At the young age of 14, my number one dream is to become a top chef with my own cafe or restuarant- not neccessarly a posh 5 star restuarant but just somewhere I can cook and please people.
I often cook at home and love nothing better than to prepare a meal (usually 3 course) for my family, ... Read review
...have sampled many of the weightwatchers ready meals, some pleasing me more than others, the most recent one that I tried was the _Beef Lasagne_. As I am quite a fan of lasagne, I was quite excited to try this, but also slightly scared, what if it put me off Lasagne forever?!
My mum was going out on a night out, and I knew I couldnt be bothered to cook myself a meal from scratch the particular night, ... ...not a dieter, however the weightwatchers ready meals are infact designed for the people following the weight watchers diet. Studying the packaging closer, I am told that this ready meal counts towards 5 weight watchers points- not bad for a meal. If you arent on the diet but were interested in the calories content, this meal contains a rather low 259 calories, and only 8.3g of fat, of which 4.2 saturates.
At the young age of 14, my number one dream is to become a top chef with my own cafe or restuarant- not neccessarly a posh 5 star restuarant but just somewhere I can cook and please people.
I often cook at home and love nothing better than to prepare a meal (usually 3 course) for my family, experimenting with flavours however keeping quite basic and serving up favourites such as lasagne, pies and pasta dishes.
However there are obviously going to times when I just can't be bothered to cook a meal and slave over a stove, and if my mum is out on one of these occasions, I usually opt for a ready microwavable meal.
Although I'm not on a diet in any way, shape or form, I do rather enjoy the weight watchers ready meals, as I feel they satisfy you without leaving you stuffed. I have sampled many of the weightwatchers ready meals, some pleasing me more than others, the most recent one that I tried was the Beef Lasagne. As I am quite a fan of lasagne, I was quite excited to try this, but also slightly scared, what if it put me off Lasagne forever?!
My mum was going out on a night out, and I knew I couldnt be bothered to cook myself a meal from scratch the particular night, so down I trailed to tesco in search of something substancial. I trailed through the various aisles, scowering for something that appealed, I scanned the pot noodles, frozen pizzas and pasta salads, but nothing jumped out at me. Eventually I ended up at the frozen ready meals section - how typical of me. There were many different types, but my eyes were automatically drawn to the Weight Watchers meals. There was a decent amount to chose from, and so I began rummaging through the freezer. Among the ones I found were, Shepards Pie, Ocean Pie, Chicken Tikka Masala, a salmon and brocoli potato wedge melt, and a Chicken Hotpot, this was only the begginging.
But none of these appealed to me, and I'd tried most of them already. Just as I was about to give up and opt for a takeaway that night, my eyes caught sight of the thing I was about to purchase; BEEF LASAGNE. As soon as I saw it I knew it was the one for that night and so i plonked it in my basket.
Getting to the checkout, I was quite schocked. I hadnt realised quite how expensive these single ready meals were. Okay, they were special dietry meals, in a way, but still the price shocked me seeing as this was only a meal for one person. This particualar ready meal cost me a rather large £1.39 from Tesco, the price may vary very slightly from shop to shop. I went back to investigate and found that this was one of the cheapest frozen weight watchers ready meals, they ranged from a price of £1.39-£2.49. Ohwell the damage was now done and I had purchased it.
Teatime came and I pulled the cardboard sleeve out of the freezer. I inspected it further. Well, it was quite an attractive package this has to be said. It came in a cardboard sleeve, predominantly purple in colour, with the words WEIGHT WATCHERS written in the top left hand corner of the cardboard sleeve. Underneith it states BEEF LASAGNE, and next to this there is a large picture, of a rather yummy looking lasagne, delicious looking meat with a cheesy pasta top. I was getting quite excited.Like I say i'm not a dieter, however the weightwatchers ready meals are infact designed for the people following the weight watchers diet. Studying the packaging closer, I am told that this ready meal counts towards 5 weight watchers points- not bad for a meal. If you arent on the diet but were interested in the calories content, this meal contains a rather low 259 calories, and only 8.3g of fat, of which 4.2 saturates. The description which is given to this product, is Layers of lasagne filled with lean minced beef cooked in a rich tomato sauce, topped with a bechamel sauce and melted cheese. Sounds quite delciious doesnt it, however the real test was in the tasting as this is a ready meal it may lack in flavour, but did it?
