New boxed meal means fajitas in a hurry

If you’re craving the taste of a fajita but don’t have the time to marinade meat and chop vegetables, Rosarita can make short work of this Mexican favorite.

The new Flame-Grilled Beef Fajita Meal comes complete with grilled beef, sauce, fire-roasted vegetables and tortillas. Heat the “sizzle sauce” and toss in the beef and veggies for dinner that slides onto the table 8 minutes after you open the box. Heat up the fajitas with some hot sauce or add a little cheese or creamy sour cream on top.

These fajitas passed muster with most of The Spokesman-Review food panel members, who gave the meal a three-and-a-half star rating for both taste and value.

“Excellent fajita with big (vegetable) chunks and lots of nicely seasoned beef,” said food panel member Tina Johnson. “Tortilla is soft and fresh, too.”

Jenny Whittaker said it was a quick-fix meal her family would eat. You’ll find it with other convenience foods in the meat or refrigerated section of the store. Other varieties include the Grilled Chicken Quesadilla Meal, Grilled Chicken Breast Fajita Meal, Shredded Chicken Enchilada Meal and the Shredded Beef Tacos Grande.

Other food panel members were less impressed with the fajitas. Some said the meat had an unpleasant texture. Others were glad we served the fajitas with cheese, guacamole and sour cream to help mask the flavor.

“Meat has a fake smoke flavor but overall this is pleasant enough for a packaged product,” said panelist Donald Clegg. “Dress up with cheese and sour cream and it’s palatable.”

Larry Inman said he couldn’t see himself buying it just for the convenience.

“Meat is too chewy. Sauce tastes like an Oriental sweet and sour rather than a Mexican flavor,” he said.

Rosarita Flame-Grilled Beef Fajita Meal

Price: $5.99 for a box of 6 fajitas

Nutrition per fajita: 200 calories, 7 grams fat (2 grams saturated, 31.5 percent fat calories), 11 grams protein, 21 grams carbohydrate, 20 milligrams cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 800 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • • 1/2

Value: • • • 1/2

Comments: “This is a quick fix meal my family would eat.” — Jenny Whittaker

“Needs the company of the goodies of sour cream, cheese, and even your own variety of rice.” — Marilyn Moore

“All I can say is thank the lord for giving us sour cream, cheese and guacamole to put on these.” — Skip Hubbard