Recipe Mutiny

Friday, March 15, 2019

White Cake With Brown Butter and Toasted Sugar

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Guide to Cooking with Stoneware

This post is sponsored by Le Creuset.

Colorful, shapely, and durable, stoneware elevates everyday meals. Cooks have used it for centuries, and it still has an elemental appeal.

From oven to table, it makes even the humblest casseroles feel luxurious. If you’re new to baking in stoneware, you’re in for a treat.

WHAT IS STONEWARE?

Stoneware is earthenware—clay—fired at a high temperature, which makes it more durable. It’s resistant to chipping and it holds heat beautifully.

You’ll find stoneware in all sort of sizes, shapes, and colors. The stoneware used in most modern kitchens is glazed, and that’s what we’re focusing on here.

WHY BAKE IN STONEWARE?

There are plenty of baking dishes out there, from metal to glass. What’s so great about stoneware?

Versatility: Stoneware is dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and oven-safe. It can go from the freezer to the oven. Some styles can even go under the broiler. And unlike glass, there’s no need to adjust your baking temps.
Ease of use: Good-quality stoneware has a glaze so smooth and strong it’s nearly nonstick. Cooked foods release with ease, and cleanup is a breeze.
Resilience: You don’t need to handle stoneware delicately. From dishwasher to cupboard to oven, you’d have to work really hard to scratch, crack, or chip any of it.
Ability to hold heat: Stoneware holds heat very well and distributes it evenly. If you like the browned corner pieces of casseroles and gratins, stoneware is for you! Not just that, but stoneware’s superior heat retention makes it perfect for oven-to-table serving, keeping your food warm for meals.
Curb appeal: The things we use every day should offer functionality, but there’s utility in cheer and beauty, too. Le Creuset stoneware, in particular, offers an enticing palate of colors. In the kitchen and at the table, those pops of color perk up your food and your mood.

Baked Mac and Cheese held in hands

TIPS FOR COOKING WITH STONEWARE

Here are a few more tips and tricks for working with stoneware. We mention Le Creuset in particular here; if you’re using a different type of stoneware, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions.

Can stoneware go under the broiler? Not all stoneware can go under the broiler, but Le Creuset can, as long as it’s at least 2-1/2 inches away from the heat source. This means you can get those nice, bubbly tops on gratins and your favorite macaroni and cheese.
Freezer-to-oven! Into freezer meals? Le Creuset stoneware can also go from the freezer to the oven—the key is that it’s a cold oven. Put the frozen dish in the cold oven and then set the temperature, so the dish and the oven heat together.
Avoid direct heat: Most stoneware is not made for direct heat—don’t use it on a burner or grill.

SHAPE MATTERS

Choosing between round, oval, square, or rectangular dishes isn’t rocket science, but there are a few considerations:

Corners: Love browned, crispy corner pieces? Then you’ll want a square or rectangular dish. Round baking dishes won’t give you as much of the crispy edges that you desire.
Depth: Do you like crusty tops, or custardy centers? Round, deep dishes will give you creamier, oozier middles. Deeper dishes often take longer to bake. Shallower dishes, meanwhile, will create more surface area—perfect if you like browned and crunchy tops. They tend to bake faster.
Presentation: Switching up the shape really does make a difference in how you perceive the finished recipe once it’s on the table. There’s something elegant about oval dishes, while dishes with corners have a more casual feel. The classic French gratin dish is oval, for instance; if you bake a gratin in a square pan, it seems homier.

PUT A LID ON IT

Some stoneware comes with lids, and some does not. When is a lid an advantage?

Storing leftovers: If you have leftovers, just pop the lid on your cooled dish and stick it in the fridge.
Transport: Lids do a great job of keeping food warm if you’re taking it to a potluck. You can cover the dish with foil and then the lid for a one-two punch of insulation.
Protection from over-browning: A long bake time can make the top of a cake or casserole quite dark, or result in a dry texture. Some recipes call for covering during all or part of the bake time.
More curb appeal: Lids are cute, let’s face it.

No lid? No worries! Foil is a great lid. If you’re covering a dish for most of its baking time, we recommend greasing the foil so any cheese or other gooey ingredients don’t stick once you remove it.

