PROGRESSO SOUPS lV

5/8/16 - Tomato Florentine with Italian Sausage - Mafalda Pasta in Tomato Broth with Italian Sausage, Carrots and Spinach.

The Sausage is akin to that which is used on Frozen Pizza but of the canned variety and that is not a bad thing so far as this hearty and satisfying Soup goes.

9/3/16 - Creamy Alfredo with Penne & Chicken - I was really in the mood for Chicken Broth tonight but figured I would tread unknown territory and sometimes Blog imitates life so here goes.

Right off I tasted a bit of Basil or Oregano but none are listed on the label and there are green bits in it, I hope this hasn't gone south in the freshness department. Very Thick & Creamy Alfredo Broth, no surprise as glancing at the Ingredients I see Sour Cream, Parmesan Cheese, Flour and Starch contained, Noodles could be more Al Dente but what do you expect from something that has been sitting in a can for lord knows how long. For a Creamy Soup I was not so much in the mood for this is Delicious.

Would be good with Croutons which I do have on hand but why ruin it.

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PROGRESSO SOUPS ll LINK

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CAMPBELL'S SOUPS ll

"Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky"

And Campbell's.

11/21/15 - Southwest Style Bean & Barley - Heavy on the Barley & Bean with Diced Tomato and Corn thrown in for good measure. Pleasant enough But let me add some Grated Cheese for effect.

GUNK HAUS

After Apple picking we attended Gunk Haus which to my consideration is not the greatest name for an Eating establishment as in "Get this Gunk off my Plate" but a fine Restaurant it was.

French Fries of a considerable momentum with a Dipping Sauce of unknown origin.

Of Unkown Origin.

The BURGER, of which I hear was Delicious.

Hungarian Goulash. This I have tried for the first time but it was a paltry sized Dish for the price of twenty bucks.

Pork Sammich.

Sausage Platter.

No Idea

Black Forest - Stout & Sweet Cherry Wine.

How could I Resist.

The Facade.

The Mailbox.

Table Centerpiece.

GUNK HAUS ONLINE

PROGRESSO SOUPS lll

10/15/15 - Minestrone - Very Rich and Delectable. Broth is Thick and a good amount of Spinach, Progresso is an example of Exemplary Canned Craftsmanship.

I knew this would be would be a Great one . Filled with Penne, String Beans, Potatoes, with Carrots and Peas.

10/25/15 - Savory Beef Barley Vegetable - This was akin to Campbell's Soup Beef Vegetable but one hundred times better because it is Progresso. 

My personal opinion but come on, gimme a break here.

Carrots, Tomatoes, Barley and,... Well Beef in a Savory Broth from a can. A Definite Winner.

10/27/15 - Vegetable (light) - OK as this being a "light" brand I am not excepting much but it certainly looks good. Rotini, String Beans, Carrots, Celery, Tomato perhaps Onions and Corn.

How can one go wrong.

OK not as Salty but still Great.

10/28/15 - Hearty Penne in Chicken Broth (Vegetable Classics) - Penne, Carrots, Celery & Parsley in Chicken Broth but it being a Vegetable Classic I must add Grated Cheese. Too much Penne but heck it's called "Hearty Penne".

10/29/15 - Lentil with Roasted Vegetables (Vegetable Classics) - Hearty and Rich in Lentil's but of course I shall add some Grated Cheese (rule being first few spoonfuls are without Cheese or any additive to give a true review). 

Packed with Zucchini, Squash, Carrots, Celery, Modified Food Starch and well,.. Lentils.  Cannot wait to get to that Dollop of Grated Pecorino Romano unless it disintegrates as I type this.

Nope, Got It.

Needs a tad of Salt, I can remedy that.

PROGRESSO SOUPS l Link

PROGRESSO SOUPS ll Link

IF 5 WAS 10 - CHUNKY SOUP (5 MORE SELECTIONS)

1/22/15 - Philly Style Cheesesteak - Could use some Salt, Definitely Tasty but not as Cheesey as one might suspect. Actually kind of bland from what you would expect to be a Sodium Drenched Soup.

(790 mg 33%)

Really a Potato Soup with some Steak Slices, the Broth is hardly Cheesey.

9/29/15 - Creamy Chicken & Dumplings - I have been eyeing this one in my collection for awhile and do recall my dad mentioning homeade Dumplings on more than one occasion, if I ever did have a Soup Dumpling it has been rarely and I have no recollection.

The addition of String Bean to the almost "Pot Pie" Broth is suitable. I am totally Digging On The Dumpling, really just a ball of Flour but great in a Broth. a few Peas and Carrot Cubes herein as well, Very Good.

CHUNKY SOUP 2013 ENTRY

PROGRESSO SOUPS ll

12/17/14 - Chickarina - Possibly one of Progresso's top sellers because I don't think any of the major canned Soup companies produce an item quite like this.

