Plated Meal Subscription Box Review – July 3, 2015

Plated sends weekly dinner kits with high quality ingredients and chef-created recipes. Each week you’ll choose from a variety of dishes that range from meats, chicken, seafoods, and purely vegetarian options. There’s enough selection to please all palates, and the recipes are seasonally focused. We love the way each meal incorporates only a couple key herbs or spices; the flavors shine through, and the recipes remain easy to follow. We love getting boxes most week to try new recipes, and we save the must make again recipes – although they’re also available in your account. Plated’s recipes rely on mise en place and then cook, and to be honest, we often mix up the steps, but we’re both experienced cooks and know what can be accomplished while something else cooks. So, read your cards if you need the step by steps.

 The recipe card was updated earlier this year, though I wish it would indicate the ease of the meal right on the card. When your box is sent out you’ll get an email indicating the pantry items you’ll need (this week: + 2 teaspoons olive oil, black pepper, an egg, kosher salt, olive oil), plus a reminder of what meals are coming, preparation ease, cook time, and calorie count. We get asked a lot – Sometimes we order Plated and sometimes Hello Fresh. It just depends on what meals we’re interested in. [Hello Fresh: Take $40 off your first box with coupon code 7UT7K8]

The box has new Jute insulation. The outer plastic bag is recyclable and the jute is compostable. This is a great step!

Hickory Burgers with Coleslaw and Crispy Onions: 30-40 minutes, 710 calories, easy

The seasoning on these was light handed and the BBQ wasn’t overpowering. These were solid but not great. The coleslaw was a tad mustardy for my tastes. However the preparation was easy and didn’t require cooking indoors. We’d just had really amazing Hello Fresh burgers so I think that had something to do with us not thinking these were amazing.

Smoked Salmon with Mâche Salad, Bagel Chips, and Sesame Poppy Seed Vinaigrette: 25-35 minutes, 390 calories, easy

This was really great! The salmon was fresh and good quality and this dish didn’t require an oven at all! The croutons were already toasted so this Plated meal was the fastest I’ve ever made. I loved that it was like a bagel with traditional toppings except as a salad.

Pretzel-Crusted Fish with Creamy Horseradish and Garlic and Lemon Green Beans: 30-40 minutes, 680 calories, medium

The prep for the fish was actually pretty easy, as long as you are willing to get your hands a little messy.  The pretzel crust was magnificent!  I had a great pretzel flavor, and the pretzel thins soaked up less oil than panko. Brandy asked to take the leftovers for lunch the next day and she doesn’t ever do that because she’s not crazy about fish.

Plated Summer Series: From July through August, every week, Plated will feature one recipe designed for the grill, one no-cook recipe, and two stovetop-only recipes!

We loved the fish recipes this week, but weren’t crazy about the burgers. It happens!

Visit Plated to find or more or to subscribe, or check out all our Plated Reviews.  Find more meal subscription services & dinner kits in the directory.