It seems everyone is getting into the meal delivery service. Martha Stewart, Jamie Oliver and even some major grocery chains are getting into the act. Combining convenience with the desire to use fresh ingredients with no artificial preservatives is making meal kit delivery services the next hot food trend. Plus there’s the fun of having a big box of goodies delivered right to your front door.
And no matter what your personal tastes, there’s a service that will cater to your appetites.
If simplicity and quick prep time are at the top of your wish list, HelloFresh might be the service to try. This is the company that partners with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and you might receive recipes like Char-Grilled Barbecue Chicken or Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.
Blue Apron touts sustainability, a reduction in food waste and a farm to table vision. Some of their popular menu items include Stir-fried Chicken with Udon noodles and Three Cheese and Broccoli Stromboli.
If vegan is your thing, Purple Carrot will deliver meat and dairy free kits to your door with recipes by New York Times’ food columnist Mark Bittman. Spicy Jackfruit and Bell Pepper Fajitas and Sesame Crusted Tofu Steaks are on the Purple Carrot bill of fare.
If organic is a must, Sun Basket will deliver certified USDA organic goodies like Sesame-Crusted Chicken and Turkey Kebabs with Lemon Couscous. And Green Chef will deliver Piri-Piri Chicken and Southern Fish ‘N’ Chips, also certified USDA organic.
If you need something delivered that isn’t perishable (too tired to cook tonight and not enough room in the refrigerator for a big cardboard box), Takeout Kit features deliveries that can be stored in your pantry. Tikka Masala and Spanish Paella are featured meals.
If you’re a bit more than an inspired amateur in the kitchen, Plated offers meals that are a little more complex and require a bit more preparation. Brown Butter Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage and Peas or Parmesan-Crusted Chicken are sure to stimulate your inner Julia Child and impress your dinner companions.
Most of the meal plans have a variety of subscription options and range between $8-$20 per serving. So if you find yourself with limited time in the evening and no desire to go grocery shopping but feel like cooking up a (mostly) scratch-made meal, give a meal delivery service a try.
