I'm a big fan of Italian foods like baked ziti, lasagna, and stuffed shells. The only problem is the ricotta and other cheeses make them high in artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol. When I came across a healthier version of stuffed shells by Rising Moon Organics, my interest was piqued. Made with primacotta soy ricotta, these shells are completely vegan.
To find out how they compared with the real deal after the jump when you read more.
I really wanted to love this dairy- and cholesterol-free frozen meal, but truthfully, it lacked flavor. The consistency of the soy filling was a little smoother and spongier than real ricotta, but I didn't mind that. It was the fact that these shells just tasted "blah." The tomato sauce was sweet, but had this odd slightly smokey aroma and taste.
| Just to see how much healthier these vegan stuffed shells were, I compared them to nonvegan ones made by Amy's Kitchen. Now I don't feel so bad about choosing the ricotta-filled shells. Although Rising Moon Organics Shells have less saturated fat and cholesterol, they also have more calories, more carbs, and less protein than Amy's Kitchen shells. The choice is obvious for me. I'll go for real cheese and real flavor, but if you're avoiding dairy, give these vegan shells a whirl. |
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My-Wardrobe.com
Lola Cruz
Jon Richard
I just don't get it...just because something is organic doesn't mean it's not highly processed and just not that great. It doesn't really appeal to me, but then again I don't eat a lot of frozen pre-packaged meals anyway.
1Eh I'm not into frozen dishes like this. Ick.
2omg SODIUM... geez. most vegans already know how to cook for themselves in order to sustain their diets so i don't think they're making much business with this sod-bomb.
3I don't get it, it's so unnatural! Highly processed, long list of weirdness. It's odd. I know that with some milk, eggs, veggies, spices and flour I could make the real things at home. How the heck would someone be able to duplicate this in their home?
Thats my feeling's one food: How natural and close to the earth is it? Can I make it myself without a degree in chemistry?
4Well the thing is, many companies manufacture frozen convenience products like Lean Cuisine, Stouffer's, etc., and I don't think people should assume vegans/vegetarians are "above" wanting to take some frozen convenience food to work for lunch every now and then. Even those of us who love to cook can use a break from it every once in a while! I don't know if there are even any vegan lean cuisines.
Personally, I don't usually like convenience soy-catta products, though I haven't tried this one- but Rising Moon has delicious butternut squash ravioli that tastes great with a bit of olive oil and salt. And my vegetarian favorite frozen convenience products would have to Amy's burritos. They are inexpensive, nutritious and yummy!
5These are the ingredients for the Rising Moon Shells: Organic Primacotta Filling (Water, Organic Soybeans, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Natural Flavors, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salt, Herbs, Magnesium Chloride [a natural sea mineral]), Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate) Organic Pasta (Organic Durum Semolina Flour, Water), Organic Sauce (Organic Tomatoes, Organic Onions, Organic Garlic, Organic Canola Oil, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Basil, Salt, Organic Black Pepper), Organic Parsley.
I'm pretty sure you could recreate this without a chemistry degree. Maybe sub sea salt for Magnesium Chloride?
Obviously homemade is better and I usually do make my own food, but sometimes I don't have time to cook & I'm glad there are things like Amy's & Rising
Moon that are healthier and more natural than fast food, lean cuisine, or "healthy" choice. Like Snowbunny, I am not above taking in a convenience food to work.
6Water
Soybeans
Brown Rice Syrup
Natural Flavors
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt
Herbs
Magnesium Chloride [a natural sea mineral])
Lemon Juice Concentrate
Durum Semolina Flour
Tomatoes
Onions
Garlic
Canola Oil
Basil
Black Pepper
Parsley
When you take out the word "organic" and the duplicate ingredients, this is the list. I'd have to agree with Jasmav, this doesn't look like it would take the average person a chemistry degree to make. However, fit said it didn't taste good, so I would be hesitant to purchase it anyway.
7really 'organic' is a marketing ploy- so are low fat, all natural, and all those other 'healthy choice' claims from companies that are targeting people who are trying to change their lifestyle. the proof is in the puddin...and on the label..ingred. list. you just gotta look in the right places.
8Lilcroat- Seriously, other than magnesium chloride (and keep in mind sea salt's chemical name is sodium chloride), what on that list is objectionable? Calling something "organic" could very well be a ploy, but how different does this list look to a recipe someone would use to make stuffed shells? Like what do you object to? The tomatoes? Garlic? Onions? It seems like it's cooler just to denounce this company as trying to use a ploy, and not very much like you have any concrete objections to the ingredient list. I mean, this product doesn't sound that great, but definitely I have enjoyed some of this company's products, and found them to be very healthy.
9They look good, but it looks like they're made from white flour. Kind of a deal breaker for me.
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