I'm a big fan of these meal-box delivery services - I've tried nearly every one of them. Sometimes I get the meals and then life happens and I don't get to use one before it expires (usually 2-4 days). Well
Kroger has jumped in the game and has come out with five new Meal Kits and I got to try them all!
The Prep+Pared meals are super easy to put together - most everything is even chopped already and they go from fridge to plate in about 15 minutes!
Prep+Pared meals are in the deli section of Kroger (exclusively available at select Kroger stores). They range between $14-$20 and serve 2 (maybe a 3rd portion for lunch leftovers).
There are five varieties:
- Chicken Enchiladas Rojas
- Creamy Chicken + Bacon Alfredo Fettuccine
- Moroccan Inspired Spring Vegetables
- Chimichurri Steak
- Japanese Inspired Beef Rice Bowls
The first box I popped open was the Japanese Inspired Beef Rice Bowl. Each box has an "Enjoy by" date as well as full nutritional info. I love the convenience of these because if I'm running late or realize at 4pm I don't have anything set out for dinner - I can stop by - grab one thing and go! Plus - they're FAST!!!
The box is small but packed full of ingredients! I laid them all out so I would be able to get to everything.
TIP: Use the box for all your garbage! As you open the ingredient containers just pop them in your box and shut it and pitch it! Once everything is out - your handy info sheet will walk you through the recipe and tell you everything you need.
TIP: Read through the recipe first! You may need to preheat the oven or get something out you don't use that often.
This recipe was unique as it had a few components to put together - but they were all super easy. First up - I mixed vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and water until the sugar dissolved. Then I threw in the carrots & half the ginger and stirred it. Next you microwave for a couple of minutes and this whole process pickles the carrots! You do that first so they can pickle away while you're getting the rest of the dinner ready!
While the pickling was pickling - I prepped the beef and veggies. After browning the ground beef, I added vinegar, soy sauce and honey until the liquid thickened up a bit. Then I moved the beef to one side of the pan and put the garlic and ginger in the liquid. (Love that it's a one-pot kind of meal!) After that sautes a bit - I added in the bok choy and mushrooms and sauteed them as well.
I've never really had bok choy but it's a bit like celery in texture - so I was down with it! I snuck a bite and it had my stomach growling for more!
Now my meat and veggies are ready - my carrots are pickles - I'm almost ready for dinner! The rice they provide is pre-cooked so you just have to microwave it for a couple of minutes. Most of the time pre-cooked rice isn't great but this was really good!
Last step is to put the bowls together - rice - beef - veggies - carrots - done! You can also add scallions and sriracha to the dish - I went very light on the sriracha because my stomach just can't handle too much spice. #oldage
And there you have it - my very own Kroger Prep+Pared Japanese Rice Bowl. It was delicious!!! I'd love to see them come out with a Korean version like Bi Bim Bap. The carrots were lightly pickled and I'm not really a fan of ginger and this had a LOT - but I loved it! My favorite component was the beef for sure - it had a great sauce and rich flavor. I even thought about plopping a fried egg on top - but I resisted to stay true to the recipe for you guys.
I've tried a couple of the other meals with great success there as well. The bacon and chicken alfredo was delicious - some serious comfort food there and I love the bacon. The enchiladas were great as well with my favorite part being making the enchilada sauce - I've never done that!
Kroger's Prep+Pared meals are a great dinner option and I can't wait until they're in all the stores! They include all the ingredients with all the chopping and prep work done for you.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Prep+Pared. The opinions and text are all mine.
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