More on Quick Eats
Hope you enjoyed yesterday's FOODday feature on do-it-yourself freezable dinners (preferably with some friends over some wine). We've encountered a couple of other options to help you have a healthful dinner at the ready at all times:
Black Radish. Chef Heather is your personal chef who will handpick every menu from scratch - taking into consideration everything from the families likes & dislikes, to what type of diet they would like to be following, to whether or not they want all organic groceries! I have clients on a weekly rotation, bi-weekly rotation, monthly rotation or just the occasional service during busy times in their lives. Every meal package is custom-designed for each client around their specific dietary, palate, and lifestyle preferences. You can choose frozen or fresh meals so while some families prefer each meal fully cooked for quick reheating in the oven or microwave - like Lime Steak Fajitas w/Avocado Black Bean Salsa - once-a-month clients can pull a pan of handmade Black & White Enchiladas out of the freezer when they know they have a busy week ahead, and it eliminates the worry of "What's for Dinner"? Black Radish, a small one-woman business, has personal chef packages starting at $250. And, Chef Heather adds that Black Radish is offering a 15% discount on a 5X4 package for all urbanMamas who are new Black Radish clients.
Cooking Accomplished. Thank you, Leah, who shares her experiences with Cooking Accomplished: "I just returned from a trip to a meal assembly place; it was something that I had been interested in for a while - it sounded like a busy working mom's saving grace. I had seen ads for lots of places, but most get their meat and produce from Sysco or someplace equally uncharming. But I saw an article in the Oregonian's FOODday section and they talked about a boutique-style place called Cooking Accomplished. The article described it as the Whole Foods of meal assembly: organic veggies, wild salmon, premium meats, a fun menu, fresh herbs and the descriptors went on and on. I was sold. I went on their website and booked a session for today. Their prices were the same as the other chain places- which suprised me - and the whole experience was so different. First of all, the owner greeted me when I walked in. She and a partner got me set up. The place was lovely. There were fresh scones and a galette sliced for us to try. One woman was having wine. There was fresh coffee. The owner, Shelley, was friendly and helpful as i began to assemble my meals: empanadas, bocatini, wild salmon nicoise salad, turkey meatloaf, and several others. The owner is a chef and she opened about 9 months ago. She offers cooking classes as well and you could tell she loved her new gig. I chatted with the 4 other women who were also there assembling and it was just a nice experience. The food itself was really special: topshelf, so fresh, and I can't wait to eat it. Tonight we're having butternut squash and apple galette and carrot ginger soup. It is exactly what I was hoping to find, and it's independently owned to boot. It's right off of I-5 and making 6 lovely dinners plus stopping to have wine and snacks took me about 45 minutes."
I have to agree with Leah. I've been to Cooking Accomplished once or twice a month since November. Each time, I am amazed at the variety of the selections. These dinners are not the typical meal assembly offerings. Shelley has done a great job creating a monthly menu that's kid friendly, with vegetarian offerings and hardier dishes too. This is a great way to save time shopping, save gas while having fun!
Posted by: Rebecca | April 20, 2007 at 09:50 AM
I have to agree with Leah. I've been to Cooking Accomplished once or twice a month since November. Each time, I am amazed at the variety of the selections. These dinners are not the typical meal assembly offerings. Shelley has done a great job creating a monthly menu that's kid friendly, with vegetarian offerings and hardier dishes too. This is a great way to save time shopping, save gas while having fun!
Posted by: Rebecca | April 20, 2007 at 09:51 AM
As a new Portland mom and as an employee of a sustainably-run food business whose focus is organic, local and natural ingredients, I can recommend Artemis To Go meals for Portland families. We offer healthy meals for pick-up or delivery. They can be eaten right away or frozen for a later meal. We have provided meals for many parents with new babies as well as with ill children. The menu is posted monthly at: http://www.artemisfoods.com/1656300.html.
Posted by: Greta | May 10, 2007 at 09:18 AM
I went to Cooking Accomplished a couple of months ago based on recommendations here and have been back a few times since. The food is fabulous and healthy. Each meal is unique and interesting, and so little work is required once you have the meals at home. They seem to run about $25-30 for a dish that feeds 4-6, which is a little more that what we usually spend on home-cooked meals. (For 3 adults, a teenager,a 5 1/2 year-old and a 2-year old we usually spend about 18-20 dollars on a meal to feed all 6 of us.) But what we spend on the meals, we save on time. And, considering that we used to order a pizza or get Chinese take-out on those rushed nights when we have to hurry to a PTA meeting or a ball game, , we probably are saving some money.
Posted by: Pamela | April 26, 2008 at 08:35 PM