Got an email from Blount Fine Foods the other day about a new product they’ve got – Beef Pho! It was packed on ice and sent overnight – so I had to open it as quickly as possible. Let’s check it out!
Thank you going to Blount for sending this along! Reviews forthcoming!
I’ve reviewed many fresh varieties in the past and this is a new variety from a brand I’ve never reviewed any products from before! What’s more, it’s a company in the United States. I must say that the packaging is rather striking; it’s thick cardboard and the little cut out of the bowl and steam coming out above it is really neat.
As I said, I’ve review lots of fresh varieties, however, this one is definitely different. First, you don’t add water and there’s a broth. Also, it’s microwavable. Finally, it’s got meat! This looks really great and I’ve really curious about it.
I first heard about these from a press release I saw in my new feeds. Before that, I’d not heard of Blount Fine Foods. Well, let’s give it a try and learn about what’s in this interesting package!
Here’s the informational panel from the bottom of the outer cardboard packaging (click to enlarge). Contains chicken. To prepare, remove lid and film from the bowl. Add in contents of noodle pouch. Stir and microwave for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave an additional minute or until hot. Finally, stir and enjoy!
The fresh noodle pouch.
The broth bowl with the lid on.
The broth bowl with the lid off and film in place.
Finished (click to enlarge ). Added micro-cilantro. The noodles came out very well – seemed like they might not at the 2-minute stir, but at the third minute, they were ready for action. Not limp wristed of weak, they have a great chew and a good gauge to them. The broth is very thick and has a nice flavor to it. Not too salty, not too much ginger or lemongrass – a really steady balance and a nice flavor. It has a plethora of vegetables (which many of whom are crunchy) and decently large chunks of chicken throughout. This is really amazingly good – far better than expected. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 077958313018.
From Sea to Soup: The Evolution of Blount Fine Foods 1946-2011
Interview With Blount Fine Foods * Product Samples From Blount Fine Foods (1 of 2) * Product Samples From Blount Fine Foods (2 of 2) * Blount Thai Inspired Coconut Chicken Noodle Bowl * Blount Chicken Ramen Bowl
I usually check my noodle news feeds every day on my phone. I use a news aggregator and have keywords like ‘ramen noodles’, ‘instant noodles’, ‘instant ramen’, etcetera. Well, I saw an article about an American company releasing a fresh noodle bowl soon and it sounded interesting to me. Well, I reached out and Blount Fine Foods agreed to participate in Meet The Manufacturer! Today we have an interview with Bob Sewall – EVP/Sales & Marketing to let us know more about the company.
THE RAMEN RATER> Thank you for agreeing to this interview! To start, can you tell my readers about the history of Blount Fine Foods?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> Blount Fine Foods is a family-owned and operated company that has been processing food since 1946. Our roots are in seafood, and especially clams. But for the last 20 years or so, Blount Fine Foods has become best-known as a leading manufacturer of premium, handcrafted soups, entrées, sauces and side dishes for retail and foodservice, and the market leader in fresh retail soups.
TRR> What was the first product you made?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> Seventy years ago, we had one customer, which was Campbell’s. We sold them the clams they used to make clam chowder. But as the diverse maker of premium soups we are today, our first product was New England Clam Chowder. It is still one of our most popular products, which I would argue is because we make the best clam chowder in the world.
TRR> Can you tell us about the varieties of noodles you make?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> Blount does not make the noodles, they are provided by a food partner.
TRR> Where does the name ‘Blount’ come from?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> It is a family name. Todd Blount is our president and CEO. Todd’s grandfather, Nelson Blount founded the company in 1946. His son Ted took over in the late-60s. Ted handed the reins to Todd in 2000.
