It never fails. Nearly every Friday night that it's way too cold to venture outside for anything whatsoever, I find myself wanting take out or delivery but am faced with the challenge of the rising cost of food versus my tiny budget. I also wrestle with the idea that cooking for myself is almost always healthier, less expensive, and more satisfying. Not to mention, hello leftovers.

The Problem

chili, chicken
Jessi Jordan

I am a huge fan of the food from Hello Fresh and the like. They've all helped me learn to enjoy cooking for myself and trying new cuisine I would not have otherwise dared to attempt to cook. But the only problem I face in using those services is that, as busy as I am, I have on occasion been unable to make the meals before the ingredients expired. Who knew that mint could spoil so fast? 

The Solution

coffee, tea
Jessi Jordan

Enter Takeout Kit. Takeout Kit was started to address this issue of "meal kit anxiety" and stress that comes from not being able to cook meal kit meals before they expire. Takeout Kits have a long shelf life (2 months) and can stay in your dorm or pantry until you're ready to cook them. 

I always want to make Chicken Tikka Masala, but I never have all the ingredients on hand and it feels like a hassle to shop for them. When I saw it offered as a dish from Takeout Kit, I had to try it. True to form, I got too busy to make it when I got my kit in December and my kit almost expired (in February), but I made it two weeks before the expiration date and it was so delicious.

I'm completely sold on this idea. They focus on creating global dishes that are fun and exciting to cook and eliminate all the work of shopping for and finding those hard to find ingredients.
sauce, vegetable, meat, pepper, chili, curry
Jessi Jordan

Indulge with meals like: Thai Crab Curry and Jasmine Rice, Burmese Curry Noodle Soup, and Argentiniam Empanadas with Sofrito Dipping Sauce. For our vegetarian Spoonies, there's Korean Soft Tofu and sticky rice, Indian Chickpea Tikka Masala, and Sichuan Mapo Tofu and Jasmine Rice.

sauce, vegetable, rice
Jessi Jordan

Each meal makes three to four servings, which comes out to about $7 a meal. So the next time you get in the mood for cooking and/or for takeout-style food, if you have a Takeout kit in your kitchen you will be thanking me.