Plated Review: Cod en Croute

Cod en Croute  w/ Pesto, Potatoes, and Snap Peas

This was meal 3 from my latest Plated meal subscription box and it was soooo good! All three meals were something I really loved and would remake again. This one was cod coated in Pesto and fresh lemon juice and zest wrapped in puff pastry. The side was roasted snap peas and potatoes combined with sauted shallots and toasted almonds. Delish! 

INGREDIENTS

8 oz. red skinned potatoes

1 lemon

2 shallots

2 5-inch squares puff pastry

3 T pesto

10 oz. cod

6 oz. sugar snap peas

2 T unsalted butter

3 T sliced almonds

chives (garnish)

COOKING DIRECTIONS: {HERE}

Plated Review: French Onion Soup Burgers

French Onion Soup Burgers w/ Gruyere & Arugula

I will be making this one again! It was amazing! You can find the recipe {HERE}.

INGREDIENTS

- 3 oz. baby arugula

- 1/8 oz. fresh thyme

- 1 lemon

- 1 yellow onion

- 2 T unsalted butter

- 12 oz. ground beef

- 1 T flour

- 8 oz. beef stock

- 2 slices gruyere cheese

- 2 English muffins

- dijon mustard

Plated Review: Caprese Chicken over Warm Spinach Salad

Caprese Chicken over Warm Spinach Salad

I knew I would like this one - fresh mozzarella and basil, parmesan crusted chicken - this one was definitely a win! 

Here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

1/4 oz. basil

1/2 pint cherry tomatoes

4 oz. fresh mozzarella 

1 shallot

2 boneless skinless chicken breast

1 T champagne vinegar 

1 T dijon mustard

3 oz. baby spinach

1 cup flour

1/2 cup panko  breadcrumbs

1 oz. grated parmesan cheese

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS: {HERE}

DELISH!!!

Plated Review: Sesame-Orange Shrimp & Fried Rice

Sesame - Orange Shrimp & Bok Choy Fried Rice

I am helping Nathan out with Rowen this weekend while Kayla is at the hospital with her Mom.

Today, I made us the second meal from PLATED and we both gave it a thumbs up!!

Plated meals include more ingredients than most of the other boxed meals and IMHO I think overall, the Plated meals have been some of favorites! 

Here's the recipe!

-INGREDIENTS-

3/4 cup basmati rice

8 oz bok choy

1 red bell pepper

1 navel orange

2 scallions

10 oz shrimp

1/4 soy sauce

1 oz apricot preserves 

1 T toasted sesame seeds

cilantro and mint (garnish) 

-optional (we skipped)

-COOKING INSTRUCTIONS-

[HERE]

YUMMMMM!!!!!!

Plated Meal Review: Chicken Bruschetta

Chicken Bruschetta w/ Balsamic & Shaved Parmesan

by PLATED

balsamic......parmesan......arugula.......roasted chicken......sourdough bread.......really, what's not to LOVE about this dish??? It was one of THE BEST boxed meals to date! I made two huge potions out it but it would have made enough to feed 3 easily if you added a couple more chicken breasts. Yummy!! 

INGREDIENTS

2 boneless chicken breast 

1/4 oz fresh basil

1 pint grape tomatoes 

1 red onion

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup white wine

3 oz baby arugula

1 oz shaved parmesan 

balsamic glaze

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

[HERE]

Plated Review: Cuban Chicken Empanadas w/ Lime Crema

This was my first ever - anything Cuban! I was a little skeptical about this one just because when I think of Cuban food I think spicy or too exotic. OMG----this meal was ah-mazing!!! I'm sure it was a milder version of the authentic Cuban fare, but I just loved the combination of flavors. 

I can't tell you how many times I've looked over the menu from Bongos restaurant at Disney Springs and never booked a meal for us there. It looks like the most fun place and the food sounds delicious, but in the end I always chickened out and put it back on our to-try list. As soon as we get back to WDW, we are trying out some authentic Cuban food at Bongos!!! :O)

About Bongos:

International superstars Emilio and Gloria Estefan introduced the opening of Bongos Cuban Cafe, a blend of authentic Cuban cuisine with the culture of old Havana, presented in a setting that marries tropical deco with the sizzle of South Beach glamour. The builder's triangular architectural design, by the renowned Bernardo Fort Brescia, is dominated by the massive two-story pineapple-shaped adobe structure that fills the skyline of Downtown Disney. No detail was overlooked by well know interior designer Luciano Franchi, from the dazzling mosaic of hand-painted murals evoking old world Cuba of the 1940's and 50's, to the conga drum shaped bar stools. The savory, flavorful, and authentic essence of Cuban cuisine is featured in our menu.

Meal # 3 - Cuban Chicken Empanadas w/ Lime Crema & Avocado

Ingredients

1 red onion

1 plum tomato

1/4 oz. cilantro

2 cloves garlic

1 lime

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

spices {ground cumin, sweet paprika, dried thyme}

1 avocado

3 oz. shredded monterey jack cheese

6 empanada doughs

1/3 cup sour cream

3 oz. baby arugula

Cooking Directions

{HERE}

Read about my other Plated meals....

HERE

&

HERE

Plated Review: Seared Steak w/Butternut Squash & Swiss Chard Gratin

Meal #2 - Seared Steak w/ Butternut Squash & Swiss Chard Gratin

Ingredients

1 bunch rainbow swiss chard

1/8 oz. thyme

8 oz. butternut squash

1 clove garlic

2 shallots

2 oz. shredded gruyere cheese

4 oz. milk

1/4 cup panko crumbs

1 T. parmesan cheese

2 steaks

1/4 cup red wine

butter

cooking directions {HERE}

This dish was delicious! 

It seems I say that about everything I try these day, but seriously, 

who doesn't love anything with the word gratin in it!? :O)

I had never cooked with (or even eaten??) swiss chard, but I love anything in the greens family, 

so of course liked it! :O) That's another thing I love about these boxed meals - I have branched out more and tried things I normally wouldn't. 

Read about my other Plated meals 

HERE

& 

HERE

Plated Review: Pan-Seared Salmon w/ Beet Risotto

So, I signed up for my third subscription meal box! I love, love Hello Fresh and Blue Apron, but I decided to take advantage of the deal with Plated and try a box. My plans were to get the discounted box then cancel, but oh my gosh...these three meals were a win!!! I scheduled it to arrive on Tuesday so that I would have meals until Sunday, since Peter is at work.

Meal #1 - Pan-Seared Salmon w/ Beet Risotto & Charred Lemon

Absolutely delicious!!!! While I love, love pickled beets, and the Beet & Berry salad at The Shark is my fave, I had never cooked fresh beets before. There were three different colors: the regular red beets, a yellow beet, and a red/white striped beet....interesting....

Ingredients

1 bunch baby beets

1 lemon

1 shallot

⅛ ounce thyme, divided

8 ounces vegetable stock

2 packets unsalted butter

1 cup Arborio rice

½ cup red wine

2 fillets wild Alaskan salmon

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

[HERE]

The beets were a wonderful addition to the risotto which was a perfect side for the salmon. DELISH!!!