TRR> I first read about your new ramen bowls online. The article mentioned some innovations – can you expand on this?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> The magic of a good ramen bowl is the ability of the ingredients to be fresh, which includes maintaining their “texture profile,” so the noodles and vegetables aren’t soft or soggy. These bowls are unique in that they are kept fresh in the refrigerated section. There are some packaging innovations our R & D team developed that allow us to keep fresh noodles separate until they are ready to be added to the broth. We are also able to include a microwavable bowl as part of the packaging that helps make it truly heat-and-eat. The ramen bowls are part of our Asian-inspired line of Blount Bowls which also include rice bowls. The ramen noodle bowls will be in-store in October followed by the rice bowls in November.
We’re very excited to be introducing these bowls, each one is a complexity of flavors and spices which gives our Asian-inspired noodle and ramen bowls their authentic and delicious taste. Our flavors are:
* Chicken Ramen Noodle – a comforting bowl of ramen noodles, chicken raised without antibiotics, shiitake mushrooms and scallions in a flavorful chicken broth with soy sauce and rice koji.
* Coconut Chicken & Noodle – a zesty bowl of ramen noodles, chicken raised without antibiotics and bamboo shoots in a coconut curry broth with lemongrass and cilantro.
* Hibachi Chicken & Rice – sweet and roasted flavors of garlic, ginger, red onion, and red peppers, simmered with tomatoes, chicken raised without antibiotics and long grain brown rice. GLUTEN FREE
* Vegetable & Rice – a creamy coconut broth with lemongrass and cilantro, blended with long grain brown rice and packed with Asian vegetables including cabbage and bamboo shoots. GLUTEN FREE, VEGETARIAN/VEGAN
TRR> In what countries are your products available?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> Blount products are only available here in the United States.
TRR> Are noodles the only products you make?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> Bowls are not the only product; Blount makes delicious dips, sauces, soups, sides.
TRR> A lot of people are concerned with their sodium intake. How would you recommend people enjoy your product as part of a healthy meal?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> To start with, as part of our commitment to offering premium products that are also wholesome, we work very hard to keep our sodium levels as low as possible in all our products. There are ways, like using spicy ingredients for example, to prepare foods that don’t taste like they require additional salt. We do this whenever possible. Another aspect of dietary balance is moderation, which is important for every consumer to practice.
TRR> Are you involved in in your local community or participate in charities?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> Absolutely. As a company, Blount supports many causes in our community and across our industry. Personally, with the support of colleagues and friends, I was lucky enough to start an organization called Bob’s Big Give about 15 years ago as a way to inspire co-workers to give to those less fortunate around the holidays. Back then, if a colleague made a donation, I would match it personally and then work with churches and other community groups to make sure it found its way to those who needed it most. It’s grown so much over the years that we took the formal step to become a recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit a few years ago. Our mission has also expanded to be there for the community throughout the year. We give away hundreds of holiday meal kits beginning with Thanksgiving and carry it through the holidays. We also award heating fuel grants to needy families, especially those who have endured a tragedy of some kind. This month, to help get kids excited about going back to school, we filled 250 backpacks with school supplies to inner-city kids in our area can return to school with the supplies they need to be successful, and so that their families have one less thing to worry about at this time of year. It is a labor of love for me personally, and I have many colleagues at work who volunteer their time to help me keep everything running smoothly.
TRR> Are there any new products coming soon?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> We are always introducing new products and flavors, but we keep them quiet until it’s time to launch them. You’ll have to stay tuned.
TRR> When you make noodles for yourself, what do you like to add to them to make them extra special?
BLOUNT FINE FOODS> A variety of options – green onions, cashews, red pepper flakes, that’s the best part – our bowls can be customized to everyone’s unique palate.
THE RAMEN RATER> Thank you for this opportunity for me and my readers to learn more about Blount Fine Foods!
When I tried the cup version of this, I liked it so much it got on the Top Ten Cups List for 2015. I’ve been waiting for the right time to try this one; since there’s probably only one in all of the United States I’m guessing, I really wanted to make it the right day. Well, since it is soon to expire, it’s the right day. Let’s have a look and see if it’s as good as the cup.
Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. to prepare, add noodle block to 250ml boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Add in contents of sachets. Stir and enjoy!
The noodle block.
The dry soup base sachet.
Has a coconut scent.
A seasoned oil sachet.
A bright colored oil.
Finished (click to enlarge). Added hard boiled egg, baked chicken, coriander and seared sweet onion. The noodles are slightly different from the normal MAMA fare – slightly less crumbly – something I found fascinating and enjoyable. The broth was just as good as the cup variety – it has a nice coconut flavor and almost a haunting sweetness to it that’s not overwhelming, but just right. The oil has a tinge of spiciness, but it’s way in the background. This stuff is so intriguing; and I have fallen under it’s spell. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 8951987101906.
Lonely Planet Myanmar (Burma) (Travel Guide)
A recipe for some great sounding Burmese Coconut Chicken Noodle soup!
Found this one at the new Win?Co Foods store in Edmonds, Washington. I thought ‘ooh – rice noodles and curry’ and so I got it. Let’s check it out!
Here’s the back of the package (click to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, puncture noodle pouch and microwave for one minute. Add 1-2tbsp oil to a pan and add in noodles, seasoning, and 1/2 cup water. Cook 1-2 minutes while stirring. Enjoy!
The noodle pouch.
The seasoning sachet/.
Has a coconut curry scent and a neon glow about it.
Finished (click to enlarge). Added barbecue pork, coriander and tofu puff. The noodles are wide and thick. They look more like egg noodles and have a kind of chewiness to them with a hint of crumble. This one smells a bit better than it tastes; it’s kind of curry, kind of coconut, has a hint of spiciness and exudes sugariness. It’s just weird and doesn’t seem right to me. As a curry lover, this disappointed expectations. Kind of like Thousand Island dressing gets heated up, a pinch of chilli powder is added, and some overly thick and chewy rice noodles are in the mix. Long story short, this hurt my feelings. 1.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 070492033848.
So the company that makes Fortune products also makes these which are very, very tasty! Twin Dragon Almond Cookies 15 Oz.
A recipe and overview of the products made by this company.
These noodles are made in Myanmar! This is the second day in a row reviewing an instant made in a country I’ve never tried anything before. The nice folks at MAMA (Thai President Foods) invited me to their 2015 Agents Meeting for European distributors. They had varieties on tables – from all over the world! I asked if maybe I could get some samples and they were more than kind to send me lots of new varieties to review. This one’s particularly curious to me; coconut milk flavor. I’ve found coconut powder in instants really spruces things up; thick and creamy, especially with curries. This however is the first time I’ve ever heard of a coconut milk flavor instant. Let’s have a look!
Detail of the side panels (click image to enlarge). Not sure if it contains meat. To prepare, add in contents of sachets and boiling water to fill line. Cover and let stand 3 minutes. Stir and enjoy!
An included fork!
The noodle block.
A large sachet.
Has a very nice coconut scent.
A seasoned oil sachet.
Has a garlic and onion scent.
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added coriander, red bell pepper, white onion and shrimp. The noodles have a nice light texture and end up perfect for the broth. The broth indeed has a very nice coconut flavor – not too faint and not to loud. It has a nice sweetness to it and also a very reasonable creaminess which works as well. I’m still really amazed when I get to sample something new that just blows my mind – I could eat this every day. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. Bar code 9510410911.
Probably the most well-known MAMA instant – MAMA Instant Noodle, Tom Yum Shrimp Spicy Flavor, 3.17 Ounce (Pack of 20)
Ten things to check out in Yangon, Myanmar!
I heard that the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew passed yesterday. He is known as the founding father of Singapore.My condolences to the people of Singapore. Here is a link to his obituary and a link to an interview with him from his earlier days.
