I think we have all probably noticed the popularity of the meal kits that have hit the market in the last few years. There are several companies that deliver meals ready for you to cook right to your door. I have looked at them but I really enjoy cooking and I am good a finding deals in the grocery store. While many people may find them to be economical I have run the numbers and find that I could make the meals for a lot less money in most cases. I know a lot of people don't enjoy cooking or don't have the skills and the kits do provide you with excellent instructions and hold your hand through all the steps.
Also for me, the home-delivered boxes of meals would be just too much since I really would only want to use them occasionally not every day.
A while back the grocery store I shop at (Fred Meyer in Oregon City Oregon) did a remodel and added a lot of new things. One of the new things was a case of prepared meal kits in the produce/deli area. The kits are a lot like the ones you can get delivered in that all the ingredient (with very few exceptions) are in the kit, all the measuring is done for you as is most of the work. You just have to do some chopping, mixing and cook the meal. The kits at the store all make 2 servings and range in price from around $15 to around $20 (or so)
I have been very tempted several times but I was waiting to see if the store offered any deals on the kits. The only one they have offered so far was buy one and get one free. Since I just wanted to try one kit I was kind of just waiting to see if they offered a sale or coupon on a single kit.
Then this morning I was shopping in the area where the display is set up and an employee was going up to customers and offering some of the kits that were a day or two from pull date. She explained that all the ingredients would be fine for a couple of days but that they weren't allowed to discount the price so they were giving them away. When she offered me one of the kits I was happy to try it since I have been so tempted already.
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| the contents of the box |
The kit I got is for Shrimp + Carrot Stir Fry over Scallion Pancakes and the retail price is marked at $18.
Inside the box, I found: 2 eggs, coconut milk, sliced green onions, flour, fresh mint, 1 lime, shredded carrots, shrimp, and a full-color recipe card with photos that tells exactly how to create the dish.
I will need to add salt, pepper, and oil. As for tools I will need a whisk, mixing bowl, skillet, measuring spoons, spatula, prep bowl, cutting board, knife and a wooden spoon.
I do love that everything is pre-measured for me.
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| the picture on the front of the recipe card showing what it should look like |
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This next portion of the blog I am writing after I have made the dish and eaten it.
The directions were very easy to follow and everything went together very easily.
As for taste, I am totally impressed. This dish tastes wonderful, the flavors are complex and it really tastes like something from a restaurant.
I think the main thing I was worried about was that the portion would be small but I am totally impressed with the amount of food. There were plenty of shrimp and carrots and the pancakes were filling. I ate 1 serving and was actually a bit too full (but in a good way)
So my thoughts, I am definitely going to try other dishes that are offered. I feel it was a good value for the amount of money that is charged for it. I have a full portion to eat for lunch tomorrow but I would have been proud to serve this to anyone.
I did look up the website listed on the recipe card which has a list of the stores these meals are available at. It appears to all be stores owned by Kroger but those seem to be everywhere so you can probably find one near you too. When you choose your store chain you can see what the meals currently being offered as well as the recipes that are “archived currently” I do notice that all the stores seem to have a good variety of meals available and they range from seafood, chicken, beef, pork and vegetarian (I think some are vegan but I am not 100% sure) The website does list all ingredients in each kit so you can check before you go to the store especially nice if you have any dietary restrictions.
