MetsFan5

I definitely still use the oven and find it useful. I wouldn’t rely on its supposed air frying capability though. I paused the meal plan because you have to order 4 per order and I grew tired of the selections. I don’t regret the purchase— the meals I received in order to pay $199 for the oven weren’t bad. I just wish there was a larger variety, and that breakfast items weren’t add ons/ only sold in servings for two.

Carvel is my childhood ice cream. I’d get the 0’Cookie Puss as my birthday is st Patrick’s day

Aerogarden is going out of business: https://aerogarden.com/home/

It’s too hot, almost hot enough to not eat! I had half a Jersey Mike’s sub. They’re pretty good for a chain! Tomorrow I’m thinking of getting a rotisserie chicken, arugula, some local tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and drizzling it in olive oil with fresh ground pepper and sea salt.

With the heat locally I have my eye on this recipe; https://blog.workman.com/woodstock-farmers-market-carrot-dip

A treat for trash pandas.

Probably, but when steam ovens became popular I had a double oven, two refrigerators, a six burner stove and a big green egg my ex used a lot. I also wasn’t cooking for one.

After reading what I could find on Reddit and other various sites, I was not surprised today when, after cooking a meal, I discovered my oven is malfunctioning. I have been adding water— more than would seem needed for days now. Zero leaks, it seemed weird. After tonight’s meal I knew it had to be low as the steam function was being used and I could see the steam being released. so, I kept slowly adding water, and then the moment I took my eyes off the bottom of the oven to peer into the top, where I dispense the water, I had a flood on my counter. I’m not surprised as I said. The scanner doesn’t read, or at least my own doesn’t read, any of the cooking times for products that are supposed to be “Tovala friendly”. It quickly reads the code on the meals but it hasn’t successfully read a code on any other product. I view it as a somewhat higher end toaster oven. The meals are great to have on hand when I just eat because I need to and most meals are tasty enough. I have one more meal delivery I already paid for and then I’ll quit. I’m not about to haul this 30lb oven to be shipped in return for a new one. I’ll use it as a toaster oven. The meals create (as well as the oven did) a LOT of packaging to breakdown and that is a real pain in the ass for me as I have to walk everything out to various recycling and garbage receptacles and that involves stairs and lifting everything over my shoulder (I’m 5’7) to throw into the receptacles. I get enough online deliveries, I don’t like the huge box the meals come in with heavy insulation— one box is all I can carry with both hands and even with everything meal wise removed, it weighs a solid 10lbs. If the box was smaller and I could see where I’m stepping while taking it to the trash, it wouldn’t be so awkward. I’ll contact support tomorrow regarding this issue, they aren’t live right now and last time I emailed with an issue it took them two days to respond and by then I had figured it out. I’m pretty pissed about this water leak mess but, as stated, not surprised. Overall I would not recommend it. I’m glad I tried it, as I am the type the market to, and the meals were mostly good but I’m not the type of customer to send a product back and get a replacement when it comes to products like this. Also the “air frying” feature, which the oven should scan for products like Ore Ida fries, might work if the oven scanned the barcode, but since my won’t, it’s just crap. It burns everything, even when following the “airfry” instruction and using the “airfrying” tray.

I used my press for hotdogs and it worked well.

I love fresh radishes dipped in salt but I need to explore matching radishes with butter.

it’s a childhood comfort food for me.

Same! I was just re-reading your food blog, I really miss them

care to rent out that pool house? stunning.

The proteins are killing these meals. The meatballs (which aren’t raw when delivered) and the chicken breasts all taste the same. The “sauces” do little to help with variation. However the oven cooks the proteins well, so I’m going to cook my own preferred proteins in line with the instructions. But I’m not a fan of how the proteins come and how they’re precooked and or marinated. Shrimp is the only exception. I do like their taco style entrees. I also find meals mostly to be a bit too much and also very much one note in terms of flavors. That said, the recipes and meals have given me a bit of inspiration. I am still enjoying the oven— I’ve since “toasted” English muffins and they came out very well. So the original toast experiment seems to be a one off.

To be fair, I ordered more of a variety of meals that were delivered for this week. I have skipped future deliveries with the option to change my mind but by now I think the oven has paid for itself/ I have ordered enough meals. In all transparency, despite Tovala’s partnership with Omaha Steaks (which I generally am not impressed with) I won’t order steak entrees. I just cannot imagine they would benefit from being cooked in any type of oven, despite the settings. I also don’t like salmon or trout and those are the only non shrimp seafood offerings.