SIZE, CAPACITY, AND CONVERSIONS

Some recipes call for a dish with a specific capacity—say, a 2-quart casserole—and some call for a dish with specific dimensions, like a 9×13 dish. If you don’t know the size or capacity of your dish, how you tell if a recipe will fit?

Look it up: Manufacturer’s websites will tell you the capacity and dimensions of specific baking dishes.
Measure the volume: Fill the dish with water all the way to the top, and then pour out the water into a liquid measuring cup. This will tell you its capacity. If it’s 2-1/2 quarts, then a 2-quart recipe will probably work in there just fine.
Measure the length, width, and height. Because most baking dishes are fluted on the sides and therefore not exact rectangles, this method is imperfect, but it can give you a general idea. Measure the length, width, and height of the dish, measuring from its the inside edges (not the outside). Multiply those three numbers together and you’ll get its volume. (For instance, an 11-1/2” x 7-3/4” x 2-3/4” dish has a capacity of 245 cubic inches. A 9” x 13” x 2” has a capacity of 234 cubic inches. Swapping one of those dishes for the other is likely a safe bet.)

Last but not least, see the chart below. We did the conversion work for you!

CONVERSION RULES OF THUMB

Any time you do a dish swap, be mindful of the baking time. It may very well be a little shorter or longer than the recipe says.

It’s better to use a larger dish than called for versus a smaller dish. No one wants an overflow situation—particularly if it means any spillover burning on the bottom of the oven.

Doubling or halving recipes often will work, but you want to think of two factors: depth and surface area. Those will affect the baking time and consistency of your recipe.

CLEANING AND CARE FOR STONEWARE

A smooth, sturdy glaze is your friend here. Le Creuset stoneware’s strong glaze is nearly nonstick and extremely hard. Besides a plastic-bristled brush or scrubby sponge, you shouldn’t need any special tools.

Melted or burned cheese on your casserole? Fill the cooled dish with soapy hot water and let it soak 10 to 20 minutes. That alone will resolve 95% of your cleanup issues.

You can use metal utensils to cut on the surface of your stoneware, but they can leave marks on the glaze. To get rid of those, a small sprinkling of a mild abrasive (such as Bar Keeper’s Friend) in the afflicted area should do it. Amazingly, it won’t leave any scratches.

STORING YOUR STONEWARE

If you have multiple dishes, you can stack them and not fret about scratches. To prevent them toppling over, it’s best not to stack baking dishes more than two or three high. If there’s a lid, you can invert it and store it in the casserole with the knob or handle facing down, creating a stackable upper surface.

TRY THESE CASSEROLES!

Got a yen to bake comforting casseroles and desserts now? Try these!

>> Shop here for Le Creuset Stoneware

Continue reading "Guide to Cooking with Stoneware" »

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Grasshopper Pie

Here is Grandma's favorite Grasshopper Pie. Her version is made with marshmallows in the filling (skip the gelatin!) and an Oreo cookie crust. A classic!

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Thursday, March 14, 2019

The Best Meal Kit Delivery Services to Try in 2019

best meal kits reviewed (Blue Apron, Sun Basket, Hello Fresh, Green Chef)

After cooking 15 meals from five of the most popular meal kit delivery services over a three week period, I’m well on my way of reaching my New Year’s resolution to cook more often. I know some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions (including mine) revolve around food. Whether you want to cook healthier, cook more often, and/or lose weight, the solution to all these resolutions is the same—meal kit delivery services. I’m sharing all of my learnings from this crazy experiment with you so you can figure out which kit is best for you and your family.

Overall, I think:

Home Chef is best for those who want extra portions.
Sun Basket is the best kit to get you out of your food rut.
Blue Apron is best for gourmet chefs.
Hello Fresh is the most crowd-pleasing option.
Green Chef is best for those following a specific diet plan.

Keep reading for details on each kit—plus in-depth reviews, from the unboxing process to sitting down to eat that first bite. While I don’t think any one kit is right for everyone, after testing all of these meal kits I am confident that there is a kit that’s right for you.

