Heat & Serve: Frozen Can Save Your Day

November 29, 11:47 AMNY Ethnic Food ExaminerAimée Kligman

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  Walmart's Innovasion has some winners

There is absolutely no rule that says you can't buy fabulous frozen ethnic food and add it to your table wthout having to reveal its origins. You can find so much more now in local supermarkets in New York, as well as the large box stores like Costco and Walmart. (If anyone can tell me what the deal is with the "Emergency Food Kit", I'd love to know.  It sounds like we're expecting nuclear fallout).

Two days ago, I was reminded of how fabulous an idea this was, when our hostess served us hors d'oeuvres that would have taken hours to make; she simply declared they came from Costco. One of my favorite places for these delights is Trader Joe's that has finally come into Queens. But it's a schlep.

In the refrigerated section, you'll also find goodies like babaghanoush, hummus, taramasalata which you can serve with pita chips or your favorite cracker without having to make them yourself. Sabra comes closest to homemade, although I always find that I have to add more olive oil and lemon, especially to the babaghanoush.

Do you also know that if you are either extremely busy, or loathe to stand on line in a supermarket, that these foods can be delivered to your door? I have been shopping on line for the last 15 years or so, ever since Peapod started making deliveries. Some of the items you can get: Amy's Burritos, TGIF's Quesadilla Rolls, and Lean Cuisine's new Paninis, which I've tried and loved. If you want suggestions, just type "ethnic" in their search box, and about 35 categories pop up! How about Mongolian Beef with rice? If you are having a dozen people for dinner, 4 of these frozen bags will do you!!

If you're leaning toward Italian, Bertolli has five ready made dishes that are pain free, and very quick to prepare: Chicken Parmigiana with penne pasta, Mediterranean Style Rigatoni Pasta Dinner Chicken & Broccoli, Mediterranean Style Penne Pasta Dinner Garlic Shrimp & Tomatoes, Mediterranean Style Linguine Pasta Dinner Rosemary Chicken Tomato and Mediterranean Style Penne Pasta Dinner Shrimp & Primavera. Each bag serves 2.

Not to be outdone by Stop & Shop (the Peapod people), Waldbaum's also delivers. They have recently revamped their stores to make them look like gourmet heaven. Belgium has a couple of great desserts to offer: Delizza Patisserie Belgian Mini Cream Puffs and Delizza Patisserie Belgian Mini Eclairs. Just let them defrost. You can also now get shelled edamame (soy beans)in the frozen section. Once you start, you can't stop eating those things.

What are you waiting for?

nb: Peapod and Waldbaums do not deliver all over the 5 boroughs. Make sure you enter your zip code before you shop. You can shop on line, and pick up your order yourself, which saves you time.