Discovering the Ease of Home Cooking with Meal Delivery Kits: A Relished (Now Home Chef) Review

UPDATE: Relished has recently been rebranded as Home Chef. While this review reflects my experience with the service under its original name, the commitment to fresh, convenient, and delicious home cooking remains at the core of Home Chef’s mission.

As someone who genuinely loves the culinary arts, I’ll be the first to admit a common struggle: consistently cooking fresh, wholesome meals every single night can feel like an insurmountable challenge. My ideal scenario involves leisurely strolls through bustling local fresh markets, discovering culinary joy amidst vibrant fruit and veggie aisles, or meticulously selecting lean protein sources from the butcher. Sadly, the demands of a busy professional life and ongoing academic pursuits often leave little time for such idyllic cooking adventures.

This is precisely why, when I was contacted by Relished – a forward-thinking meal delivery service – and offered the opportunity to try their fresh ingredient kits, I didn’t hesitate. The promise of fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes delivered right to my door was an immediate appeal, offering a practical solution to my time constraints without sacrificing my passion for home-cooked meals.

Relished (Now Home Chef): Simplifying Fresh Home Cooking

Relished, originally a Chicago-based weekly meal delivery service, was founded on a simple yet profound mission: to transform the often-daunting task of cooking fresh food at home into an effortlessly enjoyable experience. At the time of my review, their delivery network extended across a significant portion of the U.S., covering most areas East of the Colorado River, making fresh, convenient meals accessible to a broad audience.

According to the information available on their website (which now points to Home Chef), the service provides “a portioned ingredient kit filled with all of the fresh, locally-sourced food and instructions you need to cook three delicious meals every week.” Last week, I had the pleasure of trying out this innovative meal delivery service, and I’m excited to share my detailed experience and review.

Unboxing the Relished Experience: Freshness and Precision Delivered

Upon receiving my delivery from Relished, the immediate impression was one of meticulous organization and commitment to freshness. The box arrived well-insulated, ensuring the ingredients remained at optimal temperatures. Inside, everything was neatly packed, clearly labeled, and, most importantly, precisely measured. This pre-portioned approach is a true game-changer for home cooks, eliminating guesswork and significantly reducing preparation time – a luxury often missed in traditional cooking.

My Culinary Journey with Relished: Three Delicious Dishes

Dish 1: The Irresistible Wedge Salad with Bacon, Walnuts, and Homemade Gorgonzola Dressing

My culinary exploration began with the classic wedge salad, enhanced with crispy bacon, crunchy walnuts, and a rich, homemade gorgonzola dressing. The ingredients, as depicted in the image below, were remarkably fresh, vibrant, and of high quality. A thoughtful detail that immediately caught my attention and saved precious time was the pre-peeled shallot and garlic cloves. This small but significant convenience is a testament to the service’s understanding of a busy cook’s needs.

The iceberg lettuce delivered a perfect, refreshing crunch, providing an excellent counterpoint to the smoky richness of the bacon. The star of this dish, however, was undoubtedly the homemade gorgonzola dressing. Its creamy, velvety texture and well-balanced flavor profile complemented the other ingredients without ever overpowering them. This dressing was so exceptional that I’ve already made a mental note to recreate it in the future. Completing the ensemble, juicy cherry tomatoes added a burst of healthful freshness and a pop of color, making each bite a delightful experience.

Following the recipe instructions precisely, the outcome was not only incredibly yummy but also visually appealing, proving that delicious and beautiful meals are easily achievable with a structured approach.

I even enjoyed experimenting with the plating, aiming for a presentation that truly did justice to the vibrant flavors and textures of the dish. Here’s my “take 2” on how to serve this delightful salad, showcasing its appealing aesthetic qualities.

Dish 2: Exotic Flavors with Sambal Glazed Salmon, Roasted Baby Bok Choy, and Wasabi Whipped Potatoes

Next on my culinary adventure was the sambal glazed salmon, accompanied by roasted baby bok choy and wasabi whipped potatoes. This dish promised an exciting fusion of flavors, and I was eager to dive in.

