NOW CLOSED Schwartz 2in1 recipe mixes reviewer feedback thread.

[KatieBMumsnet]

This thread is for the 250 Mumsnetters who have been trying out the new 2in1 recipe mixes from Schwartz.

Here's what they say: "The new 2in1 range offers two easy to use recipe mix sachets in one handy pack: one sachet flavours the main dish whilst the other contains a seasoning for a complementary side dish or topping. With five different varieties to choose from, and an easy recipe on the back of each pack, this is a great way to try out new dishes or transform an existing family favourite from ordinary to special."

Mumsnetters have been trying the following recipe mixes:

• Garlic & Thyme roast chicken + crispy roast potatoes
  

• Chicken Tikka + mint & cucumber raita
  

• Mediterranean chicken pasta + crispy crumb topping
  

• Southern style crunchy chicken bites + BBQ dip
  

• Garlic & herb crunchy chicken bites + cheese & chive dip
  

Below are some questions for you to answer but please do feel free to add any other comments you may also have. We'd like you to post at least 3 sets of feedback - answering the same questions for each recipe mix you try. Please also upload any pictures you take of your creations. Please note, photos and comments may be used on Schwartz's pages on Mumsnet and possibly on other marketing material.

Questions

• Which 2in1 recipe mix did you try?
  
• How would you rate this recipe mix out of 5 (1 being lowest and 5 highest)
  
• What did you/your DCs think of the overall flavour of the product?
  
• How easy, or difficult, did you find the 2in1 mix to use?
  
• Did you follow the recipe on the back of the packet or did you add/take away any other ingredients?
  
• Would you say the 2in1 recipe mix made your mealtimes easier at all? If so, why? If not, why not?
  
• Do you think you will buy, or look to buy, Schwartz 2in1 recipe mixes in the future? If so, why? If not, why not?
  
• Overall, would you say you loved the 2in1 recipe mix, you liked it or you hated it?
  

Everyone who adds at least 3 sets of feedback to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will receive a £500 John Lewis voucher!

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[Sparklingbrook]

Yikes!! I had better tidy the kitchen and get started.

[lalahotpants]

Starting on Sunday with the Garlic & Thyme roast chicken + crispy roast potatoes , cant wait!

[Sparklingbrook]

That's what I am doing on Sunday lala. May do one of the Chicken Bites ones tonight.

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

I am also starting on sunday. Marking place.

[Sparklingbrook]

Who will be first to post a picture?

[iwanttoscream]

We got ours on Wednesday, last night we did the southern style crunchy chicken bites and bbq dip. It was easy to prepare, even my son could prepare the dip. We did chips, salad and carrot and cucumber sticks as well. It was very tasty and there clean plates all around me.

[iwanttoscream]

Also would rate it 4/5, would buy again.

[lottietiger]

We had the Mediterranean chicken pasta + crispy crumb topping last night. I'd rate it 4/5 as it was tasty and quick to prepare. We had all the ingredients in the cupboard so didnt need to rush out and buy anything and we had a green salad with it. There are only 3 of us so we had a portion left over for the freezer, which is always handy for emergencies. We are having the roast chicken on Sunday, so will post again after that.

[BeCool]

Last night I used the Garlic & Herb Crunchy Chicken bites and Dip.
DD (5yo) got very excited and volunteered to help so she did the egg/crumbing etc of the chicken - into the oven - very easy..

It was extremely easy to prepare & we followed the recipe & instructions & then served with salad veggies..

I made the dip - if I made it again I would make this in advance a little, or at least first as it was better after a rest.

DD enjoyed the chicken bites, but did not like the dip at all.

I wasn't so keen on the garlic & herb crumb flavour but the bites were OK. I enjoyed the leftover dip with some crisps later in the evening.

So a mixed result. I'm not sure I would buy this packet again, but I'm looking forward to trying the others out.

2.5/5 - convenient and tasty product but not a success as a 'meal' for us.

I didn't take a picture - it didn't look that photogenic.

[Pascha]

I cooked the Garlic and Herb bites with cheese & chive dip last night.

Tada!

