New salad mixes rates high in taste – not so for price

Chances are, even if you were careful over the holidays, your list of resolutions for the new year includes something like this: Eat more vegetables.

Fresh Express salad mix makers are happy to help with that promise. There is a dizzying array of new prepackaged salad mixes on the shelves, designed to make tossing together some greens easier than ever. Tastier, too, members of the Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel said.

The Fresh Express Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette salad received a four-star rating from our tasters. The salad includes a spring mix and baby spinach, chopped walnuts and French bread croutons.

“Beautiful greens and salad lettuces with a subtle bleu cheese vinaigrette. Walnuts are a nice touch, too,” Tina Johnson said.

Marcia Oranen gave the salad the panel’s highest rating. “I can taste all the flavors, bleu cheese, sweet vinaigrette, walnuts – a nice combination,” she said.

Others said the salad tasted similar to salads they have been served in local restaurants. “Very fresh – dressing flavor is not overpowering – complex and satisfying,” said Andy Hoye.

The only complaint from the tasters was about the price. “Too pricey!” said Laura Hollman. The salad mixes are $3.99 for about three servings.

The Caesar Supreme salad didn’t fare quite as well with our tasters. Several said the dressing had too much lemon; others complained it should have more garlic. Overall it received three-and-a-half stars from the panel members.

“The salad, croutons and Parmesan cheese were all fresh and delicious. The Caesar dressing, on the other hand, had far too much lemon. I think I actually puckered,” said Skip Hubbard.

The salad mix includes Romaine lettuce, French bread croutons and a mix of Italian cheeses, along with a Romano Caesar dressing.

Vicki Deschaine liked the flavor. She just thought it would be just as easy (and less expensive) to throw the salad together herself. “Good flavors and crisp lettuce, but you don’t need a mix for a Caesar salad.”

Fresh Express Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette

Price: $3.99 for 8 ounces salad and toppings, 2.75 fluid ounces dressing

Nutrition per serving (3 cups prepared salad with 2 tablespoons dressing, 11/2 teaspoons walnuts and 6 croutons): 200 calories, 16 grams fat (3.5 grams saturated, 72 percent fat calories), 4 grams protein, 11 grams carbohydrate, 10 milligrams cholesterol, 3 grams dietary fiber, 320 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • • •

Value: • •

Comments: “The dressing was cheesy and tangy, the greens were crisp and fresh, the croutons were tolerable, altogether a good salad. (It) could use more toppings.” — Laura Hollman

“Excellent. This tastes similar to Twigs (Bistro) house salad minus the cranberries. I’d buy it.” – Vicki Deschaine

“Nice blend. Dressing is very tasty.” – Larry Inman

“Nice mix of greens with a pleasant, slightly sweet dressing and quite serviceable croutons. A pleasant surprise.” – Donald Clegg

Fresh Express Caesar Supreme

Price: $3.99 for 8 ounces salad and toppings, 2.75 fluid ounces dressing

Nutrition per serving (2.5 cups Romaine, 2 tablespoons dressing, 1 tablespoon cheese and 6 croutons): 170 calories, 14 grams fat (3 grams saturated, 74 percent fat calories), 3 grams protein, 8 grams carbohydrate, 8 grams cholesterol, 1 gram dietary fiber, 430 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • • 1/2

Value: • • 1/2

Comments: “Nice salad greens, but a Caesar needs more garlic than this.” – Tina Johnson

“A very tasty Caesar dressing; I could eat this all the time.” – Peggy Kazanis

“Borders on bland. Ho hum.” – Larry Inman

“No variety in lettuce, astringent dressing. I’d never eat this.” – Donald Clegg