Creative cookery at your convenience
Words by Helen Upshall
Riverford has introduced a range of super seasonal, inspiring recipe boxes to be delivered direct to your front door, making it even easier to enjoy their fresh, organic ingredients. Food stylist and last-time Editor, Helen Upshall, explored the latest trend of convenience cookery…
“There is nothing more exciting than arriving home to a perfectly packaged parcel, let alone a parcel that you know has only goodness to be found inside. Eager to unpack the box, I knew my delivery would be brimming with fresh, seasonal ingredients ready to hit the hob…
For the experimental cook who struggles to stick to an exact recipe, recipe boxes can appear restricting. However, the convenience of the box and easy to follow instructions cannot be overlooked. Eager to discover easy, quick, midweek meals, and with all the ingredients ready to go and recipe precisely described in front of you, this box means convenience has never tasted so good.
Thoughtfully packaged with store cupboard ingredients divvied up into their respective meal boxes and chilled components perfectly cooled in an insulated bag, you are welcomed into the box with the weekly musings of Guy himself, talking about the latest affairs from the Farm. Guy’s News offers an update from Riverford HQ, describing the latest goings on from the struggles of rainfall to recent hot topics in the food industry. This small introduction from Riverford’s main man offers an instantaneous connection with the food that sits within the box to the field in which it was grown. It is a small reminder that this convenience comes at the cost of hard work from a dedicated team.
Although not entirely plastic-free, it is clear that Riverford have made a conscious effort to use little single-use plastic in these boxes, while maintaining the ease of perfectly measured ingredients. With precisely measured ingredients comes the reduction of food waste, so although a compromise is made on plastic-free packaging, the next to no food waste can only be positive.
The box’s convenience continues to the cookery stage with a recipe card outlining all the information you could need. The method highlights the key ingredients for speedy scanning, includes a nutritional breakdown, and handy tips & tricks from the chef, making the cooking process even easier. Tried and tested by one of the messiest cooks, these beautifully illustrated keep-safe recipe cards are also splash-proof (to a degree) so there is no excuse for not being able to read the recipe right!
Wholesome, filling and ultimately made from high-quality, seasonal ingredients. When choosing your box, cooks can select anything from Sweet Potato, Black Bean & Corn Tostadas, White Bean Falafels & Tahini Dressing, Goan Mackerel and Lemon Spinach Rice, and Persian Chicken and Green Bean Pilaf to name but a few. With a choice of veggie, vegan and prime-cut meat-based recipes, they are perfect inspiration for those of us who are stuck for inspiration. Introducing dishes from around the world, these boxes are simply ideal for rejuvenating your midweek menu.”