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Irish Daily Mirror

'I'm useless in the kitchen but a meal prep kit made me look like Jamie Oliver'

I don't dislike cooking. It's the kerfuffle that comes along with that does my head in. I've never been a fan of following long and complex recipes, with preparation times longer than my lunch break. I've spent more time digging through the cupboards looking for a random obscure ingredient than actually cooking. The Frankenstein feasts I normally produced looked nothing like the picture in the book or the one the TV chef gushed over. The cookbook, the dish, or usually both, end up in the bin, along with a vow never to subject myself to such a gastronomic gamble again. 'I'm useless in the kitchen but Ireland's newest meal prep kit Gousto made me look like Jamie Oliver' So when I was asked to trial Ireland's newest meal prep service called Gousto, I was apprehensive. A brief burst of enthusiasm - which resulted in me buying an apron - quickly dissipated when I received the kit. I opened the box, which was brimming with ingredients, and I immediately thought I had (literally) bitten off more than I could chew. But those fears were unfounded. After unpacking everything, I realised most of the ingredients came pre-portioned in handy packets and sachets. I received a box containing four meals for two people. This usually costs €50.99, but it can be as little as €25.50 with the introductory offers, which knock 50% off the first box. The four meals selected at random by the Gousto gurus were: Spicy Chorizo & Cherry Tomato Spaghetti Garlicky Pulled Chicken Wholewheat Tortiglioni - Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Bun With Smashed Potatoes - Sweet' N' Smoky BBQ Chicken Fajitas The recipe cards that I dreaded were straightforward and easy to follow. The recipes I received took between 10 minutes and 45 minutes to complete. Spicy Chorizo & Cherry Tomato Spaghetti My girlfriend Emily received an unwanted promotion to sous chef, and before long, we were cooking up a storm. The simple steps ensured there were no Gordon Ramsay-style bust-ups. The pre-portioned ingredients were a lifesaver. There was also no squabbling over whether or not the big bag of cornflower that was bought three years ago, and buried in the back of the press, could still be used. Emily preparing the ingredients We had exactly how much we needed for each meal, and the exact measurements meant there was no waste afterward. It also reduced the risk of me 'eyeballing' things and wrecking the flavour. We enjoyed the meals and it was great that what we cooked actually resembled the picture on the recipe cards and we're glad to confirm they tasted just as good. The food provided is high quality. Hot Honey Crispy Chicken Bun With Smashed Potatoes Our top picks? The hot honey chicken bun and the chorizo spaghetti are meals we'd have been glad to receive in a restaurant. Another big plus of Gousto was the variety. Every day, we were able to whip up a different meal. Prior to this trial, and when I wasn't pulling my hair out after looking at a recipe, I often found myself making the same dish I've made a thousand times before because I knew how to do it quickly. This becomes repetitive and boring, but Gousto thankfully solves that. Another big selling point of Gousto is that it's convenient and it also removes the question of 'what are we having for dinner?' Danny frying up some chicken Overall, the service is great for two working professionals who are tired of eating the same dinner for four days in a row. There's also something to be said about feeling like Jamie Oliver in your kitchen after devoting just five minutes to scanning the menu card. In short, Gousto strains the stress out of cooking. WHY SHOULD YOU TRY GOUSTO? Gousto provides 'a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional grocery shopping', the meal prep kit's CEO and founder has said. Timo Boldt said his product is primarily targeted towards busy families and professionals. All ingredients come pre-portioned He added: 'Gousto is designed for busy families, professionals and anyone who wants to enjoy convenient, easy and tasty dinners without compromising on quality. 'It's especially popular among those who find themselves stuck in a dinner rut and are looking for exciting, flavourful meals that still feel comforting and familiar, and anyone who wants to enjoy convenient, easy and tasty dinners without compromising on quality.' He said the service also removes the need for meal planning and supermarket queues. 'With a wide range of recipes to choose from each week, you can select meals that suit your schedule, from speedy 10-minute dishes to more indulgent 45-minute recipes. 'Prices start at around €5.13 per portion, and as little as €2.57 with our current introductory offer, making it as affordable as doing a weekly shop, sometimes even cheaper. 'Each box is also designed to help reduce food waste, with perfectly measured ingredients, and produces 23% fewer emissions than a typical supermarket shop.' Their recipe boxes are designed to cater for all levels. Customers have a choice of over 150 recipes each month, created and taste-tested by inhouse chefs. Fexible subscription options can be cancelled at any time so people can choose plans which suit them best. He explained: 'While Gousto is still new to Ireland, demand is growing quickly as consumers look for convenient, healthy, and affordable dinner solutions. 'In the UK, recipe boxes are already a popular choice for busy households, and we expect to see a similar trend here. 'Gousto helps bridge the gap between the desire for convenience without compromising on quality, by offering nutritious, home-cooked meals made from fresh, high-quality ingredients, making eating well simple and more accessible than ever.' 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