I just ate the craziest thing for lunch. It was a Lean Cuisine Chicken, Mushroom and Spinach Panini and via some magical means (this strange silver coating on the package) it grilled itself in the microwave. Yes those are grill marks in the photo. Thanks iPhone! Equally shocking was that the sandwich actually tasted good and I now feel full even though it only had 280 calories (or possibly 320–my box and the website differ). Obviously some strange voodoo is at work here…
Microwave Voodoo: Lean Cuisine Chicken, Mushroom and Spinach Panini
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It looks good to me! Are there grill marks on both sides? I usually don’t have much look with good tasting microwave sandwiches.
Freaky! I always wondered about them.
Rachel – There are totally grill marks on both sides. You microwave the sandwich open face and then put it together after you cook it.
Rachel – It’s pretty good for an “I didn’t cook last night so I don’t have any leftovers to eat” office lunch.
Is it crunchy? It looks like it just came off the stove! It’s magic!
Anna – It is crunchy. And buttery. Like grandma’s grilled cheese, but not…burned 😉
They are pretty good, aren’t they? I like the cheese steaky one (I don’t remember its proper name).
I’ve always wondered how they would taste…and if YOU say it’s good it Must be!! I’m trusting you! ; )
I’m always looking for things for lunch…it’s just NOT my meal. I looove breakfast and can have tons of options. And the same goes for dinner. But Lunch…I got nothin’. Because, honestly, I don’t want to spend a lot of time on lunch…I just want to feed myself something so I don’t pass out before dinner.
Any more suggestions?
I used to always have these in my freezer – I’m with Sarah, I like the cheesy steaky one.
I love LC – something about it is soooo good but doesn’t go straight to the butt (and my butt doesn’t need any new additions). The cheese steak one – I haven’t tried it but the Chicken Club & the Chicken Spinach or whatever is not bad.
Abbey – Hmm…lunch suggestions. Usually I have leftovers from things I’ve cooked for dinner the night before, but if I haven’t cooked I’ll eat a frozen dinner. I really love a lot of the Amy’s meals. Especially the pasta bowls (http://www.amys.com/products/category_view.php?prod_category=12). Another favorite is the Stouffers Vegetable Lasagna (http://www.stouffers.com/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=138). I used to eat turkey, pickles, and provolone on wheat with a cup of cottage cheese all the time until I got seriously sick of it. Don’t be like me. Mix it up 😉
Sarah & Deb – The thought of Microwaved steak freaks me out…but you’re the third person who mentioned liking it so we’ll see…
Lys – I’m actually not a big fan. Most of their dinners usually do leave me feeling hungry. Let’s face it, 5 raviolis and some pea pods aren’t really enough to keep me full until dinner. However, I have been impressed with their pizzas and now this sandwich. I don’t know how I feel about cheese steak though…is it seriously good? Microwaved mushrooms is one thing…but steak? I don’t know…
Hmmm. I wonder if there a lot of weird chemicals and preservatives in them. I’ve always wanted to try the LC foods but never have. You’ve given me hope that this “fast food” may actually be good. Thanks, Erin.
Nix – Well, I didn’t say they were “good for you.” I’m certain they are chocked full of preservatives and things you can’t pronounce. It’s really about low-cal convenience. Or office laziness.
I’ve always wondered what those frozen sandwiches would turn out like — it sounds like a satisfying quick and easy lunch. I didn’t realize you had an iphone … I knew there was a reason I liked you 🙂 I l-o-v-e it.
Erin,
I’ve seen them tons of times in our mike room at work and they actually look good. I’ve wondered about them though. So many microwave sandwiches or other meals for that matter, don’t work for me. That pic looks goos though. You say it was, huh?
the healthy choice steamer bowls aren’t bad, either. feels less like food-in-slop like the LC saucey things. (alfredos etc)
But LC AND Healthy choice panini sandwiches are good. the pizzas also have the foil griller thing to help make a crisp crust. those are not as good as the sandwiches, in my opinion, though.
the steak cheddar and mushroom one is what it is. the flavor is tasty with the seasonings they use, but yeah.. don’t think about what you’re eating while you’re eating it. just don’t.
btw.. if you’re watching sodium levels, I’ve found that LC is MUCH higher than the healthy choice options. and Smart Ones brand has a better offering of mexican-inspired dishes.. but overall their stuff is pretty middle-of-the-road.
and on the subject of frozen prepared foods… have you seen those green giant single-servings? they make a broccoli and cheese container that’s like 60 calories, and is good. broccoli maintains its ‘bite’, and the cheese sauce is nice. I like heating one up and putting on a baked potato.
I just realized I have WAY too much knowledge/experience with prepared foods. sigh.
I eat LCs for lunch all the time (too lazy to pack). I haven’t tried these yet, but I will now based on your recommendation!
That looks pretty good, for a voodoo’d microwave sandwich!
This is really by far and also away just about the most thorough post we now have read on the web page. It saved us a holiday to the neighborhood library.
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