🌿 What’s Really in a Crafty Cook Tube?
Take a Closer Look Inside
If you’ve ever picked up one of our Crafty Cook tubes and admired the beautiful layers, you might have wondered exactly what each layer is — and what purpose it serves.
Our meals may look “too pretty to cook,” but every single layer is there for a reason: flavour, function, nutrition and convenience.
Today we’re lifting the lid (literally!) and walking you through what’s inside, from top to bottom.
🥕 1. The Dried Veg Layer: Flavour, Colour & Nutrition
At the top. or somewhere in the middle, of almost every savoury Crafty Cook tube, you’ll see a colourful layer of dried vegetables.
This might include:
Dried Carrots
Dried Leek
Dried Red Peppers
Dried Mushroom pieces
or a mixture of different dried vegetables
Why dried veg?
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They rehydrate beautifully during cooking
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They provide natural sweetness, depth and colour
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They mean you don’t need to chop a single thing
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They keep the tube shelf-stable for months
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They help create that comforting, hearty “home-cooked” feel
It’s also why our tubes smell so wonderful when you open them — it’s real vegetables, not artificial flavourings.
🌿 2. Herbs, Spices & Seasonings: The Crafty Cook Signature Layer
At the bottom of the tube, you’ll find the powerful little layers that bring personality to each recipe — the herbs, spices and seasoning and flavourings.
Depending on the mix, this might include:
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Cumin, curry powder, turmeric (curries and spicy mixes)
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Rosemary, basil, thyme (Mediterranean-style risottos)
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Paprika or smoked paprika
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Garlic granules and/or Black pepper
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Bay leaf (in stews or casseroles)
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Stock powders (in a separate sachet) – Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Turkey, Vegetable or Chicken Flavoured Vegan Stock.
- Natural Flavourings
We keep our seasonings: All-natural, Free from artificial additives, Carefully balanced, so the end result tastes like a fully-flavoured home-made meal with minimal effort
These layers do the hard work for you — no spice rack needed, and no guessing about what “one teaspoon of something” should be.
🌾 3. Grains, Pulses & Carbs: The Heart of the Meal
Finally, the foundations of your meal — the ingredients that keep you full, satisfied, and energised.
You may find:
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Rice (risottos, paella-style mixes)
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Lentils (soups, dahls)
- Split peas
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Barley
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Oats and flour in the puddings
These layers are:
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High in fibre, helping you stay fuller for longer
- Low in sugar
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Packed with natural protein
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Pantry-stable so no waste
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Carefully measured, meaning perfect consistency every time
Because the dry ingredients are layered artfully, you get perfect water absorption and texture — whether it’s a creamy risotto, a hearty stew, or a smooth soup.
✨ Why We Layer Them This Way
The “sand-art style” isn’t just beautiful — it’s functional.
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The herbs and spices sit in the bottom so you can see the ingredients and they’re not hidden under the label
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And the heavier grains sit in the middle to create a barrier between the powders and the veg (in most cases),
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The top veg layer protects the grains below.
- The stock sachet is placed in a separate bag so it doesn’t draw moisture from the other ingredients especially when the temperature’s warm and hidden behind the label (where possible)
It’s a combination of practicality, recipe science, and visual joy.
Every tube is built to cook perfectly with one simple instruction:
Add water and heat (or add your wet ingredients and cook or refrigerate for puddings).
🍲 A Tube Full of Honest Ingredients
No hidden extras.
No artificial nonsense.
Just real ingredients, measured, layered, and ready to make your life easier.
Crafty Cook meals are proof that convenience can still be wholesome, natural, and beautifully crafted.
