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    Home » Uncategorized » Relished Foods | a review

    Published: Mar 12, 2014 · Modified: Sep 11, 2019 by Lisa Johnson

    Relished Foods | a review

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    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

    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*.....

    Relished Foods Box cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    Relished Foods Lamb Meatballs Kit cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    Lamb Meatballs with Creamy Polenta and Ragout Collage cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    Relished Foods Panko Crusted Cod Kit cookingwithcurls.com

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

    Relished Foods Panko Crusted Cod from cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    Relished Quinoa with Roasted Vegetable Salad cookingwithcurls.com

    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.....

    Relished Quinoa with Roasted Vegetable Salad and Chicken cookingwithcurls.com

    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.}

    box_with_ingredients_and_recipe_cards

    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. 🙂

     

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gloria // Simply Gloria says

      March 12, 2014 at 6:26 pm

      These look so fun to put together! I'm loving the whole idea of it all being right there all together. Makes it great for peeps like myself that always forget that one ingredient and have to trot back to the store. Loved your pics you shared with us on social media, by the way!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 13, 2014 at 8:53 am

        Thank you so much Gloria. 🙂 It really was a lot of fun, and so so easy! I could get used to food arriving at my door!!

        Reply
    2. Jen says

      March 13, 2014 at 10:14 am

      Wow - how cute! Two out of three ain't bad either. The ingredients look nice and fresh. This would make a fantastic gift for new parents, or anyone who loves to cook for that matter! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 13, 2014 at 11:32 am

        I agree Jen, two out of three is great! I love your new parent gift suggestion, that's awesome. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says

      March 13, 2014 at 5:47 pm

      This would make meal planning so easy and convenient! They all look great, Lisa 🙂

      Reply
    4. Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner says

      March 17, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      Great job Lisa... my fav was the chicken but I like brussel sprouts! You did a great review!!

      Reply
      • Lisa Johnson says

        March 25, 2014 at 12:16 am

        Thank you Deb, it was definitely fun!!

        Reply

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