New Skillets have serious shortcomings

Betty Crocker promises crispy potato slices from a box in its new Seasoned Skillets.

The problem? When prepared according to the directions on the package, only a few of the potatoes ever reached anything resembling crispiness. The rest were soggy, chewy, greasy and not well received by the Spokesman-Review reader food panel. “Greasy, soggy, nasty, useless, emergency food only,” Donald Clegg said, of the Traditional Recipe potatoes.

Matt Quesnell was not impressed either. “Kind of, um … chewy … for potatoes. Also, really, really greasy and no flavor. I can literally think of no conceivable reason to eat this. Bad, bad, bad. Cheap but not worth two cents,” he said.

Each box includes dehydrated potatoes and seasoning. Home cooks must add water and vegetable oil during cooking.

The package warns that because range tops and skillets differ, the heat and cooking times may vary. But the problem we encountered was that some of the potatoes got crisp, while the others remained soggy.

The Roasted Garlic and Herb flavor was particularly problematic because the garlic started to burn before many of the potatoes were crisp. Patient cooks may be able to achieve the crispy potatoes promised, but expect it to take much longer than the 5 to 8 minutes suggested on the package.

Peggy Kazanis described the Traditional Recipe potatoes as “hot rubber disks with seasoning.” The garlic and herb recipe did not improve her impression. “More rubber disks, but this time they have burnt garlic on them,” she said.

Quesnell said the second flavor suffered the same shortcomings of the first. “They tried to add a little more flavor here, but it somehow just made it worse. Seriously, call the food police. This is criminal,” he said.

Seasoned Skillets, Traditional Recipe

Price: $1.89 for 4.5 ounces

Nutrition per serving: 180 calories, 9 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 45 percent fat calories), 2 grams protein, 22 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 500 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ 1/2

Value: “ “

Comments: “These taste a lot like hot rubber disks with seasoning.” – Peggy Kazanis

“Would you like some potatoes with your grease? Not for me, on any day.” – Skip Hubbard

“Flavorless, greasy, chewy. I’d have to be real hungry to settle for this.” – Larry Inman

Seasoned Skillets, Roasted Garlic and Herb

Price: $1.89

Nutrition per serving: 170 calories, 9 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 48 percent fat calories), 2 grams protein, 22 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 440 milligrams sodium.

Taste: “ 1/2

Value: “ “

Comments:

“Still greasy, soggy, etc., but with a slightly redeeming hit of garlic. Still not recommended.” – Donald Clegg

“This does not work at all. If you find them in your cart, put them back. If someone put them on your plate, they don’t like you.” – Andy Hoye

“Too chewy. Too greasy. Poor texture. Bad taste. No thank you.” – Larry Inman