I love to cook. Shopping can be fun too, but I drag out the process because I’m usually seeking recipe inspiration at the store instead of making a grocery list and sticking to it. This is how I overspend my budget each week! Buying items I only need a smidge of, to make (or run out of time to make) a meal that would have in the end been cheaper at a restaurant. So after researching a variety of different online sites, I picked the one closest to home. Here is part one of my epicurean adventure……

After reading many reviews of the tops sellers like Plated, Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, Forage, and Peach Dish, I still wasn’t ready to jump in. None of their foods made me scream YES! (Click here for a great pro/con list created by TheKitchn website “Meals By Mail: Which Meal Kit Delivery Service Is Right for You?”)

But you know how web searches go. Once you type something into Google, suddenly every website you go to is advertising on the side bar a similar product. That is how I discovered HOME CHEF, which happens to be out of Chicago. Their recipes looked normal, the prices were on average $10 per meal for two, and the first order had a $30 off promo code.

Creator Pat Vihtelic combined his love of cooking with his hate for grocery shopping and came up with a business that is now in 30 states. Subscribers get delivered to their home a meal kit once a week that includes all of the ingredients, including seasonings. They say meals take about 30 minutes to prepare and cook.

So I stepped of the cliff and joined. No obligation, skip weeks or cancel anytime, order more or less meals a week, even adding snack fruit when you want it!

I was all excited until I had to wait over a week for my first delivery. Bummer, because I’m impatient, yet good that I would have a few vacation days to practice.

My first recipe was a pork carnitas dinner, which included me making home made tortilla chips, and pulling pre-roasted pork off a shank . It was excellent! Easy to make and only took 40 minutes. The home made salsa took some time. Plus there was no guacamole included, so I made my own. Hubby loved it. We ate it so fast I forgot to take a photo!

The very next morning, I decided to try the homemade cinnamon rolls. Looked easy on the color “how to” instruction page.

Big yummy flavor and great big mess!

I used every mixing bowl I owned, and thank gawd I had a rolling pin. Some of these recipes are not for beginners. 30 minutes was more like 45 minutes of prep, which then was 35 minutes of baking, and the whole time I’m thinking how much easier buying a tube of rolls would be, but these were made with greek yogurt, and since they must be healthier, I ate three.

Still to come this week. Bangers and Mash, steak and potatoes, Korean pork medallions, and chicken skewers. I’m saving shopping time and money, but  I’ll report back on the flavors and husband review ASAP!