Cooking at home has never been more appealing -- everyone knows cooking at home is healthier, less expensive, and infinitely more satisfying than eating out or takeout. But have you tried selecting a recipe online lately? Or felt guilty throwing away a rotting bunch of parsley after using only a couple sprigs?
Within the past year, several companies have decided to tackle the growing segment of the population that wants to cook at home, but needs a little help selecting a recipe and delivering pre-portion-sized groceries. I sampled four and scored them on price, taste, ease, eco-friendliness, nutrition, and vegan-/gluten-free/vegetarian-friendliness.
Read on for the first of four companies reviewed. Bon appétit!
Cost per plate:
Classic GrubKits (approximately $19) include one recipe and serve between 3-4 adults; combo GrubKits include at least two recipes and can serve up to 8 adults. Free shipping in the continental US on orders of 3 or more GrubKits. For fewer than 3 kits, a flat $3.95 in the continental US. Keep in mind this does not take into account the cost of fresh ingredients.
Membership:
None at this time, but planned for fall/winter 2013.
Delivery zone:
Continental US
Shelf life:
Though kits contain only non-perishable ingredients, preparation is recommended within two weeks of ordering for best results.
Recipe:
The current selection of 8 recipes includes 1 breakfast item, four entrees, two vegetarian entrees, and 1 dessert. Recipes change monthly and a membership option with unique recipes is planned. Recipes come from Barb, a home cook who runs the food blog WishfulChef.com, as well as other popular food bloggers.
Ingredients:
Natural and organic where possible and labeled on the recipe cards.
What You'll Need:
About three to four fresh ingredients per recipe, such as eggs, tofu, scallions, bean sprouts, garlic, lime, and chicken; pantry staples such as olive oil; and tools, such as a mixing bowl, small pot, large pot, large non-stick pan, colander, spoon, and knife.
Process:
Meals can take 30 to 60 minutes active time; possible passive time (for marinating) from 1 hour to overnight. The menu I tried was relatively straightforward and only took 30 minutes.
Meals Tried:
Authentic Pad Thai Noods: B. I used the entire packet of chili pepper, and as a result this was spicier than desirable. I also used a quarter the amount of palm sugar the recipe called for since it called for what seemed to be an unnecessary amount of sugar.
Health:
Nutritional information is not available. Vegetarian, vegan friendly, and gluten-free recipes available.
Sustainability:
Small priority mail box with biodegradable packing peanuts; all the non-perishable ingredients are pre-measured in little eco-friendly, compostable cello bags and reusable jars.
Extras:
Recipe card includes tips and tricks and wine/beer pairings.
Founders:
Max and Barb, a husband-and-wife duo based in Brooklyn, NY.
Overall:
Because you still need to go to the grocery store to pick up perishable items, I found this service to be slightly beside the point. Photos on the recipe card would be helpful. I prepared the entire menu at once to serve family style, thus I feel this would take longer than 30 minutes to cook one portion at a time.
Would I recommend GrubKit to a beginning home cook short on time? Only, if he/she is still planning to order groceries for the fresh ingredients.
Click here for the next review...
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.