Recipe boxes

[Mation]

Couldn't see a thread specifically on this. Mods, please merge if I've missed the obvious.

Made my first meal today from my 4-meals for two, exact ingredients delivery. I'm only one, so intending to make each last for a lunch + dinner or vice versa.

Thought they seemed like completely self-indulgent wank the first time I heard about them. But. During lockdown, especially, I've noticed how rubbish I am at buying the right quantity of food, and have been unhappy at how much I waste.

Today I made a smoked fish chowder. It took me about twice the time indicated on the recipe card, but I expected that, as cooking with ADHD can be complicated. Turned out nice.

I think this might be ok. Angst about ethics, though.

Thoughts? Experiences?

 

[planetgeli]

Do you mean Hello Fresh, Gusto and the like?

Loved them. Great on offer, expensive if not. Hence why we don't use them anymore.

 

[Epona]

I think it's a cost vs time thing - I've always considered them really expensive, but that is because I typically have lots of spare time and a small food budget - so I hunt around for bargains and go to different shops for different items based on cost/value for money. I suspect if I was working long hours and earning a decent amount but still wanted to cook every day, I'd take a different view on it.

I do love cooking and often do my own thing in the kitchen - recipes are sometimes a bit too rigid for me! But the other (less desirable) side of that is that I can be a bit chaotic in the kitchen, sometimes prepping and cooking a meal will take me ages (planning stage if there are several dishes is where I particularly struggle) and I often have to make last minute changes because I forgot to buy x ingredient or found something lurking in the fridge that I had forgotten about and needs using. Not sure whether I would appreciate the eradication of that chaos that is provided by the recipe box though - I should probably just get into the habit of keeping an ongoing shopping list to curb the least desirable aspects of it!

So yeah, I'm not against the idea, I don't necessarily think it would be for me though.

What is the concern with ethics? Unless it is something I am unaware of, the same concerns exist for much of the food production and processing industry, at every stage from field to plate...

 

[Mation]

Do you mean Hello Fresh, Gusto and the like?

Loved them. Great on offer, expensive if not. Hence why we don't use them anymore.

Yep. I went with Gousto, having read a review of lots of this type of thing.

It works out at £4 something per meal per person, which is quite expensive. But I'm thinking that I'm not spending any money on going out or buying clothes or going on holiday etc, so I need some treats. Would be different if I didn't have a regular income from work, though.

 

[Mation]

I think it's a cost vs time thing - I've always considered them really expensive, but that is because I typically have lots of spare time and a small food budget - so I hunt around for bargains and go to different shops for different items based on cost/value for money. I suspect if I was working long hours and earning a decent amount but still wanted to cook every day, I'd take a different view on it.

I do love cooking and often do my own thing in the kitchen - recipes are sometimes a bit too rigid for me! But the other (less desirable) side of that is that I can be a bit chaotic in the kitchen, sometimes prepping and cooking a meal will take me ages (planning stage if there are several dishes is where I particularly struggle) and I often have to make last minute changes because I forgot to buy x ingredient or found something lurking in the fridge that I had forgotten about and needs using. Not sure whether I would appreciate the eradication of that chaos that is provided by the recipe box though - I should probably just get into the habit of keeping an ongoing shopping list to curb the least desirable aspects of it!

So yeah, I'm not against the idea, I don't necessarily think it would be for me though.

What is the concern with ethics? Unless it is something I am unaware of, the same concerns exist for much of the food production and processing industry, at every stage from field to plate...

Yeah, I don't usually do recipes. I might look at one to get a general idea, and then do my own take on it.

With this, I did try to follow the recipe, so I could see whether I like what they offer, but it's only been one meal so far. Despite my intention to do this for the other 3 it's entirely possible that I'll end up actually doing whatever with the rest of them.

The eradication of chaos. Heh. That may be what I'm going for, but I don't know if I'd like it, either. I suspect it isn't entirely possible, though. For me, anyway.

Ethically, I don't know. Just a nagging worry that something about this is probably not right.

 

[Epona]

Yeah, I don't usually do recipes. I might look at one to get a general idea, and then do my own take on it.

With this, I did try to follow the recipe, so I could see whether I like what they offer, but it's only been one meal so far. Despite my intention to do this for the other 3 it's entirely possible that I'll end up actually doing whatever with the rest of them.

The eradication of chaos. Heh. That may be what I'm going for, but I don't know if I'd like it, either. I suspect it isn't entirely possible, though. For me, anyway.

Ethically, I don't know. Just a nagging worry that something about this is probably not right.

