:57D8343B...@att.net...
>> Nancy2 wrote:
>>>

>>> The instant potatoes in the bagsa...I think "Idaho" might be the brand...

>>> are really good. I think I have tried all the flavors except the
>>> ones with
>>> bits of peel...I hate peel in potato dishes.
>>
>> I never peel red potatoes. The skins are so nothing that I don't worry
>> about them..
>
> I don't peel any potatoes, it's the way I was raised and the way I prefer.
>
> Cheri

More nourishing that way. I do check them over and peel away any
blemishes but I like the peel. That is fairly recent though, brought up
to peel completely. That's the way it was always done.

[Cheri]

"Ed Pawlowski" <e...@snet.net> wrote in message
news:PL2dnflwyMVX1kXK...@giganews.com...

Yes, I do check them over too, and rid them of any blemishes, scrub
thoroughly and cook, except potato salad. We seem to stick to things that
were done a certain way in our households, some of it doesn't really have a
purpose other than *that's the way it was always done.* :)

Cheri

[dsi1]

I will no longer waste my time trying to make mashed potatoes from scratch. I admit to be a potato looser.

[col...@gmail.com]

On Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 7:50:11 AM UTC-4, Gary wrote:
> I looked for them in the grocery today and found them.
> $2.89 per meal and most were 7.5oz meals?
> Really? "I don't think so. Homey don't play that."
>
> Sadly, once I got home I looked through the Sunday paper
> and the two food coupon sections.
> They had one for $1.00 off a "Compleat" meal.
> Well my store doubles dollar-off coupons every
> Sunday and Wednesday. I'll go back next Wed
> and get one for $0.89. That's still not all that
> good of a price but I'll try one.
>
> If you want to dip that low in food, Banquet meals
> always sell for $1 or less here. A few of them
> aren't so bad.
>
> Noticed yesterday in trivia, yesterday (Sept 10) back
> in 1953, Swanson dinners first hit the market.

I think there's bacon flavored au gratin potatos, I want some.

[Bruce]

In article <57D83A61...@att.net>, g.ma...@att.net says...

Is ant flavor a local thing? I've never heard of it.

[Ophelia]

"Cheri" wrote in message news:nr9m6...@news3.newsguy.com...

============

Well it didn't harm us because we are still here ... <g> For me it depends
on the potato. New potatoes? Never. Old ones, it depends on their
condition.

I can remember sitting with my Grandma scraping new potatoes:))

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

[Ophelia]

"dsi1" wrote in message
news:641f80c9-eb6b-4c9d...@googlegroups.com...

==========

I always mash my own. I don't trust that ready made stuff.



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

[Gary]

Bruce wrote:
>
> g.ma...@att.net says...

> >
> > dsi1 wrote:
> > > I have not seen flavored instant mashed potatoes - will be on the lookout. Thanks.

> > I tried a package of it last week. I think it was garlic and bacon
> > flavored. yuk
> > Don't bother. If you like instant, buy the plain ant flavor it yourself.
>
> Is ant flavor a local thing? I've never heard of it.

heheh That wasn't a typo. I often substitute "ant" for "and."
It's just a weird thing to do.

> . \ /
> . \ |
> . \_| ___ ___
> . Are there /@ \/ \/ \
> . any ants in --- ) /\ /\ /
> . Australia? || | | | |
> . / | \ \ \ \
> . / | \ \ \ \

[Nancy2]

Making mashed potatoes with real potatoes for one person
just isn't practical for me. I can never use the leftovers before
they are too old.

N.

[Brooklyn1]

I buy different types of potatoes for different dishes and some I peel
and some not. For baked in jackets potato naturally I don't peel but
they are scrubbed well and I remove the eyes. For boiled/salad
potatoes I use thin skinned potatoes and typically don't peel them but
I'll still remove the eyes, aqnd dusually once cooked thed peels come
off easily when sliced. With potatoes that have a green tinge I peel
them. For soups and stews I peel potatoes because I find floating
peels unappetizing. Mostly whether I peel potatoes depends how used
and type. I never not peel potatoes becasue of laziness, I don't mind
peeling potatoes in the least, in fact I consider all kinds of prep
work a major part of the enjoyment of cooking.

[Ophelia]

"Brooklyn1" wrote in message
news:t2hitb1uf6jtm1a6r...@4ax.com...

=======

Same here:))


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

Same here. Company for dinner? Of course I'll use real
potatoes but for one serving it's instant for me. Doctored
up just right and they rather tasty.

[Ed Pawlowski]

I'd just make a smashed potato with butter. Could be nuked or boiled.
I do that for the two of us sometimes. Qick and easy.

[Ophelia]

"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message
news:daOdndf2u7Sn-ETK...@giganews.com...

=====================

I always mash mine with butter and the excess freezes very well.

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

[Cheri]

"Nancy2" <ellor...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:86f87e7e-37ad-4c0e...@googlegroups.com...

Same here, dh is the only potato eater as a rule.

Cheri

[Cheri]

"Ophelia" <OphEl...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:e3sffe...@mid.individual.net...

I don't eat many potatoes at all, and dh likes the ready made so instant or
ready made works for us unless it's the holidays or something like that, of
course I add cream and butter etc. to them to make them tastier.

Cheri

[sf]

On Wed, 14 Sep 2016 09:17:59 +0100, "Ophelia" <OphEl...@gmail.com>
wrote:

>
> ============
>
> Well it didn't harm us because we are still here ... <g> For me it depends
> on the potato. New potatoes? Never. Old ones, it depends on their
> condition.
>
> I can remember sitting with my Grandma scraping new potatoes:))

Over here, "new" potatoes are the red skinned waxy type.

