Steamed meals from Birds Eye suit most tastes

For many families, the reality of back to school means quick dinners are back on the menu.

Birds Eye Steamfresh Meals for Two seemed like a simple solution for kids and the adults who feed them, but the reviews were mixed.

Testers age 6 to 14 gave both the Shrimp Pasta Primavera and the Grilled Chicken Marinara three stars overall, while our adult testers gave them both slightly higher marks: three and a half stars on our five-star scale. But many either loved or hated the meals.

Even within families there was no consensus. Six-year-old Samantha Hubbard loved the Shrimp Pasta Primavera, saying, “It’s as good as my Dad’s food, so I’ll give it a five.”

Her brother, 9-year-old Pierce, disagreed: “I nearly puked.”

Carter Martin, 11, loved the shrimp pasta: “Oh, my God. This is so delicious, I couldn’t stop eating until it was gone. I recommend it.”

Ten-year-old Bridget Plese wasn’t so sure about the combination of pasta and shrimp. “I would not eat this on a regular basis,” she said.

However, she liked the Grilled Chicken Marinara with pasta better. “It had a very good taste. I would maybe, just possibly, eat this for dinner.”

Grown-ups were equally divided in their reviews.

Tina Johnson and Lindi Messenger both gave the Grilled Chicken Marinara the panel’s highest rating.

“Pasta cooked just right in a marinara-type sauce – full of spinach and tomatoes. It tastes homemade,” Messenger said.

Johnson agreed, saying, “Yummy. The chicken is very tender with lots of beautiful-colored and -tasting veggies.”

But Marilyn Moore barely touched hers and gave it a thumbs-down. “So artificial … visually not appealing.”

Andy Hoye wasn’t quite as turned off, but he wasn’t impressed either: “Pasta is fine, chicken only fair and the sauce is average.”

The Shrimp Pasta Primavera lost points with several tasters because the key ingredient didn’t fare well during microwaving. The Steamfresh meals need only be tossed in the microwave and heated.

“Bland, with chewy, chewy, chewy shrimp. I would leave this in the package,” said Skip Hubbard.

Vicki Deschaine agreed. “Where’s the flavors? I see shrimp, broccoli, red peppers and pasta, but there is no taste. Yuck!”

Others were more impressed. Larry Inman said he’d splurge and buy both meals: “Nice blend of flavors. I would definitely buy this.”

Birds Eye Steamfresh Meals for Two, Shrimp Pasta Primavera

Price: $6.29 per 1 pound, 8 ounce package (2 servings)

Nutrition per serving: 450 calories, 24 grams fat (14 grams saturated), 15 grams protein, 39 grams carbohydrate, 130 milligrams cholesterol, 3 grams dietary fiber, 770 milligrams sodium.

Kids

Taste: • • •

Adults

Taste: • • • 1/2

Value: • • •

Comments: “Mushy broccoli, otherwise OK. The shrimp was fresh and firm.” – Andy Hoye

“I really liked the Alfredo-type sauce, the broccoli and sweet yellow peppers all tossed into a nice meal. I did not care for the rubbery texture of the shrimp, though.” – Lindi Messenger

“Quick, easy and still tastes good. Good job.” – Bryton Martin, 14

Birds Eye Steamfresh Meals for Two, Grilled Chicken Marinara

Price: $6.29 per 1 pound, 8 ounce package (2 servings)

Nutrition per serving: 360 calories, 10 grams fat (2.5 grams saturated), 21 grams protein, 45 grams carbohydrate, 30 milligrams cholesterol, 4 grams dietary fiber, 1,030 milligrams sodium.

Kids

Taste: • • •

Adults

Taste: • • • 1/2

Value: • • •

Comments: “Not quite homemade but still pretty good flavor. The sauce is very good.” – Marcia Oranen

“Very good for a ready-made meal. Just needs a little salt. I’d buy it.” – Vicki Deschaine

“Not bad. I would eat it, but I wouldn’t buy it.” – Carter Martin, 11