Sunday, April 19, 2009

Avoid Ventera Ranch Linguine and Clams

Today Coscto had a new item in the refrigerated section so we picked it up to give it a try. Historically, we've been big fans of Costco's ready to eat meals. We particularly like the Harris pot roast. Well today, we found a real stinker that's not up to Costco's usual standards.

The linguine and clams in a saffron wine sauce with fresh linguine noodles is a definite no go. It doesn't even smell good. I took one bite and realized this wasn't going to work. My wife didn't even get that far. I'm not a picky eater and I like clams, but this concoction from Ventera Ranch is one to avoid. The 32-ounce serving is priced at $9.99.

Recently, we bought the Reser's ready to eat mashed potatoes. They were equally disappointing though. Way too salty. I've noticed that Costco is no longer carrying them.

One of the reasons I love Costco is that they bend over backwards to please the customer. I intend to return the box this item came in for a refund. On our trip today, I took back a bottle of Pendulum wine that was clearly corked. That's the first time I've experienced a corked bottle from Costco. No arguments, no questions, just a refund and I didn't even have a receipt.

We'll see how they react to the linguine and clams tomorrow.

7 comments:

  1. Ventera Ranch's chicken parmesan was equally disgusting. I emailed the company to let them know how horribly disappointed I was with their product! Shame on Costco for stocking this garbage!

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  2. I totally agree with above. This was the most disgusting chicken Parm I've ever had. Bought it at Costco and was very excited. It was horrible. We spent more than $12 on it for 2 of us and ended up throwing it out. Horrible. Can't believe it's sold at Costco!

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  3. I totally agree with above. This was the most disgusting chicken Parm I've ever had. Bought it at Costco and was very excited. It was horrible. We spent more than $12 on it for 2 of us and ended up throwing it out. Horrible. Can't believe it's sold at Costco!

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  4. Just purchased the Ventera Chateaubriand, what a mistake. Thought it would be great for New Year's eve. It's absolutely disgusting, shame on Costco. I'm out $36, it's in the garbage. I couldn't make myself eat it, and I love beef.

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    1. If one is in hurry it probably comes out as bad as you decribed.
      I purchased the Chateaubriand a few days ago, Nov 2018, at Costco for an experiment.
      Expensive yes but my way of preparing and "cooking" it made a differnce.

      The pic on the box showed the meat in slices.
      For me I was glad that it was in one piece.

      This way I could determine the thickness, just a about 3/4 inches and that the direction for the cut was correct.

      Since I like it rare I made sure that the sauce was ready and the serving plate warm.
      Also I had a shot glass ready with the juice of the platic bag the meat came in. I added only a little unsalted real butter.
      I used a Gas stove on med to high heat for a few seconds in a non stick ceramic pan.
      The result was perfect - super tender.
      Even the fat was melting in my mouth.
      The only objection and concern I had was that they used soy and other ingredients I would not use.
      The Hollondaise sauce was ok. Normally I make my own, actally I try to cook, bake every from scratch and chose the ingredients carefully. Preferably knowing the farm etc.



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    2. I absolutely enjoyed it . I really had no high expectations I figured it’s frozen meat in a box (I froze it ) how good could that be. I was learning to cook for just myself Now that my daughter Moved out and I lost my husband two years ago. I love red meat and it looked easy enough to cook... the night I had it I was salivating and licking my fingers and the dish it came in it was surprisingly fantastic all the right flavors melted in my mouth it just was that good I ate the entire meal in one sitting. I took a picture of the box and I sent it to my friends and said you got to try this meat from a box .
      It’s been a while I’ve only had it one time and I’ve been craving it ever since which is how I came across this website and felt like I needed to say something because I loved it ! And I’m on the hunt to try and buy it again

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  5. We had the Chateaubriand to night. it was so tender and delicious. We definitely will buy it again.

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