FAQ

An EC Meals base is a fresh-frozen masala concentrate — the flavor foundation of a South Indian dish. It contains slow-cooked onions, tomatoes, fresh-ground spices, and (depending on the recipe) lentils, tamarind, or vegetables. You add your protein, vegetables, or water depending on the base, and cook it for 15–20 minutes. The result tastes like it simmered all afternoon.

Those are fully-cooked, shelf-stable meals you reheat. EC Meals bases are not cooked meals — they're the prep work done for you. You still cook fresh, in your own kitchen, with your own ingredients. You own the meal. We just save you the 90 minutes of chopping, grinding, and simmering.

We chose freezing to preserve fresh flavor without adding preservatives. The trade-off: you need freezer space. Worth it.

Yes. Every recipe comes from home kitchens in Tamil Nadu — including ours. Masalas are crafted with real spices, not shortcuts. Tamil-speaking customers tell us it tastes like home; that's the bar we hold ourselves to.

We ship EC Meals nationwide across the continental U.S. Frozen orders ship every Monday using temperature-controlled packaging. Local customers in Frisco and McKinney can also choose convenient pickup options at checkout.

• 📦 Nationwide shipping — minimum order of $65 required
• 🎉 Free shipping on orders of $100 or more
• 🛍️ Free pickup in Frisco and McKinney — no minimum

All orders ship every Monday. Place your order before Sunday midnight to be included in that week's Monday dispatch. Orders placed after Sunday midnight ship the following Monday.

Each EC Meals package is meticulously packed and shipped with precision to meet the specific requirements of every item, ensuring the freshest and most delicious food arrives right at your doorstep.

Please note that in most cases, our frozen products may partially or fully thaw during transit. Rest assured, products requiring refrigeration are safe to enjoy as long as they arrive cool to the touch.

The majority of our items are shipped frozen, typically with dry ice or ice packs included. Despite these precautions, some thawing during transit is possible.

Dry ice disposal: Handle dry ice with care. You can leave it outside on the sidewalk — it will dissipate quickly in the sun. Alternatively, place it (in its plastic or paper wrapping) in a sink or container to protect surfaces. Do not touch dry ice directly.

• 🛍️ Free pickup in Frisco and McKinney — available every Monday
• 🚚 Local delivery within North Dallas — every Monday (fee calculated at checkout)
• 📦 Nationwide shipping — dispatched every Monday in temperature-controlled packaging; minimum order of $65; orders ~$100 ship free

Browse the shop, add bases to cart, choose pickup, local delivery, or shipping at checkout. That's it.

Yes — and we'd love to help. Contact us with your headcount and date. We also sponsor tasting events across North Dallas — ask us about Tasting events.

Keep them frozen. Once thawed, use within 24 hours. Don't refreeze.

Frozen and unopened: best within 12 months for peak flavor. (Check the pack for the exact best-by date.)

No. A regular stovetop pan or pot works perfectly. Most bases are ready in 15–20 minutes from frozen.

Three steps:

1. Add the EC Meals base + water to a pan as per pack instructions
2. Add your choice of protein, vegetables, or water depending on the base (see pack instructions) + salt to taste
3. Cook until done. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.

Pro tip: adjust water for your preferred consistency.

Absolutely. Most bases work beautifully with potato, drumstick, eggplant, field beans, or paneer.

Medium-heat by default — true to South Indian home cooking. You can dial it up with extra chili or tone it down with coconut milk or yogurt.

Fresh onions, tomatoes, garlic, whole spices crafted in-house, vegetables (varies by recipe), tamarind, salt, and oil. Full ingredient list on each product page.

No. Never. We chose freezing to preserve fresh flavor without adding preservatives.

The bases themselves are vegetarian. You decide the protein.

Most bases are vegan as-is. Check individual product pages for any dairy/ghee notes.

Most are naturally gluten-free, but always check the product page if you have a gluten allergy.

Many bases contain peanut oil. Recipes with lentils contain legumes. Full allergen info is on each product page. If you have a serious allergy, message us first and we'll confirm.

We send you free product samples; you cook with them and share an honest video review on your social channels. Apply here →

Yes. Refer a friend, both of you save. Details here →

Sometimes — we're a small team. Check open roles →

Yes. We sponsor community tasting events across North Dallas — Tamil and broader South Asian community gatherings, school fundraisers, cultural events. Reach out →

No, you can checkout as a guest. But creating an account saves your address and order history for faster reorders.

All major credit cards and Shopify Pay.

Because our products are perishable, we don't accept returns. But if there's ever an issue with your order — wrong item, damaged packaging, anything — message us within 24 hours of delivery and we'll make it right.

You'll get an email confirmation and tracking link once your order ships or is ready for pickup.