I was getting hungrier are hungries so decided to begin cooking it- well I say cooking, more like shoving it in the microwave. If you are microwaving your ready meal, all you have to do it take it out of the carboard sleeve and pop it in to micro' for 3-4 minutes. However if you dont have a microwave or simply want to be awkward, you can use your oven. Although i havnt used the oven on one of these, a close friend has, and she says using the oven doesnt improve the meal in anyway, so its six and half a dozen on how to cook it.
PING! The microwave was eventually finished with my meal. The smell coming through the microwave door was actually quite delicious, it smelled of any other lasagne I have made- only perhaps not as strong, and it cant have been as nice. The smell was quite a tomato-y smell, however I did get a hint of cheese tickeling at my nostrils, almost making me drool. I opened the door of the microwave and almost burnt my hand as I carefully pulled back the cellophane ontop of the plastic container. Wow. It looked just like it did on the packet- surely this was too good to be true. I (with a struggle) plopped my lasagne on to a plate and sat down at the table to dig in.Where to begin? I decided to take a forkful of everything together to begin with. A bit of mince, the tomato sauce, a slice of pasta, some white sauce and some of the crusty cheese ontop. I popped it into my mouth and what I tasted was amazing. The sauce was the very first thing I tasted, it was quite rich, but not overpowering. The pasta was soft, yet not mushy, and the cheese set it alive. The best thing in this forkful was definitly the cheese (Im a huge cheese fan- perhaps im being biased), mixed with the bechamal sauce. After a few forkfuls of the combination of all of them I decided to inspect the pasta further. I cut a peice and popped it into my mouth. It didnt really have a flavour, just that of pasta, but because it was coated in a jacket of the tomato sauce it was perfect, and the texture was great, soft but not soggy, like i said. Overall the taste of this lasagne was absolutly georgous and I think I will definitly be opting for this one again!!!5 Sense Summary
Sound- No Sound
Smell- Delicious, tomato-y, slight cheese aroma
Texture- Smooth pasta, smooth tomato "crusty" cheese, smooth white sauce
Sight- just as it looks on the packet, really mouthwatering
Taste- great! Rich tomoato sauce (not too overpowering), strong cheese and sauce, soft pasta though pretty tasteless on its own.
***
Weightwatchers Products
Weight watchers do a whole range of different prodcuts, varying from the frozen ready meals, soups to desserts.
Soups- including; chicken noodle, carrot and corriander, tomato and vegetable
Frozen desserts- including; Mint chocolate, lemon cheesecake, caramel crunch dessert, bannoffee desserts and chocolate eclairs.
Bread- Malt loaf, white (thick, med, thin), brown (thick, med, thin)
Pies/quiches- Cheese and onion quiche, fish pies, sweet pies including cherry bakewells
Cakes/desserts- chocolate mousse, strawberry and vanilla mousse, bakewells, eclairs, and chocolate mini rolls.
***If you havent tried a weightwatchers ready meal before, Id thouroughly reccomend them, they are extremely versatile and can be eaten or there own for a light meal, or served with other things such as chips, a jacket potato or veg for a larger meal for somebody with a bigger appetite. Most meals are low in fat, sugar and salt, though some arent so if you are looking for a particular thing then its best to check before you buy. Overall i'd really reccomend these and I will remain loyal to buying these- for the time being.
Advantages: It's low in calories Disadvantages: It's low in lasagne, low in beef, low in taste, low in colour, just low in general really..
Before we start I just have to say I am not a lover of micro type meals, whether diet versions or not they all generally taste like soggy cardboard. This is why I was intrigued by a recent review courtesy of Aimeelouise18 on a Beef Lasagne, which she said was delicious AND weightwatchers. I just had to buy some.
