We got a lot of Plated this week, but there were so many things that looked good we had to. Plated sends weekly dinner kits with high quality ingredients and chef-created recipes. Each week you’ll choose from a variety of quick gourmet meals that range from meats, chicken, seafood, 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.
Important to note: whereas Plated has been a subscription, you could previously turn off auto-shipments. You can no longer do that. No big deal for us, because we like to go in and select what recipes we’re receiving anyways. You can skip at the click of a button.
Everything arrives in environmentally-friendly jute packaging and recyclable plastic. This combo provides cushion, insulation, and a moisture barrier.
Boxes are always packed with the meat on the bottom, underneath a few big ice packs — the rest of the food is set on top with more ice.
Plated sends a weekly email — it doesn’t tell you much about your meals, other than what you need from home. There’s now no reminder of the ease of preparation and all the other subscriptions provide some version of that.
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] We have also started ordering Home Chef ($30 off with link). We love all of these boxes – try them out and pick your favorite.
Plated has new branding – but we’re still bummed they don’t put the ease of preparation on the recipe card. They could put it right there where it says serves 2 people – because all of Plated’s meals serve two people!
Plated’s recipes rely on mise en place and then cook – we often mix up the steps from how the recipe is written, 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.
All the food comes bagged up and separated (mostly) into the recipes. Meat and some larger veggies are bagged aseparately.
Pretzel-Crusted Fish with Lemon Green Beans and Creamy Horseradish Sauce
This pic shows both servings together — it made quite a pile of food! The fish was spectacular, the pretzel crisps being a superb way to make the breading. Everyone in our family loved this dish, and it was actually quite easy to prepare for a breaded dish.
Chicken Empanadas with Roasted Tomatoes, Red Onion, and Green Chile Sauce
These were really fun to eat! The filling was simple and tasty, and their was plenty of creamy dipping sauce. The dough for the empanadas couldn’t have been easier to use — it needed no rolling, wetting, or eggwash, just a simple fold and press. Though the construction of the empanadas was very easy, the dish took a long time to prepare — the chicken needed to be roasted and cut prior to filling the empanadas. Since meat prep always follows veggies on the instructions, following the order provided results in a long total prep time. The avocado and tomato side was delicious (the avocado was in superb condition), but it was a little hard to eat as part of the main dish. We gladly ate it much of it later on as a nacho topping! This pic shows both portions.
Beef Bolognese over Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Pecorino Cheese
Seared Skirt Steak with Homemade Steak Sauce and Potatoes
Simply fantastic. I’ve always found skirt steak to be hit or miss, but these cuts were excellent. Tender and juicy, they could have stood on their own. The sauce was exceptional as well — along with tomato, onion, and garlic, it had very rich beef flavor and a thick, silky texture. The simple, hazelnut-topped salad and smashed potatoes were great sides. This dish wasn’t difficult to prepare, but it did take a bit of time, because preparation of the sauce had to precede the cooking of the main dish. It also made a good deal of food — only one serving is shown in the above pic. Surprisingly Brandy ate the steak sauce even though it had espresso powder, which added to the richness of the sauce without a coffee flavor.
We were very satisfied with our Plated selections this week. The portions were big this week, which was a good thing — our kids loved the empanadas and fish!
We are enjoying the new Plated interface and like that I have direct access to a Plated “concierge” when we want to change our order for the week (for example, to add double of one dish, or an extra dish than my subscription). We have certainly been using this feature.
Visit Plated to find or more or to subscribe. Currently you can get 2 free plates when you buy 4 when you sign up with this link (no coupon code required).
The Description: Ingredients for chef-designed meals delivered to your door. You select the chef-created recipes on the Plated.com website and Plated sends you a box of food and recipes.
The Price: $12 per plate – must order in multiples of 2 and your box ships free with $50 in product. If you want only 2 meals, go for a Chef’s Table + a regular, or 2 regular plates plus a dessert!
The Categories:Food & Cooking Subscription Boxes, Meal & Dinner Kit Subscription Boxes.
The Reviews: See all our Plated Reviews.
The Spoilers: Previews and ordering of future weeks are available on the Plated site!.
Comments
“Plated” food is really bad! Blue apron is much better BUT they use laser ship. The laser ship driver found out that if they deliver late and the box is refused they get a free box of food. Plated food also sucks compared to Blue Apron. Plated will also send food that is not ordered and bill you. If you do not care about getting food early and storing it until needed Blue aporon is much better