Home Chef: Best Kit for Those Who Are Really Hungry

Home Chef, $9.95/serving and up

Try It

Overall

The meal choices at Home Chef are pretty typical for what I’ve seen from other meal kits, but what’s unique is that you are able to customize the portions of some of the ingredients in some of the recipes. Meal kits are usually pretty standard in their offering (which is what keeps them efficient to the masses), so this is a way for Home Chef to stand out among the crowded marketplace. Read my in-depth Home Chef review for more information.

Details

Price/Subscription Sizes: $9.95 per serving for two or four servings per recipe, with additional premium recipes offered at market price.

Meal choices per week: 16 with a two- or four-person subscription

Special diet plans available: Vegetarian options, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Wheat-Free, Dairy-Free

Is it organic? No

Sun Basket: Best Kit to Get You Out of a Food Rut

Sun Basket, $10.99/serving and up

Try It

Overall

I loved the variety of unique recipes offered from Sun Basket. I learned new recipes I probably otherwise wouldn’t have cooked, and while these were unfamiliar to me, they were still easy to make due to the detailed cooking instructions. Read my in-depth Sun Basket review for more information.

Details

Price/Subscription Sizes: $11.99 per serving for a two-person or four-person subscription at 3 meals/week; $10.99 per serving for a four-person “family-friendly” subscription at 2-4 meals/week

Meal choices per week: 18 with a two to four-person subscription and six with a four-person “family-friendly” subscription

Special diet plans available: Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian options, Vegan, Pescatarian, and Diabetes-Friendly

Is it organic? Yes.

Blue Apron: Best Kit for Gourmet Chefs

Blue Apron, $7.49/serving and up

Try It

Overall

I found the recipes in Blue Apron were most likely to be something I’d order in a restaurant. All of the recipes were still very approachable and easy for beginners to make, but I found these dishes tasted a little more elevated than some of the other meal kits I tried. Read my in-depth Blue Apron review for more information.

Details

Price/Subscription Sizes: $9.99 per serving for a two-person subscription at 2-3 meals/week (same price per meal at both 2 and 3 meals per week); $8.99-$7.49 per serving for a four-person subscription at 2-4 meals/week respectively.

Meal choices per week: Eight with a two-person subscription and five with a four-person subscription

Special diet plans available: Vegetarian options and Weight Watchers (Freestyle)

Is it organic? Some ingredients are organic, but overall Blue Apron is not an organic meal kit delivery service option.

Hello Fresh: Best Kit To Please A Crowd

Hello Fresh, $7.49/serving and up

Try It

Overall

While I personally wasn’t as inspired with the recipes in Hello Fresh, that doesn’t mean it’s not a good fit for you. In fact, of all the meal kits I tried, I think Hello Fresh was the most crowd-pleasing of them all. The basic, simple recipes seemed particularly family-friendly when compared to other (more exotic) recipes I tried by different companies. Read my in-depth Hello Fresh review for more information.

Details

Price/Subscription Sizes: $9.99-$8.99 per serving for a two-person subscription at 2-4 meals/week respectively; $7.87-$7.49 per serving for a four-person subscription at 2-3 meals/week respectively.

Meal choices per week: 15 with a two-person subscription and six with a four-person subscription

Special diet plans available: Vegetarian options

Is it organic? Hello Fresh is not an organic meal kit delivery service option.

Green Chef: Best Kit For Someone Following A Specific Diet Plan

Green Chef, $10.99/serving and up

Try It

Overall

I like Green Chef (owned by Hello Fresh) for its versatility in the different specific diet plans available. I tried the Paleo plan, but they also offer Keto, Pescatarian, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-Free options. So no matter which diet you’re following (for health or personal reasons), you’ll be able to find a plan that works for you. Read my in-depth Green Chef review for more information.

Details

Price/Subscription Sizes: $12.99-$11.99 per serving for a two-person subscription at 3 meals/week; $10.99 per serving for a four-person subscription at 2 meals/week.

Meal choices per week: Three to five (depending on diet plan) with a two-person subscription and two with a four-person subscription

Special diet plans available: Paleo, Keto, Pescatarian, Vegan, Vegetarian options, and Gluten-Free

Is it organic? Yes.