When I tried Prima Taste Laksa La Mian, I knew that I’d found something special. I mean, I’d never seen anything like it before – I remember telling a lot of people that it was a real game changer in the instant noodle industry when I had it for the first time in March of 2013, I was absolutely blown away; huge sachets and an enormous noodle block. A whopping 7 minutes to cook as well? Wow. It was number one on my 2013 top ten list and number two last year. I just found out about a couple new videos Prima Taste has made to prepare them as well – check them out here! Let’s open the package and see what’s inside.
Here’s the back of the package (click image to enlarge). Contains shrimp. To prepare, add the two large sachets to 2 cups of boiling water and stir in. Add in the noodle block and lower heat. Cook for 7 minutes and enjoy!
The noodle block.
The laksa paste sachet.
The paste has a very rich scent – very aromatic.
The laksa premix sachet.
Lots of coconut powder give it a sweet scent.
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added fish balls. The noodles are thick and have a great chewiness to them – definitely on the premium end of the stick and very impressive. The broth is a deep and flavorful one, with a richness to it that’s really quite amazing. It’s thick from the coconut powder which gives it a sort of milkiness. The paste had all sorts of things going on – has a great homemade ‘stewed for hours’ kind of feel. It’s a little spicy and a little sweet and must be tried firsthand. Masterfully executed. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 013934067995.
Prima Taste Laksa La Mian, 185g, (Pack of 12)
A TV commercial for Prima Taste La Mian.
Well this looks like a fancy one. This is a new premium laksa from Maggi that’s supposed to be really special. Their goal was to make a laksa with a great ‘just like from home’ kind of feel and flavor. Sounds interesting!
It’s also promoted by a fellow names KF Seetoh. Who’s he? Well, I hadn’t heard of him until recently – but people in Singapore know who he is. He’s a food guru that’s very well known for his Makansutra food guides and television programs. Turns out now there are Makansutra tours of hawker spots as well as food courts under the Makansutra name – sounds like he knows his stuff!
I should also mention – after I posted the Maggi Extra spicy Curry review yesterday, I noticed it was getting a lot of views from Singaporean site Singapore Hardware Zone. They were talking in the forums about the review about an hour after it came out! Anyways, I wanted to say hello to the folks over there. Let’s dig in to this neat looking pack and see what makes this laksa tick.
Here’s the back of the package (click image to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. to Prepare, Add contents of the laksa paste sachet into 550ml boiling water and stir in. Add the noodle block and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, add the coconut powder sachet contents and cook for one last minute. Enjoy!
The noodle block.
Here’s the homestyle laksa paste sachet.
Thick, plentiful and smells really good.
The fragrant coconut powder sachet.
They’re not kidding about it being fragrant. This powder has a very nice coconut scent.
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added seafood flavored tofu, hard boiled egg, sliced green onion, sweet onion, shrimp, fish balls and Chinese long beans. The noodles are impressive – they’re thick and chewy – not at all expected to be honest. They look like regular noodle blocks, but these are very nice insofar as texture and mouthfeel. The broth is awesome – very rich and deep with a very nice spiciness. Not only that, it’s got a heartiness too that is wonderful. Not bad – two for two in two days! 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. EAN bar code 9556001214331.
Here’s a video with KF Seetoh sampling foods in Singapore – could learn a lot about the local fare by hanging out with this guy, that’s for sure!
Here”s something new from Annie Chun’s! It was sent a little while back and ended up at the bottom of my noodle hamper… I’ve been going through everything lately as we’re moving and found it! It sounds really good – very curious… Let”s see how it comes out!
Here’s the back of the package (click image to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, boil noodles in 1 1/2 cups water for 1 minute. Drain and set aside in a bowl. Boil another cup of water and add contents of soup base sachet. Add broth to noodles and enjoy!
A pouch of fresh ramen noodles.
The soup base sachet.
Has a curry and coconut scent.
