Food makers worried how to present their products in Depression-America ...

Food makers gear marketing to tough times

Not to worry. Their customer's health will be no more an issue in bad times than they were it good times. Chemicals will continue to fill the bill.

[Sara Lee Corp] is emphasizing the value of its Jimmy Dean Skillet product, Barnes said, noting that a consumer just has to add eggs and can feed a family of five a hearty breakfast for about $5.00.

Just what heartiness will you find in one of Jimmy Dean Skillet meals (other than the eggs you add yourself? Here's the list of ingredients as listed on the package:

POTATO CUBES (POTATOES, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL [SOYBEAN AND/OR COTTONSEED OILS] AND/OR VEGETABLE OIL [CANOLA, SOYBEAN AND/OR SUNFLOWER OILS], MALTODEXTRIN, SALT, DEXTROSE, TETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE AND DISODIUM DIHYDROGEN PYROPHOSPHATE [TO MAINTAIN NATURAL COLOR]), COOKED CHORIZO SAUSAGE (PORK, SEASONING [CHILI PEPPER, SUGAR, PAPRIKA, SPICES, NATURAL FLAVORINGS, DEXTROSE, BHT], SALT, WATER, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, VINEGAR), SWEET CORN, BLACK BEANS, RED BELL PEPPERS, PASTEURIZED PROCESSED MONTEREY JACK CHEESE WITH CHIPOTLE CHILI PEPPERS AND NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR (MONTEREY JACK CHEESE [CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES], CREAM, ANTI-CAKING BLEND [POTATO STARCH, CELLULOSE, NATAMYACIN {NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR}], SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF CHIPOTLE CHILI PEPPER, SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, SORBIC ACID [PRESERVATIVE]), ONION, GREEN BELL PEPPERS.

Potato cubes with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Don't you just luv the fact that these 'food' makers don't even know what kind of oil they are going to use: could be soybean or perhaps cottonseed. Then they leave the option that they may not use just partially hydrogenated oil. They may combine it with non partially hydrogenated oil (how sweet of them). You realize these makers of 'food' know that partially hydrogenated oil is harmful. Well not to worry, a country that has transferred all the wealth to a very few can't complain about what's left, poisonous food not with standing.

Silly idea, but how about just buying a couple potatoes, some olive oil or canola oil to go along with those eggs. Dice and saute them yourself. Maybe a little bit of sausage for flavor. Garlic perhaps. Yum.

Then you could skip the following:

MALTODEXTRIN, SALT, DEXTROSE, TETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE AND DISODIUM DIHYDROGEN PYROPHOSPHATE [TO MAINTAIN NATURAL COLOR])

and

SUGAR, PAPRIKA, SPICES, NATURAL FLAVORINGS, DEXTROSE, BHT], SALT, WATER, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, VINEGAR),

Corn and or black beans would be nice, but a little broccoli might be better. Cheese, too if it appeals to you. But why use this processed gunk. A little grated cheddar, Monterey jack, longhorn cheddar, swiss, gouda, whatever sprinkled on the top of the dish would be nice. That way you can skip the

ANTI-CAKING BLEND [POTATO STARCH, CELLULOSE, NATAMYACIN {NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR}],
and
SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF CHIPOTLE CHILI PEPPER, SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, SORBIC ACID [PRESERVATIVE]),

Such a meal would taste very good with much less salt than the 670mg per recommended serving (four servings per packages). Adding your own fresh green pepper and/or onion if you wish, and whatever spices you prefer. I would use turmeric on the potatoes, no pepper but generous use of anaheim chili peppers (that is before I quit eating chili peppers and tomatoes because of arthritis).

I see no reason to add cream to this dish. I think if it needed more filling power I would use another potato and a little more broccoli instead of the cream.