My Wednesday Pantry-Borrowing from Meal Kits

      It's been slim in the new recipe department this week. Chicken lo mein was new to us, but it really was chicken cooked in the General Tsao Asian sauce from Aldi and soy sauce, then stirred through with vegetables, and spaghetti noodles. (I read a hack that someone did not tell any difference between using  spaghetti  and expensive lo mein noodles-I liked it with the spaghetti as well).

For the picture; I didn't use chopsticks to eat. That skill has slipped.

     The verdict is still out as to whether I'll try a starter deal on meal kits for the week my daughter is home. I love the idea of more variety, simple direction, the right amounts all ready for a novice like DD2 in the kitchen to try out. having just the right amount of ingredients avoiding buying anything special is a bonus. The cost per meal and the amount of packaging though is a turn off. She told me, frugal college kid she is now, they are ridiculously expensive and she can learn to cook without them. But, I've gotten a few tips from people who have used the kits and often they make the sides at least, with ingredients they have in their house for future meals. 

On Saturday  Hawaii Plan mentioned an apple-carrot slaw, then shared in her comments it was a Hello Fresh recipe. 

The recipe for the slaw was really easy (it was a Hello Fresh recipe). The amount below served 2 generously:
-4 oz shredded carrots
-1 scallion/green onion, chopped
-1 small apple, thinly sliced
-2 tbsp mayo
-4 tsp white wine vinegar

You make a dressing out of the mayo & vinegar. Combine the carrots, apple & scallions, then add in the dressing. Season with salt & pepper.

Quick, easy & using pantry staples.

My version of apple-carrot slaw.

     I had neither green onions or scallions, nor white wine vinegar, so I gave it a try substituting yellow onion, and apple cider vinegar. We had this on Sunday with the tuna hotdish, and it was good but a bit off with the hotdish. I plan to make a bit tomorrow  to go with country style ribs and I think it will be terrific. The onion perhaps a bit stronger than the green onions might have been, but I love apple cider dressings anyway, so that was a winning substitute. Of course I don't know what the original was supposed to taste like. It's rare I wouldn't have each of these ingredients on hand, so having a side available on hand anytime is great. HP answered Anne's question on a Cherry Sauce too-take a look. She's so creative to reconfigure these recipes, and I love how her son is enjoying his cooking time-what life long skills he is learning.

     I Googled around, my favorite thing to do these days, for other meal kit hacks, using their recipes, but with ingredients you buy yourself. I found this article, My Brilliant and Slightly Ethically Questionable Way to Use Meal Kits . The comments, and I agree, not unethical as I think it is a marketing strategy to get people to buy. Its no different than picking up a recipe card in the grocery store from a brand, but then buying generic versions. Some people will buy the brand though that otherwise would the recipe promotion is banking on. I think that's likely the same for meal kits that share recipes on their sites. 

     I haven't been in a Super Target since  Stay at Home went into effect-the three nearest to me are  smallish stores, but the one by work was huge. They had an endcap with complete meals kits-$25 I think and advertised  they would feed four+ people. I don't see them on-line, so maybe was a trial. I see Aldi has added a simple menu planner on the front page of their ad too. I am sure these ideas are a great help to  families with so much on their plate that to have one less thing to think about, and not resort to take out, is appreciated. 

     Have you tried the kits and if so which ones? Do you have recipe favorites that you've switched to buying your own ingredients for?