Nestlé USA’s Lean Cuisine brand has introduced four limited-time frozen entrées inspired by international culinary trends and regional flavors: Southwest-Style Potato Bake, Chicken Tikka Masala, Cheese & Fire-Roasted Chile Tamale and Thai-Style Ginger Beef. The recipes were developed in-house by chefs who first traveled the country from coast to coast visiting leading restaurants, hot spots and tastemakers in search of meal inspirations.
Made with organic ingredients, the product line offers high-protein and gluten-free options at a suggested retail price of $2.99 per 241- to 280-gram single-serving package.
“Lean Cuisine dishes pair nutritious foods and real ingredients with our chefs’ culinary expertise so consumers can feel good about what they’re eating. Every ingredient has purpose, whether it’s a distinct flavor or a key nutrient, like a good source of protein,” said Julie Lehman, the brand’s marketing director.
“Our team keeps a constant pulse on food culture, taking cues from the latest flavor profiles – and we have noticed an increase in people’s desire for bolder, spicier flavors,” said David Bailey, a culinary chef at Lean Cuisine.
As a result of their collaborative findings, here are highlights of the four new recipes:
Southwest-Style Potato Bake. Made with organic and non-GMO ingredients, red potatoes are blanketed in a spicy cheddar cheese sauce with poblano peppers.- Chicken Tikka Masala. In tune with consumers who are seeking a high-protein option, this Indian-style dish features tender white meat chicken, sweet peas, carrots and rice combined in a creamy tomato sauce.
- Cheese & Fire-Roasted Chile Tamale. The newest tamale in the Lean Cuisine collection is made with organic and non-GMO ingredients accented with a sweet and spicy chile sauce and cilantro lime rice.
Thai-Style Ginger Beef. Tender prime rib beef, broccoli, yellow carrots and rice combine with a sweet and spicy Thai-style sauce – and it’s gluten-free.
Serving Needs of Today’s Consumers
Americans are looking for high-protein foods as well as dishes made with organic and non-GMO ingredients, and the new entrées add to the Lean Cuisine portfolio to meet those needs. In fact, organic food sales in the United States approached an estimated $37 billion in 2015. That’s up 12 percent from the previous year, and the trend is for continued growth.
Additionally, the demand for protein continues to increase, with nearly six out of 10 shippers considering protein when making a decision about buying packaged food or beverages – and the majority report that they are trying to consume more.
“Our recipes are carefully crafted to be nutritious, and often times ingredients are paired to make the most of each other. For example, our Thai-Style Ginger Beef brings together broccoli and yellow carrots with the right serving of beef, creating a balance of flavor and ingredients that offer a nutritional boost,” said Rhonda Richardson, Lean Cuisine’s manager of nutrition, health and wellness. “Our new dishes are simply frozen to maintain their freshness, and do not include artificial preservatives.”
