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Delivered frozen ready meals

(39 Posts)
Mishap Sat 02-Nov-13 13:24:47

We usually make sure we have one drawer of the freezer with ready meals in. We started this when I was in plaster and on crutches and have continued, as it is very useful for my OH when I am out, and also for days when I am too busy to cook.

So far we have tried Wiltshire and also Oakhouse. The meals are nothing to write home about.

The best ones are of course M&S, but they do not deliver, which, since we love in the back of beyond, is not ideal.

Has anyone tried any others, or got any ideas?

Many thanks

glammanana Sat 02-Nov-13 13:34:02

We have tried Iceland meals for one which do serve their purpose and depending on your taste they are quite nice,some may need a wee bit more added ie.salt/pepper/spices just depends but they are good value I'm not sure if you can order on line but they do a delivery service for sure maybe if a neighbour or relative where doing an Iceland shop they could do your order for you ? Ocado also do good ready meals and I have used them when I was housebound last year at the moment if you do an order there is £15/20 discount on your first order over I think £60.00.
If I lived nearer I would pop in and do a freezer full of ready meals for you both as I am free this weekend I have no outside catering bookings until next week and could do with the distraction.

Elegran Sat 02-Nov-13 13:35:17

Tesco's Finest range are pretty good, and they do deliver. They also have Indian side dishes - rice, dahl, cauli & potato etc - which can be heated up and used with sausages, also from the freezer, for a meal. Their Spanish tapas range are small helpings but a couple of different ones of them make a snack.

Mishap Sat 02-Nov-13 13:44:04

That is a very kind thought glammamama - I am grateful. I will try Iceland and Ocado and see what I can find.

And yes, Elegran, Tesco Finest are good - I had forgotten that.

Mishap Sat 02-Nov-13 16:12:29

Just spoken to Ocado and they do not deliver here - we are very isolated. But most of their items seem to be Waitrose ones, and they do deliver here, so I may try that.

gracesmum Sat 02-Nov-13 16:17:55

I was going to suggest Ocado (disappointing that they do not deliver in your area) or Waitrose.com. If you spend I think it is 3 (or maybe 4) lots of £50 in November you get a £25 voucher to spend on January. It's called taking with one two hands and giving back with the other !

Aurelia Sat 02-Nov-13 16:27:47

If Sainsburys deliver to your area, they have quite a wide range of frozen ready meals. I've not tried the frozen meals, but their fresh food is usually good quality, especially their own brand.
Or have a look at the "COOK" website, they deliver nationwide, and have a good reputation, and interesting selection.

Mishap Sat 02-Nov-13 16:47:10

Thanks everyone - I have looked on the COOK website and emailed them for further details, particularly whether the meals can be microwaved from frozen - which would be very helpful when OH wants to grab something while I am out.

glassortwo Sat 02-Nov-13 17:09:36

mishap if you are using Tesco use their delivery saver you sign up for I think its 3 or 6 months from £36 for the 3 months, but you can have as many deliveries a week as you need for the same cost.

ninathenana Sat 02-Nov-13 18:40:20

[mishap] "we love in the back of beyond' sounds very romantic grin

Mishap Sat 02-Nov-13 19:26:23

Ninethenana - it really is the back of beyond - except for a little nearby enclave of cottages. And we both live and love here! We love it - but it is not so romantic at the moment as the wind is howling round and the conservatory roof is making some very odd noises! The electricity will go next on past experience!

Totally impractical place to be with all our problems, but we hope to stay as long as we can - and in the village there are lovely people who look out for us. It is not unheard of for a farmer in wellies to appear in our house during bad weather to make sure all is well, as we have been flooded before.

wisewoman Sat 02-Nov-13 22:30:22

If you like cooking and like things like spag bol, chilli, shepherd's pie etc, they are all easy to cook in bulk and freeze in portions. I always have frozen soup, bolognaise etc in freezer. OH defrosts a soup portion and has it with a roll at lunchtime. Maybe though you don't want the hassle of the cooking. Many years ago when both my mother and OH father were ill and we both worked full time, we lived on Sainsbury's ready meals for a long time. The trouble is they are all so samey and you get fed up with them after a while.