In-Depth Meal Kit Reviews

Home Chef Meal Kit Review

My Top Pick for Those Who Are Really Hungry

The meal choices at Home Chef are pretty typical. What makes this meal kit stand out and give it our recommendation for the hungry, is that you are able to customize the portions of some of the ingredients in some of the recipes.

Unboxing

Upon opening the large box, each meal was separated into an individual bag containing all of the grouped ingredients per recipe. This is how four of the five meal kits packaged the ingredients, so this seems to be the norm. While it kept everything organized, it did seem a bit wasteful environmentally. Also standard, all meat/seafood was on top of ice packs at the bottom of the box to ensure freshness. As an added bonus, they also included a binder where you can keep track of all of the recipe print-outs. And as mentioned above, you are able to customize some recipe ingredients in ways you can’t with other meal kits. For example, with some Home Chef recipes you can order double the protein without doubling the overall portions. With other recipes you can choose to order antibiotic-free protein instead of the standard version it typically comes with.

Kristin Cassidy

Favorite Meal I Cooked

I will definitely be recreating the Jerk Chicken Thigh-Stuffed Poblanos with Pineapple and Pickled Red Onion. The chicken was extremely flavorful and tender. While I typically cook with chicken breast versus chicken thigh, this recipe had me convinced I should cook with chicken thigh more often. The brightness and sweetness of the pineapple complimented the smokiness of the jerk sauce perfectly—it was like a flavor equation that was equally balanced on all sides. This recipe called for pickling onions with lime juice, and honestly, I had never heard of pickling anything without using vinegar. The pickled onions turned out to be tart and had a nice bite to them. I’ll be trying this quick hack for pickling again in my kitchen soon. One recipe note—this calls for two teaspoons of olive oil to be drizzled over the poblanos before roasting but I would cut that down to almost half that amount, as the poblanos still had a lot of excess oil around them once roasted.

Kristin Cassidy

Other Meals I Cooked

The Shrimp Pad Thai with Carrots, Roasted Peanuts, and Cilantro was one of the quickest and easiest meals I made throughout this testing process. It was like painting-by-numbers but with cooking, which is one of the greatest benefits of making a recipe from a meal kit delivery service. Sometimes after a long day you don’t feel like experimenting or being creative in the kitchen and you just want dinner on the table ASAP. This Shrimp Pad Thai does the trick. One recipe note—this says to prepare the shrimp, noodles, and vegetable mixture in a medium non-stick pan, but I felt the pan was too small to comfortably hold all of the ingredients. Instead, try using a large non-stick pan or a wok if you have one.

The Barbacoa Steak Tacos with Queso Fresco and Pickled Vegetables were not my favorite meal, as I found the steak strips to have a bland taste and grainy texture to them. However, I admittedly don’t consume red meat very often, so if you’re a red meat fan you will probably like these tacos better than I did. One recipe note—I had a tough time thickening up the sauce with the beef mixture. Instead of adding the recommended 1/4 cup of water, I would start with 1/8 cup of water and add more water if you need to.

Details

Price/Subscription Sizes: $9.95 per serving for two or four servings per recipe, with additional premium recipes offered at market price.

Meal choices per week: 16 with a two- or four-person subscription

Special diet plans available: Vegetarian options, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Wheat-Free, Dairy-Free

Is it organic? No

Try Home Chef

Try It

Sun Basket Meal Kit Review

My Top Pick for Those Who Need to Get Out of a Food Rut

I loved the variety of unique recipes on Sun Basket and how easy they were due to the detailed cooking instructions. I even learned a few new recipes!

Unboxing

Kristin Cassidy

Favorite Meal I Cooked

While I don’t think the Tempeh “Bacon” Bowls with Sage-Roasted Vegetables tasted like bacon, it was still my favorite Sun Basket meal. I had eaten tempeh before but never cooked with it, so making this recipe felt like a fun experiment that broadened my cooking horizons. This meal is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, and while I don’t personally subscribe to any one of these specific diet plans, I appreciated how healthy this recipe felt. I also loved that this dish felt filling, and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. As far as recipe details go, pickling the onions felt fancy and fun, and really added a huge flavor boost. The tart dried cranberries balanced out the smokiness of the tempeh “bacon” marinade.

