Nala’s Kitchen: Healthy Food Delivered & Now Available Throughout CT

As of February 1, fans of Nala’s Kitchen will be able to get some of their delicious, wholesome meals at various Noble Convenience Stores across Connecticut. Sure, You can order their meals online whenever you’d like, but what a radical shift for your gas and go stops! Imagine going to a convenience store, after pumping gas, and, instead of coming out with candy, soda, and some unidentifiable colorful snack you’d likely feel guilty and sick over twenty minutes later, you could leave your local Noble’s munching on something that will be both healthy and gaa’damn delicious. 

Whenever I scroll through social media and see posts from a trainer or nutritionist, standing ripped in front of their 21 containers of meals stacked high for the week, I often think of my old European relatives. I can just see them scrunching up their faces in disbelief over what seems to be uninventive, bland mountains of repetition just made to satisfy numbers and the need for fuel. 

Granted, things in the world of health and food have been shifting, so thankfully, when you see ‘Healthy’ and ‘Food’ together, it doesn’t have to mean flavorless or uninspired. And, on the flipside, Instagram worthy #Yummy shots don’t mean it’s automatically bad for you. It can be both; and that is where we cue Nala’s Kitchen. “I cook for myself,” Chef Beca Tuinei told me. And wow, does she know her way around the kitchen, texture, and flavor.

I almost did backflips--ok more like a very lively jig--over Chef T’s food. But moments before, when Vanessa Sena, Nala’s COO and longtime pal of Chef T’s made her delivery to me, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Full of energy and passion over their business and partnership, it didn’t take much for Sena to convince me I was in for a treat. More than that, I was intrigued, and soon over the moon. Hence the jig! I not only welcomed the black piled containers into my house, but I could have taken several more for the rest of the week. Be still my heart, those spices and marinades! In addition to Nala’s score with Noble Convenience Stores, they have a growing number of collaborations brewing so spice and flavor have raised the bar on “healthy” food being boring or bland. Nala’s food is gorgeous, layered, full of flavor and OMG GOOD FOR YOU.

Many who’ve eaten out with me know I rarely order chicken because it is often overdone, not moist, and VERY bland. Nala’s was neither of those things. In both chicken dishes I tried, it was so wonderfully prepared and tasty, I think I spent 20 minutes alone just talking to Chef about the marinade. I love that she is not afraid of spice and is passionate about making good food, whole, memorable and  delicious.

The Kale-Detox Salad was a party for my body. The moistest, most tender, flavorful grilled chicken over kale, garbanzos, shredded carrot, cucumber, boiled potato, and roasted jalapenos, and all that was over a nutty brown rice. One of the not so secret secrets is the My Big Fat Greek Rub Chef uses and swears by. As a matter of fact, Chef loves it so much, she is working with the company on a series of collabs for a line of marinades and rubs for Nala’s meals. 

When I devoured the Balsamic Chicken Over Broccoli Gratin, I was smitten about having just had two chicken dishes I actually wanted more of. And, instead of a pile of boring steamed stems of watery cruciferous-ness, the broccoli gratin was packed full of flavor and became the perfect pairing for the chicken.

Not gonna lie though, my favorite of all I tried was the Chorizo Cod. You read that right, CHORIZO COD. What a fresh blend of textures and flavors; and they were incredible hearty portions. What a combo. Like an almost crunchy crumble, the chorizo topped the cod like a surprise mound of bacon bits on….well, anything. And the meal became like a superhero lunch when paired with an Herbed Riced Cauliflower, Sauteed Spinach, and Kale. Now, I’m a garlic fan, so when it is really used well on a dish, generously yet not overpowering, I’m sold.

Chef Beca Tuienei and COO Vanessa Sena worked together years ago, and after stints in the music industry in Los Angeles--Chef T can be heard on the OutKast song “Hey Ya”--food brought them to Connecticut, and back together. Now, kickin’ ass and takin’ names, they are collaborating with great organizations all over the state--including Yosi Kitchen which features Kosher and Meditteranean cuisine--and they are empowering each other as a women-run business, and shining a light on how great food can amplify your physical, emotional, and mental health.

Take a look at their site, try them out, especially during a busy week. The options are endless. They are always experimenting and creating combinations to satisfy your nutritional needs or time commitments . You’ll see everything is marked with calorie counts and the popular Nutritional style the meal adheres to like Whole30, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Shred10, etc.

You can order online whenever, with deliveries out twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Nala’s Kitchen
Nalas-kitchen.com
860.578.2314
@nalaskitchenweha

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