"My Food Bag was born out of the idea that healthy and delicious food can also be convenient and exciting. Our goal is to bring inspiring, nutritionally balanced tasty recipes and the best of New Zealand's seasonal produce together and deliver it to your door".
I was so eager and excited to try My Food Bag when it was first introduced to the market. The idea of receiving pretty much everything you needed for a week's worth of meals, delivered to your door on a lazy Sunday afternoon was such a new concept; and I eventually convinced my parents to order it as a one-off, a trial run you could say, and we have had it several times since. We had ordered it after a few months of standard meat and salad dinners, looking for something a little different, and thought people might appreciate another little opinion from the consumer rather than the business itself. So here we are!
On arrival, you receive the majority of what you need for the week; fresh proteins, vegetables, portioned packages of things such as rice and spices (cutest little bags, ever) and some other items such as tinned tomatoes and coconut cream. There are a few things that you as the customer need to provide to create the recipes, stock, soy sauce, olive oil are just a couple that you are expected to have stashed away to finish some of the recipes. I totally appreciate that not all ingredients can be provided, but I'd be lying if we said we had every ingredient required when we flicked to the night's recipe, and there have been a couple of occasions where we've needed a few bits and bobs from the supermarket.
So now for the meals! With this service, you don't get to choose which specific meals that you receive - they offer three types of food bags (classic, gourment and family) which vary in price. We ordered the Classic bag, a mixture of recipes in both flavour and technique. The Classic bag costs $189.00, and feeds 4-5 people for five nights; we are a family of four, so one person always has lunch sorted for the following day.
I was so eager and excited to try My Food Bag when it was first introduced to the market. The idea of receiving pretty much everything you needed for a week's worth of meals, delivered to your door on a lazy Sunday afternoon was such a new concept; and I eventually convinced my parents to order it as a one-off, a trial run you could say, and we have had it several times since. We had ordered it after a few months of standard meat and salad dinners, looking for something a little different, and thought people might appreciate another little opinion from the consumer rather than the business itself. So here we are!
On arrival, you receive the majority of what you need for the week; fresh proteins, vegetables, portioned packages of things such as rice and spices (cutest little bags, ever) and some other items such as tinned tomatoes and coconut cream. There are a few things that you as the customer need to provide to create the recipes, stock, soy sauce, olive oil are just a couple that you are expected to have stashed away to finish some of the recipes. I totally appreciate that not all ingredients can be provided, but I'd be lying if we said we had every ingredient required when we flicked to the night's recipe, and there have been a couple of occasions where we've needed a few bits and bobs from the supermarket.
So now for the meals! With this service, you don't get to choose which specific meals that you receive - they offer three types of food bags (classic, gourment and family) which vary in price. We ordered the Classic bag, a mixture of recipes in both flavour and technique. The Classic bag costs $189.00, and feeds 4-5 people for five nights; we are a family of four, so one person always has lunch sorted for the following day.
Day One: Pan Fried Fish with Courgette and Pea Risotto
I'll start off by saying, I'm not the biggest risotto fan, or seafood hahah, but I do like white fish! These were fillets of Gurnard, which were de-lish. For this recipe, we were in charge of providing butter, chicken stock and a little olive oil. I'm a fan of textures (who doesn't love a bit of crunch?!) so we added a few panko crumbs.
I am glad we added the panko crumbs with a slight hit of lemon juice, not only did in funnily enough cut through the richness of both the fish and risotto, but it also helped give the meal a little more.. oomph? Is that a word people use still? (I make myself sound really old, but I totally still use it!).
Overall reaction? Really tasty. The flavours were quite subtle, but it was a filling and substantial meal that we all loved.
I am glad we added the panko crumbs with a slight hit of lemon juice, not only did in funnily enough cut through the richness of both the fish and risotto, but it also helped give the meal a little more.. oomph? Is that a word people use still? (I make myself sound really old, but I totally still use it!).
Overall reaction? Really tasty. The flavours were quite subtle, but it was a filling and substantial meal that we all loved.
Day Two: Coconut Poached Chicken and Vermicelli Salad
I LOVE asian flavours (especially coriander and lime, so good!) so I was really excited to try this next recipe. It was such a hot day, and this dish was the perfect meal to end the day with. Light, fresh and honestly, the easiest dish of the week to make. It was easy as poaching the chicken, shredding it, soaking the noodles, adding some vegetables and dressing - dinner was ready in no more than 25 minutes.
One issue I did have was that the chicken was slightly slimy, but it was still fresh enough to eat; one thing I really appreciate with the food bag is the quality of the ingredients, and this is one of the first times I have slightly questioned the freshness.
This was perfect for lunch the next day!
One issue I did have was that the chicken was slightly slimy, but it was still fresh enough to eat; one thing I really appreciate with the food bag is the quality of the ingredients, and this is one of the first times I have slightly questioned the freshness.
This was perfect for lunch the next day!
Day Three: Beef and Mushroom Burgers with Roast Capsicum Basil Salsa and Smoky Sauce
The element that made me most excited about this dish was the buns. I know it sounds a little silly, but I am a bread fiend, and I was even more excited to see they were from Paneton Bakery; a delicious, high quality French bakery in Auckland. Once again, this dish was fairly easy to make. Mayo, milk and eggs were ingredients we needed to contribute, ones we always have in the house. Little assembly was required with these burgers but they packed a lot of flavour. Into the mayo went some fiery red, smokey paprika and lemon juice to create a creamy sauce, and roasted capsicums were added to some tinned tomatoes and basil for the salsa. My least favourite element, in its original state, was the salsa; the tinned tomatoes were a little bland and watery, meaning lots of seasoning was needed to help boost the flavour.
