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Post by Diremaker on Apr 5, 2008 0:50:06 GMT -5
We have not had a can of vegetables in our house now for over 7 months. We have plenty of vegetables though... we now use either (a) fresh preparation or (b) Steamfresh Vegetables and now (c) Steamer Bags. The steam packs have incredible fresh vegetable flavor. It's true that it's a bit more costly but take a good look at that label on the can of beans, or corn or whatever. Check out the added sodium, preservatives, etc. If you haven't the steam types yet, trust me, you won't be disappointed.
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Post by rumpleteaser on Apr 5, 2008 10:45:05 GMT -5
The Steamfresh Vegetables are fantastic. I stock up big time when it's 2 for $5.00. Just curious. Have you tried foil cooking?
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Post by Diremaker on Apr 5, 2008 13:46:17 GMT -5
I do indeed do foil cooking. Now that spring/summer is here, I can increase my grilling time as well. We drop down to maybe once or twice a week at the grill during winter to 4 or more times a week during the warmer months. Grilled vegetables are great. But again, yes I do foil, more so on the vegetables that can stand up to it such as corn, but give me a day or two because I also have a recipe here somewhere for a really good foil baked goulash as well.
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Post by dodaman on Apr 5, 2008 13:57:42 GMT -5
foil cooking is great. that taught us that at my son's scouting class. the things you can do with an apple
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Post by raphael on Apr 5, 2008 14:02:35 GMT -5
We have not had a can of vegetables in our house now for over 7 months. We have plenty of vegetables though... we now use either (a) fresh preparation or (b) Steamfresh Vegetables and now (c) Steamer Bags. The steam packs have incredible fresh vegetable flavor. It's true that it's a bit more costly but take a good look at that label on the can of beans, or corn or whatever. Check out the added sodium, preservatives, etc. If you haven't the steam types yet, trust me, you won't be disappointed. Nice product but two questions. Where did you buy this product? And are you saying that this product is loaded with sodium and preservatives?
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Post by raphael on Apr 5, 2008 16:03:13 GMT -5
Never mind on my questions Dire. I had to go to the store and stopped by Food Lion and looked to see if they had some and sure enough they did. I think they were like 2 for $4 or $5 (can't remember) but anyway I checked on the sodium and it was 1% or 30mg and no preservatives. Very healthy product except I'm sure that freezing and steaming takes out a certain portion of nutrition. But for those who want a quick easy meal (like me) I will buy this product more often ( that is after I taste it ) Are you watching your diet now since after your operation? Thanks for the heads up on this product I hadn't seen it or noticed it in the market place.
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Post by Diremaker on Apr 5, 2008 19:57:32 GMT -5
Actually, it's very much the opposite. The freezing / steaming keeps much, MUCH more of the food's actual nutrition than cooking and canning does.
Steamfresh Green Beans, Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 2/3 cup (81g) - 4 servings per 340 g bag Amount per Serving Calories 30 Calories from Fat 0 % Daily Value * Total Fat 0g 0% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Monounsaturated Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 0mg 0% Total Carbohydrate 5g 2% Dietary Fiber 2g 8% Sugars 2g Protein 1g 2% Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 6% Calcium 4% Iron 2% Est. Percent of Calories from: Fat 0.0% Carbs 66.7% Protein 13.3%
Del Monte Canned Green Beans:
Serving Size: 1/2 cup (121.0 g) (approx. 67 g drained) Amount per Serving Calories 20 Calories from Fat 0 % Daily Value * Total Fat 0g 0% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Monounsaturated Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 390mg 16% Total Carbohydrate 4g 1% Dietary Fiber 2g 8% Sugars 2g Protein 1g 2% Vitamin A 6% Vitamin C 4% Calcium 2% Iron 4% Vitamin D 0% Vitamin E 0% Vitamin B6 0% Vitamin B12 0% Zinc 0% Est. Percent of Calories from: Fat 0.0% Carbs 80.0% Protein 20.0%
Note the sodium. Also note that nutritional values vary, some higher some lower. I would tend to think the nutrition values of the canned are in all likelihood, enhanced.
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Post by raphael on Apr 5, 2008 20:18:27 GMT -5
Actually, it's very much the opposite. The freezing / steaming keeps much, MUCH more of the food's actual nutrition than cooking and canning does. Steamfresh Green Beans, Nutrition Information:Serving Size: 2/3 cup (81g) - 4 servings per 340 g bag Amount per Serving Calories 30 Calories from Fat 0 % Daily Value * Total Fat 0g 0% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Monounsaturated Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 0mg 0% Total Carbohydrate 5g 2% Dietary Fiber 2g 8% Sugars 2g Protein 1g 2% Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 6% Calcium 4% Iron 2% Est. Percent of Calories from: Fat 0.0% Carbs 66.7% Protein 13.3% Del Monte Canned Green Beans:Serving Size: 1/2 cup (121.0 g) (approx. 67 g drained) Amount per Serving Calories 20 Calories from Fat 0 % Daily Value * Total Fat 0g 0% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Monounsaturated Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 390mg 16% Total Carbohydrate 4g 1% Dietary Fiber 2g 8% Sugars 2g Protein 1g 2% Vitamin A 6% Vitamin C 4% Calcium 2% Iron 4% Vitamin D 0% Vitamin E 0% Vitamin B6 0% Vitamin B12 0% Zinc 0% Est. Percent of Calories from: Fat 0.0% Carbs 80.0% Protein 20.0% Note the sodium. Also note that nutritional values vary, some higher some lower. I would tend to think the nutrition values of the canned are in all likelihood, enhanced. Interesting analysis DM. I will keep this in mind after I finish off my several cans of green beans.
