Culture Diary: Happy Meals— HelloFresh and Meals in a Box

Last night, after finishing work for the evening, I did as many Americans do and shut my laptop, poured a glass of wine, and started making dinner. I got out my cutting board and knife, then opened the brown paper bag I’d put in my fridge earlier that morning.

Last night’s meal was sirloin steak with garlic pan sauce, mashed potatoes, and roasted broccoli. I’d paid extra for this particular meal when I selected it last week, thinking I’d need all the treats I could get this week.

So I chopped the potatoes, scissored the little packets and pouches, and followed along the recipe card. Prep: 5 minutes. HAHAHAH. This is the lie of big meal kit: that it will make your life easier. In some ways, it does. But you’re still chopping, still using and washing dishes and pots and pans, and still running around the kitchen, trying to keep 3 different dishes going without burning the house down or setting off a smoke alarm.

I tried Blue Apron a few years ago, lured by the promise of a life made easier. But I found it was too expensive and I was out and about too frequently (and unpredictably….remember those days?) to count on being able to make a fairly involved meal three times a week. So I cancelled after the trial.

So why do Hello Fresh? Idk, novelty during the pandemic I guess? And my friend sent me discount codes and I liked the first few meals I got. One of my bugaboos is meal planning. Because I like to try and plan everything, I try to plan the meals I’m going to cook, then make a list and head to the grocery store. It’s a chore I really dislike because there are SO many recipes out there, which ones will be the best but also not make me want to crumple in frustration because I’m not Martha Stewart? I sort of enjoy cooking but also sort of just want to get to the reward, which is the eating part.

Meal subscription boxes take the guess work out of meal planning. They pre-select your meals for you, but you can also choose to substitute. I chose low-calorie options, but sometimes sub out those options for other meals (see: sirloin steak with garlic pan sauce). It’s pretty flexible and the meals are good, once cooked. When I moved, I switched my plan from 3 meals a week to 2, which I think is working better for me. I also don’t get a…