My wife has always been the culinary critic in our household. Typically, I stick to the basics and leave the cooking to her. But when I stumbled upon Huel’s Hot & Savory meals, I decided to challenge myself and see if I could trick her into thinking I made something from scratch.
Spoiler alert: it worked!
Discovering Huel: From Skeptic to Believer
It all started during one of my late-night YouTube binges. I kept seeing ads and influencers talking about Huel—a plant-based meal that’s quick, nutritious, and, according to them, delicious.
Naturally, I was skeptical. How could something that’s ready in minutes from a pouch be as good as a home-cooked meal?
I decided to put it to the test and ordered a couple of flavors: Mexican Chili and Thai Green Curry.
Both sounded like dishes that could pass for something from a trendy restaurant, and they boasted some impressive stats: up to 25g of protein, real whole food ingredients, 27 essential vitamins and minerals, and completely plant-based. Plus, at just $3.76 per meal, it seemed too good to be true.
The Setup: Finding Alone Time to Cook
On the day of the experiment, I waited for my wife to be out of the house running errands. I grabbed my Huel pouches, the pot they sent with my first order, and some boiling water. The Mexican Chili was my first choice—it had a smoky blend of peppers, beans, quinoa, and rice.
The preparation was ridiculously simple: pour the contents into the pot, add boiling water, and wait for five minutes. To add to the illusion, I garnished it with fresh cilantro and a lime wedge.
When my wife came back, I served the chili with a casual, “Dinner’s ready!”
The First Bite: Did You Make This?
As she sat down to eat, I watched nervously. She took her first bite, and I could see the surprise in her eyes. “This is amazing! When did you learn to cook chili like this?” she asked, diving in for another spoonful.
Internally, I was cheering, but I played it cool, nodding calmly.
As we continued eating, I couldn't help but notice her glancing at me with a mix of suspicion and admiration. "What's in this? It tastes amazing!"
I casually listed the ingredients—peppers, beans, quinoa, rice. She seemed convinced and impressed by my "culinary skills."
Encouraged by my success, I decided to repeat the experiment the next evening with the Thai Green Curry. Packed with peppers, sweetcorn, scallions, cilantro, cumin, ginger, and chili, it smelled and looked divine. My wife couldn’t get enough of it. “Seriously, what’s your secret?” she asked, genuinely impressed.
My master plan was working. 😈
The Big Reveal: Unmasking Huel
After a few days of enjoying Huel’s meals, I decided it was time to come clean. Over dinner, I told her the truth. “You know those meals you’ve been loving? They’re from Huel. I just add boiling water and let it sit for five minutes.”
Her fork paused mid-air. “Wait, these meals weren’t homemade?” she asked, looking both shocked and impressed. “I thought you’d been slaving away in the kitchen!”
The fact that Huel’s Hot & Savory meals had completely fooled my discerning wife spoke volumes.
The Verdict
In the end, Huel won us both over. My wife was amazed that such delicious, hearty meals could come from a pouch, and I was thrilled to have found something that made meal prep effortless and enjoyable.
Plus, with meals starting at just $3.76 each and the added bonus of a free T-shirt and pot with the first order, it was a no-brainer.
So, if you’re looking to impress someone with your “cooking” skills or just want a quick, nutritious meal, give Huel Hot & Savory a try. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