Aurelia Sun 03-Nov-13 00:21:48

Like wisewoman I always have portions of homemade soup and ragu in the freezer for a quick meal.
But sometimes a ready meal is what is needed. Maybe you need a couple of options, something, quick, hot and filling for your DH when you are out, tinned soup or stew or a frozen curry for lunch. Also a selection of more top of the range meals for when you are too busy to cook.
I think that this is when COOK will be of use, much more like the M&S ready meals, so you feel it is a bit of a treat for the two of you.

I also keep frozen seafood mix to stir into basic risotto or Asian style noodle soup, frozen mash to make fish or shepherds pie from leftovers, and lots of pulses to add depth and interest to left over portions of basics.

Mishap Sun 03-Nov-13 09:13:53

Heavens - you are all so efficient - I think I was in the back row when this was handed out! I really must gather my thoughts and follow some of these highly sensible suggestions about cooking and freezing - thank you.

bikergran Sun 03-Nov-13 09:26:06

if I have any bolognaise left...the day after I add red kidney beans and chilli and make it into a little chilli con carne for topping a jacket pot or with rice..smile that's my donation lol........

JessM Sun 03-Nov-13 09:31:53

Waitrose do their own brands and also some more expensive brands by small producers. A vast choice. They also do ones in sachets that do not need to be frozen e.g. "Look what we found" range

www.waitrose.com/shop/HeaderSearchCmd?searchTerm=ready+meals&defaultSearch=GR&search=#_

Charleygirl Sun 03-Nov-13 09:32:19

Mishap I looked up the Cook foods and they did look good. I thought it a bit odd that the recipes changed depending on which area one lives in. I live in London and even I was limited so heaven help you in the sticks.

I unfortunately have no space for a conventional freezer, mine is 50/50 f/f which does not store much. I normally store a couple of ready meals to go into the microwave but the remainder, fish and meat are easy to cook.

A year ago I was incapacitated using crutches and all I could do with difficulty was pop a tray into the microwave. I acquired these trays, mainly curries via Amazon and they did not have to be stored in a fridge or freezer. The food was nothing to write about but it filled a gap, was easy to heat and I did not starve.

Maniac Sun 03-Nov-13 09:39:23

Iceland have a good range of ready meals and buffet/party snacks.-and vegetarian foods.I always keep in some mini veg.spring rolls- 16 for £1 cok from frozen in 12 mins.
They have an excellent delivery service for orders of £25 and over (Waitrose minimum is £50 )
PLUS I've this week had a leaflet to say I can now order on line.!!

Aurelia Sun 03-Nov-13 10:00:18

Ooohhh! And Iceland sell Gregg's pies!!

petra Sun 03-Nov-13 12:03:59

Have you tried the Aldi range. I can see some of you squirming, lol. But believe me they are very good. This is from someone who HATED ready meals. We have tried the Chicken Korma and the Pasta with Salmon and Spinach. The Pasta was the best.

henetha Sun 03-Nov-13 12:08:28

Tesco's "Low Choices" frozen ready meals suit my low fat diet and are
quite tasty and good. It's handy to have 2 or 3 in the freezer for the odd occasion when I don't feel like cooking.

Ariadne Sun 03-Nov-13 17:34:53

If I'm out Theseus wouldn't expect me to provide something to cook! He is a grown up, after all. --knows where the pub/ chippie--is. He can look after himself. Not as well as I do, though!

Ariadne Sun 03-Nov-13 17:35:36

Crossing gout didn't work! But you get the gist.

Mishap Sun 03-Nov-13 17:49:46

My OH has PD and we live a long way from civilization - I try to make life as easy as I can for him. Also, if it wasn't made easy, he would not bother to eat, as the PD has affected his digestive system and he never feels hungry - he is under 8 stone!

Hannoona Sun 03-Nov-13 18:27:02

http://www.cookfood.net/

This company seemingly delivers all over the UK