--
I love cooking with wine.
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

[The New Other Guy]

On Wed, 14 Sep 2016 05:37:38 -0700 (PDT), Nancy2 <ellor...@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Making mashed potatoes with real potatoes for one person
>just isn't practical for me. I can never use the leftovers before
>they are too old.

I often make mashed potatoes for just myself,
and the leftovers seldom fail to be used.

[Gary]

Really? It's not hard though. I cook for one too and most times I have
real potatoes and use them for mashed. If you don't peel, just chop up,
boil, add milk and butter and mash. I always do enough for 3-4
meals...no freezing just reheating another day.

[Gary]

I like them both. Normally, I'll use real but I'm quite fine with the
instant too. I keep both here at all times.

[Cindy Hamilton]

On Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 12:54:37 PM UTC-4, sf wrote:
> On Wed, 14 Sep 2016 09:17:59 +0100, "Ophelia" <OphEl...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > ============
> >
> > Well it didn't harm us because we are still here ... <g> For me it depends
> > on the potato. New potatoes? Never. Old ones, it depends on their
> > condition.
> >
> > I can remember sitting with my Grandma scraping new potatoes:))
>
> Over here, "new" potatoes are the red skinned waxy type.

Not necessarily. I've seen new potatoes in all colors. It's a
function of their development, not their variety. "New" russets
are quite different from mature ones.

Cindy Hamilton

[Ophelia]

"Cindy Hamilton" wrote in message
news:47ce7889-151b-4f86...@googlegroups.com...

================

The ones we like are very small and a creamy colour. They are delicious
just steamed.



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

[Ophelia]

"Gary" wrote in message news:57D9A10D...@att.net...

==================

Often I deliberately make too much so that I can make fish cakes. I mix
flaked fish through the potato and fry them as patties. Sometimes I mix in
chopped prawns or sundried tomato etc:)) Use your imagination:))

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

[Gary]

I always cook for one (me) but always make enough for 4 so I have plenty
of leftovers. :)

[Ophelia]

"Gary" wrote in message news:57D9AFCB...@att.net...

====================

Then the world is your .. patty <g>


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk

[dsi1]

On Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 7:40:41 AM UTC-10, Gary wrote:
> dsi1 wrote:
> >
> > On Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at 2:23:55 AM UTC-10, Nancy2 wrote:
> > > The instant potatoes in the bags...I think "Idaho" might be the brand...
> > > are really good. I think I have tried all the flavors except the ones with
> > > bits of peel...I hate peel in potato dishes.
> > >
> > > N.
> >
> > I have not seen flavored instant mashed potatoes - will be on the lookout. Thanks.
>
> I tried a package of it last week. I think it was garlic and bacon
> flavored. yuk
>
> Don't bother. If you like instant, buy the plain ant flavor it yourself.
> Or buy some real fresh potatoes and make them yourself.

I won't mess too much with mashed potatoes. Plain is just alright with me.

[dsi1]

I've given up all hope on understanding how potatoes work.

[Dave Smith]

On 2016-09-14 3:12 PM, Gary wrote:

> Nancy2 wrote:

> Really? It's not hard though. I cook for one too and most times I have
> real potatoes and use them for mashed. If you don't peel, just chop up,
> boil, add milk and butter and mash. I always do enough for 3-4
> meals...no freezing just reheating another day.
>

I don't eat a lot of potatoes and my wife eats even less than I do.
When we boil potatoes to have either has regular boiled potatoes or to
mash them, we usually boil extras and use them up as home fries. I am
starting to think that the home fried potatoes is (are?) the best potato
dish.

[Jeßus]

On Wed, 14 Sep 2016 05:37:38 -0700 (PDT), Nancy2
<ellor...@gmail.com> wrote:

I cook for one most of the time and I couldn't conceive of using
instant. The difference is like espresso coffee using quality beans
and some nasty instant coffee. I'd rather simply go without if making
real mashed spuds wasn't an option.

I sometimes make crude patties from leftover mashed spuds and fry them
up for breakfast, along with an egg and/or maybe bacon, or whatever
takes my fancy that morning.

[jmcquown]

I cook enough mashed potatoes for four and use some for mashed potato
pancakes. The rest go into a homemade "freezer meals" since I never
just make mashed potatoes without meat and a veg to go along with.

Jill

[koko]

Mmm that's my favorite thing to make with leftover mashed potatoes.
I like topping the potato patty with a sunny side up egg so I can sop
up the yolk with the potatoes.
Dang, now I'll have to make mashed potatoes tonight for breakfast
tomorrow.
koko

--

Food is our common ground, a universal experience
James Beard

[Jeßus]

Hah, it's hard to resist. Another thing I like to do for breakfast is
heat up a bowl of cauliflower or pumpkin soup and drop a poached egg
in the middle. It might sound odd but it's delicious :)

[jmcquown]

Uh... I love soup but not for breakfast.

Jill

[Jeßus]

On Wed, 14 Sep 2016 21:09:51 -0400, jmcquown <j_mc...@comcast.net>
wrote:

I have no preconceived ideas about what breakfast should be :)

[Ophelia]

"dsi1" wrote in message
news:8e2d7ecd-a2c9-4287...@googlegroups.com...

=================

It's ok if you mess with it yourself. The potato is so bland really until
you season it, you can add whatever takes your fancy:)


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk