Exploring Meal Kit Delivery: Why It Works For Us

 This content has been sponsored by HelloFresh. Regardless the images an opinions contained below are genuine and copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2017.

Thanks to Momma's helicopter parenting style I was taught essential cooking skills from a very young age.

Okay, what I was really taught was how to do 'prep work' such as washing and peeling potatoes, mixing marinades, trimming chicken, and measuring ingredients. Long before we had magical tablets to bark directions at us in the kitchen there was me, the loyal daughter reading off fine print from Betty Crocker's cook book. Of course I picked up some essential cooking skills too- I learned to add cold oil to a hot pan to prevent sticking, that meats continue to cook after being removed from a hot surface, and to always taste your food when cooking. Things, in my adult life, I've taken for granted as common knowledge. That was, until I met Jay.

In the 5 years we have been together Jay has never made a meal from scratch. It's not from laziness, or lack of wanting, but from a deep rooted fear of mucking things up. I like to think he has this vision of the entire kitchen engulfed in flames from a pot of water catching on fire. So, in our household that has been the main obstacle to eating delicious home cooked meals on a nightly basis. That and the fact that I simply don't have the time to go into the store shop meal-by-meal each week. Schedules change, and some nights I'm happy if I remember to change out of my clothes before bedtime. And let's not discuss the cost and waste involved in trying to meal plan for 2 people 7 nights a week.

So, for those reasons, and so many more, we've been experimenting with the ever-so-popular meal kit delivery trend. There are many companies out there offering these types of services and it can be overwhelming to know where to start or what to expect. I've found HelloFresh is the perfect place to dip your toes, with an easy to navigate online portal and a very relaxed subscription format.

You'll start by heading online- If you've never ordered from HelloFresh before you can enjoy $30 off your first box, plus free shipping, with my exclusive code: MOMMAJ30.

Once online you'll set up a very basic profile identifying whether you typically are shopping for a couple or a family (3-4 people) and your personal palette preferences (classic gourmet meals, family styled meals, or vegetarian). At that point you'll be given a preview of the upcoming week's meals and allowed to select the number of meals which you want delivered (3, 4, or 5). I especially like this option because it gives me the chance to sort of customize and plan my meal plan for the upcoming week. If I was planning on cooking chicken outside of my HelloFresh box then I might decide to go with another protein based meal during my selection process.

You'll choose a delivery date. In order to ensure the freshest ingredients, and prompt delivery, there's only a 3 day delivery window during the week. Of course your box and ingredients will last many more days beyond delivery, when stored properly in your home, so you will have some freedom to plan your meals and nights.

You are never locked into a commitment or contract- After your first box you can delay or cancel as desired- We like to enjoy a meal delivery box once or twice a month as our schedule demands. You can use HelloFresh as often or as little as fits your family's schedule. Pause your deliveries for up to 5 weeks, or opt-out of deliveries on a week to week basis if desired.

When your HelloFresh box arrives it might seem overwhelming and exciting all at once. It's a big box! Inside you'll find the key ingredients for each meal packaged in individual boxes (sectioned by meal). I like to keep everything in their appropriate box until we're ready to cook each meal but not all fridges will accommodate three or more of these smaller boxes. Regardless you will want to check the contents of each box and cross reference the provided ingredients lists to make sure everything arrived in good order. Proteins are not shipped and stored in the smaller meal boxes- we almost threw ours out! Make sure to check under the meal boxes, in between the ice packs, to remove your proteins upon unpacking.

Your box will also include sturdy, illustrated, recipe cards for each of your meals. On this recipe cards you will find the provided ingredients, and portioning, any necessary ingredients or supplies you need to prepare (bowls, cling wrap, water, etc) and step by step instructions to prepare your dishes.

If you are receiving the family (3-4 person) sized boxes most of your ingredients will be doubled. This will be noted on the recipe card under the ingredients but does not always translate to the instructions, which are written for the general base (2 person) recipe. I suggest reading your recipe card ahead of time to make sure any ingredient portioning or prep-work is addressed before you're in the middle of cooking your meal.