Before this experience, I had never cooked with baby bok choy, and a slight apprehension about preparing this unfamiliar vegetable lingered. However, the comprehensive and straightforward instructions provided by Relished quickly dispelled any worries. Following the clear guidance, the roasting of the baby bok choy was an absolute success, yielding tender-crisp greens that perfectly complemented the meal.

The salmon, cooked for 3-4 minutes on each side as per the recipe, achieved a magnificent texture – moist, succulent, and flaky. The quality of the fish was evident, and the simple cooking method highlighted its natural richness.

This dish also introduced me to sambal, an Asian condiment typically made from a vibrant mix of chili peppers, garlic, ginger, shallot, scallion, sugar, lime juice, and rice vinegar. While I typically shy away from overly spicy ingredients, the sambal glaze on the salmon was a revelation. It provided a perfect balance of heat and complex flavors, enhancing the fish without overwhelming its delicate taste. The deep red color of the glaze was visually stunning, elevating the salmon to an exquisite level.

The only component that presented a unique flavor challenge for me was the wasabi powder incorporated into the mashed potatoes. I found the distinct, pungent flavor of wasabi to be quite unusual, certainly an “acquired taste” that I’m still getting accustomed to. Despite this personal preference, the dish as a whole was a resounding success in our household, offering a gourmet experience right at home.

Dish 3: The Ultimate Turkey Burger with Homemade Pickled Onions and Sweet Potato Fries

For my final culinary endeavor with Relished, I prepared the turkey burger, complete with homemade pickled onions and a side of sweet potato fries. I was particularly excited to try a burger made from ground turkey breast, curious about its texture and flavor profile compared to traditional beef burgers.

A highlight of this meal was the process of pickling the onions. It was surprisingly easy, remarkably fast, and genuinely a lot of fun. This simple technique yielded beautifully vibrant, tangy onions, and I’m certain I’ll be incorporating this pickling method into my future cooking, perhaps experimenting with other vegetables as well.

The pickled onions proved to be a fantastic addition, injecting a delightful spicy and tangy flavor dimension into the burger. Their stunning color also added a vibrant visual appeal to the overall presentation, making the burger even more inviting.

The turkey burger itself was tender, incredibly flavorful, and perfectly complemented by a medley of textures and tastes. The assertiveness of the smoked cheddar cheese provided a wonderful depth, while the earthy sweetness of the sweet potato fries offered a satisfying contrast. Freshly sliced tomatoes and crisp arugula contributed a burst of freshness, emphasizing the overall lightness and healthfulness of the burger. We enjoyed these pickled onions so much that I served extra on the side – we simply couldn’t get enough of their piquant flavor!

Final Verdict: Why Home Chef (Formerly Relished) Stands Out

My experience with Relished was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the immense value that a high-quality meal delivery service can bring to a busy household. Each dish I prepared not only met but exceeded my expectations for flavor and quality. The detailed, easy-to-follow instructions were a significant highlight, transforming potentially complex recipes into straightforward cooking endeavors suitable for any skill level. I particularly appreciated the thoughtful inclusion of drink pairing suggestions, which added an extra layer of sophistication to the home dining experience.

Beyond the recipes themselves, the practical aspects of the Relished kit truly stood out. Each recipe card also included comprehensive nutrition facts and realistic timing estimates, invaluable resources for meal planning and health-conscious eating. The pre-measured ingredients were a huge time-saver, eliminating the need for tedious measuring and ingredient prep. This efficiency allowed me to focus purely on the joy of cooking, resulting in healthy, nutritious, and incredibly delicious meals that my entire family thoroughly enjoyed.

In conclusion, for anyone seeking to simplify their meal preparation without compromising on freshness, taste, or nutritional value, Home Chef (formerly Relished) presents an outstanding solution. It empowers individuals to cook gourmet, healthy meals at home, even when time is a precious commodity. It’s an investment in convenience, quality, and the pleasure of shared meals.

While the original promo code ‘relished50’ for 50% off a first order through March 2014 is no longer valid, I encourage readers interested in similar services to visit Home Chef’s website for current promotions and to explore how their meal kits can revolutionize your weekly cooking routine.

*Disclaimer: These meals were sent to me free of charge for review purposes. I was not paid for this review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own and reflect my honest experience with the service.