We started using these before Covid, but ramped up our use during the worst of times. Probably have used most of the various companies.
I have learned:
Fond is a thing. Cook everything in the same pan. it flavors everything.
Onions/Shallots can go into pretty much any dish.
Fish is easier to cook at home the I thought.
Season pretty much everything.
If you need a little liquid, chicken broth goes with just about everything.
Cut up the stuff ( vegetables, herbs etc ) and have it available in piles before you begin. Trying to multi-task doesn’t work for me.
Seasoning pretty much everything with kosher salt and pepper during cooking.
Pretty much double the listed prep/cook time.
I wonder if “Meal Kit” has made it to the OED yet, along with “Game Changer,” possibly the two most overused terms of 2020-2021.
The main one I’ve picked up is searing meats in a fry pan and then sticking it in the oven. I guess I’ve known about it, but didn’t have any experience with it before the meal plans had me do it.
There’s no such thing as people who live alone, because the smallest option you can order from any of these services is a meal for two.
I’ve bought a couple of the ones you can find in the grocery store just to try them out but have yet to try any delivery programs. Any recommendations? I would think that might be the most valuable thing learned - which are worth buying.
Are you like my wife and refuse to eat leftovers? For me personally, I probably wouldn’t have any leftovers as most 2 servings meals don’t even hit my maintenance calories.
It’s rare that I want to eat the same dinner two nights in a row. As a consequence I don’t cook as much as I’d like to, even though I really enjoy cooking, unless it’s something I can just make one portion of or which I KNOW I’ll be able to finish off before it’s been sitting in the fridge too long.
As another person who lives alone, I’ve learned that leftovers are fine. It’s often easier for me to fix enough for two (and sometimes even three) meals, then put the leftovers into a seal-able container (or two) for another day. Cooked food will keep in the refrigerator for several days, so I don’t have to eat the same meal two days in a row.
If I make something like stew or chili I’ll freeze half of it, then thaw it out in a month or so. Or break it down into single-serving packages.
My Wife and I sometimes get 4 meals out of the meals for two. I’m a big guy, just don’t eat a lot.
Anyway, leftovers is what we do. I typically cook up a batch of something on the weekend and we eat it all week for dinner… Love doing it that way. Makes life a lot easier. There are some dishes I simply never tire of.
Potato + any other veg makes a great mash. I’d only ever mashed potatoes before.
Cornstarch as a coating, I was always just a flour kind of guy before.
Wet hand, dry hand when doing breading.
Panko is amaze-balls, not just a fad.
That makes sense. I usually have mine for lunch or a couple days later. For my health, productivity, and finances I generally plan out all my meals for the week and that includes a lot of repeats. I live with 4 people but I do all my food separately.
It’s been a while since I’ve used either of these two services but here’s what I think of them:
Blue Apron had the more delicious recipes and was priced accordingly. Hello Fresh was very, very good for the price. Blue Apron’s recipes ranged from super easy to intermediate. Hello Fresh was all beginner. Blue Apron had more variety while Hello Fresh had many, many repeats.
Couldn’t beat Hello Fresh for the price. But if you got the surplus dollars, Blue Apron was the way to go.