This will be my first review of a long series, so buy your collectors items while they're still affordable.
I just happened to be walking through my local grocery store when I spotted these things. I had seen them just sitting there for a long time looking... different. I had been itching to try them for a while now, and finally thought I'd give it a whirl. Mostly because they were so unique looking. Various ingredients (cheese, chicken, black beans, cilantro specifically for the SW style) wrapped in a fried breading.
Now, at first I was skeptical. Anything that is promised to be "gourmet", that you can make in your oven in less than 20 minutes usually isn't. Especially something with a name as stupid as "Gourmet Bites". Of course they look pretty, but that is all they had going for them.
Or so I thought.
**Note: Please be aware that I didn't prepare them correctly. Instead I (accidentally) put them in at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time (I preheated to 370, as directed, but due to unforeseen events I somehow managed to put them on for ~250 for about twice the duration period).
As with any easy home made meal, they never look as good as the packaging would have you think, but are still attractive to the eye. "Wrapped in a crunchy purse-like bundle."
(Image not available)
I can't comment on the aroma, due to the fact that my kitchen is haunted and a potato exploded in my oven earlier today. The potato, apparently wanting a Nordic pyre funeral, was cremated all over the inside of my oven, creating quite a stink.
Now, these so called "bites" live up to their name. Even more so than most bite sized foods. They are wrapped so that the end with all of the ingredients can go into your mouth in one bite. Which at that point a mysterious voice in your head tells you to "FINISH HIM" and you then devour the fried "handle". Keep in mind that there are only eight of these in each package. Might be plenty for some, but for people like me, I could eat two of these easily in one sitting. Just be sure to plan ahead next time you plan to treat Jabba the Hutt to lunch at your place.
Any of you ever been to a little place known as Chipotle? Surprisingly enough, these things taste almost identical to a burrito of that quality. Obviously sharing many of the same ingredients, but at a much cheaper price! For all of those who don't know of Chipotle (you should be burned), they are a very classy chain of gourmet Mexican (fast) foods.
Now continuing the Chipotle comparison, unlike those bloated burritos that get everywhere when you bite into them, the Gourmet Bites are in bite size packages, which are rarely messy, yet just as delicious.
Conclusion:
I would recommend this delightful food to someone who needs food for one (maybe 1/2) who enjoys a gourmet taste of the South West.
I just happened to be walking through my local grocery store when I spotted these things. I had seen them just sitting there for a long time looking... different. I had been itching to try them for a while now, and finally thought I'd give it a whirl. Mostly because they were so unique looking. Various ingredients (cheese, chicken, black beans, cilantro specifically for the SW style) wrapped in a fried breading.
Now, at first I was skeptical. Anything that is promised to be "gourmet", that you can make in your oven in less than 20 minutes usually isn't. Especially something with a name as stupid as "Gourmet Bites". Of course they look pretty, but that is all they had going for them.
Or so I thought.
**Note: Please be aware that I didn't prepare them correctly. Instead I (accidentally) put them in at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time (I preheated to 370, as directed, but due to unforeseen events I somehow managed to put them on for ~250 for about twice the duration period).
As with any easy home made meal, they never look as good as the packaging would have you think, but are still attractive to the eye. "Wrapped in a crunchy purse-like bundle."
(Image not available)
I can't comment on the aroma, due to the fact that my kitchen is haunted and a potato exploded in my oven earlier today. The potato, apparently wanting a Nordic pyre funeral, was cremated all over the inside of my oven, creating quite a stink.
Now, these so called "bites" live up to their name. Even more so than most bite sized foods. They are wrapped so that the end with all of the ingredients can go into your mouth in one bite. Which at that point a mysterious voice in your head tells you to "FINISH HIM" and you then devour the fried "handle". Keep in mind that there are only eight of these in each package. Might be plenty for some, but for people like me, I could eat two of these easily in one sitting. Just be sure to plan ahead next time you plan to treat Jabba the Hutt to lunch at your place.
Any of you ever been to a little place known as Chipotle? Surprisingly enough, these things taste almost identical to a burrito of that quality. Obviously sharing many of the same ingredients, but at a much cheaper price! For all of those who don't know of Chipotle (you should be burned), they are a very classy chain of gourmet Mexican (fast) foods.
Now continuing the Chipotle comparison, unlike those bloated burritos that get everywhere when you bite into them, the Gourmet Bites are in bite size packages, which are rarely messy, yet just as delicious.
Conclusion:
I would recommend this delightful food to someone who needs food for one (maybe 1/2) who enjoys a gourmet taste of the South West.