GLT » A walk through the aisles

dining out

A walk through the aisles

by Frank Sabatini Jr.

Published Thursday, 04-Oct-2007 in issue 1032

Product: Jolly Time Healthy Pop (Butter)

Description: Three bags of microwave, butter-flavored popcorn with zero grams of trans fat.

Preparation summary: Place individual bag in microwave and cook on high for 2 to 5 minutes until popping slows to 1 to 3 seconds between pops.

Highpoints: Airier and less chewy compared to other brands, and 94 percent fat free.

Lowpoints: Extraordinarily dry, although the odor of fake butter rapidly permeates the room and leaps into neighboring condos when cooking.

Average retail price: $1.99

Availability: Major grocery stores

Product: Trader Joe’s Pesto Tortellini Bowl

Description: Frozen cheese-filled tortellini made with organic pasta and coated in extra virgin olive oil and basil.

Preparation summary: Heat in microwave on high for five minutes or on a cookie sheet in a conventional oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Highpoints: Pesto is bright and fresh tasting and doesn’t upstage the scant traces of cheese inside the tortellini.

Lowpoints: Texture of the pasta turned out slightly mushy.

Average Retail Price: $2.99

Availability: Trader Joe’s

Product: Kirkland Mediterranean Sea Salt

Description: Course sea salt crystals in a 12.7-ounce plastic container with adjustable grinder.

Preparation summary: Turn container upside down and rotate grinder for desired amount of salt.

Highpoints: Seemingly lasts a lifetime because a little goes a long way.

Lowpoints: Doesn’t taste much different than Morton’s table salt. The appealing mineral flavor typical to sea salt is upstaged by what tastes like pure sodium chloride.

Average Retail Price: $3.49

Availability: Costco

Product: Hormel Compleats Beef Steak Tips

Description: Cooked beef with mashed potatoes and gravy sold in a 10-ounce serving at room temperature.

Preparation summary: Puncture plastic lid in several spots and microwave on high for 60 to 90 seconds.

Highpoints: A friendly lady working the Hormel consumer hotline assured us that the food isn’t irradiated. Tastes a little like mom’s savory beef stew made on a dime.

Lowpoints: There’s barely enough beef in the meal to fill the stomach of a baby Chihuahua.