Okay, we’re starting a new menu challenge here on MBIP! In the past we’ve eaten the entire menus of McDonald’s, Arby’s and Panda Express.
I thought that I’d try something a little different this time and eat all of the canned items that Chef Boyardee makes. This will be a nostalgic eating experience for me because I loved this stuff as a kid, but I haven’t eaten any of it for decades! I’m only eating the canned items because that’s all they had when I was a kid. I grew up in a pre-microwave era and I’m proud of it!
The list of items I’ll be sampling are pictured below.
We’ll be starting off with the classic Chef Boyardee canned entree, Beef Ravioli and I’m also going to try the Mac & Cheese as well.
I haven’t had the Chef Boyardee Ravioli in decades and I’ve never had the Mac & Cheese, I don’t think they made that when I was a kid.
Here’s this week’s selections up in the MBIP kitchen cupboard.
We’ll start off this taste-testing adventure with the classic Chef Boyardee Ravioli.
There’s the can’s-eye point of view.
We’ll be cooking all of these canned items the old school way, on the stovetop in a pan.
We won’t be microwaving this stuff, because as I stated earlier, there was no microwave ovens back when I used to eat Chef Boyardee.
The only seasoning I’m adding is ground pepper, because that’s all I added as a kid. I want to stay true to my roots as we sample these nostalgic foods.
Extreme close-up!
First bite: These ravioli squares are completely tasteless and once you bite into them, they have a slimy and unsettling consistency to them.
This is not how I remembered this former treat from the past! I guess my tastebuds have evolved beyond this item!
Let’s just move along here…
As I said earlier, I’ve never had the Chef Boyardee Mac & Cheese and here’s the can’s-eye view of it.
Plop, into the pan it goes and I’ll add a little pepper to season it up.
Extreme close-up!
First bite: Like the ravioli, this too has a tremendous void of taste. But at least it’s not as slimy as the ravioli. I think it’s because it’s meatless. And I don’t really want to think too much about what kind of meat was in that ravioli!
Here’s a comparison as to how these entrees look on the label and in reality.
As you can see, the ravioli looks pretty anemic compared to the label and the mac & cheese is looking pretty bland in real life as well.
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MBIP Rating (One To Four Chefs)
Beef Ravioli: One Half Chef: There was no taste and the slime factor was gross. It was kind of like eating a combination of hot jello with a sinus condition.
Mac & Cheese: One Chef: This was bland and tasteless as can be, but at least it wasn’t slimy.
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Hostess Dessert!
I thought I’d end these posts with another nostalgic food item from my childhood, Hostess treats!
Today we’ll be eating Hostess Twinkies! I haven’t had a Hostess Twinkie for decades and I’m excited to try this sweet treat from my past!
Here’s the double dose of Twinkies unwrapped. I love that they still have the three holes in the bottom of the golden sponge cake.
It’s filled with rich cream and it’s a delicious treat that brings back sweet memories from my past!
This did not disappoint, and it was a sweet treat, so at least we have a happy ending!
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