Joy of Cooking Frozen Meals: Love It or Hate It?

January 8, 2009

First published in 1931, the Joy of Cooking has been considered the definitive cookbook for more than the last half-century, and is credited with helping to demystify cooking for home chefs. But the culinary classic is now poising itself to become the star of another market: the frozen-food segment.

Bellisio Foods, the company behind Michelina's meals, is testing a Joy of Cooking line in 3,500 grocery stores in 23 markets, including Boston, Louisville, Orlando, and Rochester.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Perhaps the Joy of Cooking has, ahem, oversimplified itself. Should it change its name to the "Joy of Reheating"?

Source

News Love It Or Hate It Poll Frozen Foods Joy Of Cooking Bellisio Foods Michelina's

21 Comments

3 years 38 weeks

With a full time job, 7 acres, 33 animals to care for and a volunteer director for a horse rescue organization and 59 years old - I've got to say many of these products feed me/us when otherwise I really don't have time to prepare anything. So, yes I give a plus for the Joy of Cooking frozen entrees. My cooking is better, but these meals are better than take out at your local fast food when time escapes and better than most grocery store fast fix entrees.

jann0107 4 years 1 week

I just had the mac & cheese and loved it. Something I should be able to make, but don't. It was easy to cook. You just throw it in a pan, cover & cook 6-8 minutes. For topping, just add butter to bread crumbs and toast in pan 2-3 minutes.

L0neLyHeArT 4 years 18 weeks

I'm undecided. I haven't tried them so I can't judge.

PinkUnicorn 4 years 18 weeks

Ugh! Michelina's is awful so I'm sure these will be just as bad.

EuroFAB 4 years 18 weeks

YUCK! Eating frozen food is so unhealthy and gross! How hard is it to steam some vegetables, grill some chicken/salmon and VOILA! Your dinner is done and its HEALTHY! and it took GASP! only 15 minutes.

shydcgirl28 4 years 18 weeks

Frozen food always tastes overly processed and fake to me. Can't do it.

ilanac13 4 years 18 weeks

i'm a bit undecided about this one. surprisingly i've never really been into the book so i don't know if the frozen meals would really be anything overly tempting to me.

jopperma 4 years 18 weeks

Hate. Read the book and cook for yourself! It will be better for you, cheaper and tastier!

gourmetsugar 4 years 18 weeks

This is not Joy of Cooking. This is Joy of NOT Cooking. I hate it...

aimeeb 4 years 18 weeks

People are getting so lazy these days!

26rosebud 4 years 18 weeks

I'm behind mave's comment 100%. That's exactly how I feel. I'm not getting the connection behind the book and the frozen line as they cannot be the recipes from the book followed to a T.

pioneers 4 years 18 weeks

As much as I hate frozen food and watch my caloric intake, this seems like a pretty viable brand extension if done right..but that's a big IF.

mave 4 years 18 weeks

As someone who uses Joy of Cooking almost daily, I feel like the idea of Joy of Cooking frozen meals is somewhat contrary to the goals of the cookbook. Almost seems like a cash grab, and I don't care what anybody says, it's always better -- better taste, better for you -- when you make it yourself.

MartiniLush 4 years 18 weeks

I haven't seen these, so would really have to be able to read the nutritional labels and actually taste them first. I usually keep a stash of lean cuisines at work, in case I am too busy and can't grab lunch!

LaurenG22 4 years 18 weeks

awww this makes me sad for America...

animatedpunk 4 years 18 weeks

It makes me think of the movie Ratatouille :( When the chef is trying to use the legacy of the restaurant to sell crappy frozen meals.

miznic 4 years 18 weeks

What is the joy of cooking, if all it is, is the joy of REHEATING?!

jessielynn657 4 years 18 weeks

shoneyjoe- you are exactly right. that was my other issue. for the calories i dont mind taking the time to make some yummy mac and cheese and thought this would have been better than it turned out to be.

partysugar 4 years 18 weeks

I don't eat frozen food. Well, that's not true. I only eat one frozen dish. Stouffer's French Bread Pizza. It's my guilty pleasure when I don't feel like cooking and am hung over.

shoneyjoe 4 years 18 weeks

I don't hate much, but I took a look at the nutritional information on those things a little while ago. They're *wretched* for you!

jessielynn657 4 years 18 weeks

i tried the mac and cheese. it was interesting and a little rich. i dont know how to describe the taste other than oddly buttery, tasty, but still a hmm.

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21 Comments

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