Foodie Swellness: Chef’s Plate

November 11, 2015

“What’re you doing here?”

People keep asking me this because they’re surprised to see me in Toronto. And yes, it’s true, the past few months I have had quite a few trips with little time spent at home. I think my poor cats are plotting to disown me.

Besides some lonely cats, my condo also has a very bare fridge and empty cupboards; since I haven’t been home for several weeks in a row, it’s been ages since I’ve come home from the grocery store with fresh goods to make several meals. I’ve been using the Ritual app for the occasional takeout meal, or just getting a handful of ingredients to make a really basic meal (ham and cheese sandwich day after day gets really boring, though, not to mention the fact that I’m missing important vitamins and minerals eating like this).

A solution I enjoyed is Chef’s Plate. Much like Mealspirations, this meal delivery service sets you up with the recipe and key ingredients for a tasty well-rounded meal. Rather than pore through recipes and grocery shop, Chef’s Plate sets me up with just what I need for the dish, meaning I get to eat a good home cooked meal (so welcome after eating often rich meals when I travel). It’s great for anyone who’s short on time or who maybe needs help with meal ideas or who simply isn’t a fan of going to the supermarket. It also works out well for me as I’m often reluctant to buy fresh produce if I’m only home for a couple of days since I won’t have a chance to eat everything and use up all the fresh ingredients. Since Chef’s Plate just provides the amount you need, I had less waste going in the garbage.

At $10.95 per plate it’s not unreasonable in price, and there are a choice of meat, fish or vegetarian plates that change each week, and you can order two to three meals, for two people or four people. One thing I think would make my life easier though is if you could choose the delivery day, currently orders placed by midnight on Thursday are delivered on Monday. My schedule is such that I might not be cooking until Thursday, for example, so an option of delivery dates would work better for me personally.

I chose the kale and tofu salad (above), which was very simple to make and one I’d happily make again, and the veal schnitzel, which took a little longer but was a comforting meal (it’s one I picture mom’s making for their kids).

Have you tried a meal planning service? Have they been a time-saver or do you prefer to do your own grocery shopping and menu planning?

 

Filed under: Foodie Swellness

Tags: chef, Chef's Plate, Chef's Plate review, cook, groceries, healthy, home cooking, meal delivery service, tofu, Toronto