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Post by Diremaker on Apr 6, 2008 17:03:23 GMT -5
To be honest, after we tried one, we took the canned stuff to the food bank.
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Post by raphael on Apr 6, 2008 17:23:03 GMT -5
To be honest, after we tried one, we took the canned stuff to the food bank. My wife is steaming one right now as I'm posting I will let you know soon what I think about them. The trade off on the sodium is a sure winner though.
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Post by tnwaltz on Apr 6, 2008 19:51:25 GMT -5
I agree. I'm a fan of Del Monte Blue Lake Green Beans but the sodium savings will make me switch.
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Post by Diremaker on Apr 7, 2008 9:48:04 GMT -5
It's funny, unless you've actually HAD fresh green beans, you can't appreciate how good these are. I grew up on a farm and this is the flavor I had at least four nights a week... minus the fatback...
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Post by tnwaltz on Apr 7, 2008 10:54:15 GMT -5
Where is Raphael with the verdict on his taste test??
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Post by raphael on Apr 7, 2008 15:28:10 GMT -5
Where is Raphael with the verdict on his taste test?? Well it was made by Birdseye. It had lots of broccoli, some carrots, little ears of corn anyway neither of us thought it tasted that good. We did add some pepper and butter. It was okay. Out of a scale to ten I'll give it a 6 and a 1/2. When the kids get older I plan on buying a steamer and going that route. A couple of years ago our neighbors invited us over for one of those expensive pot and pan demonstrations. (dang set was over 2k) very nice but I can't see that type of investment. I will say this though in his demonstration the guy steamed up some vegetables in one of those fancy pots and it was the best steamed veggies I've ever eaten to this day.
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Post by Diremaker on Apr 7, 2008 18:31:00 GMT -5
Dude! You got the wrong ones! look for Steamfresh... it says it on the bag and the bags are blue... avoid the flavored ones like Asian Medley and stuff. Just go for straight vegetables.
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Post by raphael on Apr 7, 2008 18:38:31 GMT -5
Dude! You got the wrong ones! look for Steamfresh... it says it on the bag and the bags are blue... avoid the flavored ones like Asian Medley and stuff. Just go for straight vegetables. I didn't see any at Food Lion by that name. Where are you buying this product? Who makes Steamfresh?
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Post by tnwaltz on Apr 7, 2008 19:45:54 GMT -5
Birdseye Steamfresh. The whole bag goes in the microwave and, as it puffs up with steam during cooking, a specially maded steamvent opens up to keep the whole thing from blowing up.
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Post by raphael on Apr 7, 2008 20:14:48 GMT -5
Birdseye Steamfresh. The whole bag goes in the microwave and, as it puffs up with steam during cooking, a specially maded steamvent opens up to keep the whole thing from blowing up. Okay then I am correct. According to Dires post that is what I bought and ate.
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Post by Diremaker on Apr 7, 2008 22:47:00 GMT -5
OK, but did you buy a "flavored" pack? Like "asian Medley" or something? They are not near as good as just the plain vegetable packs. Try the mixed vegetables or sweet corn... My daughter (7) likes the brussel sprouts... how weird is that?
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Post by raphael on Apr 7, 2008 23:17:29 GMT -5
OK, but did you buy a "flavored" pack? Like "asian Medley" or something? They are not near as good as just the plain vegetable packs. Try the mixed vegetables or sweet corn... My daughter (7) likes the brussel sprouts... how weird is that? I thought they were good enough to buy again. It may have been what you suggested. I have another on that is broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower. I also like some of those frozen green giant dishes such as the broccoli and cheese however I'm sure there not health food.
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Post by Fredo on Apr 8, 2008 9:31:11 GMT -5
You don't need an expensive steamer to make good vegetables. I think the one we have was less than ten bucks. It's just a little device that you sit in a pan of water. I'll post a pic when I get a chance.
We don't buy any prepackaged vegetables. If you get it fresh, you know exactly what's in it and what's been done to it.
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Post by Diremaker on Apr 8, 2008 12:13:33 GMT -5
Another excellent option that kind of got overlooked on my original post was the microwave steamer bags such as Ziploc's Zip-N-Steam BagsYou may have to experiment a little bit depending on your microwave power, but I have cooked asparagus, corn, brussel sprouts, beans broccoli and cauliflower using these and they work great. Just remember to keep notes, (mine's in my cookbook), of your ideal cooking times for each vegetable. As Fredo says, when you're buying fresh, you know what you're getting and these bags can still save you a ton of time on cooking.
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Post by tnshecat on Apr 8, 2008 15:50:26 GMT -5
I prefer frozen veggies over canned any day. BF likes the squishy canned stuff. Now that Linda's produce is open-fresh is the way to go!!!
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Post by tnshecat on Apr 8, 2008 15:52:51 GMT -5
Dire, a question on pressure cookers... My Grandma, Mom and Aunt used one for beans and stuff. Not sure how they will work on a glass top stove. Any comments or sugestions. Do you have a favorite brand?
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Post by tnshecat on Apr 8, 2008 15:55:00 GMT -5
To be honest, after we tried one, we took the canned stuff to the food bank. I need to clean out cabinets and take a load of canned stuff myself- would probably make me feel like I've helped in some small way
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