BzzAgent: Kroger/ Ralph's Skillet Sausage Rigatoni Meal

Located in the freezer section of your local Ralph's, these 10 to 15 minute meals are a one-dish quick way to have dinner ready and set! You just choose what you are craving and you have a large selection to pick from. In the mood for Mexican, you have Chicken Fajitas. Craving something with an Asian flair? Well, Ralph's has you covered with a filling Shrimp Lo-Mein. You perhaps want Italian or Mediterranean, you have Tuscan-style Penne, Sausage Rigatoni or Penne with Grilled Chicken.  I even saw a Chicken Florentine!



Overall Taste and Texture:

I went for the Sausage Rigatoni and I can say Ralph's was fully stocked with all the selections available and a healthy quantity.

Directions can't get simpler and faster with these one-skillet meals. You open the bag, add it to your pan and cook. No butter or oils need to be added!  I worry with pasta based frozen dishes because many tend to come out with a less desired texture but after the meal was cooked, the pasta was al-dente and had a pleasing texture. You get a good portion of sausage and these meals serve 2 to 3 people. I can say that we were full after splitting the meal in half and I actually did not finish my entire serving. I did add fresh (roma) tomatoes 5 minutes before the meal was ready, along with some fresh parsley. After the entree was finished, I added a topping of fresh basil and parmesan reggiano before serving. I was satisfied with the meal and so was my Husband. For those moments when time is not on your side, you can use a little help from Ralph's Skillet Meals and I like that you can personalize the meal by adding ingredients.



I received the above product free of charge from BzzAgent and Ralph's. I am not obligated in providing a positive/favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

BzzAgent: Kroger/ Ralph's Classic Garlic Bread

Located in the Fresh Bakery section of your local Ralph's grocery store, you will find a french style loaf that is packaged in a foil covered bag. The loaf is large enough for a family to enjoy with two meals! Very easy to warm up in your oven and it's ready to go with no preparation needed. Neat.

Overall Taste and Texture:
I liked the bread itself as it had a wonderful crust and was light and fluffy towards the center. The spread is suppose to resemble a garlic one, however I did not smell much garlic when I checked out the loaf before baking. I smelled oils and what you would describe a very light garlic-ey scent that seemed more like what you find in seasonings (powdered). After heating, I sliced the bread and again did not detect a rich smell that makes you almost drool when you have garlic bread in front of you. I usually sneak a bite in before serving but the spread was so fluorescent yellow in coloring, that it did not pique my appetite. When I lifted the top portion from the bottom, I noticed the "butter" was more oil than anything.....maybe it's a margarine? I felt the spread sort of was a negative compared to how the bread itself is. I would definitely purchase a loaf of bread to go with a meal but I am sticking to plain on this one!

I received the above product free of charge from BzzAgent and Ralph's.  I am not obligated in providing a positive/favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

Wafu style Chicken Egg Rolls

I have been enjoying myself and trying all of Wafu's wonderful dressings that are so delicious, that they can be used as marinades. Tonight was one of our "trips to Asia", so that means I needed something that went beyond a potsticker for dinner. I had one defrosted chicken breast that was screaming I don't do my fall back and make Orange Chicken. My answer was simple and quick egg rolls since the chicken breast seemed to be dictating the night :)

I don't own a mandoline because so many seem to have poor reviews, that I can never decide which one to actually buy. I make do with the knives I own, plus that also means I don't need to make room for another kitchen tool.

Filling:

• 1 Carrot thinly shredded


• 1/2 cup of shredded Cabbage


• 3 Green Onions thinly sliced

• 1 large Chicken Breast


• 1/4 teaspoon of Chinese Five Spice


• Salt and Pepper to taste

• 2 to 3 Garlic Cloves (diced)


• 1 tablespoon of Peanut Oil and 1 tablespoon of Seasame Seed Oil

• 3 to 4 tablespoons of the Original Wafu's Japanese Vinaigrette


• 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated Ginger (less or more, as to your taste)

Wraps:

• Egg roll wraps (you will yield 10 to 12 egg rolls depending on how you stuff)


• 1 egg whisked

Frying Oil:

Peanut Oil for frying, about 1 to 1/2 cups

Dip:

• Wafu's Wasabi Edamme Japanese dressing


• Sriracha sauce to taste (between 2 to 3 drops or be brave and do more)

I start by peeling the carrot and discard the peels. I then take my peeler and make thin slices of the carrot. I take my knife and then julienne the carrots into fine slices.



I then finely slice the cabbage.



Next, comes the green onion and I use all the white parts, saving the green stalks that can be used for garnish.  I start by slicing the onions in half, and then in halves again to create thin strips.





Your trio should look like this:



Next comes the chicken breast.  I start by dicing the breast into chunks and then add Chinese Five Spice



This is about the size of my chunks but please cut them to any size you are comfortable with.  I then just add salt and pepper to taste and massage the seasonings into the meat.



The vegetables do not require to be pre-cooked but the meat does.  These egg rolls take only but a few minutes to cook, so the meat needs to be fully cooked before frying.  I start by adding a mix of peanut oil and sesame seed oil, plus the fresh garlic I diced up.



While that cooks, I take a bowl and add 3 to 4 tablespoons of Wafu's Original Japaneses Vinaigrette.



I fry the chicken on both sides until the breast pieces get a nice color and are fully cooked, making sure to not burn the garlic.  I then add everything once it cools for 5 minutes to the Wafu dressing.  This includes the garlic, any left over juices and oils.  I toss making sure everything is incorporated.



I then take my fresh Ginger out of the freezer because it's the only way I can make it last.  Using a knife, I finely grate enough to make 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of shavings.  I then add it to the chicken and toss.



Next comes the fun part, assembly time.  I went to three stores that I knew stocked egg roll wraps, however everyone was out of stock. I finally found some at Von's market and this is the brand I used.  Use whatever brand you desire as I do not have a favorite.  Just make sure the ingredients the wraps are made of are to your liking.



This how I assembled and I did not take certain amount of vegetables and meat.  I went with what seemed like an even amount and sometimes even a little more meat than veggies because then I could almost hear my husband asking if there was a chicken shortage he did not know of :P



Then add the egg wash all around.  I used a silicone brush to make it easier to swipe all around.



Next, comes the folding and it's just like making mini burritos.



I then add a little more wash to the folded edges to insure things remain closed and also stuck together.



Then just finish rolling.



Repeat the process until you are out of chicken.  I was able to make 10 of this little guys.



I covered my uncooked egg rolls with slightly moist paper towels while my oil heated up.



Once my oil was hot, I began to fry three egg rolls at a time.  They cook up quickly....like less than a minute on each side.



Flip once you see the edges slightly brown.



When done, I just take them out and pat them on paper towels.



Continue to fry until you are done and this goes by quickly, which is a good thing!  I then make my dip.  I take 1 to 1/2 tablespoons of Wafu's Wasabi Edamme Japanese dressing and add 2 to 3 drops of Sriracha sauce.  Mix and you are finished!  This is my first time making egg rolls, if I can do it....so can you!  Enjoy!



I received the above dressings and vinagrettes free of charge from Wafu.  I am not obligated to provide positive/favorable feedback, just my honest opinion.  I highly recommend this company because they have one of the best dressings on the market.  From flavors that make a simple salad that much more enjoyable, to the practicality of being able to use their products as marinades.  I love the ingredients and the pride the company takes in keeping things simple but delicious.  My review is based on my experience with the brand, which may differ from yours.

Check them out at: http://www.wafu.ca/  on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/wafubrand Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/wafubrand or even on Pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/wafubrand/