New Veggie Steamers get so-so rating

Stick with Velveeta.

That’s the message from The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel after tasting McCormick’s new Veggie Steamers. The new seasoning packets will not help persuade children, or even adults, to eat their vegetables, panel members said.

The new packets, found near the gravy, taco seasoning and other flavor packets include steaming bag and the spices to dress up fresh vegetables. Put the veggie of your choice in the bag (they recommend broccoli, cauliflower or green beans), sprinkle the seasoning packet over it and microwave until tender-crisp.

Food panel members tried both the cheddar cheese and garlic and basil flavors. Both barely scored two stars out of five for flavor. The packets have a retail price of $1.99.

“So-so at best,” Larry Inman said. “My spice rack over the stove has infinitely more to offer for about five cents.”

A few were surprised to find out that the broccoli was supposed to taste like cheddar cheese.

“Are you kidding me? No. Not now, not ever,” Skip Hubbard said.

Andy Hoye liked the idea; the flavor just fell short, he said. “Concept – fair. Execution – horrible.”

Mostly tasters were surprised by the lack of flavor.

“What’s the point?” Matt Quesnell asked. “Major rip off: You could do way better for way less. Don’t even look at these.”

McCormick Veggie Steamers, Cheddar Cheese

Price: $1.99 for a .88-ounce packet, seasonings for 6 servings

Nutrition per serving: 25 calories, 1 gram fat (.5 grams saturated, 26 percent fat calories), less than 1 gram protein, 2 grams carbohydrate, less than 5 milligrams cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 350 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • •

Value: •

Comments: “Blah. Not bad but not worth buying. What a scam.” – Matt Quesnell

“Why do this?” – Andy Hoye

“Way overpriced.” – Larry Inman

“Nondescript flavoring.” – Tina Johnson

McCormick Veggie Steamers, Garlic and Basil

Price: $1.99 for a .88-ounce package, seasonings for 6 servings

Nutrition per serving: 15 calories, .5 grams fat (no saturated fat, 30 percent fat calories), 2 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, no dietary fiber, 270 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • •

Value: •

Comments: “Please tell me this is free. Wait a minute – I still wouldn’t want it.” – Skip Hubbard

“I’m not sure what they were trying to do here, but it doesn’t work.” – Donald Clegg

“All green beans need is salt, pepper and butter on tip with bacon crumbles. You already have that at home.” – Marilyn Moore