Reese's Candy. Peanut Butter and Banana Creme Cup, and Crispy Crunchy Bar. 65 to 85 cents per 1.7-ounce bar or 1.4-ounce package of two cups.
Bonnie: Reese's is now offering two new blends of peanut butter and chocolate. One is the traditional chocolate peanut butter cup with an added layer of what Reese's calls banana creme. Not being a banana lover, I didn't like it. But I do like the flavor and texture of the other new Reese's candy that's not a "cup" — the Crispy Crunch Bar tastes similar to a Butterfinger.
Since it's my job to talk nutrients, even when discussing a candy bar, I will do so. Comparing an original Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, a Nestle Butterfinger and these two new Reeses bar-to-bar (rather than ounce-to-ounce), the new Peanut Butter and Banana Creme contains the fewest calories and fat, with only 200 calories and 11 grams of total fat, of which 6 grams are saturated. But that's just because it's the smallest.
Carolyn: There's nothing on the wrapper explaining Elvis' presence on the new Peanut Butter and Banana Creme Reese's, so I will: This week marks the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, and the King's favorite snack was a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich. Elvis ate this sandwich throughout his life and exclusively for one 17-week period when he was a boy, explains David Adler in his wonderful book "The Life and Cuisine of Elvis Presley." From this book, you get the feeling that Elvis was as much a king of junk food as he was of music. Still, there was no chocolate in the King's PB&B sandwich, as there is in this Reese's cup homage. The chocolate ups the indulgence and goes well with the banana — which will not be news to anyone who has had the pleasure of eating a chocolate-dipped frozen banana.
Reese's other new offering is a cross between an Oh Henry!, a Nestle Crunch and a regular Reese's, with its big pieces of peanuts, crispy rice and chocolate-covered peanut butter. Though tasty, Reese's Crispy Crunchy Bar doesn't have the universal appeal or staying power of Elvis. In fact, if the King were still alive (and some say he is!), I doubt the Crispy Crunchy Bar would have made it onto the tray of assorted candy that Adler says Elvis always had close by whenever he watched a movie.
Kraft Bistro Deluxe Pasta and Cheese. Sundried Tomato Parmesan, Creamy Portobello Mushroom, Classic Cheddar, and Three Cheese Italiano. $2.89 per 10-ounce pouch.
Bonnie: Kraft is going upscale — or at least trying to — with its new macaroni and cheese, Bistro Deluxe Pasta and Cheese. These grown-up versions of the traditional cardboard blue box are packed in shiny pouches and contain such sophisticated ingredients as portobello mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, Asiago cheese and part whole-wheat noodles.
There's enough whole wheat in the pasta to provide a little fiber (3 grams) and a half serving of whole grains. And these contain a cheese-sauce pouch instead of the Day-Glo colored cheese powder, meaning there's no need to add butter and milk. A serving of either contains about 80 fewer calories, 3 fewer grams of fat and a smidgeon more sodium than the blue box.
Kraft's press kit came with interesting wine-pairing advice for each variety, presumably to add to its upscale aura. But after trying these, I'd recommend Two Buck Chuck.
Carolyn: Most people stop eating mac and cheese as soon as the last kid leaves home. Bistro Deluxe is Kraft's attempt to win back boomers (and their elders) with something slightly more gourmet and convenient and much more expensive.
The Bistro Deluxe name and the gold-and-silver packaging scream quality. But the Classic Cheddar and Three Cheese Italiano seemed only marginally richer than regular ol' Kraft Mac & Cheese. The ease of merely having to squeeze out the premade cheese sauce is mitigated, in the case of the Creamy Portobello Mushroom and Sundried Tomato Parmesan, by the extra step of having to add the dried mushrooms and tomato. And the sauces cool the hot pasta to the point that all four also need a last-minute microwave zap.
The Sundried Tomato Parmesan comes the closest to something from a gourmet bistro, although it's probably even closer to frozen Bertolli Complete Skillet Meal for Two.
Simply Premium Juices. Apple, and Grapefruit. $2.49 per 59-ounce carafe.
Bonnie: These new Simply juices from Minute Maid are 100 percent natural and not-from-concentrate. I like that. The apple tastes more like cider than the watery clear apple juice sold in most bottles; the pulp-free grapefruit is pleasantly not tart, but also not too sweet. The grapefruit provides lots more vitamins and minerals than the apple and has fewer calories.
I recommend either one, mixed half-and-half with seltzer or club soda to cut down on the sugar calories. (Natural fruit sugars are still sugar.) Or better yet, enjoy an apple or grapefruit, which have lots more phytonutrients, making them even better for you.
Carolyn: The "Simply" carafe treatment of not-from-concentrate juice made a lot more sense with orange juice, as in this juice line's 2003 national debut. Not-from-concentrate orange juice tastes a lot better than from-concentrate and, when sold in a carafe and looking fresh-squeezed, tastes better still.
Apple juice is another story. For one thing, fresh apple juice isn't traditionally served in carafes. And Simply Apple juice is thick like cider but doesn't taste any better than cheaper, shelf-stable "natural" apple juice brands like Apple & Eve.
Simply has taken a Three Bears semi-sweet, semi-tart approach to grapefruit juice instead of the extra-pulp Grovestand or Ruby Red extra-sweet one. Both of these competitors taste more like fresh-squeezed, though there's no denying the attractiveness of these carafes.
Bonnie Tandy Leblang is a registered dietitian and professional speaker. Carolyn Wyman is a junk-food fanatic and author of "Better Than Homemade: Amazing Foods That Changed the Way We Eat" (Quirk). Each week they critique three new food items. For previous columns, visit www.supermarketsampler.com, and for more food info and chances to win free products, visit www.biteofthebest.com. © Universal Press Syndicate