My Whole Foods offers many prepared options containing beans. Said beans are most always

C

charlie

Well-known member
not fully cooked.

I know that the trend is to barely cook items these days be they vegetables, grains, etc; but I'm sorry, IMHO there should be no such thing as an al dente bean.

I was wondering if these undercooked beans were the norm at WF or just a miscalculation of the cook underperforming in our local establishment.

 
It's the cook. They're trying to keep them whole and pretty. I had a breakfast taco this morning

with still crunchy raw potato in it. Ick!

 
Ugh - raw potato. Horrible. Sounds like a clueless/careless cook is the culprit here. I remember

several years ago, I was at a salad bar, "Sweet Tomatoes," in FL, and their baked potatoes were half raw. I complained, and they just gave me a "Duh" look - they were simply dumb - no clue whatsoever.

 
That is horrible! Another thing--I always have to adjust the seasoning on their salads. OK I get

that it's healthier to cut down on the salt,mayo, etc.; but there is a limit. The food has to taste good.

I have it on good authority by people who have been in WF's kitchens find that some of the product and procedures are not up to their supposed standards.

We regularly shop at WF and find most of their products superior to most other markets, but condisdering their price range, they should be delivering better prepared foods.

I'm also finding that the management, or lack of it, needs to be upgraded. We now have two stores nearby, and I find the problem exists in both.

 
I've always avoided Whole Food's prepared foods - they're usually too bland or

overcooked, or undercooked, etc. I had an acquaintance who was going to culinary school, and was trying to improve their prepared foods - she had great ideas, but they wouldn't listen. She was so frustrated that she ended up going back to the cheese and chocolate section, which is where she had started. At least they can't ruin those two items!

 
I always thought some of this was just elementary and should be easy

However my son, who's been working a fast food taco place for the last six months has been enlightening me.

Their beans are the simplest thing they make. Per his words, you open a bag of beans, a packet of seasoning, add water and cook. This simple equation has proved the undoing of many. Some add two packets of beans. Some don't add enough water (fill to here ---- is not an easy thing) or they don't add seasoning.

Even in my early cooking days, I think I could have done it...

 
I like the cheese dept. Our store had a great wine manager who left for greener

pastures and was never really replaced. The meats are generally good-except anything stuffed--much too salty and artificial tasting. I detect that they are using a lot of bases.

I was shocked last Christmas when the standing rib roast we ordered was graded "Select". Select at those prices!

 
I can understand a mistake now and then, but this undercooking is the norm and must be

a company mandate. That is the question. Are you all finding this to be the case.

 
I agree with the bland/underseasoned part. I have almost stopped purchasing anything

in their prepared food because although it is usually beautiful I get it home & find it unappealing. One exception (of course they never have it anymore) was their ancho chile steak with cilantro pesto. It rocked! Some of the desserts are pretty good too.

 
I know. Pretty gross huh? I can't help it-I'm addicted to Taco Cabana breakfast tacos.

Does this go on the "guilty pleasures" list?

 
Yes, Melissa, we like most the desserts and the fact that use butter and other real

ingredients in them instead of Hydrogenated fats and cornstarch thickened fruit fillings. The prices certainly reflect the quality.

I have also noticed the disappearance of brands, even organic ones, with WF labled goods. Those goods might be fine, but give me a choice.

AND don't get me used to a product, then make it disappear for ever.

 
Thank goodness..I just thought it was my lack of taste buds. I've only found

one prepared deli item that was seasoned to my taste and that was sesame steak (not sure if it was flank steak or london broil.) Because it's been marinated in soy or tamari. You could marinate a CD cover in soy sauce and I'd eat it up.

At $14.99/pound, I asked for 4 oz to dress up a salad for both of us. I'm fairly sure not too many folks buy that little.

 
I was actually lectured by a stock boy when I asked if they had a fat-free

yogurt (WW, I think). This was a few years ago. He told me they don't believe in promoting fads.

I noticed a few weeks ago they have Stonyfield fat-free yogurt. Guess it isn't a fad anymore.

 
Oh dj, please tell me he is working at an Alberto's or Roberto's...

we are dying here for a good carne asada. Not the kind with lime or orange juice and grilled over a grill, but the kind you find through ever drive thru burrito shack in San Diego.
My stepdaughter and I have been trying to duplicate it, but there is still something missing. WE CRAVE IT SO BAD! Any help with this will be very appreciated. Thanks!

 
Okay all of you complaining about undercooked products...

in my "upscale" market, they have 1/4 of their cold case delegated to many flavors of fluff, Yes, cool whip or whipped cream flavored fluffs. What i would give for an under cooked legume salad!

 
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