Aye, I think I'd welcome ideas to take the edges off the chaos, but I wouldn't be me if it was eradicated if that makes sense!

I can't see any problem with ethics that doesn't already exist in food production - unless you are going to buy everything from a farmer's market with known provenance grown and picked by the person selling it, then there will be issues with low pay, bad conditions for workers, high profit margins for the retailers at the expense of those lower down the production chain etc... but unless there is some recipe box scandal that I am unaware of, it is not likely to be any worse than any other part of commercial food production - if you buy a head of broccoli at the supermarket it has been picked by people doing piecework on very low rates, washed and packaged by factory workers, delivered by people who may well be on zero hours contracts or pseudo-self-employed so that their "employer" dodges out of NI payments, annual leave, sick leave etc (at least until they get taken to court) - if some parts of any of the processes that get food to our plates at least have minimal union representation then that is about as good as it gets, sadly.

 

[Mation]

Aye, I think I'd welcome ideas to take the edges of the chaos, but I wouldn't be me if it was eradicated if that makes sense!

I can't see any problem with ethics that doesn't already exist in food production - unless you are going to buy everything from a farmer's market with known provenance grown and picked by the person selling it, then there will be issues with low pay, bad conditions for workers, high profit margins for the retailers at the expense of those lower down the production chain etc... but unless there is some recipe box scandal that I am unaware of, it is not likely to be any worse than any other part of commercial food production - if you buy a head of broccoli at the supermarket it has been picked by people doing piecework on very low rates, washed and packaged by factory workers, delivered by people who may well be on zero hours contracts or pseudo-self-employed so that their "employer" dodges out of NI payments, annual leave, sick leave etc (at least until they get taken to court) - if some parts of any of the processes that get food to our plates at least have minimal union representation then that is about as good as it gets, sadly.

Liked for the reassurance, rather than the bleakness of the general picture.

Though now I'm feeling guilty about that too (not your fault). It's just life as a fucking atheist from a Catholic early upbringing

 

[Badgers]

How much packaging is there and is it mostly recyclable?

 

[Roseygirl]

Couldn't see a thread specifically on this. Mods, please merge if I've missed the obvious.

Made my first meal today from my 4-meals for two, exact ingredients delivery. I'm only one, so intending to make each last for a lunch + dinner or vice versa.

Thought they seemed like completely self-indulgent wank the first time I heard about them. But. During lockdown, especially, I've noticed how rubbish I am at buying the right quantity of food, and have been unhappy at how much I waste.

Today I made a smoked fish chowder. It took me about twice the time indicated on the recipe card, but I expected that, as cooking with ADHD can be complicated. Turned out nice.

I think this might be ok. Angst about ethics, though.

Thoughts? Experiences?

Never heard of this, was it good?

 

[Mation]

Never heard of this, was it good?

Yep. Easy to do, and tasty, but not something I'd otherwise think to cook. And the taste was as I'd imagined it would be.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

I don't think I'd go the whole hog and get a full meal kit subscription.
I'm too picky and rarely feel up for cooking most nights. However I do like cooking.
Rather than a meal kit box I would be interested in something like a monthly ingredient box.
I've seen some intresting monthly seafood or butcher boxes that i liked the look of.
I'd hope that would inspire me to cook a little more while also getting ingredients I may not usually use but would like to experiment with.

 

[Epona]

I don't think I'd go the whole hog and get a full meal kit subscription.
I'm too picky and rarely feel up for cooking most nights. However I do like cooking.
Rather than a meal kit box I would be interested in something like a monthly ingredient box.
I've seen some intresting monthly seafood or butcher boxes that i liked the look of.
I'd hope that would inspire me to cook a little more while also getting ingredients I may not usually use but would like to experiment with.

Aye I have always liked the idea of a veg box for that reason. I've never had one, but when OH was working for a market for a while during December and January we'd get a lot of salvaged veg - most of the time it felt like a free veg box but at one point I got a bit emotionally distressed about the courgette load. (I basically had a courgette based meltdown) I am not sure that a veg box would provide much more control, and I'd have to give them a great list of veg that OH doesn't like .

Seafood box sounds interesting but must have a short shelf life!

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

I do think if it was a monthly delivery which you sign up for a year contract I'd reach maximum freezer space within the first quarter.
The reason I have not gone for one is partly budget but also an understanding that it more likely to lead to food waste than inspired meals.
I'm just not in the position where i can guarantee i'd make good use of the ingredients.