The burger patties were made with beef mince from Harmony Farms, we did receive this slightly thawed, but decided to refreeze it until the day it was needed. A little bit messy, a lot of sticky finger licking was involved, but the smoky sauce and acidic salsa with a BBQ flamed mushroom amped these burgers up massively.
The burger patties were made with beef mince from Harmony Farms, we did receive this slightly thawed, but decided to refreeze it until the day it was needed. A little bit messy, a lot of sticky finger licking was involved, but the smoky sauce and acidic salsa with a BBQ flamed mushroom amped these burgers up massively.
Day Four: Lamb with Summer Vegetable and Potato Medley & Gremolata
Apologies, but I didn't manage to make it home before the sunlight trickled away for the day, which means I didn't get a picture *sadface.
The protein for this dish were absolutely delicious lamb rumps, cooked in a paprika spice mix that gave just the right amount of middle eastern spiced goodness. As I ate later, I was surprised with how well they reheated; still tender and pink in the middle, ugh I am drooling just thinking about it. These lamb pieces were served with a warm medley of new potatoes, capsicum and courgette, coated in a simple sauce of tomato, onion and garlic.
The recipe also included a gremolata - a herb, lemon juice and garlic mixture that definitely added some extra flavour that the medley needed; the lamb was packed with flavour, but had there not been the spice to the lamb the dish may have had the potential to be a little bland.
Apologies, but I didn't manage to make it home before the sunlight trickled away for the day, which means I didn't get a picture *sadface.
The protein for this dish were absolutely delicious lamb rumps, cooked in a paprika spice mix that gave just the right amount of middle eastern spiced goodness. As I ate later, I was surprised with how well they reheated; still tender and pink in the middle, ugh I am drooling just thinking about it. These lamb pieces were served with a warm medley of new potatoes, capsicum and courgette, coated in a simple sauce of tomato, onion and garlic.
The recipe also included a gremolata - a herb, lemon juice and garlic mixture that definitely added some extra flavour that the medley needed; the lamb was packed with flavour, but had there not been the spice to the lamb the dish may have had the potential to be a little bland.
Day Five: Potato, Pea and Paneer Filo Triangles with Garlicky Green Beans
Last but not least, was the fifth dish of the week. I'm not joking when I say my eyes lit up and birds started to sing when I saw a pastry recipe. A little bit dramatic, but, pastry is my life; but I don't eat it regularly so this was such a treat to end the week. Another element that drew my eye to this recipe was Paneer; an Indian cheese that I have always had a curious eye for but never eaten.
This recipe took a little bit longer to make, not any more difficult than the others, but the filling needed to cool before the triangles could be folded, which ultimately gave me a little more time to get excited about the dish. An Indian spiced mix of potato, peas and paneer filled these crispy layers of goodness, and I really enjoyed the experience of eating something I wouldn't usually make.
One negative though, I opened the vegetable draw to see that the green beans had sadly seen better days, and were looking a little bit worse for wear and didn't make it onto the plate. I also think the dish would have benefited from a little dollop of relish or chutney, just for a little something extra.
Last but not least, was the fifth dish of the week. I'm not joking when I say my eyes lit up and birds started to sing when I saw a pastry recipe. A little bit dramatic, but, pastry is my life; but I don't eat it regularly so this was such a treat to end the week. Another element that drew my eye to this recipe was Paneer; an Indian cheese that I have always had a curious eye for but never eaten.
This recipe took a little bit longer to make, not any more difficult than the others, but the filling needed to cool before the triangles could be folded, which ultimately gave me a little more time to get excited about the dish. An Indian spiced mix of potato, peas and paneer filled these crispy layers of goodness, and I really enjoyed the experience of eating something I wouldn't usually make.
One negative though, I opened the vegetable draw to see that the green beans had sadly seen better days, and were looking a little bit worse for wear and didn't make it onto the plate. I also think the dish would have benefited from a little dollop of relish or chutney, just for a little something extra.
Even after trying My Food Bag on multiple occasions, I can easily say I would try it again. From the first time we ordered the Classic to this time, I hate to say the quality may have decreased ever so slightly, but I can appreciate that the scale of the business has increased quite largely since out first humble food bag.
This service is perfect for adventurous eaters and those who love surprise; some will relish in the fact they have no idea what they will have delivered to their door for the week, but others with more restricted food loves or kids who don't enjoy such a variety in flavours may not enjoy it as much. If I was able to pick 5 recipes for the week, I would be sold completely!
For $189.00, and estimately 25 portions of good quality, healthy and well balanced meals, I think the creators behind the company have provided an option to a gap in the market; and there is no doubt in saying they have created a product that has been happily accepted into many homes.
Rhi xx
P.S I'm still dreaming about that filo pastry ;)
This service is perfect for adventurous eaters and those who love surprise; some will relish in the fact they have no idea what they will have delivered to their door for the week, but others with more restricted food loves or kids who don't enjoy such a variety in flavours may not enjoy it as much. If I was able to pick 5 recipes for the week, I would be sold completely!
For $189.00, and estimately 25 portions of good quality, healthy and well balanced meals, I think the creators behind the company have provided an option to a gap in the market; and there is no doubt in saying they have created a product that has been happily accepted into many homes.
Rhi xx
P.S I'm still dreaming about that filo pastry ;)
