New organic soups met with warm reception

The fresh taste of Muir Glen Organic soups could be mistaken for homemade, some Spokesman-Review food panel members said recently.

Others said the recipes could use some tweaking. But overall the soups fared well with the volunteer tasters. Muir Glen’s Hearty Tomato Soup earned four stars for flavor, while the Homestyle Split Pea and Savory Lentil each received three stars.

“Nice thick tomato soup with tomato chunks,” Nancy Robinson said. “Nice flavor, nice spices, tastes homemade.”

Tina Johnson was equally enthusiastic. “Wow! What a great tomato soup – spicy, chunky and herby. This is fantastic.”

Vicki Deschaine liked the soup’s touch of sweetness.

Although many tasters also had nice things to say about the split pea and lentil flavors, the soups lost points for the texture of ingredients. Others said they may have liked the soup better if there were a bit of meat in the recipe.

“A little too bland and the peas are too firm,” said Larry Inman. “Perhaps a few bits of ham would help.”

But it clinched Johnson’s high opinion of Muir Glen soups. “Better than most homemade soups! The peas are slightly al dente and the celery slices are huge. I love this soup. Bring on winter,” she said.

Many tasters liked the flavor of the lentil soup stock, but thought it was bland overall and the vegetables were overdone.

“Sure not garden fresh vegetables. (They) went to mush on the spoon, really not any flavor. It’s hot and it will fill you up,” said Marilyn Moore.

Robinson said Muir Glen soups will be on her shopping list. “Nice stock, flavor. It could use some meat, but overall very tasty. I definitely would buy this. Lentils are perfect, either bacon or ham or roast would go with this.”

Muir Glen Organic Hearty Tomato Soup

Price: $2.79 for 19 ounces

Nutrition per serving: 130 calories, 1 gram fat (no saturated fat, 7 percent fat calories), 5 grams protein, 25 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 980 milligrams sodium.

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Comments: “Yum. Chunky tomato soup.” – Jenny Whittaker

“Having just made a really killer tomato soup at home, this suffers by comparison, but you could use this as a starter and then add your own seasonings.” – Donald Clegg

“Give me a grilled cheese and a warm fire and I’d be good to go with the soup.” – Skip Hubbard

Muir Glen Organic Homestyle Split Pea Soup

Price: $2.79 for 19 ounces

Nutrition per serving: 180 calories, .5 grams fat (no saturated fat, 3 percent fat calories), 11 grams protein, 33 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 11 grams dietary fiber, 900 milligrams sodium.

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Comments: “OK. Not as good as some homemade. The peas are still whole and firm and I don’t see any ham.” – Vicki Deschaine

“Yum. Nice flavored soup for winter, rib-sticking… but it could use some ham. Needs a little more flavor, but I would buy this. Celery is a little too done. Nice broth. Peas have a nice texture. Tastes homemade.” – Nancy Robinson

“Bland with peas that leave a chalky film on your teeth. This is the reason babies spit out their peas.” – Skip Hubbard

“Kept looking for the ham. Found celery and I liked seeing the whole peas – not put through a strainer.” – Marilyn Moore

Muir Glen Organic Savory Lentil Soup

Price: $2.79 for 19 ounces

Nutrition per serving: 130 calories, 2 grams fat (.5 grams saturated, 14 percent fat calories), 6 grams protein, 23 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 3 grams dietary fiber, 950 milligrams sodium.

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Comments: “I see the lentils, carrots and celery, but I don’t really taste any discernable flavors.” – Vicki Deschaine

“Broth is very good in both taste and consistency. Lentils were a little too firm for my taste.” – Larry Inman

“When I bite into a carrot in any soup, I expect a little resistance on the teeth. These disintegrated into nothingness and I actually thought it fell off my spoon.” – Skip Hubbard