U.S. seafood supplier Aqua Star is rolling out a line of microwavable, steam-in-container seafood meals.
The Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based supplier’s MicroSteam Seafood Meals, each containing less than 500 calories, utilize an innovative technology that locks in the steam so that “each meal is perfectly cooked from frozen in just six minutes,” Aqua Star said in a press release.
Each meal – including some certified gluten-free options – contains a healthy protein and sides in a ready-to-use, recyclable container, for easy cleanup. The meals are already rolling out to some stores, Aqua Star confirmed.
“We know people are really busy these days, and there are some days that they don’t have time to do any cooking at all, but still want a delicious meal. Our MicroSteam Meals do the work for them, providing a nutritious and savory on-the-go lunch or a quick dinner, and let the consumer worry about one less thing in their chaotic lives,” Aqua Star President and CEO Dirk Leuenberger told SeafoodSource.
Consumers have a lot of fear and hesitation around preparing seafood, Leuenberger added.
“Many people view it as a delicacy, or something that should only be ordered at a restaurant. In actuality, anyone can make seafood in the comfort of their own home. We essentially want to establish confidence in all consumers that they too can eat easy, delicious, and healthy seafood,” he said.
The five flavors of MicroSteam Meals include: BBQ Sriracha Wild Salmon with Broccoli, Brown Rice, Red Quinoa, Bacon, and Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce; Lemon Herb Wild Cod with Green Beans, Roasted Seasoned Potatoes, and Lemon Herb Butter; Roasted Garlic Salmon with Green Beans, Yellow Carrots, and Roasted Herb Butter; Cajun-Style Tilapia with Creamy Cheddar Cheese Pasta Shells; and White Wine Shrimp with Mafalda Pasta, Broccoli, White Wine, Butter, and Parmesan Cheese.
The meals are vacuum skin-packed for optimum freshness in “Go-Green” environmentally-friendly trays, which are produced using reduced energy and material, according to the supplier.
“Aqua Star’s MicroSteam Seafood Meals help reduce food waste and lower carbon emissions as compared to fresh meal options,” Aqua Star said.
This fall, Aqua Star also rolled out Contessa Cutting Board Meal Kits, a line of 10 meal kits featuring seafood and other proteins. They are sold in grocery chains such as Kroger, Ahold, Safeway, Giant Eagle, and Aldi.
“There is a good percentage of consumers who want to be involved in the cooking process, but don’t want to spend a lot of time shopping for ingredients or doing a bunch of prep work, and we designed our Cutting Board meal kits for them. They give people the assistance they need and allow them the pleasure of cooking a meal for themselves,” Leuenberger said.
The move to launch the MicroSteam Seafood Meals comes two months after Aqua Star introduced Contessa Cutting Board kits, a line of frozen meal kits. The kits are now being sold at grocery chains including Kroger, Ahold, Safeway, Giant Eagle, and Aldi, and will be available online later this year.
Photo courtesy of Aqua Star
