Review of Meijer Protein Chewy Bars – Dark Chocolate with Peanut Butter

 

Early morning commutes to work sometimes will require grab and go convenience foods. The trick is trying to find something that will not be overwhelming in calories or fat to start the day. I usually opt for fruit, bagel, or the occasional protein bar. Of the numerous protein bars available, I typically purchase the Nature’s Valley chewy protein bars. Typically, I get the chocolate peanut or chocolate almond varieties that are sold five in small box or ten to a box. In a recent trip to Meijer, I noticed the store carried its own line of protein bars known as Meijer Protein Chewy Bars Dark Chocolate with Peanut Butter. I found these in the snack bar aisle at Meijer next to all the other mainstream energy bars such as Kind, Nature Valley, etc. and decided to give them a try as they appeared to be much cheaper than the brand label from Nature’s Valley.

Packaging

The protein bars are sold in different size box options of five or ten bars. The small box is orange with large font of PROTEIN written on the front. Inside the box are five packaged protein bars measuring in at 1.4 ounces. The individual bar packages are a deep green with PROTEIN label and in white font. The labeling is very 1980s generic or resembles the font used on MRE labels. There are also pictures of peanuts and chocolate on the package. Slightly comical label.

Price

The cost of the box of five bars is $3.19 (as of February 2024). The neighboring Nature’s Valley option is $4.54 for 5 bars.

 Convenience

It doesn’t get much simpler than this. You open the box, grab a packaged bar, and throw it in your backpack or gym bag for later snack or breakfast. I sampled mine on my morning commute to work. I put one in my son’s backpack for after practice snacking. They are small, so they fit in just about any size compartment.

 Taste/Texture

The bar contains chopped peanuts throughout with partial submersion in a dark chocolate. I enjoyed the flavor as the combination of peanuts and chocolate do not seem too heavy on either end or at just the right amount. There is not enough chocolate to consider this a dessert treat and just enough to make this a passable breakfast or protein break after a run or workout. The peanuts are ground small enough to give this bar sort of a rice candy or whatchamacallit candy bar experience.

Overall Result 

The protein bar proved a worthy snack or breakfast item. My son did not think so and rated it bland, though he does not appear eager to eat the Nature Valley options either when I get them. Does this protein bar measure up to a breakfast sandwich or oatmeal out of thermos? Of course not, but I did like saving a dollar over the Nature Valley brand. Calorie totals were very low as they top off at 190 per bar to keep it honest. While I like the taste of the Nature Valley brand a tad better, I would rate this a decent purchase and buy them again.

Review of Vigo Classic Cilantro Lime Rice

  frequent diner of tacos, quesadillas and burritos, I enjoy the sidekick item of beans or rice to accompany the meal. I sometimes prepare the rice from scratch and add my own flavors or if time is short and I am very hungry, I like to opt for some of the prepared rice packages, whether Goya, Knorr, or some Rice a Roni kits. Years ago, I recall going with a Vigo branded black beans and rice that was really good. I would make it to go with Cubano sandwiches or fajitas as I really enjoyed the black bean/rice combination with a hint of cumin flavor and Latin inspired spices. Unfortunately my local markets have not carried that type of Vigo rice for about a decade. Surprisingly, I did notice that the Vigo brand carries Classic Cilantro Lime Rice, so I decided to give it a shot.

 

Packaging

The seasoned rice is sold in a lime green package.  This particular rice item was found in the rice aisle at Meijer, but I have also seen it in the Latino food aisles at other markets usually next to the La Preferida and Goya brands.

 

Price

The cost of the eight ounce package is $1.99 (as of February 2024; I should mention this with inflation!).

 

Preparation

The preparation involves bringing two cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Next step is adding a few tablespoons of olive oil (or butter) and the contents of package. You stir the contents for the next minute, then cover and reduce heat to simmer for the next twenty minutes. The package (unlike other prepared rice brands) does not seem to include microwave directions. Once the simmer is complete. I let the rice stand for a few minutes before fluffing with a fork.

 

Taste/Texture

The color of the final produce is a muted white color with specs of green (assuming cilantro).  The texture came out decent as it was not too starchy or wet to one extreme, and not too dry or tough to the other extreme.

The bite of the rice was better than expected as the tone of rice had the right balance of cilantro and lime. My concerns with any “lime enhanced” products are that the citrus flavor occasionally tends to overwhelm the product. I did not find that to be the case here. The cilantro, while visible in the dish (rehydrated herbs), appeared to be a tad lacking so I did not pick up as much cilantro flavor here as I would have desired. Did this taste as good as homemade cilantro lime rice? No. When I prepare my own rice from scratch, I put a lot of TLC into the process as I slightly brown the rice and add some garlic, fresh squeezed lime juice and fresh cut cilantro before adding the water or chicken stock.

 

Overall Result

 

I would definitely buy this rice again. While it does not taste as good as homemade, it is very convenient to prepare, especially at the price point of two bucks and pairs nicely with numerous items out of the oven or off the grill.

Clancy's Cheese Dip - A Review

Having leftover chili encouraged us to prepare chili dogs the following Sunday.  The family is big on chili cheese dogs and also adding some chili on top of fries. I made a quick trip to Aldi for the hot dogs, fries and I did manage to find they carried cheese sauce. The cheese dip is located next to the display of all the Clancy label tortilla chips.

Packaging

The cheese dip is packaged in typical clear cheese sauce jar much like the Tostitos jar of sauce.  This dip is sold next to all the other Clancy products (potato chips, cheese curls, tortilla chips, nacho chips, etc).

Price

The cost of the fifteen ounce size jar is only $1.99. The name brand sauce such as Velveeta Cheese toppers cost on average about $3.15 and are only 12 ounces (all four pouches combined). The Tostitos cheeses sold at the neighborhood Meijer are also priced around three dollars.

Preparation

There is not much effort involved when it comes to heating up this product. Simply empty contents into microwave safe bowl and cover. Heat on high for three minutes, but interrupt the cooking time every thirty to forty seconds to stir product. (While microwaves are convenient, these appliances cook food very unevenly).  I placed a paper towel over the top of the microwave dish to contain cheese explosions all over my microwave.

Taste/Texture

The color and consistency of this sauce resembles everything you would expect when seeing cheese sauce covering up a chili dog, French fries, nachos, or a baked potato with broccoli. The presentation of the chili dog and fries really looked legit with this Clancy sauce. Everything seemed to go swimmingly until that first bite. The first chomp on the chili dog revealed the usually delicious dog and chili flavor only to be accompanied by the tone of the chalky, salty and flavorless cheese sauce.  Perhaps my expectations were too great. I understand most of these commercially made cheese sauces are water and oil based and void of real cheese, but I really expected some sort of cheese flavoring to come out and announce itself.   That certainly did not happen.

Overall Result

I will not buy the Clancy’s cheese dip again. I may try the nacho version just to see if there is a defined flavor. I rate a poor buy.

Review of Meijer Classic Alfredo Sauce

Our weekly dinners often consist of at least two meals that include pasta. Pasta is a good food budget stretcher and it is an easy sell with kids. Last Sunday, I had a desire for fettucine alfredo. Typically we consume our pasta buried in a marinara or other tomato based sauce. Lately, I have been craving a cheesy white alfredo topping. Meijer carries quite a few of their own label alfredo sauces (Classic, Four Cheese, and Roasted Garlic). I chose the Meijer classic alfredo.

Packaging

The alfredo sauce is packaged in typical Ragu or Classico style jar.  The jars are sold in the dry good section next to the pasta.

Price

The cost of the fifteen ounce size jar was $2.29. The name brand sauces run between ten to fifty cents higher than Meijer labels.

Preparation

There is not much effort to preparing the sauce. Simply empty the jar contents into saucepan and heat up until hot enough to serve over pasta. It process of cooking the pasta took much longer than heating up the sauce.

Taste/Texture

I was pleased with the quantity of sauce in proportion to the pound of fettucine I served. There was plenty of sauce to coat all the pasta evenly. The sauce was not as thick as I am accustomed to seeing with heavier alfredo sauces in restaurants or even sold in the refrigerated sections of stores. The taste of this alfredo sauce was a disappointment. There seemed to be something definitely missing in this sauce. Perhaps the sauce needed a more pronounced parmesan flavor or a hint of garlic. When I think of delicious alfredo sauce, I think of a good dose of cheese flavor in every bite. That was not the case with this sauce.

Overall Result

I don’t see myself purchasing this sauce again. I will either spend a little more and purchase the heavier refrigerated instant alfredo sauces or test the Meijer four cheese or garlic option, or even go with the brand name labels.

Review of Oscar Mayer Bun-Length Angus Beef Franks

When it comes to buying hotdogs, I only go all beef and I usually pick from my three go to brands. These hot dog picks include the Vienna Beef label, the Ball Park Angus, and the Aldi Parkview All Beef Vienna Hot dog (See past review on the Aldi Parkview).

Well my last trip to Meijer, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try the Oscar Mayer Angus franks. They were on sale for $2.69 for the package of eight. The deal seemed pleasing especially since the Vienna was selling for over five dollars and the Ball Park were just below that amount.

Appearance

The bun length franks are skinny and sold eight to the package (as with any package of hot dogs). The color of the franks is a deep red akin to the Vienna or Ball park dogs. I can’t stand the flavor or color of the hybrid hot dog (Pork, chicken, and turkey) that carry a pale tone and devoid of taste and a mushy texture.

Preparation

The package instructions recommend cooking franks in a saucepan of boiling water for seven minutes. Not me, I steam them for about eight to ten minutes in a covered saucepan of shallow water. I have a little metal container contraption that rests above the boiling water to hold the franks so they are cooking entirely in this controlled steam bath environment. That is the only way I heat hot dogs.

Taste

First bite reveals a decent Vienna like casing snap. The frank definitely taste all beef (as there is no filler). Then this frank’s promising early returns go awry. The finishing flavor has some sort of smoky flavor one would expect with a sausage or dehydrated beef stick. It isn’t overwhelming but enough to dash any hopes of considering this Oscar Mayer substitute worthy as a Vienna alternate.

Price

The price of this package of franks was on sale for $2.69 and I believe the regular price hovered around the four dollar mark.

Overall Result

I would rank these franks as mediocre at best. I would probably only buy these again if I am making a bunch of chili dogs for a football Sunday get together as that smoky taste would likely get buried in my   spicy chili.