supper companies

Well I went back to the grocery store yesterday. A week has gone by already. But with my menus already planned, I only needed a few things to get me set for next week. I think I spent $80. That’s absurdly low for a family of five! But, as I said, I had laid in some stock the past few weeks because of the weather, so it all will average out to the usual monthly total. Tonight we’ll have a yummy roast from my handy-dandy Dierberg’s cookbook, but first another angle on planning that deserves deeper exploration.

There is a fast-growing new industry out there that has yet to earn its own category in the phone book. They are not restaurants or caterers, so here I coin the term “supper companies.” Each has its own take on getting you ready to sit down together, but in general the programs are similar. They provide the ingredients and recipes. You assemble the meals and take them home. Freeze them for later or eat one that night. It’s as easy as drive-thru but healthier for you ... in lots of ways. First is the pure calorie count, fat intake, trans-fat issue … all that stuff. Second is the chance to work with a family member or with friends to assemble the dishes … a little bonding time goes a long way! Finally, there are the many benefits of sitting down together, even just once a week, for a family meal. …

There are lots of ways to gauge a burgeoning suburb. Traffic is the basic barometer. Can you get through a stoplight in one cycle? Not usually in my burb. And on the main artery through town you’ll find three … THREE! … of these supper companies waiting for you to test their recipes. St. Louis’ own mealMAKERS, founded in 2003, is in 11 states, soon to be 17. Minneapolis-based Let’s Dish, also founded in 2003, is in 12 states, soon to be 14. You can find a Super Suppers in most any state. And, while the first Missouri Dream Dinners is set to open in another St. Louis suburb soon, folks in most every other state can check out their plan-ahead-offerings. While I have yet to “cook with” any of these services, I have checked out the three in my suburb. Stepping into delightfully clean store fronts I found a homey spin put on an industrial-style kitchen. And when allowed to peak at the ingredients everything was fresh, crisp, wonderfully aromatic and … perhaps the best part … prepped for me! No chopping, slicing, peeling, trimming. Hurray! And there’s no clean-up. Wa-hoo! So I’m hoping to get with the karate moms for a few field trips and a few reviews. We could all use something healthy to pull out of the freezer after an hour’s workout.

If you use any of these services, or one that’s in your area but not listed here, please let me know what you think. I’m pondering adding these links to the sidebar.

Here’s to a lovely weekend with friends and family!