Birds Eye Rice Fusions review

A few weeks ago I was contacted to review the new Birds Eye product - Rice Fusions. I must also state at the beginning I've not been paid to do this review so it's entirely, 100% my honest opinion.

This is new onto the market at retails at £1.89 a packet and in there you get two packs of rice, each one being a single serving. It comes in 4 flavours: Egg fried rice, Mediterranean vegetable, Country mushroom and Aromatic pilau.

The individual servings are in small pyramid like bags which help the rice to steam through. These go in the microwave and 2 sachets take 7 minutes on 750W - just enough time to cook a stir fry ! Easy.

This review is mainly about the Egg fried rice although we have also tried the mushroom and the Mediterranean vegetable. The mushroom was ok, nice but didn't blow us away. I didn't try the mediterranean vegetable one, but the speed with which the kids put it away I would say it was good. I have yet to try the pilau, I'm saving that for a curry next week !

So, onto my recipe. This is a bit of a make it up as you go type recipe but really quick and healthy. Great for a kids tea.

BARBECUE CHICKEN 
serves 2 kids but easily adapted

tsp olive oil
1/2 red onion sliced
1 clove garlic crushed
1/4 tsp easy ginger
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp runny honey
1 tbsp soy sauce
dribble of worcestershire sauce or squirt of American mustard (optional)
juice 1/2 lemon
freshly ground black pepper
handful cold roast chicken or 1 chicken breast sliced and cooked
Frozen peas, sweetcorn, green beans or soya beans - whatever you have in or prefer !

Heat the olive oil and fry the onion, garlic and ginger until soft
Add all the sauce ingredients and bring to the boil
Add the chicken and veg and heat through, then serve on rice or with noodles

                                                                          ***************

So, despite son no 1's dislike of egg he ate this and enjoyed it. I was very impressed that the rice was perfectly cooked, fluffy and not at all sticky. It was tasty and even though the portions may be on the small side for some, it's not a bad way to control calories !!

Now, I will be brutally honest, this isn't something I'd ever normally buy. I may be rubbish at cooking rice but normally the Husband does it so we don't end up with overcooked mush ! I was pleasantly suprised though and I will even admit to now keeping a pack of the Egg fried rice in my freezer for emergencies or severe cases of "can't-be-arsed-itis".

Meal planning Monday - June 27th

Good God it's hot, in fact it's so hot I may be melting. I'm seriously considering moving from my bedroom to the freezer for the duration !

Following on from my last blog post my life carries on blundering through major life events. You know those lists of certain events in your life which rank up there as the most stressful ? Well so far this week 1 house - sold, 1 house - bought. 1 job left, 1 job starting in 4 (eeeek) days time.

I am more than behind with my blogging, in fact I have lists of things hanging out of my blog book which need to be blogged and ideas for themed posts. I just need to find the time to get everything done. But, as a small start will be meal planning for this week..

Monday : BBQ  belly pork from Delia's website but done on the BBQ as it was just TOO hot to have the oven on
Tuesday : Stirfry chicken and veggies with lime, chilli and ginger
Wednesday : Dinner out with my Mum, leaving the Husband with a pizza and beer
Thursday : Lemon salmon with couscous
Friday : Chicken curry
Saturday : Something from my Mexican bible
Sunday : Depends on the weather, maybe a summery roast chicken or toad in the hole if it's cooler

Meal planning Monday - June 6th and a bit about me me me !!

Ok, so I know it's Tuesday and I KNOW it's been ages since I wrote. My only defence is that that thing called real life - you know ? The thing that exists outside the internet, pays the bills etc ?? Well it's got in the way as usual.

As a bit of a real life update on me, well where to start ? After 7 years in my current job I am leaving for pastures new. Still the same job with the NHS but in a new place. It's emotional and it's a bigger wrench leaving than I ever thought it would be if I'm being honest. I've not been truely happy at work for quite a while now but it took me a while to find my perfect fit. Now on 1st July I'm off to a new practice nearer home and hopefully slightly more laid back than where I am at the moment. In other news, son no 1 turned 8 this week so the diet has been a write off with cake, fish & chips (his birthday tea request) and a trip to Pizza Hut for his birthday.

So, what's on the menu this week ? My first consideration is that I need to get back on the diet. The jeans are feeling a little snug after last week's indulgences. Secondly it's a busy week with kids after school activities and    work commitments so it needs to be quick, easy but healthy so we don't reach for the take away menu on Friday night !!

Monday : Gnocchi bolognese bake
Tuesday : Sausage ragu pasta (this is the most read item on my blog !)
Wednesday : Pizza and salad
Thursday : Tuna and courgette pasta
Friday : Spicy prawn rice
Saturday : I'm at a JLS concert with son no1 as part of his birthday present so something there maybe ?
Sunday : Out for lunch at friends