Kristin Cassidy

Other Meals I Cooked

I was immediately taken back to my fall vacation in Morocco by making this Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Artichokes, Tomato-Poached Eggs, and Couscous. It was probably the most exotic meal of the 12 I cooked, and really took me out of my comfort zone (in a good way). To me, this is one of the greatest benefits of doing a meal kit—discovering and trying something new. Poaching the eggs was a fun process, and it added a richness to the dish that paired well with the brightness of the tomato sauce and earthiness of the lamb. One note—this recipe calls for butter but the kit did not include it; instead, it refers to the butter as an item to include “from your pantry.” I noticed when some of the other meal kits had recipes that called for butter, they included it. Most people probably have butter on hand, so I don’t think it’s a huge deal, just a difference I noticed and thought worth mentioning.

The Shrimp Stir-Fry with Cambodian Tuk Trey Sauce and Jasmine Rice was easy to make and a cheaper version of a standard takeout dish I’d order. While it wasn’t super memorable compared to the other two recipes, there was nothing wrong with it.

Sun Basket recently launched organic five-minute salads that are designed to be a quick, easy, and healthy lunch solution. After trying them, I agree this is a fresh take on the traditional brown bag lunch (they even come in a brown bag). My favorite salad was the Organic Rainbow Asian Salad (for two). To be honest, at first glance this salad didn’t make me super excited. It contained spinach, scallions, cilantro, shredded carrots, shredded red cabbage, black sesame seeds, and cashews, with a tamarind-cashew dressing. However, once I started eating it I was quickly singing another tune. The dressing was tangy and had a good kick, and the cilantro and scallions added fresh flavor without adding calories. I ended up eating half of this salad for lunch, and eating the other half for a snack later in the afternoon.

Kristin Cassidy

The Organic Kale Caesar Salad (for two) was upgraded from a traditional Caesar salad with the addition of chickpeas and sunflower seeds. I also loved that the dressing was vegan (so hard to find in a Caesar dressing!). But I could have passed on the Organic Protein Crunch Salad (for two). The dried blueberries didn’t pair well with the other ingredients and felt out of place, and the raw riced cauliflower was a bit bitter.

Details

Price/Subscription Sizes: $11.99 per serving for a two-person or four-person subscription at 3 meals/week; $10.99 per serving for a four-person “family-friendly” subscription at 2-4 meals/week

Meal choices per week: 18 with a two to four-person subscription and six with a four-person “family-friendly” subscription

Special diet plans available: Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian options, Vegan, Pescatarian, and Diabetes-Friendly

Is it organic? Yes.

Try Sun Basket

Try It

Blue Apron Meal Kit Review

My Top Pick for Gourmet Chefs

Unboxing

Of the four meal kits I tested, Blue Apron was the only one that didn’t group together ingredients by recipe in individual paper bags within the large box. Instead, all ingredients were packaged loosely in the box. This makes Blue Apron the greenest option in my opinion, as it used the least amount of packaging compared to the other kits I tried. It was still very easy to group ingredients together by recipe, as the recipe cards included pictures of which ingredients went with each one. Like all of the other meal kits, any meat/seafood was on top of ice packs at the bottom of the box to ensure freshness.

Kristin Cassidy

Favorite Meal I Cooked

Out of all of the delicious meals I cooked throughout this test, my overall favorite was the Seared Cod & Saffron Rice with Lemon-Butter Pan Sauce. The night I cooked this meal I found myself with house guests and a fridge full of meal kit meals, so I ended up making this one for the group—and everyone loved it. The prep time and step-by-step instructions were accurate, the ingredients were very fresh, and the recipe was overall very flavorful. I ended up adding all of the optional red pepper flakes because I like things spicy, but feel free to leave them out if you prefer things on the milder side (or if you’re trying to appeal to a child’s tamer palate). I really enjoyed the addition of kale to the rice, and found the “weeknight hero spice blend” to complement the fish perfectly.

