Ainsley Harriot Meals in 5

...On my first purchase of Ainsley Harriot's Macaroni I was desparate, but still able to appreciate that although it wasn't made of the finest ingredients man has to offer, it was filling and did have a nice taste. So I bought it again.

It's a nice little money saver for those days when you don't want to spend too much on lunch. It beats other instant products of the pot variety, hands down. For instace you can buy Blue Dragon Beef Noodles ...
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Ainsley Harriot Meal in 5 does provide a nice, filling, tasty snack or small meal. It's macaroni, which ok isn't homemade, but it does taste pretty nice if you're looking for what's essentially cheesy pasta. I'd say give it a try, it's better value for money that other similar products on the market.  ... more

I first bought one of these on the last day of the month, when I literally only had a pound for lunch. My colleague, who recommended this to me, seems to be a ready and sachet meal expert whereas I prefer to buy something healthier or bring something from home. So, off I went to the shops, glad to have been told about this product - I was SO hungry. At 99p it was a lifesaver, which as soon as I was back in the office I proceeded to gobble down. On my first purchase of Ainsley Harriot's Macaroni I was desparate, but still able to appreciate that although it wasn't made of the finest ingredients man has to offer, it was filling and did have a nice taste. So I bought it again.

It's a nice little money saver for those days when you don't want to spend too much on lunch. It beats other instant products of the pot variety, hands down. For instace you can buy Blue Dragon Beef Noodles (in the same sort of packaging, but a bit bigger) for about 76p but it's mostly water and very unsatisfying. Again you can buy other, bulkier noodle products such as Tesco and Sainsburys own brands and still be left pretty unsatisfied.

It isn't luxury and the packaging is a little over the top, as it is not as amazing as it makes out. But then what is in the world of dried instant meals and snacks? I don't substitute my usually lunches for this often, infact hardly at all. But there are days when I crave something hot and filling...with a little stodgeyness to it. This is the answer for me. At 99p I'm hardly splashing out on a craving - unlike what I usually end up doing!

Also it does make a good snack, as I have recently found. It seems to convert quite easily and personally I could eat these at any time during the day - as I have. I quite like that it only requires hot water and a fork...unlike some less filling instant meals that need a pan or microwave to make.

To prepare this, you need to boil the kettle, peel off the lid and pour the water into the tub until it hits the 'fill' line. Then stir and leave the tub for five minutes. Give it another good stir before eating just to make sure that it's all mixed together. Et Voila! Your instant meal is ready.

As it says on the tub, it's less than 5% fat and doesn't have any artificial colours, preservatives or flavours. 110g of stuff inside, which includes the following:

50% dried pasta (Durum Wheat), Veg Oil, Potato Starch, Cheese Powder (8.5%), Skimmed Milk Powder, Yeast Extract, Lactose, Whey Protein, Salt, Milk protein, Whey Powder, Onion Powder, Dried Chives, Dried Onion and Mustard Powder. Also 'Flavourings'

Per Pot you'll be getting:

14.5g protein
66.8g carbs
16.0g fat
(9.3 saturated)
3.7g fibre
467 calories
1.8 salt
0.7g sodium

The packaging is pretty good, it doesn't hold the heat too long so by the time the five minutes is up and it's ready to eat it's fine to carry or hold.

Ainsley Harriot Meal in 5 does provide a nice, filling, tasty snack or small meal. It's macaroni, which ok isn't homemade, but it does taste pretty nice if you're looking for what's essentially cheesy pasta. I'd say give it a try, it's better value for money that other similar products on the market. 

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