Hello Fresh Cookalong

During the half-term break, we received an invitation to participate in a Halloween-themed cook-along event with Hello Fresh. I’ve been curious about their subscription boxes because they look both nutritious and delicious, and I was eager to learn some cooking tips from their chef, Patrick Drake. We were sent a family-sized box containing four meals, plus a few extra goodies for the kids. With the help of my two little “spooky” sous chefs, we got ready to dive into some culinary magic. The first thing that struck me was just how much food came packed into that box. Everything was neatly organized, with the meat kept in a freezer-style bag, which is perfect for leaving outside your door safely. Inside, there was enough food for four delicious-sounding meals, along with easy-to-follow recipe cards. Every ingredient was incredibly fresh, and the use-by dates were clearly marked, allowing us to plan our meals accordingly. For the cook-along, we decided to try out the Sicilian Caponata with Herbed Pork and Garlic Ciabatta recipe. The instructions looked straightforward, but having a real chef guide us through each step ensured that our meals would turn out perfectly. The twins absolutely loved the experience. Watching Chef Patrick interact with them and even knowing their names was a delightful surprise—something that rarely happens in online tutorials! We picked up several new chopping techniques, and I must admit, I’ve become a bit more confident in my veggie-cutting skills. It was also inspiring to see just how much the girls could handle themselves in the kitchen. Coating the chopped veggies in olive oil turned out to be the most enjoyable part. The kids were mesmerized by the giant sausage, something we’d never seen before. We removed the sausage meat from its casing and diced it into manageable pieces. Once everything was prepped, we let the ingredients simmer on the stove. The girls took pride in carefully monitoring the cooking process and even tried some new ingredients, like capers, which they surprisingly enjoyed. Naturally, they insisted on taking turns stirring the pot! Of course, there were a couple of minor hiccups. The vegetables and ciabatta turned out a bit crispier than intended due to my oven running hotter than expected. We’ll need to adjust the cooking times for future recipes. Despite these small setbacks, we learned a few new tricks, such as rubbing the ciabatta with garlic for added flavor. Seeing the dish progress through each stage was reassuring, especially when trying a new recipe for the first time. In the end, the meal was absolutely delicious, offering a wonderful balance of sweet and sour flavors. The girls couldn’t wait to dig in, even before we finished filming the cook-along. It was a joy to try something new while having all the necessary ingredients at hand. Sometimes I fall back on familiar dishes simply because it’s easier to avoid hunting down ingredients. I also appreciated receiving precisely the right quantities of each ingredient, eliminating any risk of waste. A family box costs £64 and provides enough food and recipes for four meals, catering to around 4-5 people, including free shipping. These boxes would be ideal for those looking to experiment with new recipes without the hassle of shopping and planning. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to get the kids involved in the kitchen—and who knows, they might even volunteer to clean up afterward! Great news! The Hello Fresh team loved the photo of the twins, so they’re giving me one of their family boxes to give away! *Disclaimer: We were provided with a family box to participate in the cook-along.* Other Cooking Activities: Recently, we’ve also been exploring other cooking activities. One of the highlights was playing "The Patrick Star Game," a wacky adventure inspired by SpongeBob’s sidekick. It’s a fun way to engage kids in storytelling and problem-solving. Another activity we tried was making easy bacon recipes with the kids. It’s a simple yet effective way to teach them about cooking basics while enjoying a treat everyone loves. Lastly, maintaining a healthy routine is essential, especially for kids. Tips like setting regular meal times, encouraging physical activity, and fostering creativity through arts and crafts can make a big difference. Overall, these experiences have brought us closer together as a family and introduced us to new ways of learning and growing.

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