Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Folks,

So, about twice a year, I buy an Alexa frozen potato product of some kind. Generally this is because it's the only brand of frozen potato stuff our local grocer carries, and 6 months is about long enough for us to forget how awful the last bag was.

So far, we've tried their regular fries, sweet potato fries, sweet potato waffle fries, and potato puffs. They all share the same characteristics:

• greasy
• bland
• soggy
• disappointing

... which is downright dumb since Ore-Ida seems to be able to make frozen potato products work.

So, is there something we're missing here? Or does Alexa stay in business by spending more on advertising than they do on their potatoes?

Sorry to hear about your disappointments with Alexa. I've never heard of and haven't seen the Alexa brand here in the NE so sorry, can't comment on this. I guess it's mostly a West Coast brand?

*Edit: answered my own question - they're available at Duane Reade drugstores (yuk) and a few Whole Foods here in NYC.

I've only bought Alexa once and had the same reaction as you. Now I buy Ore-Ida exclusively.
But, speaking of frozen products that don't suck, I've found some really great frozen rolls recently. . These are really excellent!

I think that's the brand we get at Costco, the sweet potato fries at least. Regular fries are a Canadian brand (McCains). We don't mind the SPF at all, they bake up crisp. We can get more burnt ones than I'd like, but I think that's par for the course due to the sugar content and thinness of the fries. And due to the attentiveness of the cook.

I miss Ore-Ida. Not available in Canada.

OK... This is probably naive since I don't cook for a family, but why would anyone on this board buy a frozen potato product? I can't imagine any of them being good

I get a hankering for sweet potato fries now and again, as well as tots. I have made them from scratch, but it's kind of a PITA to satisfy an immediate craving.

Ilene ... Do you make your own tater tots? I mean, really?

Can't get sweet potato fries but I can get frozen potatoes duchess (little fried mashed potato puffs) and rösti cups (frozen potato and container). I don't buy them that often but sometimes it is nice to have something fast and easy to round out a meal. They also tend to be much better than other ready products.

Mary

I like the spicy SPF from Alexia. I don't know if they are actually better, or if I just like the seasoning. I do not like the regular at all. I have made my own tots, but I wouldn't do it often.

I think I bought frozen fries once. I'm surprised so many of you are knowledgable in the ways of frozen prepared potato products! I guess our approach to easy starch is rice, so it doesn't occur to use frozen stuff. If we really want potatoes and want relatively minimum fuss, I microwave some wedges (i.e. ones freshly cut from potatoes) and then pan fry them. Lately I've been taking the wedges, tossing in oil, S&P (and maybe a little herb) and grilling them, which works nicely.

Now mind you, i've never cooked for kids outside of our toddler, who prefers peas, spinach and kale to most things (except bread....).