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Let's see what's on the menu today... Alright, Menu 23 Chicken Pesto Pasta! Let's open this little bundle of goodies. Well, at least I know I'm getting some Patriotic Sugar Cookies! Let's lay all this out: Nice! M'kay, let's heat up the main and plate everything else. I'm gonna save the accessory packet. I've had Coffee Instant Type III before, so I'll review it some other time. Okay, who in the name of sanity thought it was okay to put a beverage powder in a packet this large? It's excessive! I've had the lemon-lime beverage before and it came in a smaller packet. There's no excuse to waste this much packaging on a beverage. It is very orange. Let's set this aside for now. Here's everything all laid out onto a plate. Time to start with the main. The pesto seems almost brown. Not sure if it was off or if it just comes like that, but at least the sauce is flavorful. The chicken tastes fine, and the noodles are just sort of there. They're not particularly flavorful but they do add a nice texture. Now for the Italian-style breadsticks. I do like how they had garlic and onion in the bread so that they didn't just taste like regular MRE snack bread. The cheese spread is, of course, liquid gold, but I would've preferred jalapeno cheese spread. It always beats out the regular kind. The orange drink tastes vaguely of orange. It said to add 12 ounces of water but I think that was too much. It definitely should've been stronger than that. Dessert time! Time to try the Patriotic Sugar Cookies and the apple turnover. The shapes are cute and they taste like Keebler sugar cookies. They're very good. It's just a shame that rattling around in the packaging has broken most of them apart. The only ones I could make out were the torch, the American flag, and Uncle Sam's hat. Now for the apple turnover. Maybe I should've stuck it in the FRH to heat it up too, but I didn't think about it.

The turnover tastes like artificial apple. The rest of the bread tastes like the cinnamon raisin swirl bread you can get at the grocery store, but the fake apple taste just brings the overall taste down. Meh, I'll still finish it. All in all, it was a pretty filling meal. I dunno why, but I've never had much luck with FRHs keeping the main very hot. I seem to have a problem where even if I keep it in the FRH for like 15 minutes, there's still cold spots in the main. Maybe I'll boil the bag next time.

Overall? Pretty good. If I was keeping score, I'd say 3 out of 5.

Nice review! The pesto definitely looks weird, it's supposed to he light green, but I guess as long as it's enjoyable it's doing its job!

Yes, agreed great review! However that pesto and apple turn over looks sad! Hey as long as you ate it all, the military considers that a success! Even with the brown pesto I totally agree that the beverage bases IMO only need about 1/2-2/3 what it calls for if you want any sort of real flavor.

... I've still yet to try those Italian breads but they sure look like that White Wheat Snack Bread that I'm not a fan of. Doughy, Flour, Overly Chewy situation.

Great to see another Oklahomie in here!

Great review! Ive had that menu a few times and the basil really smacks you in the face. Most people seem to like the breadsticks, but honestly they are not my favorite. Dessert was the best part...i love herbs/spices but i found this menu herb overpowered, which is probably a good thing for our boys that have to eat these things...not by choice

Edit, i had no green pesto in any