I have in the past ordered exotic meat online. It came deep frozen and packaged in dry ice with insulated walls. Had some delicious reindeer (like venison only more intense and richer). Some fairly tasty zebra too (had a gamey lemongrass flavour).
I reckon if the seafood was frozen when caught and shipped still frozen as long as you had decent freezer space it should be good quality. The same way some frozen veg can be so good.

 

[Epona]

Yeah you have to be a bit careful freezing seafood, if it was frozen for transport then defrosted for sale as chilled, then you can't really safely re-freeze it. It's something you'd need to check and be sure about if you intended to freeze it for later use.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

I can see that being a big risk for supermarket seafood. My folks often freeze fish they buy at M&S I'm fairly certain the pack says you can home freeze it but it does make it a bit more risky. Even more so if you got it from the deli i'd imagine.
You would hope that if a company was doing it as delivery they could guarantee it would not defrost at any point during transit.
I seem to remember when ordering the stuff they always sent it by refrigerated delivery and would guarantee the package for a reasonably long time period after delivery (12-24 hours if i remember right).
That way even if they delivered when you were out it could stay on your doorstep until you got back.
Everything I ever received was frozen solid when i put it in storage.

 

[Mation]

Had some delicious reindeer (like venison only more intense and richer). Some fairly tasty zebra too (had a gamey lemongrass flavour).

Stop trolling my very sedate thread!

 

[Looby]

I’m going to try a meal box, just haven’t decided which one. Maybe I’ll do a one-off order for each and compare.
For us, it would be cheaper than the days when we say fuck it, let’s get a takeaway. We need to do that less.
We do meal plan and currently have a weekly click and collect with the odd delivery when we can get it but we’re still having too many ‘fuck it’ nights. I’m fairly sure I’d be horrified if I worked out our total monthly food spend.
It’s also really fucking boring trying to decide what to have for dinner so this might make food a bit more exciting again I guess. We seem to have the same stuff over and over.

I’m also getting really pissed off with online shopping and short dates. I got a delivery Thursday with mushrooms for the same day. I’d have rejected them but Mr Looby didn’t notice and the driver didn’t point it out.
I went to use them yesterday as planned and even when peeled they were really slimy so they went in the bin. So now we’re not buying any fruit or veg online which means going out to shops more. The week before it was tomatoes that went furry quickly and spongy shallots with no flavour.

 

[Mation]

I’m going to try a meal box, just haven’t decided which one. Maybe I’ll do a one-off order for each and compare.
For us, it would be cheaper than the days when we say fuck it, let’s get a takeaway. We need to do that less.
We do meal plan and currently have a weekly click and collect with the odd delivery when we can get it but we’re still having too many ‘fuck it’ nights. I’m fairly sure I’d be horrified if I worked out our total monthly food spend.
It’s also really fucking boring trying to decide what to have for dinner so this might make food a bit more exciting again I guess. We seem to have the same stuff over and over.

Yep, all of that. I've had way too many fuck it nights, so this may even save me money.

 

[aqua]

I've posted about recipe boxes on the sofa thread. I love mine. Yes they're more expensive than doing it myself but easier, more interesting, and way way cheaper than all the takeaways. The food has been pretty healthy too.

 

[Mation]

I've posted about recipe boxes on the sofa thread. I love mine. Yes they're more expensive than doing it myself but easier, more interesting, and way way cheaper than all the takeaways. The food has been pretty healthy too.

Yes, the more interesting part is especially appealing to me. I gravitate towards the same basic starting ingredients (and have still done so, a bit, via my choices), but it will extend the range of stuff I eat, and healthily too.

 

[aqua]

I think I've only had one meal that was just ok (and I knew it would be, but bought for the kids) so I'm really enjoying it. I'm done with all the local takeaways now and I'm definitely eating healthier.

 

[RubyToogood]

I was getting Hello Fresh in lockdown 1, but found that very limiting as a single person trying to be veggie who doesn't get on with aubergines. Everything seemed to be some Tex Mex style thing involving beans, and by the end I had literally no choice of recipes within my parameters and had started cracking and having non-veggie recipes.

Currently I'm getting Mindful Chef which is more expensive but also better. They go into the ethics and eco friendliness of it all a lot more. As they say themselves, recipe boxes are great for tackling food waste, less good for reducing packaging. When I consider my bins now, the compost bin gets really full of peelings, the food waste bin hardly gets used at all, and actually my general bin is not significantly fuller. I'm always suspicious of greenwash but they're certainly more ethical than HF.

