It's no secret that the pandemic changed food and dining trends irrevocably. As pubs and restaurants pivoted their business to create at home meal kits, former fine dining establishments switching to delivery, and everyone just got a little bit tired of cooking night after night, demand for food deliveries and takeaways soared. Despite the UK restaurant scene now being back somewhat on its feet, our appetite for quick and easy food hasn't waned.
While we all have a favourite takeaway, I'm certainly not the only one that feels the guilt at not scratch cooking from fresh more often. Luckily, there is a new brand of nourishing, home-cooked ready meals available that have been lovingly created from fresh, healthy ingredients, for a wholesome, pre-prepared meal on those nights that cooking might just be too much.
Created by Leiths-trained chef Ruby Bell and her friend and business partner Milly Bagot, ByRuby was launched after they witnessed customers at delicatessen Finns of Chelsea, where they both worked, buying ready meals and realised there was a gap in the market. Fast forward and ByRuby now has a menu of 15 main dishes, ranging from Ruby’s Fish Pie, Grass Fed Beef Bourguignon and Free Range Coq au Vin, to a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options, including Aubergine and Paneer Korma, Woodland Mushroom Risotto and Roasted Vegetable and Spinach Lasagne.
Every dish is prepared from scratch, and immediately frozen to lock in the goodness of the ingredients the natural way - with absolutely no additives or preservatives. The range is made with the finest ingredients and the duo buy British wherever possible. Vegetables come in fresh from New Covent Garden market each morning, meat and fish are all British, pork and chicken free range, fish is sustainable - and all from British sources.
Prices are super affordable; ByRuby meals start from £5.25, for portion for 1 and £9 for portion for 2. Bundles also start from £18.76 (Indian take away feast), or £29.93 for normal bundles.
With bundles available such as the Indian ‘Takeaway’ Feast, the New Parent Bundle and the new ‘Get Well Soon’ bundle, with comforting favourites such as Woodland Mushroom Risotto, British Grand Fed Beef Lasagne and Free Range Chicken Bone Broth, there’s host of delicious options to choose from.
We recently tried out a few of their dishes and it’s safe to say we’re converted. A Three Cheese Macaroni Cheese for two was the ultimate in indulgent comfort food, we added a handful of fresh kale for some extra texture - the perfect accompaniment. The Roasted Butternut Squash & Spinach Dhal had a pleasing kick and a gorgeous crunch thanks to a topping of shaved coconut chips. The British Free Range Chicken, Leek & Bacon Pie is a delicious concoction, you can taste the home made care that goes into every bite; we loved every mouthful.
ByRuby can be found on Amazon Fresh, in Whole Foods Market and independent delis and farm shops across the UK, as well as ordering online direct from their website www.byruby.co.uk. Everything is delivered in sustainable,100% biodegradable and compostable sheep’s wool packaging which has been designed specifically to keep frozen meals chilled for up to 24 hours, so even if you’re not at home, your meals will keep.
