If you have been around for awhile, you know that cooking and getting dinner on the table is NOT one of my strong suits.
I have other skills…like writing about not cooking.
Although NOT starting a food blog 20+ years ago is one of my biggest regrets, but I digress…
In the past, I have tried several of the food box subscriptions–Purple Carrot (during my vegan phase which ended as my boys called me the cheating vegan), Blue Apron, Hello Fresh and Factor.
But I had not tried Marley Spoon*.
*Let’s chat about what I got/get in exchange for writing about this: They sent me a box with two meals for 4 people and I signed up for their affiliate program which means if you use my affiliate link or my code: HOLLY, I get wads and wads of cash…well, maybe a small wad.
Ordering Meals from Marley Spoon
- I went to Marley Spoon (use my code: HOLLY for up to $250 off your first 5 boxes).
- I chose how many people (4) and how many meals a week (2). Since it is summer and my boys (now ages 19-24) stop by for food, the occasional nap/overnight and a far-too-infrequent use of the washer/dryer, it is good to have food available!
- Chose my meals:
I was surprised that it could be delivered within just a few days…so it will arrive on Monday.
Before My Marley Spoon Box Arrived
One of the cool things that happened before my box arrived was Marley Spoon sent me an email with the pantry ingredients I would need to make my ordered meals. None of the ingredients were unusual, but it would be just my luck to be out of something like olive oil when I need it!
When my meal box arrived
My Marley Spoon box arrived on time and was in a large cardboard box with ice packs and surprisingly light insulation. I unpacked the box and set the ingredients out next to the beautiful recipe cards separating the two meal lists.
Everything was fresh and brightly colored and packaged appropriately with labels.
Recycling the Box
{Holly rant} I have received subscription meal boxes in the past that were labeled “recyclable” but they were very bulky and it wasn’t obvious HOW to recycle them. This box was so easy to flatten, remove the insulation which was clearly labeled as paper and place into my recycling bin.
I wiped off the two ice packs that were still frozen and put them in my freezer to use for our own cooler in the future.
Cooking Dinner with Marley Spoon for First Time
I followed the recipe card and had dinner on the table in less than 45 minutes. I am slow because I don’t cook super often. Everything turned out great…more on that later.
What I Liked
- The instructions were super clear, but not long. For instance, for the French Fries, it told me to put my oven racks at the top and the lower 1/3rd. That worked great. Otherwise, I would have just kept them in the middle where they were.
- The instructions were sequenced with a time buffer. This has been an issue with a meal in the past that because I am slow, the first thing I make will be cold by the time I get the entire meal together. In this case, the instructions told me to switch the oven temp to 200 degrees to allow the potatoes to stay warm if I wasn’t finished with the steaks by then.
- The meal was great. Everything turned out better than expected.
Spicy Oven Fries
I have made oven fries multiple times over the last few years, but found that the instructions from Marley Spoon was quicker, easier and less messy than methods I had used before. I opted to use all the spices provided (it was suggested to use less) because my family loves spicy food…Texas, y’all! And they were a big hit at dinner.
Spinach Salad
I doubled the recipe of the vinaigrette so I would have leftovers and I was glad once I tasted it. My 19 year old at the dinner table had skipped the spinach. When I encouraged him to take a serving, he replied, “Mom, it is just salad!”
He ended up placing a few leaves on his plate and then I noticed something strange…shhhh! He kept taking more. And at the end of the meal, he was the one that finished off the spinach salad.
Garlic-Lime Marinated Steak
Simple instructions = perfect steak. I was a little surprised at how easy it was.
Dinner at My House
My favorite thing was that dinner was great. Everyone ate…everything. My family even said that it was like eating out which is high praise! But my favorite comment came from my 19 year old son…
“This is by far the best meal box you have tried.“
I agree.
Order Marley Box with a Discount
If you use my affiliate code: HOLLY, you will receive discounts up to $250 off your first 5 boxes.
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