Make & Model - Wise Company Simple Kitchen Broccoli Rotini
Package Size - 11.43 ounces
Servings Per Package - 4 Calories Per Serving
Approximate Shelf Life - 1 year
Prep Method / Prep Time - Add water and bring to boil, then cover and simmer / 15-20 minutes
MSRP / Cost Per Ounce - $35.99 (6-pack) / $0.52 per ounce
URL - http://www.wisefoodstorage.com
The Simple Kitchen line by Wise Company is designed as an all-in-one meal for use in short-term emergency scenarios. While still dehydrated, it trades a shorter shelf life for quick prep and extra flavor. This gluten-free pasta is made from green lentils and brown rice, with freeze-dried broccoli and a creamy cheese sauce.
Tester #1: Patrick Vuong
The good? All that cheesy creaminess. Preppers who love their cheese can cheer knowing there's a prepackaged meal delivering rich Italian dairy flavors. The not so good? This gluten-free dish is awesome for Celiac Disease sufferers, but not so much for me. I love lentils in rotis and brown rice in a poke bowl, but not combined to make a stiff pasta substitute. The ugly? The short shelf life and the need to simmer — unlike the other, more convenient options in our taste test. Overall, decent, but not ideal for TEOTWAWKI unless you have dietary concerns.
Tester #2: John Schwartze
The instructions didn't specifically state whether to cook it in its bag or a pot, so it required a little more forethought to prepare. Those with gluten allergies may be turned on by this one, as it's made from green lentils. That said, if you're expecting the noodles to be as tender as traditional flour noodles, you'll be disappointed — these were pretty chewy. The broccoli is soggy, which is to be expected with vegetables in packaged meals. Since I don't have any allergies, this might not be my first pick, but it would work OK if I needed some variety to stock up on.
Tester #3: Patrick McCarthy
Delicious! I legitimately wouldn't have guessed this pasta is made from protein-rich lentils instead of wheat. The sauce is silky smooth and has all the cheesy goodness that was missing from some of the other meals in this guide. Overall, easily on par with a nice frozen meal. However, it has to be simmered on a burner, so this is a meal for the pantry rather than your bug-out bag. The one-year shelf life is also pretty short for a dehydrated product, but the great flavor makes it something I might use regardless of emergencies.