Life on lockdown entails home cooking. Lots of it. More than ever. Thus, everyone from rookies to seasoned pros are relying heavily on meal kits these days.

Skip the blasé grocery store/food company versions and dig into chef-prepped meals from small neighbourhood restaurants instead. These mouthwatering meals are made for every skill level from low key (no hanging out at the hot stove for long, if at all) to something requiring a bit more time and attention (practice for your own cooking show one day), and simultaneously satiate your craving for resto fare while satisfying your need to stay in and cook.

BUT FIRST, BRUNCH

Missing your weekend brunch ritual - hours lounging on a restaurant banquette with your besties in a cold-shoulder top with mimosa in hand? This is the next best thing.

Light Café in Baldwin Village has brought together the MVPs of brunch in four ready-to-eat brunch boxes: Smoked Salmon ($19.99), Pulled Pork ($19.99), Roasted Mushroom ($19.99) and Lobster ($24.99). 

Each box contains a freshly baked butter croissant, your choice of egg style (egg benedict with Hollandaise, over easy, sunny side up, scrambled), bacon, breakfast sausage, your choice of fries (tater tots, waffle fries, tofu fries), salad with house dressing, avocado, assorted fruit, and chiffon donuts.

And depending on which you select, you’ll also get smoked salmon, pulled pork, creamy lobster and shrimp, or roasted assorted mushrooms (with butternut squash and roasted cauliflower subbing in for meat sides).

Despite the abundance of ingredients, these meals are actually portioned for one, so enjoy a feast in the comfort of home - pants optional.

Brunch kits are available for takeout (enjoy 20% off) and delivery.

HANDHELD HEAVEN

No doubt you’re so over your own haphazard bread and filling concoctions by now, so take your sandos to the next level with  Rustle & Still Café’s Banh Mi Kits ($19 serves two, $36 serves 4).

There are four to choose from: Lemongrass Chicken, Lemongrass Pork, Vietnamese Meatballs, and Baby Bella Mushroom & Tofu with Vegan Pate. Each set includes:

• Fresh baguete

• Cooked proteins in foil containers (meatballs are packed in soup container), making the quick oven or stovetop warm up a breeze

• Pickled vegetables, homemade mayo, and pate spread in separate containers, 

The best part, aside from diving into this chewy deliciousness? They come together quickly and with very little effort. There’s no shopping for all the ingredients, washing and chopping everything, very few dishes to wash, and no cooking whatsoever -  just a little warm up and assembly required. And you’ve got up to four days within date of purchase, so it fits right into your WFH schedule - whatever that is, these days.

Perfect. Ăn nào! 

Banh mi kits are available for pick up and delivery. Order online during regular hours Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday 10am-2pm, with delivery on Saturday 2pm-6pm. 

BOWLED OVER

“Soup puts the heart at ease, calms down the violence of hunger, eliminates the tension of the day, and awakens and refines the appetite.” - Auguste Escoffier

I know what you’re thinking – soup in hot weather? YESSSS! Why should all other hot foods be acceptable in summer except for soup?

And pizza and chips aside, if there was ever a time to concentrate on your health, it’s right now. So boost your immunity with the Batch Cook Be Well Soup Kit ($52.99) from healthy haunt, The Goods on Roncesvalles.

Colds don’t stand a chance against this heady concoction of superfoods. A fragrant broth of chaga, miso, garlic, ginger juice, and almighty turmeric, combined with long-grain brown rice, mushrooms (cremini, Portobello, shiitake), carrots, celery, and red onions – what’s not to love? 

It contains all you need to make seven hearty meals - feed the whole family or make multiple meals for just one or two – including freezer safe containers. All the organic, plant-based ingredients are washed, chopped, and ready to go – you just need to find your biggest pot and follow the enclosed instructions.

Mealtime just got soooo much easier.

The vegan, low-glycemic, gluten-free, sugar-free, nut-free, sesame-free soup mix is available for takeout and delivery. Note: If you order online and want to pick it up, make a note. They’ll have it ready for you the next day by noon and refund the shipping fee.

DINE AL FRESCO

We’ve finally been graced with serious picnic weather. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Grab Alma’s fab Picnic Under the Sun ($34) package: scallion flat breads (x2), rampy potato salad, house-cured pork salumi, and choice of one dip: ramp with chili oil or straciatella. 

2. Head out to the beach or park. Wary of hanging out in public spaces and want to stick closer to home? The backyard or front porch will do just fine.

Pro tip: Add Rhubarb Victoria Sponge Cake ($9) and a bottle of vino ($25-$110). p.s. Don’t forget the blanket.

All items are available for takeout. All items except wine are available for delivery.

TASTE OF THAILAND

In the mood for Thai? Hmm. While stocked pantries are a usual occurrence right now, you might not have Thai essentials -i.e. fish sauce, tamarind paste, galangal, palm sugar, lemongrass, or Nam Prik Pao (roasted chile paste) - at the ready.

Sala Modern Thai Kitchen’s Meal Kits to the rescue! Authentic Thai fare at home with ease? Done. Want variety? Done. A staggering 18 signature dishes have been made into kits, including appetizers (Thai Fish Cakes $7, Curry Chicken Nuggets $7.50, Mango Salad $9), soup (Tom Yum/Tom Kha $7-$8), noodles (Pad Thai $12.50-$14, Jean’s Coconut Noodles $12.50-$14), stir fries and curries. 

Fresh ingredients are portioned and packaged separately, and can be stored for up to 5-7 days. And though cooking instructions are included, tune into the restaurant’s virtual cooking classes for fun, easy, and short (1:24-4:05 min) tutorials.

Sala’s Meal Kits are available for takeout and delivery. Downtown delivery is free. They also deliver across the GTA including Scarborough, North York, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Newmarket, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Brampton, and Hamilton.

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Please contact restaurants directly for more information. Menu items, takeout and delivery options, and prices subject to change.

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