She Says: Lundberg Risotto Review
Last night, as part of a complete dinner, I tried this Lundberg Butternut Squash Risotto that was sitting in the cabinet.
When choosing food in a box, I consider ease, ingredients and taste.
Was it easy to make? I like to cook my own things, so if I’m using a box it’s because I don’t feel like doing anything. It took about 30 minutes on the stove, but you don’t actually have to do anything. Make the water boil and then let it simmer. I added frozen broccoli and cauliflower for some extra healthiness.
What is in it? The ingredients and nutrition stats are fairly good for something in a box. Good thing because I ate almost the entire box.
Ingredients
Eco-Farmed Arborio rice, dried butternut squash, evaporated cane juice, sea salt, rice flour, dried onion, yeast extract, spices (black pepper, ginger, nutmeg, sage), dried garlic, organic maltodextrin, natural butter flavor (contains milk), dried parsley, citric acid, tumeric, paprika extract (color). Contains Milk.
Nutrition Information
How did it taste? Well, I liked it enough to eat plenty, but my mom noted that it had a fake taste and I probably agree. There was something powdery about it even after I cooked it. I liked the consistency of the rice and the creamy texture of the finished product, but I think my veggie additions were the best part.
Overall, I would get this again (probably try a different flavor) if it was on super sale. I enjoyed it, but mostly it made me wish I knew how to make my own risotto or that Giada would come over and make some for me.
Have you tried any of the other Lundberg risotto products? If so, what did you think?
Oh and please head over to Grounded Fitness where Kelly is hosting a contest to win a free Danskin vest! Thanks and have a nice Thursday. Yay Office and Ugly Betty.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Great review!! I’ve never tried their risotto products (due to the milk content and other ingredients I’m allergic to).
December 4th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Risotto in a box? Interesting! I really enjoy the risotto making process (add liquid, stir, add liquid stir, add a bunch of fun random vegis, enjoy) but the outcome does look very yummy.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’ve never tried their product, because I usually don’t buy any box food because I’m not sure what they put in it and as you’ve noticed, most of them have a fake flavor.
And also because as Erica said, making ricotto is fun,because it involves a lot of stirring!!:)
December 4th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I’ve had the parmesan flavor and a garlic flavor. Both were really good, and I don’t mind this box food product. I view it as a “treat” if I buy a box and make it, but it’s relatively low calories and it’s nice to do something different every now and then.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
So you didn’t have to constantly stir/add broth? That’s actually my favorite part of making risotto. It’s mindless and nice to just zone out sometimes.
OOH- thanks for reminding me about Thursday night TV!!
December 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
heather-thanks for bringing this brand to our attention cause alot of boxed rice i see has chemicals and nasty *@()*$)((@$* sunblock &)#)(@@#@$$!! in it.
i love dwight!
December 4th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I have this sitting in my pantry right now! Sounds like it is worth trying.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Thanks for the product review! I love hearing about how other bloggers enjoy (or not) foods that I haven’t tried yet….
December 4th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Make your own risotto! It also takes like 30 minutes, although you do need to attend to it a bit more. It’s super easy and really delicious!
December 4th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I’ve only had their rice cakes! I don’t think I’ll try this – thanks for preventing me from doing so.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Seems like it’s worth it just to make your own Risotto – it takes 30 minutes…and w/o artificial tastes
December 4th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I think I had the mushroom flavored risotto… It was really good, but like you – I’m not too crazy about eating out of a box.
December 4th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I’ve tried Lundberg once and had the same experience as you – it’s pretty easy to make and the ingredient list is solid, but there is definitely a fake taste. I guess it’s just bound to happen anytime you make something from a box!
December 4th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
never tried their ready made products… but i was intimidated to make my own risotto before i knew how simple it really is. it takes a couple pans, but that’s ok. put some stock in a pot to warm up. in another pan, cook some onions in a little fat (EVOO or butter), add the rice and get that nice and coated. You can start with a splash of wine if you like, then just add some liquid a ladle or 1/2c at a time until absorbed… voila! towards the end you can add other cooked veggies, spinach, cheese, protein… i bet it’d take just about the same time as the box! Mmm, now i’m craving risotto
December 4th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Thanks for this review. I saw that stuff at the store the other day. I love making risotto, but it’s time consuming.
December 4th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
heather risotto is SOOO easy to make. it is a misconception that it is not. i am making my mom’s awesome champagne risotto for christmas eve- i will put a pic by pic tutorial for you that week k? and explain it to you in person!
December 4th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I love product reviews! But you could totally make your own in 30 minutes (without the powder taste) so I’ll leave this one on the shelf. Thanks for the info!
December 4th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I have always wanted to try risotto – this seems like a good way to start.
December 4th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
you so close to finishing too! what grade are you student teaching in?
I did get the class a gift, but nothing big or anything. I had a firetruck come visit the school for a lesson when I first started teaching there and I just took all of the pictures that I took from that visit of the children and made it into a book for the class to keep and read whenever they want! and the kids made me a bag with all of their hand prints on it, it was so cute!
December 4th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Thanks for the product review! Giada is my ultimate dream chef – I want to hire her to cook for me, but then I’d be broke
December 4th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Haha, I wish Giada would come over and cook something for me too
December 4th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
mm..risotto sounds so creamy and warm right now – it’s 8 degrees out!
December 4th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Can’t say that I have tried their products, but it looks great!
December 5th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Neat. I’ve been curious about this stuff… Was the serving size satisfying?
December 5th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Check out this recipe – I expected to sit and cook for 2 hours, and it only took about 1/2! Plus it’s ‘company quality’. It’s the basic risotto technique, you can pretty much tailor it to your tastes.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Shrimp-Risotto-with-Baby-Spinach-and-Basil-107841
Epicurious has some great looking mushroom risottos too if you wan to keep it veggie.
enjoy & thanks for the comment on whole wheat pasta. I prefer it, but was surprised at the nutritionals!
December 5th, 2008 at 7:05 am
another risotto recipe that i made recently and loved:
from cooking light:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1842344
it does have seafood though, and i am not sure if you are into that.
December 5th, 2008 at 7:26 am
ick.
didnt look like my cup of tea, errrr, risotto and thanks for verifying that.
December 5th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I have had that Risotto and I feel the same as your mom kind of fake tasting, not my best buy…thanks for the review!
December 5th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I’ve never had their ready made products, I just buy the bagged rice from them, and have made risotto from that. You had asked me for a recipe for brown rice risotto and I promise I will have one up this weekend!
December 9th, 2008 at 4:59 am
I’ve tried this brand and flavor before. And I like it very much. Yummy.