Yes, you’re inspired by all the drool-worthy autumn recipes on Pinterest this season (pumpkin gnocchi anyone?), but between shopping for ingredients, prep and cooking, you’re hardly left with any time to catch Breaking Bad. Dining Editor (and mom of three) Carla Sullivan, took a few much needed nights off to relaaaax and try these food delivery options that came straight to her doorstep.
Big Red House Soups (917.687.6450, http://bigredhousesoup.com/) When the chill comes all you can think is soup. Enter Emily Pancer, local mama and creator of Big Red House Soups with her weekly supply of preservative-free soups loaded with fresh vegetables, beans and grains, and hormone-free meats. Orders are taken Mondays for pickup/delivery on Wednesday/Thursday. Delivery is available to select local towns and pickup is available in three locations (Glen Rock, Tenafly, and Wyckoff) as well. After running through the super-easy online order system, Big Red House won our hearts with their heart healthy Veggie Chili- which was CHOCK full of fresh corn, tomatoes and beans –and the Mellow Butternut Squash- so fresh you could taste almost every ingredient. Another fave was a hearty Mulligatawny, so satisfying that we didn’t need our late night snack.
Savory Thymes(201-444-6693, www.savorythymescatering.com) A full blown caterer on most days, Savory Thymes offers delish, home-cooked fare to families three times a week via pickup in Wyckoff or Glen Rock or through delivery (within 10 miles of Ridgewood) for a small charge. Meals start with a salad, offer a choice of two entrees and are served with a starch, side veggie and fresh bread. Weekly specials can include offerings like “Oversized Meatballs in Marinara” and “Stuffed Flounder”, while standards like Panko Chicken Tenders and Three Cheese Mac n Cheese are always on the menu. We relished the Chicken Scarparello served with lemony Angel Hair Pasta, and loved the “more than adequate” portions served in separate containers for freshness. Plus, the detailed heating instructions were “extremely helpful” and ensured the homemade taste was kept in tact.
La Promenade(201-567-2500, www.laprom.com) Well known caterer La Promenade offers up their “Wonderful Wednesdays” for families with free delivery for orders of $20 or more. Choose from menus including entrees like Shrimp Stir Fry with Vegetable LoMein ($8.95) and Eggplant Parmesan with Baked Ziti ($8.95), plus salads, soups and sides. Our kids were happy to nibble on lightly sweet noodle kugel, while the Turkey Breast Dinner garnered raves from a hungry dad. And repeat customers get a bonus: sign up for a months worth of orders and they will include one of their crowd-pleasing desserts for free.
The Catch-y Caterer (917-721-9217, www.thecatchycaterer.com): Erin Cacciabaudo, trained chef/caterer and mom of four, knows a thing or two about juggling work and family life. We love her “Mom’s Night Off” concept, where she offers fresh, locally sourced foods for pickup. Menus are sent weekly via email and pickups happen on Tuesdays at the Community Church in Ho-Ho-Kus. Offerings change weekly, but we relished in the Buffalo Chicken Salad ($12.95) and the very light Chinese Chopped Chicken Salad ($12.95), and our kids munched on the Panko Crusted White Meat Chicken Fingers ($9 for a ½ lb) and devoured the Puree of Creamy Carrot Soup ($11 a quart). All portions were ample enough to use for lunch the next day, making this mama even more relaxed.
Silver Birch Kitchens (908-876-0160, http://www.silverbirchkitchens.com/) Husband and wife team Jessica and Marc Geanoules have spent most of their lives in the culinary business. Silver Birch posts weekly menus on Thursdays for order by Sundays at noon- delivery and pickup happens on Tuesdays between 11am and 3pm (free for orders over $75). Standouts included a very fresh and light Shepard Salad ($7/pint) comprised of chopped tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, bell peppers, Kalamata olives & Feta Cheese and the Chicken Fajitas ($10) which was served with sauteed peppers and onions, cheddar, house made salsa & guacamole, flour tortillas and Carnival Rice.
