BOWLS WITH A BANG.

Blount Fine Foods has cooked up a new line of noodle and rice bowls for retail and foodservice. Available in four varieties, the bowls come ready-to-heat with separately packaged and shelf stable noodles that are added to the broth, making for a hearty meal within three minutes.

High in protein and made with wholesome ingredients, like chicken raised without antibiotics, the new line features vegan and gluten-free options. The Chicken Ramen variety contains white chicken meat and vegetables in a chicken broth with ramen noodles, soy sauce and rice koji, while the Coconut Chicken & Noodle Bowl offers ramen, white meat chicken and vegetables in a coconut curry broth with lemongrass and cilantro. The gluten-free Hibachi Chicken & Rice Bowl features garlic, ginger, red onion and red peppers simmered with tomatoes, rice and chicken. The Asian-Inspired Vegetable & Rice variety is both vegan and gluten-free, made with a creamy coconut curry broth with lemongrass and cilantro, packed with Asian vegetables like cabbage and bamboo shoots.

"These new bowls represent the confluence of two important and undeniable trends in consumer purchase behavior: broad desire for innovative world flavors and recipes, as well as the ever-growing demand for healthier, easier-to-prepare meals," says Bob Sewall, EVP at Fall River, Mass.-based Blount.

The retail packaged product will be offered in easy display packaging so consumers can see what they are purchasing, and the inclusion of a foodservice option allows retailers to also offer bowls at their hot bar.

For more information, visit blountfinefoods.com.