Meatballs, Chicken, Celery, Carrots and Pasta in a Chicken Broth. I found there to be too much Pasta in my serving but still a great one and of course don't forget the Grated Cheese of which like Italian Wedding Soup reviewed below Romano Cheese is amongst the ingredients listed.

1/3/15 - Italian Wedding Soup - This Looks Fantastic with Meatballs, Spinach, Carrots and Tubetinni in Chicken Broth. Very similar to Chickarina but I'm going have to give this one the edge, less Noodles but sometimes I don't want so many Noodles and the Spinach really helps. Now I will add some Grated Parmesan, Wedding Soup contains Romano Cheese but you can never have too much can you.

1/5/15 - "Light" Zesty Southwestern Style Vegetable - Big Chunks of Carrots and Red Peppers and of course the Corn is always a nice touch, the Broth is slightly Zesty but could use more Zing in my book. The Black Beans and Celery also give it a nice touch but kind of Bland and I was in the mood for a Meatless, Noodless Soup. The Ingredients also read Tomatoes and Green Sweet Peppers.

Well it is part of the "Light" line, not Bad but not Great.

PROGRESSO SOUP 2013 ENTRY

INSTANT RAMEN

Of course after having real Ramen there is not even a contest or comparable likeness aside from the Noodles technically being Instant Ramen Noodles. The Maruchan Instant Lunch had me intrigued since it has been decades since I had rehydrated Corn in my Broth, also of note the "Hot & Spicy" moniker on the packaging is not a falsity, of course you can always make it hotter but I believe some people might find this Too Hot.

As is always the case between myself and Instant Noodles I do grow tired after a few forkfuls but this is a good product insofar as Instant Noodles, the Corn adds a nice touch and is on the sweet side.

RAMEN SUMMIT - IVAN'S RAMEN/MOMOFUKU

My friend Yasuo was in town for two days and he graciously and generously invited me to Lunch at not one but two highly rated Ramen establishments. 

Now Yasuo certainly knows the deal when it comes to Ramen being a highly experienced Gourmand in the way of the Noodle and Broth so I was fortunate to receive training from The King Of Ramen himself.

Saturday's Lunch was at the "hot spot" Momofuku and we arrived one hour prior to opening in case a line formed outside and that is exactly what happened.

Pictured above is "Momofuku Ramen" which consists of Pork Belly, Pork Shoulder, Poached Egg, Soy Dashi Pork/Chicken Broth, two sheets of Nori and of course Ramen Noodles, the swirly discs are a type of fishcake.

The photos and Food descriptions in this entry are courtesy of Yasuo since frankly he takes better Food pics than I do and I am rather experienced myself.

Brisket Bun - Pickled Red Onion, Horseradish, Lettuce & Cucumber on a Bun.

This I enjoyed greatly but was almost full like a little girly man after just one, Absolutely Delicious yet still gearing up for the Ramen (pictured above).

Chicken Wings - Smoked Chicken Wings, Pickled Chili, Garlic & Scallions. 

These were Delicious and I took the leftovers "to go" even not being a "wing" guy.

Sunday's Lunch was at Ivan's Ramen and what an Outstanding experience this was, This Food was just Outstanding and when I say Outstanding I do mean Outstanding.

Amongst the Appetizer section sampled is and was as seen above "Kewpie Ebi" which is Fried Whole Prawns smothered in Kewpie Mayo, Smoked Chili and Lemon on a bed of Watercress, Oh My Gosh, Delicious.

Roast Pork Musubi - Roast Pork, Salted Plum Wasabi, Roasted Tomato, on Toasted Nori.

This was Just Oh My God, Delicious.

Tokyo Shoyu Ramen, Soy Sauce, Doshi, Chicken Broth, Char Siu, Egg, Enoki Mushroom Supplement, Rye Noodle in Broth with Umami.

In deep respect for my Ramen Sensei

Yasuo I already knew I was going to follow his lead in these proceedings but perusing the menu on the Ivan Ramen website the evening before Sunday Lunch I did spy this little item which intrigued me to no end so I swayed to the Bacon side of the Force and this was indeed Delicious, I was already "stuffed" from the little Appetizers but made sure to take the remainders to go.

BLT Mazemen - less broth, thicker Ramen Noodles, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Kewpie Mayo, Dashi & Whole Wheat Noodles.

Hitachino Nest Red Rice Beer - Belgian style Ale from Ibaraki, Japan.

Delicious.

Jedi Yasuo Kenobi and Padawan Spike selfie taken at Mos Eisley.

Yasuo's empty bowl, I am yet to learn but am grateful for the lessons I have learned.

Darth Yasuo's ratings.

Momofuku - 8/10

Ivan's Ramen 10/10

IVAN RAMEN ONLINE

MOMOFUKU NOODLE BAR ONLINE

OTHER PEOPLE'S FOOD - CEVICHE - GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

The Plate Map courtesy of Maria

My friend Frank and his girlfriend Maria had some authentic Ceviche in the country that makes it the best and boy do I wish I could try this and someday I most certainly hope to. 

