I just sang the praises of Birds Eye's Steamfresh vegetables in a Quick Cooking article I posted today.

I really, really like this product. It's unimaginably effortless to prepare and the flavors of the vegetables taste really fresh and delicious to me.

Have any of you tried this line of frozen veggies? If so, what did you think of them?

Oooh I HATE frozen vegetables! Sorry, but I do. After years of mushy production line sized cubes and slices I just cannot handle the vaguest idea of actually putting a packet of frozen vegetables in my shopping trolley. Yes, it's more work, but I must have it fresh - and I'm now contemplating growing my own vegetables (even more work, but I think it will be very satisfying).

Elle, I agree that growing your own vegetables will be a satisfying (and delicious!) experience! I loved growing veggies and fruits before we moved to the Florida Keys. Here we have no soil...only coral rock...and salty sea air that clobbers all plants except native and hearty tropical exotic varieties.

I think I can safely assume you have NOT tried Birds Eye's Steamfresh line! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue2.gif" alt="" />

Anyone else?

I am also not fond of frozen vegetables. However, The Birds Eye's Veggies are the one exception I will make. I tried them a few months ago only because I had a free product coupon. I was very pleasantly surprised! Nothing beats the taste of fresh vegetables but I would rate the taste and texture of the Birds Eye's Steamfresh Veggies somwhere in between frozen and fresh. (I would say a little coser to fresh.)

LOL. No I haven't, although I can understand that it probably does taste pretty good and that great leaps in the preparation and freezing techniques have probably been made. I guess it's a childhood thing. "I will not cop out, I will not cop out, I will not cop out..." I probably will cop out when I have kids myself and things get really hectic and dumping a packet of frozen vegies into the microwave just seems like such a good idea... Arrrghh!! Save me!!! I'm turning into my mother!!!!

No, don't do it! I tried using frozen veg in my fantastic stir-fry recipes but they tasted funny and had a rubbery, rather than crunchy texture.

"Here we have no soil...only coral rock...and salty sea air "

If you haven't got good soil, then get a couple of growbags http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_usingagrowingbag.shtml and plant your seedings in those....you'd be amazed at the whopping veg you can get from these. The taste will blow your hair off, and better still you'll know it's pesticide free (unless you put some on, but don't) and totally organic...especially good for your kids. If you use a greenhouse or polytunnel things (look this up) then the air shouldn't affect your plants either.

Go on, it'll make your hair curl.

Elle! Snorty! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue2.gif" alt="" />

FC, Thank you! Grow Bags sound really promising! I've also considered trying Earth Boxes...they're an investment at first, but they can be used for years. I'm thinking about a summer garden, one comprised of veggies that will survive our summers...maybe a salsa garden, with serranos and scallions and cilantro and fast-growing little tomatoes...and lots of other herbs, too! Using poly bags to keep the salt off the plants is absolutely brilliant!

Sorry you so defiled your stir fry with frozen vegies. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I agree that frozen veggies in stir fries are disastrous... I like them practically raw!

I'm not a soggy brocolli kinda guy. I like my carrots to have a bit of crunch.*

*that's true that is

Does it count if I feed it to my birds? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I buy the huge bags at Sam's club and I agree they are the bomb when you need something quick. My birds think it's quite tasty ....

As for stir fry I actually did the 5 minute 'nuke' then mixed in some fish sauce, soy sauce & firm tofu and just threw it in the skillet long enough to heat the tofu. It wasn't half bad. (It wasn't haute cuisine, but when you're too tired to think straight a 10 minute edible dinner is awesome).

I tried the peas just yesterday, and they were delicious.
I never would have known they weren't fresh.