Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Healthy Choice Top Chef Cafe Steamers Inspired Meals @Healthy_Choice

By Jennifer (Double Duty Mommy) at 10:55 AM
If you've watched Top Chef on Bravo and thought, "wow, I want to try that but I don't have Smell-O-Vision and licking my TV isn't working at all" then you're in luck!

Healthy Choice has teamed up for a landmark partnership with Top Chef to create a line of Café Steamers entrees, available this year in grocery stores around the country.

I  got to try two of these 8 delicious varieties. Café Steamers utilize proprietary steaming technology that produces a fresh-tasting meal in minutes.
I was sent the Chicken Linguini with Red Peppers and Chicken Margherita with Balsamic.

Chicken Linguini with Red Pepper Alfredo – Chicken tenderloins with linguini & broccoli in a roasted red pepper Alfredo sauce. (Nutrition Facts: 260 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 510 milligrams of sodium, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, and 22 grams of protein.)

Chicken Margherita with Balsamic – Chicken tenderloins with angel hair pasta, roasted garlic & tomatoes in a balsamic vinaigrette sauce. (Nutrition Facts: 320 calories, 8 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 600 milligrams of sodium, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, and 22 grams of protein.)
The box instantly jumped out at me and pulled me in. I love good graphics and I really do love this box design better then the original green Healthy Choice boxes.
The seven other meal choices are all well known popular dishes like Chicken Fresca, Grilled Chicken Marinara with Parmesan, Grilled Chicken Pesto with Vegetables, Grilled Vegetables Mediterranean with Rice, Roasted Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, Barbeque Steak with Red Potatoes.

The Healthy Choice Top Chef inspired Café Steamers combine bold and innovative flavors that make the perfect lunch or quick dinner.

I first tried the Chicken Margherita with Balsamic and it was so yummy! The Café Steamers bowl should be cooked for about 4 minutes and it self-vents so there is no need to cut or puncture the film.

Once the cooking is done you simply pour the meal into the bottom bowl that contains the sauce, stir to combine and enjoy your perfect meal! If you count Weight Watchers Points then rejoice because each box has a PointsPlus number on the back. The Chicken Margherita with Balsamic has a PointsPlus Value of 8.
Healthy Choice has made a previous version of the Chicken Margherita with Balsamic but now they have enhanced the roasted garlic and added basil to the balsamic sauce to make this classic recipe even better.

The generous portions are perfect for me especially on days that I want something different then my usual meal. It keeps me right on track with my fat and calories intake.
One thing I would change is the amount of chicken. In my bowl I only had the 4 pieces you see below, which is more like 2 pieces total if you combine those 3 tiny pieces. Maybe I just had a weird bowl and others have more? Who knows but if that is the normal amount then hey definitely should add more chicken.

I am more of an alfredo sauce person so the Chicken Linguini with Red Peppers was my favorite of the two. The Chicken Linguini with Red Peppers had a very creamy alfredo sauce with full size broccoli florets.  This dish delivers on taste and nutrition packing 5 grams of fiber, 22 grams of protein and only 260 calories.

I am in love with the two Healthy Choice Top Chef Inspired Café Steamers meals I was sent to taste and of course enjoy!
If you're looking for a new option for lunch at work or a quick dinner that's both healthy and tasty then these new meals are the way to go, especially since they cost just about $2.75-$3.50 each!

If you'd like to follow Healthy Choice to learn more about their upcoming news and meals then check out their Twitter account @Healthy_Choice and the Healthy Choice Facebook Fan Page.

Disclaimer: Thanks to The Motherhood and Healthy Choice. I was compensated and was sent two meals to taste test and tell you about them.  All thoughts and opinions written here about the Cafe Steamers meals are my own. Compensation did not influence a positive review.

11 commented:

Sober Julie on November 16, 2011 at 11:38 AM said...

WOW that look tasty! It is difficult to find a quick, healthy option to bring to work that is also a generous portion and good price. I'm going to try Healthy Choice. Thanks for sharing

Maniacal on November 16, 2011 at 12:46 PM said...

I love simple meals that can be prepared and are still good for me! I like the healthy choice ones as well, the flavor is great, but I agree they could up the protein in the dishes for sure.

Sugar Jones on November 16, 2011 at 12:52 PM said...

I almost bought a few of these the other day, but put them away thinking that I would just make my own lunches. Well, I keep thinking I have more time and energy than I do and, of course, I ended up NOT making my own lunches, opting instead for some high fat, high calorie drive through. After reading this, I think I'm going to head back to the store today and get a few of these for lunch.

Thanks for sharing!

Unknown on November 16, 2011 at 1:50 PM said...

Yum! I've had the Cafe Steamers line before and enjoyed it, what a cool idea to make a "Top Chef" inspired variety! Om nom nom!

Anonymous said...

That's a really great price for those and the one you had looks yummy!!

Tenille on November 16, 2011 at 4:04 PM said...

I love when things are quick and easy like this!

Stefani @ MommyEnterprises.com on November 16, 2011 at 6:23 PM said...

I have always been a fan of the Healthy Choice meals. The one that you have pictures looks YUMMY!

bookieboo on November 17, 2011 at 9:56 AM said...

I used healthy choice when I started my weight loss journey. It was a great way to control calories and portions before I learned to cook healthy. Today I'm over 100 lbs lighter and I still think they are fab for beginners. :)

Parentella on November 17, 2011 at 12:53 PM said...

I am hungry looking at these.

Jennifer on November 17, 2011 at 3:07 PM said...

The one you have pictured is my favorite Healthy Choice meal. I love their steam bowls because everything tastes fresh and yummy. Plus the way it is placed in the bowl makes it easy for me to pick out the things I don't like. ;)

Jordan Marie @ hottlt.com on November 19, 2011 at 8:21 PM said...

My mouth is watering now.. Thanks..

:)

<3xojo

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