Private Selections Make Your Summer Meals

As a bzzagent I've had the opportunity to try some more of the Private Selections foods.  Private Selections is Kroger's exclusive store brand.

I was sent coupons in order to try the Private Selections Angus Ground Beef, Private Selections Ice Cream and a Private Selections 6 inch apple or cherry pie.  I was also sent a bag of the Private Selections chips in Sea Salt and Black Pepper.  The kit I received is pictured here:

Upon arriving at the store I found that our Dillon's store does not carry the Angus Ground Beef.  I chatted with the meat manager at our largest store and he hadn't heard about it.  He assured me that my coupon doesn't expire until August 1st so to keep checking back.  A few weeks later, no such luck, so let's start by talking about the chips.

My husband and daughter are big pepper fans, I'm not.  I tried the Sea Salt and Black Pepper chips though.  They weren't bad.  The pepper did come in after a few bites.  Hubby and daughter liked them, but felt they were too hard and thick.  Four of my grandkids were over and hungry--they finished off the bag of chips, not saying a word about the pepper.

But......the store has the chips on sale 2 bags for $5 and they put out a coupon to buy 1 bag get 1 free.  How could I resist not trying some of the other chips with such a great deal?  Here is what we bought:

 The Tortilla Thins were eaten by my teenage daughter.  I asked her what she thought.  She replied that they were good, but tasted like they were fried in a different oil.  I checked the bag and it says vegetable oil.  She did like them and finished off the bag in 2 days.  She did let the grandkids have a few tastes.  My 4 yr old granddaughter especially liked them.
But.....let's talk about those Sea Salt Rice and Bean Chips.    Wow!  These are outstanding and so delicious!  Thin and crisp with just the right amount of salt.  
Since buying those 2 bags, I went back to the store and bought 2 more bags of the Beans and Rice Chips in other flavors.   I chose Salsa Picante Rice and Bean Chips and Chipotle Cheese Rice and Bean Chips.   Both just as grand as the Sea Salt ones.
I noticed they had quite a variety in the Private Selections chips, even including cinnamon and sugar chips.   I can't wait to try even more of them.

Now let's move on to the pie and ice cream.   I chose to use my coupon to get the half gallon of the Private Selections Ice Cream.  I bought Crushed Vanilla Bean flavor.   I also chose to get the 6 inch Apple in the Private Selection Pie.

Just look at this photo of a little slice of the pie, warmed up, with the melting ice cream on it!

 It was yummy.  The apples tasted great.  I did think the pie crust was a little too thick for my taste.

Do you have a Kroger store in your area?  If so, I encourage you to try the Private Selections brand.  Lots more food is available on top of the items that I have reviewed.

Disclaimer:  I received a Private Selections campaign kit as a bzz agent (http://www.bzzagent.com)  in order to try the products for this review.  I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions of the products are my own.

Private Selections Appetizer, Pizza, and Dessert--Good Stuff!

As a bzz agent through bzzagent.com, I was thrilled to get the Private Selections campaign.  I've been seeing this brand in my local Dillon's (Kroger) store and had been wanting to try them.

My kit included 3 free coupons--one for an appetizer, one for a pizza, and one for a dessert.
Pictured below are the boxes of the choices we made for our meal.   Also included were 5-$2 coupons to use and/or pass out.

There was a wide variety of appetizers to choose from.  We aren't eggplant or mushroom eaters in this house, and most all of them had one or the other, or both in them.  I chose the Southwestern Style Chicken Trumpets (on sale for $7.29) because they had neither.
The pizza's on are the gourmet side.  My daughter and I enjoy the different types of pizza--my husband doesn't.  I chose the Pepperoni and Roasted Garlic (on sale for $5.49).  The dessert was the hardest to choose---there were so many of them and each and every one of them looked scrumptious.   I chose the Mini Eclairs (on sale for $3.99).


Here is a photo of our table just before we sat down to eat:

 What did we think?  We loved all of it!  The pizza is only intended to serve 2, but I cut it in to 6 pieces giving us each 2.  The Trumpets were meant to serve 3, with 9 in the box, so we each got 3.  The eclairs have 4 servings in the box.  My husband can't have sugar and was surprised to see the sugar content per serving of 5 pieces to only have 10g sugar.  He ate a couple and really enjoyed them.  My daughter also only ate a couple as well.  That left the rest of the box for me!

Would I buy these Private Selections products?  Yes, I would buy more, especially if they are on sale and even better if I also have coupons.  I wouldn't be able to buy them on a regular basis though based on the price.

Good-to-know facts:

• Private Selection® Frozen Appetizers ($3 - $7) Individually handcrafted and filled with unique combinations of high-quality, savory ingredients. Hand-crafted offerings include Mediterranean Inspired Hors D'Oeuvres collection, Southwestern Style Chicken Trumpets, Mushroom Walnut Profiteroles, Spanakopita.
• Private Selection™ Frozen Pizza (Around $5) is set with oval-shaped crust that is baked in an Italian marble oven to create a thin and flaky base for authentic, high-quality ingredients. Mouth-watering offerings include BBQ Chicken, Margherita, Roasted Vegetable and Pepperoni
• Private Selection® Frozen Desserts ($3 - $5) have rich, delicious flavors, making them a divine indulgence. Decadent treats include Blueberry Peach Panna Cotta, Northern Spy Apple Crisp, Pineapple Upside Down Cake and a wide selection of Ice Creams (like Strawberry Harvest, Vanilla Bean and SeaSalt Caramel)

Private Selection® offerings vary amongst the Kroger family of stores. Check out your store's aisles to see which foods and meals are available.
12/10 In-store Sampling Event!
On December 12th Kroger will be hosting an in-store sampling of Private Selection™ Pizza and Ice Cream in select locations. It's already marked down in our calendars!

Also, from now until December 31 when you buy 3 Private Selections appetizers, pizza, or desserts you receive a catalina print out to save $3 off your next shopping trip.

The Kroger Family of Stores spans many states and operate under nearly two dozen banners, all of which share the same belief in building strong local ties and brand loyalty with their customers. They are proud to fly one of these banners in your neighborhood.

Visit kroger.com to learn more about the Private Selection® line of tastefully prepared products.