Pictured above is a smattering of various other dishes of the republic and boy do I hope to try these as well someday.

A glimpse of the Menu.

The storefront window I take it. This I am told is an out of the way place and as is the case with the best Foods available in any country this is the way to do it.

Ceviche On Parade, Just looking at that Shrimp makes my mouth water.

Ceviche is purportedly a Peruvian dish based on Seafood cured in Citrus Juice.

Ceviche flanked by Plantain Chips and Fresh Plantains.

I will have one of each please.

Let us hear from Frank who took these photos and lived the experience.

- On my last trip to Ecuador Maria and I had the pleasure of stopping at one of the best Cevicheria's in Guayaquil, "Aqui Esta Marcelo's"

The Ceviche was especially good, the place was packed. The walls were open to the street and I could see and hear downtown Guayaquil as I ate my Lunch. One thing that caught my attention was that I was the only "gringo" in the place... a good sign I was eating the best local Ceviche made by Ecuadorians for Ecuadorians who know good Ceviche. The Shrimp Ceviche I had was perfect. Not too tart, not bitter, and not too sweet. The Onions were Delicious and in perfect proportion to the rest of the dish, I could hardly taste them, adding only a fresh squeezed Lime and about 1 teaspoon of Ketchup. Perfect ...

SI CLARO

CAMPBELL'S SOUPS

Perhaps the first and foremost question is Why ?

Why would Campbell's go on this Food Blog, well look at the other company it is keeping and the question is why not ? However it goes much deeper than this.

Personally I have been eating Campbell's Soup since I can remember but this entry was really sparked by a George Carlin joke in which he mentioned "Bean and Bacon" Soup. I am no stranger to "condensed" Soup but his joke ran through my mind several weeks ago while lying in bed, I don't recall exactly which joke it was and the mention of Soup was not the punchline either. 

I Love Campbell's Soups and they deserve a place in the pantheon herein.

10/30/14 - Bean with Bacon - I can smell the Smoke Flavoring within and the packaging label does indeed tout it as a Flavoring. I also added a tad less water so as not to thin this out too much, I did have to use a Spoon to scoop out the Thick Ingredients from the Can. 

A bit Salty and pretty good so far, definitely one of this brands heartier Soups due to the inclusion of the "pea beans" which taste identical to "Pork and Beans" style Beans. Bacon Flavored, yes, Bacon, no. Certainly one of Campbell's more "filling" Soups, quite good.

This is Campbell's "condensed" Soup so not as good pics as the Chunky or Progresso brand, but still.

11/1/14 - Chicken With Rice - Dont buy this Soup Again, pretty much Crap with Rice.

OK, perhaps I am being harsh, the Rice overpowers the Broth, So There.

11/5/14 - Vegetable Soup - Commonly known as Alphabet Soup, to my mom it was ABC Soup and even on Sesame Street this delight has been immortalized as a learning tool in spelling. Campbell's brand has been labeling this Vegetable Soup for as long as I can remember, I don't recall it ever being named differently but without looking into the history this is very possible. Either ways I can place this amongst the Top 5 selling Soups in this company's long standing roster amongst American culture and there it remains. 

As a "smart-ass" test but mainly out of curiosity I decided to delve deeper and investigate the A,B,C's of it all, frankly I was very pleasantly surprised. I also performed this experiment piecemeal as in I examined each noodle in the spoon individually so I truly got a birds eye view. I filled in the letters in alphabetical order in the sentence below in noodle order and real time truly believing there were missing characters and to my great surprise after concentrated completion I beheld the complete ABC song that we (English speaking) all know from childhood.

The Letters I Found So Far (opening statement) - A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

24 letters. Twenty Four !!! 

Truly Alphabet Soup.

11/14/14 - Tomato Soup - What can I say, There are Classics and then there are Classics. To me Tomato Soup is a bona fide Classic and still tastes completely the same as my memory recalls.

Which label is cooler ? I think we all agree on this one.

I have been eyeballing this can for a few weeks now, looks promising.

11/17/14 - Mexican Style Chicken Tortilla - I have been most excited about this one, lets see.

Similar to Progresso's "Chicken Tortilla" Soup yet thinner but did I really expect anything more ?

Tomato based Broth with Rice & Beans, bits of Chicken, Peppers and Corn. Could use plenty of Hot Sauce. Its a good one.

7/23/15 - Vegetable Beef - Quite Simply one of my favorite Campbell's Soups EVER. 

I have adored this for many decades and Beef Broth is in short supply in the canned Soup department as well. Big Thumbs Up.

Smidgens of Beef, Potatoes, Carrots, Green Beans, Peas and Barley.

CAMPBELLS SOUP ONLINE