Tasty Bite Madras Lentils

Tasty Bite Madras Lentils
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

The world of soup is a varied one and anyone who is interested in finding a simple soup that doesn't have some wheat in it is going to be sorely disappointed when they search through shelf upon shelf at their local grocery store only to realize that soup simply isn't made without wheat on a regular basis. And it doesn't seem to matter what sort of consistency a soup might be, either, as everything from runny chicken noodle soup to a heartier sort of concoction is going to have wheat somewhere in it.

Food makers and manufacturers still haven't grasped the idea that soup doesn't necessarily need wheat as a thickener to create a specific sort of consistency with the meal. But until more soups start to be offered in gluten-free forms, there will be very few soups from which to choose for the average individual who has an allergy.

Tasty Bite Madras Lentils
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

One such available soup is that of Tasty Bite Madras Lentils, which is described on the bag (yes, it's a bagged soup) as "lentils, red beans and spices in a creamy tomato sauce." And this is pretty accurate as the soup is fairly simple in its composition, but still has a pleasing soup-like consistency. It's worth pointing out though that the soup is actually a fine candidate for a type of dip as it can be fairly thick.

One of the nice elements of this particular soup is its presentation in a bag. All that is required for the cooking of the soup is that a portion be snipped off the top of the bag and that it's placed in the microwave for about ninety seconds. Then all that's needed is a bowl and a spoon. And with the fact that the bag can be tossed in the trash, the cleanup for this meal is next to nothing.

As for the taste of "Tasty Bite," the soup will probably not be something that you dream about every night, wondering when you'll be able to get another bag of Tasty Bite, but it does offer a nice, visceral experience as far as eating soup is concerned. The beans and lentils and other ingredients also offer a nice dose of healthy vitamins and minerals as well (beans are just cool like that), so it can be part of a healthy diet.

Tasty Bite Madras Lentils
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

Tasty Bite Madras Lentils Report Card:


What is Good:

This soup is really easy to make and only needs a few minutes in the microwave and doesn't even have to be taken out of the bag. For anyone who wants a hot lunch and doesn't have a lot of time, this soup fits the bill. And given the rarity of soups in gluten-free form, it can be a treat as well.


What Could Improve:

It is highly recommended that this soup be accompanied by another element such as some cheese, perhaps a few tortilla chips or something that can turn the soup into a type of dip. It's pretty thick and would serve nicely as an interesting dip option at a party in addition to its general suitability as a quickly made soup.