Kristin Cassidy

Other Meals I Cooked

I was impressed with the quality of the steak in the Steaks & Brown Butter Sauce With Mashed Potatoes & Fried Rosemary and felt the cooking instructions for the meat was spot-on. However, I ended up roasting the carrots for approximately five minutes longer than the called-for 16-18 minutes, but I do like my vegetables on the crispier side and chalk this one up to personal preference. For the fried rosemary section of the recipe, when I added the herbs to the hot oil as instructed, the rosemary immediately burned. In the future, I would tweak these instructions to heat the oil on low heat instead of medium-high heat. I also thought the potatoes were slightly dry, but did appreciate that they didn’t call for cream or butter.

The Kale & Monterey Jack Quesadillas with Spicy Radish Salsa & Fried Eggs is definitely a dish I’d find myself ordering at brunch. This recipe was super easy and quick to make, and I think it’d be a good one to have (eager) kids help with. The bite of the radishes paired nicely with the kick of the guajillo chile pepper sauce and the creamy queso blanco cheese. I wanted seconds of this one!

Details

Meal choices per week: Eight with a two-person subscription and five with a four-person subscription

Special diet plans available: Vegetarian options and Weight Watchers (Freestyle)

Is it organic? Some ingredients are organic, but overall Blue Apron is not an organic meal kit delivery service option.

Try Blue Apron

Try It

Hello Fresh Meal Kit Review

My Top Pick for Pleasing a Crowd

While I personally wasn’t as inspired with the recipes in Hello Fresh, it seemed to be the most crowd-pleasing of them all. The basic, simple recipes seemed particularly family-friendly when compared to other (more exotic) recipes I tried by different companies.

Unboxing

This meal kit was packaged like most of the others (upon opening the large box, each meal was separated into an individual paper bag containing all of the grouped ingredients per recipe and all meat/seafood was on top of ice packs at the bottom of the box to ensure freshness). As an added perk, they included a Hello Fresh apron that I found to be a fun bonus.

Kristin Cassidy

Favorite Meal I Cooked

The Figgy Balsamic Pork with Roasted Green Beans and Rosemary Potatoes was another meal I fed to my house guests (they happened to be visiting as I was having all of these meal kits delivered and I’m not one to be wasteful!), and it was another hit. Although I’m not typically a meat and potatoes kind of person, I actually loved this nostalgic meal with a twist. The figgy balsamic pan sauce was quite flavorful and the addition of rosemary to the roasted potatoes made them feel a little more upgraded than the potatoes I grew up with. The green beans were a crisp, fresh addition and rounded out the meal nicely. One recipe note—similar to the Lamb Tagine in Sun Basket, this recipe called for butter and did not include it, but rather asks you to provide it.

Kristin Cassidy

Other Meals I Cooked

At 1120 calories per serving, the Aioli-Topped Crab Cakes with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and a Cranberry Walnut Salad are definitely a calorie bomb. But crab cakes tend to be a crowd-pleaser, and these were no exception. The light, lemony salad balanced out the creamy crab cakes which were (understandably) quite rich, and the accompanying sweet potatoes were simple and healthy.

The recipe for Vietnamese Chicken Bowls with Sriracha Mayo and Jasmine Rice was another one that seemed like an at-home version of something I’d normally pick up from take-out on the way home. So if one of your New Year’s resolutions is to cook more, then this is a great option for you—the recipe uses fresh ingredients, has accurate cooking instructions, was easy to put together, and makes large portions. My favorite part was the garlicky pan sauce drizzled over the chicken. I found the Sriracha mayo to be less exciting.

Details

Meal choices per week: 15 with a two-person subscription and six with a four-person subscription

Special diet plans available: Vegetarian options

Is it organic? Hello Fresh is not an organic meal kit delivery service option.

Try Hello Fresh

Try It

Green Chef Meal Kit Review

My Top Pick for Those Following a Specific Diet Plan

Unboxing

The unboxing process was like most of the other meal kits—each recipe was separated into individual paper bags within the overarching box and all meat/seafood was on top of ice packs at the bottom of the box to ensure freshness. The package did include two free VitaCup coffee pods, which felt a little wasteful because I’m not a K-cup person and therefore had no use for them.

