Frozen "TV" dinners

[claws]

We used to have those when I was a kid, but haven't had any in ages.

Any of you guys eat those regularly? Any recommendations? Any favorite meals? Brands that should be avoided?

[indianasmith]

I have them for lunch daily.  Zataran's shrimp dishes are good, and Stouffers has a steak, cheese, and mushroom flatbread melt that is YUMMY!

[Jack]

I've had my share of those things.  Haven't had one in ages though.  Never did figure out what the Salisbury steak actually consists of. 

[AndyC]

Used to get them occasionally as a treat when I was a kid. The real, flat, foil-wrapped Swanson things, with the reconstituted mashed potatoes and pat of very yellow butter, the peas and carrots, the fruit "cobbler" (excellent for fixing shoes), and the meat. We usually either got fried chicken, roast turkey or Salisbury steak. The turkey wasn't bad, although like everything in those dinners, there was something not quite right about it. Salisbury steak soon became my favourite. A hamburger patty in tomato sauce just seemed to come out the best.

I've had frozen dinners on occasion since then, but so rarely that they made little impression on me. The ones I had as a kid actually carry other memories, of a particular TV show I was watching, our old kitchen, and oddly enough, memories of other frozen foods.

And no thread about TV dinners would be complete without this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1nMC6kLOYA

[The Burgomaster]

I loved them when I was a kid.  Nowadays, I probably have about one every 5 years.  I usually get "Hungry Man" brand.

[Flick James]

I don't touch 'em anymore.

However, Indy brought up Zatarins. They make great boxed rice dishes. My wife and I have their Jambalaya about twice a month, just add a ring of smokes sausage or chicken or shrimp and you've got a tasty meal.

[retrorussell]

I loved them when I was a kid.  Nowadays, I probably have about one every 5 years.  I usually get "Hungry Man" brand.

Yup.  I like their salisbury steaks and breaded chicken patties.  I always have to adjust the cook time and add about a minute or two, or the potatoes don't cook through.  And when it says the brownie should be taken out at x amount of minutes, then put back in at x amount of minutes... that never works.  It's all goopy and piping hot when I'm supposed to take it out, so I just grab a spoon and dig in, then heat the rest.

I've always liked imitation mashed potatoes over the real thing.  Anyone else feel that way?

Boston Market's tv dinners are good too.  Salisbury steak with rotini and cheese.. yum!

[Couchtr26]

I've always liked imitation mashed potatoes over the real thing.  Anyone else feel that way?

I used to be that way.  I still like the flavor but I prefer the texture of authentic.  I can kind of get the best of both worlds by buying a can of potatoes and mashing them and adding it in with store bought. 

I used to eat them a lot when I was younger.  Usually, chicken of some sort and salisbury steak.  As Andy C put it, I remember the consistency of the cobblers.  I had a few not too long ago.  I always hate the ton of sauce.  Not a big fan of sauce except to compliment what I am eating.  Prefer a less is more approach. 

[AndyC]

I like the instant mashed. Always did. But I also like the real thing. Funny, I almost think of them as two different foods. I suppose if I had to pick, a well-prepared pot of real mashed potatoes would win.

[Raffine]

Frozen TV Dinners were a rare treat when I was growing up. I haven't had an honest-to-goodness frozen tv dinner in years.

I am addicted to Marie Callendar's frozen chicken pot pies, though, particularly during cold weather. Even out of the microwave the crust is nice and flaky.

[Dave M]

I liked the beanie weenies with chocolate and hot apple goo. They are no more

[Mr. DS]

I've eaten a few brands but honestly haven't touched many of them in the past 5 years.  I recall Marie Calender had some wonderful selections and actually tasted fresh at times.  Although they don't count technically as "TV Dinners" I sure have eaten my share of Tostinos Pizza Rolls and Bagel Bites.  Hell I coud go for some right now. 

I stay away from that stuff nowadays though.  I usually use fresh ingrediants if I can. 

[Paquita]

I usually have a stash of Healthy Choice tv dinners for days when there's no time to make dinner.  I think they're better than Lean Cuisine, but I'm so tired of them I usually just opt for a bowl of cereal.  I would actually love a Swanson fried chicken TV dinner with the little brownie, but I resist.

Although they don't count technically as "TV Dinners" I sure have eaten my share of Tostinos Pizza Rolls and Bagel Bites.  Hell I coud go for some right now. 

I could easily replace all my meals with Totino's pizza rolls.  They're like the perfect food.