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added fish ball and green onion. The noodles have a nice fresh feel. What’s nice about these like many new varieties is that they do not require refrigeration. The broth is extremely good. I would say this is the best that I’ve tried from Annie Chun’s – it has a nice Thai coconut flavor; I get curry and lemongrass and coconut in there. It’s really great stuff. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars!UPC bar code 765667140406.
An Annie chun”s TV advertisement.
When I first had curry it was when I was a kid. My mom would make curried chicken liver over rice and it was really good. Yep – liver. I really liked some things I don’t think my 8 year old son would touch with a ten foot pole! My mom would use curry powder and it came out really good. Since then, I’ve relished on many, many different curries. I think my favorites by far have been in paste form; there’s such variety and strong flavors that are involved – a true playground for the senses. Let’s have a look and see why this one made the last two top ten lists.
Here’s the back of the package (click image to enlarge). Contains crustaceans. To prepare, add the sachet contents to two cups of water. Mix well and bring to a boil. Add the noodle block and lower heat. Boil for 7 minutes. Enjoy!
The noodle block. Note how thick the noodles are.
The first of two very large sachets.
The paste has a strong curry scent.
The second sachet – dry powdered ingredients.
Coconutty!
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added chicken baked with some garlic salt, tofu puff, sweet onion, mint, bean sprouts and potato. The noodles are round in shape and wide gauged. They have an excellent chewiness and feel and are just wonderrful. The broth is so good – thick and has that excellent curry flavor and a real heatiness, fullness and richness rarely found in a pack of instant noodles. There is a little spiciness, and it works well. This it really good! 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 013934067964.
Prima Taste Singapore Curry Lamian Noodles, 26 Ounce
As this one is cooked a little differently, here’s a video showing how to do it – easily prepared.
This is a real treat – this is one of the varieties not available in the United States and was kindly sent by Edwin N. of Vancouver, BC! Thank you again so much!
He sent six of them and so I will try one of them every once in a while so they last. I am a huge fan of Indomie’s products and so very happy about this! I
should also mention that I have been directly contacted by Indomie and they are going to be sending me many varieties that aren’t usually available – that
donation will come at some point in the future. For now though, let’s check out spicy coconut shrimp flavor soup!
Here’s the back of the packaging (click image to enlarge).
Here’s the noodle block – much different than anything I’ve ever seen from Indomie. The noodles are much wider gauge and also from the side looks to be a
folded sheet of them! Interesting!
Here’s the seasoning packet – I have never seen one from Indomie like this – it’s pretty big!
Here are the dual clear packets – seasoned oil and a very nice and ample packet of fried onions!
Finally, the last packet which contains a lot of chili powder.
I can’t read Indonesian, but from what I gather from the packaging, the seasoning powder and the oil go in the bowl. cook the noodles and then add them and stir.
Then add the chili powder and fried onions.
Finished (click image to enlarge). I added one egg during the noodle boil. The noodles are definitely wider than what I’m used to from Indomie. They’re a little chewy and very nice.
The broth is a treat – has a slight shrimp and toasted coconut flavor which is very good! The chili powder gives it a nice little bite. This is great! 4.75 out of 5.0 stars! UPC bar code 089686910193 .
How Indomie noodles are made!
Indomie TV commercial
So here’s something I haven’t seen before and it looks like there’s a handful of varieties available locally.
The green packet has powder and liquid, the white has veggies and dehydrated shrimp, and the red was coconut powder! Never seen that before!!!
Before everything got the 2 cups of boiling water for 3 minutes.
Click image to enlarge. So here it is. Interesting stuff! I find this to be some of the most enthralling and fascinating broth I’ve found in a bowl noodle. Reminiscent of Tom Yum/Yam but different – I think its the coconut powder. The noodles are really nice too – I like it when rice noodles are like this. The dehydrated shrimp was very tasty too I might add. Lots of veggies too! Very nice – Low cost and high quality – 4.25 out of 5.0 stars. Get it here.
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