Do Dinners Differently – Mina and FinerFin

Apr 16, 2023 by Chef David

By Chef David

The thought of planning an exciting dinner after a long day working can be exhausting, especially when you want to give yourself time to unwind. One way to avoid dinner doldrums without spending countless hours in the kitchen is by using meal starters from Mina. These soups and stews add a Mediterranean taste and flare while reducing preparation time. Add FinerFin wild-caught tuna, a meal in a can with different taste combinations from lemon to beans and veggies. Both products are certified kosher by the OU.  Include a grain and a green, and you have a quick well-balanced meal.

Eating Early

Research suggests that mealtime matters, our bodies benefit most from food when it can be fully metabolized. Since we digest food more efficiently earlier in the day it is better to eat dinner a few hours before bedtime. The gap between eating and going to sleep allows your body to digest.

Studies found that eating later can cause you to feel hungrier by suppressing leptin, a hormone that causes you to feel satiated. Eating increases insulin sensitivity, intended to enable the utilization of glucose, but when you go to bed after eating the glucose is stored rather than used. Eating right before bed can cause indigestion, acid reflux, heartburn, and poor sleep. This is why nutritionists recommend eating earlier.

Using prepared meals like Mina Morocco and FinerFin makes it easier to enjoy an earlier dinner.

Meals Made Easy

Mina Morocco introduced four varieties of prepared stews in attractive microwave-friendly boil-in bag packaging. They are designed to heat and serve, providing a distinctively Mediterranean flavor. Mina Meals make a perfect plant-based side or main dish and take minutes to prepare.

They all use Moroccan extra virgin olive oil, a Mina signature ingredient, combined with a base made of garlic, cilantro, parsley, cumin, paprika, ginger, and turmeric.

Each variety has an exotic name, a connection to the traditional dish which was their inspiration. Addis Moroccan Lentil Stew is a fusion of lentils, tomatoes, and onions (90 calories per serving). Hummus Moroccan Chickpea Stew is a blend of chickpeas, onions, and coriander (140 calories per serving). Loubia Moroccan White Bean Stew combines white beans, and tomatoes (80 calories). Harira Moroccan Chickpea and Lentil Soup blends of chickpeas, green lentils, onions, and tomatoes, balanced with cinnamon and black pepper (80 calories per serving).

We were pleasantly surprised that no two tasted alike. We enjoyed the Harira Moroccan Chickpea and Lentil Soup best, which we served over basmati rice.

Health-conscious diners should note the salt content. A ½ cup serving contains 20+% of your Daily Value (DV). On the plus side, they have no added sugar and provide fiber, protein, calcium, iron, and potassium.

Mina stews give your meals a refreshing splash of color and aroma that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The packaging is travel-friendly, which makes it a Lunchable consideration (as long as you have access to a microwave), and eliminates kitchen clean-up.

The Mina Brand

The Mina brand was inspired by the family matriarch, Mina, who grew up in Casablanca, Morocco in the 1950s. She took century-old recipes and her touch, extra virgin olive oil, and garlic. She ended up in New York where she opened a catering business. In 2010 her children created Mina to share her recipes, which include sauces, extra virgin olive oil, and olives.

Mina products can be purchased online or by using their store locator.

Tuna with a Twist

A popular staple, tuna, is a saltwater fish from the mackerel family. Tuna is a rich source of protein that is low in calories. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids known for reducing bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) that can clog your arteries and for improving eye health. Tuna is a powerhouse of nutrition including Vitamin D, iron, potassium, and calcium. It is also a source of B vitamins that strengthen bones and, support the formation of new red blood cells. One word of caution, due to potentially high mercury content, it is recommended to limit tuna consumption to once or twice a week.

FinerFin’s Difference

FinerFin brings canned tuna a new look and taste profile. It contains layered hand-filleted tuna in extra virgin olive oil, making a ready-to-serve meal on a bed of lettuce, or on a sandwich. To our surprise, FinerFin tastes great even without adding mayonnaise. Designed to travel, FinerFin uses a pull tab to open the can, no can opener is required. Each can contains 1 ½ servings and provides 20 grams of protein.

FinerFin comes in five varieties with complex flavors Zesty Lemon, Spicy Chili, and Smoked. As well as meal-in-a-can flavors of 3 Bean Salad – with kidney, garbanzo, and string beans and  Mexicana Salad – with corn, beans, and red peppers.  The salads contain a small amount of added sugar.

We enjoyed the mouthfeel of FinerFin. Open the can and find recognizable tuna fillets, rather than the mashed tuna of our past. Our favorite was the Spicy Chili, which provided a spark of spice. We enjoyed it on a sandwich and in a green salad.

FinerFin can be purchased online.

Sustainably Sourced

FinerFin uses the pole-and-line fishing method instead of nets. They refer to it as artisanal fishing since the fish are caught individually. Pole-and-line fishing is more labor intensive, but it provides employment to local fishermen and protects other sea creatures by reducing bycatch which frequently occurs when commercial fishers use nets to trap schools of tuna.

FinerFin elevates canned tuna, sustainably caught, with a fresh new flavor profile.

Simplify Dinner Preparation

It can be exhausting trying to balance work, family, and food. Try pairing Mina stews with a side salad and FinerFin tuna. In minutes, you will have a well-balanced healthy meal leaving time to relax.