I'm not a big fan of pre-packaged and processed foods. I much prefer to put a dish together from scratch myself, and I've been doing it long enough that I can whip up a pretty fine dinner out of whatever I might have on hand with minimal fuss and muss.
But even so, there are days when I just don't have the time or the energy to devote to prepping the evening meal - and today was one of those days. Luckily, I've got a few things stocked away in the back of the freezer for an occasion like this. I had picked up this Fusia Chicken Lo Mein Complete Skillet Meal at Aldi just last week for $3.99, and tonight was the perfect time to give it a try.
It says right on the package "Ready In Minutes", and they're not kidding! Total time from taking the package out of the freezer to sitting down with fork in hand was maybe 12 minutes.
AND it's dead simple to make!
When you open the package, you'll find 3 individual bags inside: a packet of chicken pieces, a larger bag with the lo mein noodles and vegetable mix (sugar snap peas, broccoli, carrots, onions, red bell peppers and water chestnuts) and a smaller packet of the teriyaki seasoning sauce.
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| L to R - noodles and veg, sauce packet, chicken |
The first thing you do is defrost the sauce packet - I just tossed it in a bowl of warm water...
Next, heat a tablespoon of cooking oil (I used canola, but whatever you have will be fine) in a skillet over medium heat, and toss in the frozen chicken...
Cover, and cook for three minutes, giving it an occasional stir...
Open the noodle/veg package and dump that in with the chicken...
Cover again and cook for 7 minutes more, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the pan. You'll end up with this...
Open the defrosted sauce packet and dump that in...
Mix it all up, and THAT'S IT, you're done - it's ready to serve...
Looks pretty good, doesn't it? Well, it was! The sauce was nicely spiced and pretty well-balanced, if a tad salty. It reminded me of the Kikkoman Teriyaki marinade, and my wife thought it tasted like something she remembered from her childhood that La Choy made. The chicken might have been a little bland, but the veggies held their crunch and had a nice, fresh flavor. A pretty typical make-at-home Americanized - Chinese meal.
I'll definitely be getting this one again. Quick, easy, and reasonably healthy too - only 190 calories per serving, with 1g of fat. The package claims it serves 4, but my wife and I had no trouble finishing it in one sitting, (she had 1 plateful, I went back for seconds and polished it off) so I'd say "serves 2 hungry adults" would be a more accurate representation.
As with most packaged meals like this, the sodium content was a little high, mostly due to the soy sauce used in the teriyaki sauce I suppose. If you need to watch the salt, maybe use only half the sauce packet. I added a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes to mine for a little extra kick.
It would have been nice if they included a little more chicken, and there could have been more of the broccoli florets, and fewer stalk pieces, but that would have undoubtedly increased the cost.
Maybe next time I'll add some leftovers from the fridge or freezer - I've always got a bag of broccoli spears in there, and it would be easy enough to throw in a frozen, pre-cooked chicken breast - no big deal.
Overall, we were pleased with this one, and will definitely keep one or two in the freezer for a quick and easy one-skillet meal. I noticed at the store that it also comes in a shrimp variety. And at only 4 bucks - what's not to like? I definitely feel like a Smart Aldi Shopper!
-Jeff the ALDI Shopper
Great review. I also felt that the sauce was a little salty but fortunately, I'm a salt-aholic. I got two nice meals out of it. These little meals can cost 5, 6, or 7 bucks at the other markets. Aldi's is tasty and affordable.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you just can't beat that price for what is essentially the same thing as those other frozen bag meals - and it's just SO easy to make. And you know, the last time I made it, (just a couple of weeks ago) I really didn't notice it being that salty anyway...
ReplyDeleteI was searching the internet to see if any has tried this product. I bought it today to cook dinner (my wife is making me, she is working late !)
ReplyDeleteThey just opened a new Aldi around the corner from my house and I went in today 12/1/11 for the grand opening. I got five dollars off a 30 dollar purchase. YES!
We have tried the stir fry veggy dinners from Aldi and they were good. I am glad to see you liked it
I am serving it with the chicken egg rolls they sell and steamed rice from the rice cooker
Wish me luck.
Have you tried the egg rolls?
Oh yes the new store is in Coral Springs FL
ReplyDeleteThere is also another grand opening in Tamarac FL
I got coupons for both in the mail and one hund on my door so 2 more lesdt to go.
Have you tried the egg nog?
Coupons for Aldi are a rare thing - use 'em while you can!
ReplyDeleteI did try the egg rolls - I thought they were okay for frozen, about as good as any frozen ones I've had. They sell Fusia cooking sauces every now and then - last time was a couple of months ago, and I think those are real good - try those when you see them.
I haven't tried the eggnog yet, but my wife loves eggnog, so I know we'll be getting it soon!
So how did dinner turn out? What did you think of the Lo Mein and egg rolls?
Can't say I recommend the Fusia Chicken Rice meal. I'm normally very satisfied with Aldi products, but I was not with this particular one. First, there was a very small amount of chicken--probably less than one chicken breast. Second, the kit was overloaded with sugar snap peas. These really overwhelmed the flavor of the entire dish because there are far too many of them. Finally, the sauce had a very odd flavor. The price, at $3.99, is right, though. Just reduce the sugar snap peas by about two thirds, double the chicken, and improve the sauce flavor and it will be a great product.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the report! I don't usually eat rice, so I haven't tried that one.
Deleteerr... Chicken Fried Rice.
ReplyDeleteI tried this tonight, I’m disappointed because I didn’t get the noodles or sauce in my package!
ReplyDelete