Sure, we want to do it all. But let’s be real, after working a 10-12 hour day, who can find the time to manage simple tasks like trekking to the grocery store?  Thankfully, for busy professionals and families’ on-the-go, there’s a new wave of online companies delivering ready to cook meals to your doorstep. From organized meal plans and ingredients for the entire week to pre-packed dinner kits delivered to your front door, long gone are the days you have to settle for a quick fix at your favorite fast food restaurant.
With most meals on average taking 35 minutes to prepare, it’s certainly worth a try for beginners and experienced home cooks. Of course we know, ordering food at home is nothing new. But this new form of innovative services promises to deliver premium ingredients in a box. And, the ultimate cost is convenience. According to the New York Times, most companies say the kits can save money by reducing food waste, since all ingredients are used up; there is no need, say, to buy a jar of curry powder when only half a teaspoon is called for. Also,  given the quality of the ingredients and inventiveness of the recipes, the proper price comparison to make is with a restaurant meal – at the kind of restaurant that their target audience prefers: sophisticated, with a global, seasonal or local spin.
Here’s how it works with most online dinner services such as Blue Apron, Hello Fresh and Plated.  Based on your dietary preference, you can choose from several ready-to-cook meals. The average subscription ranges from $8-$15 per plate and comes complete with detailed instructions and no additional shipping fees. A refrigerated box containing everything you need for your meal including pre-measured premium ingredients is delivered weekly via FedEx or a similar shipping company.
Here are some additional details on the most popular subscription services.
Blue Apron
Each week you’ll receive a delivery based on your dietary preferences (meat, fish or vegetarian), including all of the ingredients needed to make three meals (serving two people each).  All plans have no commitment and you can skip any week if you don’t have the time. Most meals are  500-600 calories per serving. Sample dishes include pulled chicken tacos with jicama & avocado salad and thai shrimp soup with coconut, lemongrass & red curry.
Blue Apron offers two different plans:
2-person plan cost $9.99 per meal, or $59.94 per six serving delivery. Shipping is always free. The family plan is perfect for feeding a family of four. With this plan you can opt to receive one or two deliveries per week, each delivery consisting of two meals to be served family-style. The cost is $8.74 per meal, or $69.92 per eight serving delivery.
Check the delivery map for specific locations.
Plated
Delivers fresh ingredients and chef designed recipes to 95% of the United States. With Plated, you can choose how many plates you want in a given week as well as the days you want them delivered. Then order, and the ingredients are packed fresh and proportioned, and delivered to your door the next week.
According to Plated, the delivery boxes and food bags are 100% recyclable and biodegradable. And the food comes packed around heavy-duty ice packs and insulation. You also get a recipe sheet with pictures and detailed steps of what you’re cooking.
Dishes range from entrees like steak gyros with cucumber yogurt sauce and brioche bread pudding to vegetable biryani with potatoes and peas.
Plated cost is $15 per person, per meal (including shipping). If you buy a monthly membership fee ($10 per month, or $8 per month if you commit to the whole year), the price drops to $12 per person, per meal.
Hello Fresh
Cooking made convenient with proportioned ingredients delivered to your doorstep. Here’s how it works: Each week you get a box (Classic, with meat, poultry or fish; or Vegetarian) of recipes and pre-measured ingredients for three meals. Sample dishes includes, turkey and spinach burgers with roasted sweet potatoes or seared swordfish with warm potato and bean salad.
Classic category subscribers get to review five meal options each week and select three. And, classic subscribers can switch their box from classic to veggie at any time or vice versa.
Hello Fresh cost is $11.50 per person, per meal, for the classic box ($69 per week for the two-person plan). Recipes include calorie counts, require and take 30 minutes or less to whip up.
Enjoy! Would you try any of these services? Leave your comments below.