Relished Foods | a review

A few weeks ago I received an email from Relished Foods in Chicago, asking me if I would like to review their meal kits and service.  I quite happily agreed!!

Two weeks later FedEx delivered a box to my front door {instagram photo} with my complimentary meals*…..

Inside I found these adorable brown bags, each filled with all of the fresh ingredients needed to complete 3 separate meals/2 servings each.  At the bottom, above a bunch of ice packs, were vacuum packed pouches that contained the ground lamb, fish, and chicken.  The Pièce de résistance…..full sized, color recipe cards with complete instructions showing exactly how to prepare each meal…..

That’s right, all of the main ingredients that you need to create these restaurant quality meals are included!  Butter pats, sealed baggies with seasonings, containers full of dry ingredients, it’s all there.  The only ingredients that you need to provide, are salt, pepper, oil if needed, and water when needed. 🙂

The Lamb Meatballs with Creamy Polenta and Tomato Ragout was the first bag that I pulled out of the box, and also the one that I found most intriguing.  I lined all of the ingredients up on the counter, and followed the instructions…..

Yes, that is MY photo!  I made my meal look exactly like theirs.  1) because I wanted to prove that it is possible and 2) because the OCD required me to. 😉

It is so simple, anyone can cook this meal.  All of the ingredients are pre-measured for you, you just follow the directions.  Now I will say this, mine took twice as long to cook as the instructions stated.  I do not know if it is just my oven (it is psychotic) or if the directions were created using commercial appliances that work better than mine.

This meal was absolutely delicious!!  It really was everything that I was expecting. 🙂 *****5 stars for sure

My second meal, was the Panko Crusted Cod with Roasted Baby Carrots and Asparagus.  Again, everything I needed was in the brown paper bag…..

The carrots and garlic were peeled, I just needed to trim the ends on the asparagus…..and Voilà…..

Another *****5 star meal.  Again, the vegetables took twice as long to cook, and probably could have been even cooked longer.  The recipe card photo shows thinner carrots and asparagus, so that may have something to do with it.  Just use your judgement when cooking yours.

The only thing that I would change, is the amount of garlic.  I LOVE garlic, but 3 large cloves is a bit much. 😉

The third meal that I tried, was the Quinoa and Roasted Vegetable Salad with Pan Seared Chicken.  Here is the kit…..

Yes, you do see brussels sprouts in that photo!  No, I am not a fan of brussels sprouts, but I was willing to keep an open mind and give them a chance to surprise me…..

I cut up the vegetables, started roasting them.  Cooked the quinoa, and opened up the chicken…..it was bad.  Like slimy, rotten eggs, bad.  In the trash it went!  I dug through the refrigerator and freezer(s) looking for a protein that would work, and came across some Costco packets of chicken breasts…..phew!  Personally I was hoping to stumble across a steak, but at least the photos match. 😉

The quinoa was really good, and a perfect combination with the roasted bell peppers.  Still not a fan of the brussels sprouts, or chicken for that matter.  It did taste much better after I drizzled Balsamic Glaze over the chicken.  Sorry, forgot to take another photo with the glaze.  The “ex” was here working on window trim, so I gave him the second portion.  He absolutely loved it.  So I am going to split the difference and give this meal **1/2 stars.

What exactly is Relished Foods?  This is their website description:

{We are a fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service. As a subscriber, you receive one box per week with three meals in it. You receive all the fresh ingredients you need and cook based on the recipes included. We save you the time of going to the grocery store, finding new recipes and portioning out those dishes for 2, 4 or 6 servings. We give you direct access to Chicago’s highest quality food suppliers with recipes created by our in-house Executive Chef. We source and deliver all of our food locally, giving you the freshest ingredients possible.}

They currently deliver to 50% of the U.S. (Anywhere East of the Colorado River, with exception to Florida and Maine), you can easily check availability on their website: Relished Foods

I am still amazed that they can plan, prepare, package, and ship these chef inspired meals for the price that they charge.  I also have to admit, it was really nice to not have to think about dinner on those 3 nights!!

If you would like to give their meal service a try, I have a surprise for you!  Use the promotion code ‘CookingWithCurls’ at checkout, and you will receive 50% off your first order!  This offer is good until 3/19/2014.

*I received these meals, at no cost to me, with no further compensation for this review.  All comments and opinions are 100% my own, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 🙂