Cook it and see

Halfway through sifting gnocchi pasta out of a pan of boiling chicken pieces while at the same time crushing basil and pine nuts into a rough approximation of pesto (then the phone went), I began to wish I had bought a takeaway curry.

But after polishing off the end result with a few glasses of chilled French colombard before launching into a moist, sponge-based chocolate mousse in the company of my wife and her mum (staying for the weekend - very impressed) I was mightily glad I had not succumbed to the easy option. Not that my meal kit from Rocket was particularly difficult.

In fact, phone call aside, the instruction card (handy folded design so you can stand it on the kitchen top for at-a-glance reading) was quite straight forward and simple to follow. I only got into trouble with the pesto which was an unncessary complication (could have been ready made?) while I was fishing for gnocchi.

Each ingredient came in a little plastic bag or container - even the crushed garlic - so all you really have to do is tip into a pan and stir. There were no surprises and it made even Jamie Oliver's recipes look overly complicated. The good thing about Rocket is that the meal kit outlets are available at most central London mainline stations - well placed for an early evening pick-up. Ingredients were fresh and the whole thing was packed up in a neat, easy to carry bundle.

It was fun to do and I'd definitely do it again! (NV)

Leaping Salmon
Seafood Paella
£14.95 plus £4.50 delivery.
Order online at www.leapingsalmon.com, before 5pm for same day delivery.

There's a shiny silver coolbag sitting on my back doorstep. It catches the evening sun and winks at me as if it knows what treats there are inside.

I peel back its zip, making a mental note to cool my beers in this next summer, and inside there's a note - 'Have a lovely evening - xxx' - and a collection of plastic containers - some rectangular, some round, some tiny and round and one miniature bottle. And inside them, thanks to £19.45 and a man with a van, is tonight's dinner.

And so to work. I snip open the first bag and out slips four pieces of squid. I fry them off for a minute in the oil, as instructed, and leave them to one side. Next, in with the onions and garlic (pre-chopped), then the chicken, and the chorizo (can you guess what it is yet?). I let this sizzle, then add the rice. Next up is the stock (careful here — one slip of the scissors and the mop would have a very tasty tea).

The hard work over, I leave the pan on the stove and retire to the living room. Holby City is on the TV — the scene at the operating table is not unlike the orangey pinky slop I have left behind in the kitchen. But no matter, I stick with it.

Twenty minutes later I add the peas, the seafood and the squid, garnish with the charcoaled lemon wedges, and olé, the paella has landed.

And the verdict? Delicious. But no, I didn’t fool my boyfriend. It was far too professional a job for that. (EO)