FIRST time ordering, it was on sale and I wanted to try one without all the chemicals. You know the blue box one most of us grew up on.
Anyway, CONS FIRST:
HOW to prepare and directions - I read reviews before even ordering. This is one the directions did NOT do it for me. Here's how I prepared and will adjust next time (this was for very first one out of the box).
I filled to line as it said, but stirred really well before putting in microwave. Microed for one minute, stirred, microed another minute and it was thick and slimy. ONLY word I can think, look and felt slimy when I stirred. I added a little more word, microd about another min. still slimy, but added packet of cheese and stirred and let sit for about five minutes. NOT as slimy when I went to eat, but noodles, even with extra cooking time, still a little too al dente, not soft enough, for me.
NEXT time I will do this but stop and add MORE water after cooking a min, stirring, cooking again, stirring, will add about a third cup more water (it cooks down). AND I will also let sit for at least five-ten mins before eating because when I stir seems less slimy.
Portion you wind up with - after cooking you're lucky getting a HALF of the cup to actually eat, another reason I will add more water next time, because it doesn't seem noodles cooked enough.
TASTE - I have this as a CON and a PRO. Not super tasty. Not bad, but better if you doctor it up a bit.
PROS -
INGREDIENTS - I wanted something that I would KNOW what ingredients are in it (looking at the blue box one, I can't pronounce, much less know, what all the ingredients are, some I looked up). I wanted something I felt was healthier, this one ticks that box.
EASE of COOKING - After doing one, I figured out how to do the next one. Microwaves vary and you may have to experiment.
TASTE - not bad, but again, adding pretty much anything will make it less blend. And I like it doesn't taste unnatural.
TEXTURE - depending on how you cook and waiting (crucial) for 5-10 minutes after stirring in cheese, makes the slimy go away a lot.
COST - well, I did get with a 20% discount which is one of the reasons I wanted to try, so cost was good BUT considering you only get about a HALF of the carton when the product is done, if you're hungry, you're going to need two.
BOTTOMLINE: NOT sorry I got it, the only thing that might prohibit me getting often is the price and quantity you end up with. If I have to make two, becomes obviously more expensive and I will go thru all 12 in six days. CONSIDERING healthy alternatives for quick, relatively healthy meals, this is only one I found, I can eat it, and it was on sale. Will see for future.
Annie's Homegrown Real Aged Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese In Cup, No Artificial Flavor, 8.04 Ounces (Pack Of 6)
