Each month, in-house tester Cesilee Castillo opens a HelloFresh delivery box, fires up her stove, and reports what tasted incredible, what took longer than promised, and what she’d do differently. No filters. No fluff. Just honesty.
Street Cart Style Turkey Bowl
Thanksgiving Focus
This restaurant-quality dish earns its perfect 10 on taste. HelloFresh pairs pan-seared salmon fillets with Israeli couscous toasted in butter and a zucchini ribbon salad dressed with Italian herbs and lemon. The dish is fresh, bright and lighter than you’d expect from something this indulgent.
This meal kit was delivered in excellent condition. All ingredients were fresh.
Cesilee says that the sauce is the best part. The flavor fell flat and the overall bowl needed more depth. She could see what HelloFresh was going for, but she would suggest HelloFresh add more green vegetables. The bowl needed color and freshness to balance the protein. This could be your Thanksgiving turkey, but only if you follow her suggestions.
https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/street-cart-style-turkey-bowls-68c813dd97f15a225e289358
Cesilee’s Tip
If I made this again, I’d add curry or a bolder sauce to build the flavor up. That one change would make a real difference. The included sauce is a good starting point – build on it.
Tuscan Trattoria Chicken and Kale Spaghetti
Cesilee went in thinking this meal kit would be a standard pasta and came out surprised. The kale brings something different – a little bitterness, a lot of freshness – and it works really well against the richness of the sauce. Kale pesto would be incredible in this.
She recommends that HelloFresh add more color on the plate – red bell peppers would brighten this up considerably.
https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/tuscan-chicken-kale-spaghetti-5f68fb5d0359920d4b2c8d02
Cesilee’s Tip
Add a splash more pasta water than they call for – it gives you more sauce and makes the whole dish more cohesive. Add shrimp to take it up a notch.
Turkey Tips and Questions!
Happy Thanksgiving from Chef Cesilee Castillo.
Hi Club Chefs!
It’s me, Chef Cesilee!
Thanksgiving is the culinary high point of the year. What are you preparing this year? I would love to know!
Do you have questions about Thanksgiving selections, prep, seasoning, timing, sides, desserts, or anything else food-related? Reach out and ask. I am here for you, Club Members!
Send me your questions: tastingkitchen@employeesclub.com
I wish you holiday memories to last a lifetime. – Chef Cesilee