Favorite Meal I Cooked

If boyfriends could vote for their favorite recipe of the 12 I cooked, I’m told this Maple Balsamic BBQ Meatloaf with Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, and Cranberries would be it. While I do personally tend to cook a lot of Paleo/Pescatarian meals, I’ve never actually cooked meatloaf before. This is another good example of how meal kits can help you expand your typical repertoire of the 5-ish recipes you probably continually cook over and over again. The portion of tangy barbecue sauce was generous and helped keep the meatloaf moist and tender, and I was pleased to see such a large portion of bright and fresh vegetables included (even though it only came with one carrot instead of the stated two carrots on the recipe card). This ended up being a recipe I will try to recreate.

Kristin Cassidy

Other Meals I Cooked

The Chicken Al Pastor Wraps with Bell Pepper, Pickled Onions, Cabbage, and Carrot Slaw was a light meal—at 390 calories per serving, this was one of the lower calorie meals I tested. However, I still found this recipe satisfying. I loved the bright sweetness of the pineapple and the pickled onions—both gave great flavor to a pretty standard dish. The romaine lettuce was crisp and fresh, and the chicken seemed to be of good quality.

The Sausages with Braised Apple and Pan-Seared Acorn Fritters wasn’t a particularly standout dish, but I did think the squash fritters were a nice touch. They were kind of like savory Paleo pancakes.

Details

Price/Subscription Sizes: $12.99-$11.99 per serving for a two-person subscription at 3 meals/week; $10.99 per serving for a four-person subscription at 2 meals/week.

Meal choices per week: Three to five (depending on diet plan) with a two-person subscription and two with a four-person subscription

Special diet plans available: Paleo, Keto, Pescatarian, Vegan, Vegetarian options, and Gluten-Free

Is it organic? Yes.

Try Green Chef

Try It

While these are the only ones I’ve tested so far, check out CNET’s Meal Kit Delivery Services Guide for even more options.

Related Video: Too Salty? Too Spicy? These Quick and Easy Fixes Will Save Over-Seasoned Dishes

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Friday Food Finds: Starburst Duos, Meatless Bacon Chips, Dairy-Free Jeni’s Ice Cream, and More!

Another cold and dreary Friday. WTF, Spring? We’ve already sprung forward, so let’s have temperatures do the same. If you’re anything like me and plan to hibernate this weekend (sorry, not sorry), you’ll want to stock up on some of the latest and greatest snacks. Here’s everything we tried on this week’s Taylor Strecker Show Chub Chub Chowdown segment. Shockingly, we pretty much liked EVERYTHING. Who’s excited to take a trip to the grocery store?

Jeni’s Dairy-Free Ice Cream (Dark Chocolate Truffle is the only one currently available online, but we tried Roasted Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam)

This. Is. Dangerous. Not only is the taste on par with milk varieties, but its silky texture (thanks, in part, to the coconut cream) is out of this world. We could not get enough of this ice cream, but please be aware that dairy-free does NOT equal healthy. You’re still getting a dessert with this one. But is the splurge worth it? Absolutely. We sampled Roasted Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam on the show and can’t wait to get our hands on the other three new flavors.

Starburst Duos

These were just okay. While we applaud Starburst for trying to change things up a bit, we weren’t totally blown away by the flavor combos. Strawberry watermelon is definitely better than blue raspberry lemonade, though we’re frankly just craving the lemon, cherry, and strawberry OGs from a standard pack. Perhaps they can blend those instead? We’d be down with a cherry lemonade.

Stella Artois Spritzers

At only 3.5 percent alcohol by volume, we wanted to hate these. But alas, they were delicious. For those who enjoy a crisp, fresh, light sipper, Stella’s Spritzers are a nice departure from its more full-bodied Cidre. This is definitely a can that will make an appearance during picnics, pool parties, and basic bitch bachelorette weekends, so get ready.

Gardetto’s Crisps (Peppercorn Ranch – LINK TO COME)

Another cracker home run! Gardetto’s is famous for their delicious rye variety, but these thin and potatoey hexagons are our new go-tos. Peppercorn ranch is also a fantastic flavor, which led Taylor to pick these as her favorite from the day. Quite the bold statement, but not the least bit hyperbolic. Yum!