One of the things I love especially about HelloFresh is how well the instructions are timed. One person can effectively manage their time in the kitchen without wasting a moment and efficiently prepare a meal with minimal to no experience. Nearly all of your ingredients provided will require some sort of prep on your part, but the recipe card integrates this prep into the instructions at timed intervals that make the most of down time (IE: where your buns are toasting or your water is boiling).

I also love how fun HelloFresh is for both new home cooks and seasoned chefs, such as myself. I've always wanted to make stuffed burgers from scratch but never knew quite where to begin with flavor profiles or the filling. HelloFresh's Juicy Lucy burgers broke the entire process down. I now have the confidence to make them again, perhaps even with a few of my own twists!

And the food? I find the flavor profiles are strong, yet natural- the fresh ingredients keep questionable things out of my meals and really allow true flavors to shine through. If I encounter an ingredient I haven't worked with before I can even learn how to prep and handle it like a pro. In general the service has not only saved me time and money on busy weeknights, but also expanded my confidence in the kitchen and taught me a few new tricks!

Perhaps, best of all for me, it's even inspired Jay to take the apron and cook on his own. In fact, he rather enjoyed the pride that came from preparing meals from scratch, and I've noticed he's gotten a lot more confident with the knife! Having pre-portioned ingredients in addition to the easy-to-follow recipe cards really provides all the tools for success, and even brings back a little bit of fun to the kitchen again!

Have you ever tried HelloFresh? If you've never ordered from HelloFresh head on over now to enjoy $30 off your first box, plus free shipping, with my exclusive code: MOMMAJ30. This code will only be around through the first week of May!

#KraftRecipeMakers Helped Me Juggle a Lemonade Stand + 2 Meals! #shop

Momma Told Me: I'm not a short order cook!

I try to be Wonder Woman; I really do.

I'm usually the first awake on the weekends, I plan elaborate shopping routes to pick up Jay's favorite shoe polish or the cat's preferred kitty litter, and I like to have meal plans laid out a week in advance. But I am not without flaw, for I am human, and every now and then the afternoon rolls by and I catch myself caught by that ticking clock, stopping to ask, "What's for dinner tonight?" It's times like those where quick family meals can make or break the success of our day. Where I once would have leaned on a quick swing through the drive through to satisfy the looming dinner slot, I now find comfort in inspiring meal helpers such as #KraftRecipeMakers.

There was a time with the 'Type A' inside me would have cringed at the thought of pulling out a box to help ease meal prep on a hectic weeknight. Unfortunately, my pride often lead to less healthy alternatives dished by the golden arches or one crowned burger mega-conglomerate. In recent years I've grown into my role as head of household, and executive chef to our humble family, and learned I can plan meals in a pinch with the help of the right meal kits. I try to avoid meal helpers that limit my options to ground beef, or include pasta as it's designated carb. Simmer sauces and marinades can be a great way to inspire the rushed home cook, while expanding protein and vegetable options that will best suit your family's tastes. After all, who wants to go through the effort of cooking a meal only half of those at the table will eat? That's why I was especially thrilled to discover Kraft's new Recipe Makers range.

With 9 exclusive recipe starter kits, across three methods of preparation (oven, skillet, slow cooker), Kraft Recipe Makers also include alternate preparation idea right on the inside of the packaging. That's 3 recipe ideas with 2 simple to incorporate preparation sauces. Last week was a pretty hectic one for our family, with back-to-school shopping, several birthday preparations, and our long awaited Lemonade and Cupcake Stand kick off. All meal plans somehow got thrown out the window, and I was left without a lunch or dinner plan, rounding 1PM on Thursday.

Verde Chicken Enchiladas

***Printable chicken enchilada recipe here

Ingredients:

* 1 Box Kraft Verde Chicken Enchiladas Recipe Makers

* 4C Shredded, Cooked, Chicken (about 1.5lbs)

* 12 Corn Tortillas (6-8 inch)

* 1C KRAFT Mexican Style Four Cheese Shredded Cheese

Directions:

Heat oven to 350F

1.) Prepare 13" x 9" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Combine shredded chicken and Filling Sauce (Kraft Recipe Makers bottle).

2.) Stack tortillas; wrap in damp paper towel and microwave on HIGH 30 sec- 1 MIN, or until warmed through. Pour half the Finishing Sauce (1 pouch) into prepared baking dish.

3.) Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place seam-side down, in prepared baking dish. Repeat until baking dish is full.

4.) Cover with remaining (1 pouch) Verde Finishing Sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15-20 MIN, until heated through.

****Note: The fresher and warmer the corn tortillas, the easier they will roll without splitting. If you encounter an issue with your tortillas splitting, you may layer tortilla, meat, and tortilla in casserole fashion, as shown above. I do not recommend substituting flour tortillas, which can become chewy and hard to cut when damp and cooked.

I resisted the urge to pick up the phone for discount Large pizzas, or to swing through the drive through for dollar burgers and salty fries. Instead I visited my pantry shelf where I had 4 flavorful Kraft recipe Makers options waiting to inspire me. These innovative new meal helps are much more than fancy sauces; they are the freedom to create restaurant quality meals at home, in 30 minutes prep or less. Don't believe me? Each variety clearly labels the suggested prep method, recommended ingredient must haves to create the desired dish, and a full break down of prep and cook times to easily work into your schedule. I knew right away I wanted to make Verde Chicken Enchilada for lunch, and Chicken Cacciatore for dinner. Best of all, I was able to do both of these things at the same time! Verde Chicken Enchilada took 8 minutes of prep time, with 1.5lbs of shredded pre-cooked chicken, and I was able to set up my Chicken Cacciatore in the slow cooker while I was waiting for our lunch to heat (15 MINS) in the oven!

No sooner had the last of the paintbrush Sharpies been scooped from our dining table did a delicious Mexican inspired dish hit the Lazy Susan. We scarfed down the Verde Chicken Enchilada, leaving no leftovers, then hit the park for a few hours of educational, and profitable, cupcake and lemonade selling. By the time we arrived home our dinner was well underway and on it's way to the final stages of preparation. After 5 hours on high in the slow cooker, our Kraft Chicken Cacciatore only required 10 minutes of pasta prep over the stove top. Because the recipes are so easy to mold, I substituted peppers with fresh mushrooms (an ingredient more popular within our family), and was able to make a second home cooked meal worthy of raving. I actually feel like I cheated a little, it was really that easy!

Thankfully, it's hard to feel guilty on the back of a successful lemonade stand and 2 delicious meals (complete with compliments from the 'customers'.) While I wasn't ambitious enough to try some of the alternate recipes this go-around, I can't wait to have an excuse to hit my shelf again and further explore the time saving and delicious #KraftRecipeMakers range. For a more in depth look at my time saving meal prep, check out my Walmart shopping trip Google + where I consider the range of meal kits available to today's consumer.

Chicken Cacciatore

***Printable Chicken Cacciatore recipe here.

Ingredients:

* 1 KRAFT Chicken Cacciatore Recipe Starters

* 2lb Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Breasts

* 1 Green Pepper, Cut Into Strips

* 2C Fresh Sliced Mushrooms

* 3C Rotini Pasta, Uncooked

Directions:

1.) Add Simmer Sauce to slow cooker; top with chicken and vegetables. Turn chicken to coat in sauce.

2.) TOP with cooking sauce; cover. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or HIGH 4-6 hours.

3.) 15 MIN before serving, cook 3C Rotini pasta as directed on package (no salt). Drain.

4.) Serve chicken mixture over pasta.

***Frozen, ready sliced vegetables can help cut prep time and costs.

What Daughter Says: Bring delicious family meals back to your table without the extra stress. Lean on quality meal kits to help inspire busy weeknight meals.

I'm not the only Blogger who has experienced Kraft Recipe Makers, see more of the product range, and get exclusive recipe ideas by following along on the Blog Hop below!