The recipes are at least good and often excellent and their whole approach is "how can we get another vegetable in this and take out some of the empty carbs?" I'm finding it good for modelling portion control and healthy eating. After a couple of months I am finding it sliiightly repetitive with getting either tofu or pulses, and have the odd fish or meat recipe for variety. They are gluten and dairy free by default, so all the veggie recipes are vegan. There's a ton of choice and I have no trouble avoiding problematic ingredients.

Personally I factor in the cost of takeaways I didn't have when I'm deciding if it's worth the cost. At the moment I'm not having sandwiches, coffees etc out even so whatevs really. I also see it as self care. I get a three recipe box for two people and eat each recipe over two meals. MC let you order a one person box and are generally more flexible if you want less or less frequently. I wouldn't want more than three recipes and even that can get a bit much sometimes. But they are more cost effective I think if you buy more.

 

[Mation]

I was getting Hello Fresh in lockdown 1, but found that very limiting as a single person trying to be veggie who doesn't get on with aubergines. Everything seemed to be some Tex Mex style thing involving beans, and by the end I had literally no choice of recipes within my parameters and had started cracking and having non-veggie recipes.

Currently I'm getting Mindful Chef which is more expensive but also better. They go into the ethics and eco friendliness of it all a lot more. As they say themselves, recipe boxes are great for tackling food waste, less good for reducing packaging. When I consider my bins now, the compost bin gets really full of peelings, the food waste bin hardly gets used at all, and actually my general bin is not significantly fuller. I'm always suspicious of greenwash but they're certainly more ethical than HF.

The recipes are at least good and often excellent and their whole approach is "how can we get another vegetable in this and take out some of the empty carbs?" I'm finding it good for modelling portion control and healthy eating. After a couple of months I am finding it sliiightly repetitive with getting either tofu or pulses, and have the odd fish or meat recipe for variety. They are gluten and dairy free by default, so all the veggie recipes are vegan. There's a ton of choice and I have no trouble avoiding problematic ingredients.

Personally I factor in the cost of takeaways I didn't have when I'm deciding if it's worth the cost. At the moment I'm not having sandwiches, coffees etc out even so whatevs really. I also see it as self care. I get a three recipe box for two people and eat each recipe over two meals. MC let you order a one person box and are generally more flexible if you want less or less frequently. I wouldn't want more than three recipes and even that can get a bit much sometimes. But they are more cost effective I think if you buy more.

Thank you - that's really useful to know, as I might want to try something other than Gousto, too. Am currently eating more meat than I think I should be.

I'm fairly impressed by Gousto's packaging. Most stuff is just loose in the box. Meat and fish in (mostly) recyclable plastic. Recipe-specific paper bags to group together all the small items, e.g one bayleaf. Ah, but things like cornflour and coconut cream in plastic, too. Cardboard tubs would be better.

Completely agree that it's self-care. So much is shit and stressful. This seems good for me and fun to do; slightly gamifying cooking.

 

[felixthecat]

I am loving Gousto. One meh meals so far and a bunch I will make again. For me it's about trying out a variety of recipes without having to buy a whole bunch of specialist ingredients I may never use again if I don't like the result

I'd got into such a rut over lockdown and its cheaper than takeaway for adding a bit of variety. And it's fresh, I know what the ingredients are, it's healthy and im rediscovering my pleasure in cooking.

All in all its a thumbs up from me

 

[teuchter]

The packaging to food ratio must be pretty high, and having them delivered in small quantities doesn't feel very efficient.
It would be good if these things were widely available in supermarkets and corner shops. In the ideal system, the dividing-up happening at the shop so that stuff can be bulk shipped at least to that point in the chain.

 

[Orang Utan]

I have a quite vehement resistance to the idea of them. They seem quite wasteful cos of the amount of packaging even though they claim to be against waste cos you use all of the ingredients but that doesn’t pan out logically to me.
Also, for me it takes the fun out of cooking - the scouting of recipes in books and online, the finding of ingredients. It’s like if you enjoy making model aeroplanes and someone sends you one that’s already been constructed, you just have to paint it.
I feel like Mrs Doyle being presented with the Tea Master to save her making her own tea

 

[miss direct]

I cant see the point. What's wrong with a recipe and shopping and using leftovers?

 

[planetgeli]

I cant see the point. What's wrong with a recipe and shopping and using leftovers?

Because their recipes are really tasty (and simple to follow).

 

[Orang Utan]

I cant see the point. What's wrong with a recipe and shopping and using leftovers?

Busy people or people with less confidence about cooking from scratch I would guess

 

[miss direct]

But there are so many recipes that are delicious and easy to make. I'm very careful with money though so for me this is wasteful. I can see that for others it may not be.