On our next supermarket trip Dean and I happened to spy the product in the freezer section of our local Co-op. Well, happened to spy is ... ...box which was almost screaming at us from three aisles away. We decided to pick up a couple of packs because the picture on the front of this mouthwatering Lasagne coupled with Aimee's recommendation was just too much to bear. The fact that they were on BOGOF had nothing to do with it.
Once home I stashed my Lasagne and threatened to eat it at random intervals, usually dissuaded by an offer of a take away. The diet was well and truly out of the ...
Cheekychicken 28.02.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of WeightWatchers from Heinz Beef Lasagne
Advantages: tastes gorgeous,is good for for you Disadvantages: the price,it runs out too quickly.
This op is dedicated to those of us who spend our time looking and obsessing with what we are eating.Always worried about how much calories we are eating and how much fat we are consuming every day.Wouldn't it be nice to just be able to eat something without worrying what is in it?
Well look no further.Here is a product that is not only good for you...It actually tastes fantastic!
*Weight Watchers Beef Lasagne*
At last something that I love which ... ...always thought that weight watchers food wouldn't be filling,it would taste horrible because it has flavourings and stuff missing,and that it would be a complete waste of money.However seem as though I've been watching my weight lately and I wanted something quick for dinner and there was an offer on at kwik save I decided what the hell it's only 99p (a bargain I know!).So that was the start of a now lovign relationship between me and my beef lasagne.
...
AimeeLouise18 26.01.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of WeightWatchers from Heinz Beef Lasagne
Advantages: slimming if folllowed as part of dieting regime Disadvantages: not much of it
Having overcome the first week of dieting, I am now on the Heinz weight watchers ready-made meals. These are currently on offer at my local supermarket at three for £5. I picked up Beef lasagne, Ocean pie and Mexican chilli. Last night everybody was having steaming, piled plates of Spaghetti Bolognese, so I thought I could follow their theme and have the closest to it. I must admit I had one of those self righteous moments as I pulled the package ... ...going to have the healthier of the choices with this.
I also have to admit I was daunted by the size of these meals when I first got them, (they are small!) as I truly love my food, and generally eat healthy sized portions. But the week I have spent beforehand dieting on vegetable soup (recipe available in low fat and diet foods in Ciao Café section later today) had given me a craving for anything rich and my stomach had shrunk enough to welcome ...
Anfield 09.10.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of WeightWatchers from Heinz Beef Lasagne
Advantages: quick to cook in microwave Disadvantages: hardly any beef mince,runny sauce, where is the cheese topping?
...thought i would try the weightwatchers frozen Beef Lasagne, I purchased this from Tesco as it was on offer at £1 and looked quite appetising from the picture.
Packaging;-
It was in a bright purple card box which has apicture of the lasagne on the front. It shows a generous double layer of meat, lasagne and white sauce topped with cheese.
Description;-
Layers of Lasagne filled with lean minced Beef cooked in a rich Tomato sauce, topped with a ... ...plastic tray with the lasagne covered with a clear plastic film. The meal is dissappointing to look at as there was only a few token shavings of grated cheese on the top of a thin layer of sauce. However I followed the instructions to remove the film and decided to microwave it for 6 minutes full power then 5 minutes 30 seconds on defrost and at the end of cooking stand for 1 minute. (this can be cooked in a conventional oven at 200 for 40-45 minutes).
...
Cassybobo 07.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of WeightWatchers from Heinz Beef Lasagne
Advantages: easy to perpare Disadvantages: cost isn't cheap
Hi,
I guess I should first tell you that I don't have a favorite meal here in the weight watchers area, I am very new at this as you all must know and found out. I don't write much but I can tell you that I have tried most of these products from weight watchers. I eat mostly pasta and to me in the box's they come in are direct to the point of the item in the box. They are simple and not alot of fat in them. I like them because you can put them into ... ...in all kinds of sizes from small meals to large meals. I myself like the fact that they are already cooked and all you are doing is warming them up. The food in the box's taste to me as if I made them from scratch. But when your on a diet and keeping your weight down this is the best way to go. It is premesured out and to what you have to have for the meal. I may not be a smart person in writing but I do know what tastes great to me. Everyone has ...
gloryann 08.11.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of WeightWatchers from Heinz Beef Lasagne
