Contessa expands convenience meals line with shrimp as well as beef and chicken.

Contessa Premium Foods still boasts that it makes "America's favorite shrimp," but in four new additions to its Convenience Meal line it has gone in for beef and chicken as well. The convenience items go from freezer to table in eight to 12 minutes.

"Contessa meals offer an experience," commented John Z. Blazevich, president and ceo of the Los Angeles. California, USA-headquartered company. "The authenticity of the recipes allows you to experience the dishes as if you traveled abroad to the regions in which they originated. And now, with 31 meals to choose from--30 of which are trans fat-free--consumers can enjoy a unique dining experience every day of the month."

Ready to Serve in Minutes

Each of the four new varieties comes complete with all the ingredients to make things easy for the busy home chef, the novice chef or the value-driven consumer looking to create a delicious meal in minutes. Separate sauce packets allow consumers to season them to their taste.

The four new items are as follows:

* Jambalaya, a hearty Cajun classic featuring a variety of slow-cooked premium meats, including shrimp, white meat chicken, well-seasoned andouille sausage and full-flavored ham, along with celery, green bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic and onions over long-grain white rice. It's topped off with an authentic Creole tomato sauce.

* Mongolian Beef, featuring authentic flavors and ingredients including thinly sliced and tender beef, long-grain white rice, scallions, bok choy, onions, garlic and a sweet and savory garlic-soy sauce. The dish is spicy but light, wholesome and fresh.

* Vodka Penne, a savory combination of tender white meat chicken medallions, tomatoes, green peas and penne pasta in a creamy, tomato-based vodka sauce.

* Beef Bolognese is a meat-lover's delight, combining three ground meats--savory beef, sausage and pork--mixed with spaghetti noodles, tomatoes, carrots, onions and garlic in a tangy marinara sauce.