Cooking during COVID
KATY
Ryan and I realised quite early on that in order for our relationship to stay strong that we required outside help. This help, at a measly £24* a go, comes in a cardboard box once a week. This weekly Monday delivery contains an assortment of ingredients and four recipe cards. It is the bedrock of our happiness. We dutifully cook these meals - thus feeding ourselves, engaging in an activity together and banishing a number of disagreements. It is a relief to not plan, get stuck in a repetitive loop or carry food home. As we are adults we leave it to our own judgement when it comes to lunchtimes. As we are not properly adult we fill in the other meals with take-out, sandwiches and yes proper butcher-farm-market-cooked meals.
*there or there abouts, no guarantees
Coronavirus has changed this system. We can no longer fully rely on a phone app to run our domestic life. We now have to engage in the heroic sport of meal prepping, super market shopping and re-purposing leftovers. And actually, it’s not going too badly. I am writing this post now so as to ensure, at the point of delivering that line, it is true. We are also - much to our surprise & relief - still receiving our weekly recipe boxes (through this week it was a fish pasta dish short).
Below is a quick run through some of our meals. They’ve included a delicious sticky tofu dish, homemade cheese bread, mince into Mexican with sides, a beef stew & banana bread.
If you’re struggling with supermarkets (the dual issue, in my experience, of too many people and too little food) then below are some delivery options.
Borough Market Online - What the market does but delivered to your house. It’s not cheap but it does give you an excuse to celebrate local producers during a time they might desperately need it. There is a delivery radius of 3.5 mile (for now) from Borough. I work near the market and cannot wait to return to my lunchtime strolls through it.
Knock Knock Groceries - In normal times these guys deliver to F&B places in London, ie. restaurants. They’ve now (good for them) responded to C-19 and opened this up to the non-professional chef at home. Their Large Essentials Box is £45 and is exactly what we should be eating to nourish ourselves. Limited to London.
New Covent Garden Market - Much the same as Borough Market. They are linking people stuck at home to what is sold in the market. There is a mixture of shops and each have their own stock and operational limits.
Cure & Simple - for those that don’t live in West Hanney and can’t get a hold of the best bacon known to mankind then say hello to home bacon delivery. It’s bacon through your letterbox and that is a good thing. Nationwide.
POTAGE - They offer fresh meals, sweet options, pantry store & other delicious things. This wonderful company was set up by an old Marlburian from Ed’s year. I’ve used it for work with great success. They are doing amazing things - freezer lasagna, healthy salads & sweet treats etc. It very much caters for all needs - healthy, dietary and also those just craving ease and wholesome meals. A lot of London is covered for delivery.
40 Maltby Street - This is a gem of a place that is normally a (favourite) date spot for good food & great drinks. They’ve shut up the restaurant for this flu season hibernation but are delivering wine. So, you know get on it because we all need a decent glass of wine right now. London only.
Klose & Soan - Amazing ready meals from a fantastic team. £30 for three bulky ace freezer you-don’t-have-to-cook-nobrainer. London.
Cross Town Doughnuts - Wait, hold on. Doughnuts & vegetables? So yeah this is a thing now. £50 equals - fruit, veg, eggs, milk (or non milk milk), butter, bread, focaccia, some other breads and DOUGHNUTS.
And I am going to give a shout out to Farmdrop. They’re utterly hopeless right now (unless you enjoy being in a queue and then ultimately not being able to buy anything) but during normal times these guys are the future (that I want). ie. they celebrate local, organic and proper eating.