[Pascha]

Garlic and Herb chicken with Cheese & Chive dip:

The chicken tasted very nice, if a little bland, but the cheesy dip was a bit bleurgh, possibly because we used soya yoghurt (dairy intolerances) instead of natural yoghurt. Nobody ate much of that and the mayonnaise came out instead.
Both parts of the packet were very simple to use and DS1 (2.9) had great fun dipping the egg coated chicken in the breadcrumb mix. The recipe mix did make dinnertime easier, anything which speeds up preparation time during end-of-day witching hour has to be a bonus.
Flavourwise, I can see myself buying this again, although the dip would never get used, so maybe not. I would be more likely to keep a jar of the chicken seasoning in the cupboard than buy a packet of this.
Overall I would say we liked the chicken, DH gave it 6.5-7/10, DS1 gave it a cheeky grin and at at least a bite and a half which is really good for him. I would give it 3.5/5, mainly because no-one liked the dip.

[RachelHRD]

Marking my spot as mine arrived today!!

[Pascha]

Also, the breadcrumb mix was just enough for the stated 375g chicken but, actually, if I were feeding 2 adults and 2 hungry children, rather than 2 adults and 1 picky toddler, it wouldn't be enough.

[CrackedNipplesSuchFun]

Mine arrived yesterday so marking place.

We're starting Sunday with the roast chicken one as well

[Moodykat]

Marking my place with the rest of you! Probably starting tomorrow with the roast chicken

[TheKnackeredChef]

The first pack we tried was the chicken pasta. I followed the alternative recipe suggestion and used tuna & sweetcorn rather than the chicken.

It was fairly easy to do, although I wouldn't say it made making a pasta bake any easier - I'd normally do a pasta bake by just chucking over a jar of Dolmio and water so it's hardly a strenuous activity.

I somehow managed to mix up the packets so I ended up adding the breadcrumb topping to the pasta, but it was still OK once I'd added the sauce mix as well. Still, the flavour was very nice, if a little artificial, but I rather like that!

The kids enjoyed it - they and their friend all gave it 5 out of 5. I'd say overall we all liked it, but it's not really something I'd rush out and buy again, mainly because it's not something I would struggle to make without the aid of a packet mix.

[Firewall]

This is the Mediterranean chicken pasta + crispy crumb topping

I would rate this 3.5/5

We enjoyed this, DS ate his portion but no more. The sauce is not as red as in the picture on the packet. It came out a sort of orange colour. It has a slight spice to it but DS didn't mind, he liked the crumb coating. The crumb coating didn't go golden like in the diagram on the front of the pack though.

It's very easy and quick to make.

I used the alternative suggestion that was on the back of the pack, it gave a suggestion that you can use tuna and sweet corn instead of the chicken. (Which is great as you can use it as a last minute meal with things that you have in your cupboard!) I kept the peppers in though. I followed the instructions exactly. They were very easy.

Yes, much easier. This particular mix was a lifesaver this week as I had to make a last minute meal v quickly and this was quick and I could use ingredients I already had.

I like the packs, but I'm not sure I'd buy this pasta one for the rrp, as I think it's a bit dear for what it is as you still have to put a can of tomatoes in for the sauce, whereas in the shops there are many branded jars of pasta sauce for £1, where you don't need to add a can of chopped tomatoes unless you are making a large batch. So really, you are paying over the odds for the crumb coating that is nice, but not worth the cost.

I think I liked this 2in1 mix. Would buy again but only if it was on offer.

[aristocat]

I am making the chicken/pasta/crispy crumb tonight so will report back later ...

[fuzzpig]

My sachets haven't arrived yet :(

[JulesJules]

Marking my place, my sachets have arrived!

[lissieloo]

hello, I have chicken marinading in the tikka mix as we speak, it smells lovely!

[babybythesea]

We (DH, DD, age 4, and me) had the chicken and pasta bake last night. We all enjoyed it - the topping was a nice addition and the mix made the sauce quite tasty. DD enjoyed it which is great as she is going through a phase of being suspicious of new food. There was enough left for DH to take to work for lunch - always a good bonus.
It's the sort of meal that you can play around with - mushrooms would work well I think! And there's nothing that we'd need to buy specially for it (we usually have chicken breasts in the freezer, and almost always have peppers and mushrooms in the fridge and sweetcorn in the cupboard) so it will be a good 'store cupboard standby' for us I think.

[Tee2072]

Marking place as I'll be doing one forthwith!

[ouryve]

We're off shopping, tomorrow. Going to invest in a whole chicken and some spuds for roasties and will do the pasta bake, midweek with tuna and sweetcorn, since tuna pasta often features in our week's line up, anyhow.

[Sparklingbrook]

I'm sure ages ago we had Tuna Pasta Bake and you had to crush plain crisps on the top.