My favorites from Hello Fresh

As I told you back in May, I've been getting Hello Fresh.  As of today, I will receive my 15th Hello Fresh box.  I originally tried it because I got a coupon code for $40 off my first box.  There was no commitment, so I decided I would try 6 meals (3 different meals for 2 people) for $19.98.  I really loved it, and then started getting it on the weeks when there were 3 meals that week I was really jazzed about.  Now, I get it whether there are 3 I'm jazzed about or not.  It's so easy, a good value, and so good.

Now my only complaint is that some weeks there are 6 options I REALLY want to try, and then the next week there are only 2 I REALLY want.  But that's just a me issue.  As far as real complaints, anytime I've ever received any produce that wasn't up to snuff, they gave me a credit to my account to make up for it.

I've really loved many of the 45 recipes I've made so far, but some of my favorite recipes were easy ways to tweak tried and true things you probably already cook.  Also, some of the side dishes have been some of my favorites.  So these parts and pieces of recipes are what I'm sharing with you today...


I'm sure you all have a meatloaf that you like to make.  The recipe for Meatloaf Balsamico was one of my favorites.  This meatloaf included garlic, parsley, panko, beef, onion, salt & pepper.  You made two mini loaves, but my favorite part was how you topped them prior to cooking.  You could easily do this with your own meatloaf.  It really added a great kick.

MEATLOAF TOPPING

For two small loaves of meatloaf, you mix 1 TBSP balsamic vinegar and 2 TBSP of ketchup in a small bowl and brush onto the loaves before you baked them.  It was so good!

Another recipe to kick up something we all make...hamburgers.  Why not make a tomato onion jam to kick it up a notch?

TOMATO ONION JAM FOR BURGERS

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.  Add half a thinly sliced red onion and cook, tossing until softened (4-5 minutes).  Season with salt and pepper.  Stir in one roma tomato (that has been cored, seeded, and diced), 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 TBSP balsamic vinegar.  Cook until everything is soft and jammy (4-5 minutes).  

Do you make fajitas?  Or tacos?  Here are a few additions to make them really special.

Kiwi & Avocado Salsa

I was unsure about this, but it was outstanding.  It went with Steak Tacos and I couldn't recommend it more.

Peel 2 SunGold Kiwis and cut into small cubes.  Halve, pit, and peel avocado, then cut into small cubes.  Mince 1 TBSP of onion.  Finely chop cilantro.  Halve a lime.  

Combine kiwis, avocado, cilantro, the minced onion, and a healthy squeeze of lime in a medium bowl.  Season with salt & pepper.

This Lime Crema, as well as the Pickled Jalapeños went with chicken fajitas.  They were both great additions to the fajitas.

Lime Crema

In a small bowl, mix 2 TBSP Sour Cream, 1/2 tsp of lime zest, and a squeeze of lime juice.  Stir in water (recipe said 1 TBSP, but mine didn't need that much.  It also said you might need to add more than 1 TBSP.  Just stir it and add water until it is a drizzly consistency).  Season with salt & pepper.

Pickled Jalapeños

Thinly slice a jalapeño into rounds, removing ribs and seeds for less heat.  Squeeze the juice of half a lime (I probably did about 3/4 of a lime's juice).  Set aside to marinate while you are cooking your fajitas.

Need a new salad dressing to jazz up your greens?  How about a tomato balsamic dressing.  It was so good!

Tomato Balsamic Dressing 

In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 TBSP tomato paste, 1 TBSP balsamic vinegar, 1 TBSP police oil, and as much minced garlic as you like (I used 1/2 tsp.).  Season with salt & pepper.  

Dress a Spring Mix of Salad with Heirloom grape tomatoes and dried cranberries.  

Now for a couple of good sides...

Crispy Cauliflower Oven Fries

I'm super obsessed about these cauliflower fries.  They are on one of my favorite things I've made.  MAKE THIS ASAP.  It is so dang good!  

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Toss 10 ounces of cauliflower florets with 1/4 cup of panko, a large drizzle of olive oil, salt & pepper in a medium bowl.  Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until browned and crisp, about 25 minutes.  Some of the panko crumbs will fall off.  I tried to press them into the cauliflower once they were on the baking sheet.

Cheesy Roasted Zucchini and Tomatoes

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Slice 1 zucchini into 1/4-inch-thick rounds.  Cut 1 roma tomato into wedges.  Toss zucchini and tomato with 1 TBSP olive oil and 1/2 TBSP Italian Seasoning on a baking sheet.  Season with salt & pepper.  Roast veggies until just shy of tender (about 10 minutes).  Remove from oven.  Heat broiler to high or increase the oven temp to 500 degrees.  Sprinkle veggies with 1/4 cup panko, 4 oz. Mozzarella Cheese (that has been chopped into 1/2 inch cubes), and 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese.  Broil (or bake) until panko is golden brown, cheese is melted, and veggies are tender (3-5 minutes).  

All of these recipes are for two servings.  Adjust accordingly if you need to make for more people.

If you want to try Hello Fresh, I can offer you $35 off your first box

*Photos of the food are from my Hello Fresh recipe cards