* Item: Oven Poppers frozen fish entrees

* What you get: 2 servings

* Cost: About $4

* Preparation time: 4 to 5 minutes in microwave, 15 minutes stove top, 35 minutes in oven

* Review: With fresh seafood often an affordable supermarket buy, I'm not a fan of frozen fish fillets that try to masquerade as the real thing. Oven Poppers didn't do much to change my mind. The crab-stuffed sole featured firm-fleshed sole with a deviled crab-style stuffing that tasted all right, although we didn't see much crab meat. It wasn't bad, but you could do better on your own. The flounder stuffed with broccoli and cheese was far worse. Rubbery fish brimmed with bitter-tasting broccoli and watery cheese. Ugh. My advice: Throw this catch back and venture instead to the seafood counter for something that's been in the ocean recently.

Pub Date: 12/02/98