Sun Puffs (Four Cheese)

If you’re looking for a whole grain snack that’s super fun to eat, look no further than Sun Puffs. These are beyond addictive, so it’s a good thing they’re full of predominantly healthy ingredients. Rob declared these as his favorite of the day, which means you’ll have even more difficulty with grocery-buying decisions this weekend. Or you could just get all of the above and treat yourself. You deserve it.

Taja Coconut Water

We really appreciate the effort Taja puts into their coconut waters. You can taste the purity of the cold filtration process (the water never meets air from coconut to bottle!) and the bottle is ideal for buying and storing in bulk. This is definitely one of the best on the market and other companies should really follow suit when it comes to the quality they provide for their consumers. The future is now, people. Get excited!

PigOut Pigless Bacon Chips (Original)

After consuming hundreds of new food products every year, it takes a lot to shock and surprise me. Well, consider me shocked and surprised. PigOut’s Pigless Bacon Chips taste EXACTLY like bacon, but are made with mushrooms (!!!) for a mid-afternoon snack, salad mix-in, avocado toast topper, etc. They’re not only salty and delicious, but healthy and easy on the palate. These are definitely in contention as a Top 10 Friday Food Find of 2019, and we’re excited to see what other ideas this company has in store.

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Refreshing Green Brunch Drinks to Celebrate Springtime

Spring is synonymous with life, and while allergy sufferers would probably like life to take somewhat of a chill pill, there’s no denying the excitement of seeing more green outside. To celebrate the change of seasons, we’ve rounded up green brunch drinks that pair perfectly with the beautiful outdoor weather—that may not be here yet, but is surely just around the corner. Booze is entirely optional for most of the refreshing concoctions, though we can’t really imagine a lazy Sunday without it. (But that’s just us.)

1. Green Bloody Mary

If you need a little pick-me-up, opt for some spice in this horseradish and tomatillo-based take on a brunch classic. We hear this also tastes delicious with green eggs and ham. From who, you ask? Some guy named Sam. Get the Green Bloody Mary recipe.

2. Cucumber Vodka Soda

Your go-to vodka soda gets a seasonal upgrade with this citrusy and cucumber-heavy blend. It’s like an alcoholic version of spa water and we’re relaxed already. Get the Cucumber Vodka Soda recipe.

3. Spicy Matcha Margaritas

If you’ve been riding that matcha green tea train, but are hoping to kick things up a notch, consider adding some jalapeños and tequila to turn your health bev into a spicy margarita. It doesn’t make you less healthy, it makes you fun. Get the Spicy Matcha Margaritas recipe.

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4. Super Green Detox Drink

Skinny MS

We’re reluctant to believe that anything has the healing properties to “detox,” but this recipe’s celery, cucumber, kale, spinach, and parsley are certainly not messing around. We’re not even sure our stomachs can handle all of those vitamins and nutrients. Get the Super Green Detox Drink recipe.

5. Green Goddess Grape Smoothie

Little Sugar Snaps

Calling all goddesses. If you’re not a fan of wine (then exit out of this immediately…just kidding), but enjoy the taste of green grapes, this is the smoothie for you. The addition of mint also gives it a refreshing aftertaste that will either perk you up or make you crave gum. Get the Green Goddess Grape Smoothie recipe.

6. The Last Word

130 herbs and plants make up the naturally green Chartreuse, but you don’t need 130 excuses to sit down with this cocktail on a sunny weekend. If you disagree, we don’t want to hear it. We have the Last Word. Get our Last Word recipe.

7. Sangria Verde

Honestly, is there such thing as gross sangria? We’re not surprised to see a green variety get all of attention with this unique take on a Spanish staple. In fact, we’d even drink a gray one, if challenged. Get the Sangria Verde recipe.

8. Green Apple Sparkler

Chowhound

If you’re looking for that lip-smacking, “aah”-inducing reaction to a revitalizing homemade beverage, look no further than this tart green apple sparkler. How about them green apples? Get our Green Apple Sparkler recipe.

9. Money Green Champagne

Chowhound

It may be called Money Green Champagne, but we wouldn’t judge you if this was prepared with a bottle of Andre. Expensive tastes on a $5 budget is basically the story of our lives. Get our Money Green Champagne recipe.

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