Affordable Eats: Which N.J. grocery store has better prepared meals?

For the Affordable Eats, for the next two weeks, I’m hitting grocery stores and sampling their prepared meals. You know, those ready-to-eat foods where all you have to do is open the package, heat, then devour.

This week, I’m comparing the two biggest grocery stores in New Jersey: ShopRite and Stop & Shop. Next week, I’ll compare Whole Foods to Trader Joe’s. That way, I’m comparing apples to apples, according to a friend who added, “Pun intended!”

One key stipulation: I must spend the same amount of money. I spent ($38.54) at ShopRite and ($40.85) at Stop & Shop. That’s about as close as I could get it.

Here goes the taste test.

At ShopRite, I was surprised by the variety of prepared meals. I purchased salmon with herb risotto ($11.99), Cajun shrimp with rice ($8.99), broccoli and cheese quiche ($11.99), and for dessert, I got some European candy bars. (Why not go fancy, right?!)

This was enough food for five to six meals! The portions were huge, and I was eager to sample the flavors.

I started with the quiche, and I was delightfully surprised. It was flavorful and well-seasoned. The quiche part had a nice creaminess and texture, and the crust had crispy edges. I moved on to the salmon with risotto, and it was decent. I had to add some parmesan cheese and my favorite on salmon, mango chutney, to make it more delectable.

Then I tried the Cajun shrimp with rice, and this one was a letdown. I think they completely forgot to season it, and the rice was on the crunchy side. Thankfully, the European candy made up for the bland taste.

Now it was time for Stop & Shop. I went in a different direction here, but not entirely. I still have a quiche ($7.99), so I could do an apples-to-apples comparison. Again, pun intended. But instead of seafood, I got three salads, including a tuna ($5.49), a pasta and feta ($6.79), and a chickpea ($6.79). For dessert, I went for the tiniest cherry pie I’ve ever seen! ($1.49). When I say tiny, this pie was basically three bites.

The quiche was delicious. It was a smaller portion than the one from ShopRite but a good bit tastier. The pasta with feta salad was decadent, with al dente pasta, tangy feta and creamy spinach. The chickpea salad was also yummy, with a variety of crispy veggies, but the chickpeas could have been cooked a tad longer. The tuna salad was solid with sufficient seasonings.

And that tiny cherry pie? It was average. Although, it was so tiny and darn cute!

And the winner is . . . Drumroll, please!

ShopRite gets a seven out of 10, and Stop & Shop gets a nine out of 10. The seasonings made all the difference. Stop & Shop also gets a nod for the cuteness of that tiny cherry pie!

Come back next week for the battle between Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Any prepared-meal recommendations from either place?

Until then, happy eating!

Stories by Karim Shamsi-Basha

• Affordable Eats: You won’t believe what I found at this N.J grocery store!
• Seriously, Karim! My dad jokes might tickle your funny bone, guaranteed!
• What fatherhood taught me about life, love, and footsie pajamas

Karim Shamsi-Basha may be reached at kshamsi-basha@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter & Instagram.

Follow Mosaic on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom.