cooking ?'s and a special note about hamburger helper

[poohtown]

first off, I was listening to the radio the other day and they were complaining about instant foods. The host was especially harsh on hamburger helper and how it's just a mush of meat, sauce, and potato buds. Now I've used hamburger helper before and doesn't it only have pasta and sauce? Did it used to have potatoes? or was she thinking of something else?


2nd question: I found a recipe for chili using black beans - has anyone ever used them instead of the regular kidney beans? How does it change the flavor?


Last: comment on anything in regards to either of the above -

chili variations (i love chili !!!)

and/or

your favorite/worse 'instant' foods or packaged foods.

 

[liznboys]

There are some varieties of Hamburger Helper that are potatoes. One we like is the hashbrowns one! I like Hamburger Helper for those nights when a quick meal is handy. It's a hearty meal and everyone here likes it.

Don't have any chilli advice! But it seems like black beans would work just as well as kidney.

 

[piratesmate]

Our favorite Hamburger Helper was their Beef Stew, which had sliced potatoes. Unfortunately, it's no longer available. I can't rmemeber if any of the others had/have taters as we're not too big on the hamburger ones. (I really like their chicken fried rice though.)

I tried black beans for something else a while ago & quite like them. I think they have a slightly different flavor, but can't tell you how it changes the flavor of chili exactly. Because they're smaller than kidney beans I think the flavor gets more spread out through the whole pot.

Also, the biggest difference IMO is that the skins aren't as "tough" as those on the kidney beans. In fact, DH doesn't like kidneys for that reason. I used to use great northern beans because of it.

This is how I make it.

Chili

1 lb ground meat
1 can tomato soup
1 can water
1 can refried beans
1 can black beans or Great Northern beans
½ bag corn, defrosted
1 pkg Taco seasoning
1 Tbl chili powder
1 bag Lipton Rice & Sauce - Spanish flavor
water

Just brown the meat, toss the rest in & let it simmer. I also like it with shredded chicken instead of the ‘burger. (I pre-cook the chicken in the crockpot on shopping day, then shred it & bag in meal-sized portions.

Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream & tortilla chips.

 

[tar heel]

I think black beans are BETTER than kidneys. I usually make a big batch of chili and use both, but I prefer black if I'm only using one.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

DH and I practically LIVE on Hamburger Helper since both of us never really have the time to cook anyway. Our favorite is the Cheesy Enchilada..we pair that with 'taco fixins' (diced tomatoes,cheese,salsa,sour cream, diced onions, lettuce and sometimes guacamole) and tortillas to make burritos that we have with a salad and sometimes refried beans.

As for chili..well..we almost always use Bush's Chili Starter, which is great. All you do is brown the meat, throw in a can of diced tomatoes and the Chili Starter and in 15 minutes or less, you got chili.

TOV

 

[gshoemate]

We don't like kidney beans or black beans. I use Pork and Beans. DH likes it and he is very picky.