I’m not sure what’s happening to my motivation lately, but when it comes to household to-dos, I’m feeling less than enthusiastic about cooking, cleaning and keeping up with everyday tasks. Can I blame this on my third trimester? Yes?
About a month or so ago, I was feeling uninspired in the kitchen and, frankly, just plain lazy when it came to planning and preparing delicious dinners. Then I got a text from my mom that included a picture of her latest Blue Apron meal and I started salivating. I immediately ordered a Blue Apron shipment for me and Ryan, hoping a delivery of fresh ingredients and chef-inspired recipes would help break me out of my rut.
It ended up being just the kick in the pants I needed to enjoy my time in the kitchen again and that week Ryan and I sat down to three flavorful meals that we actually had fun preparing together thanks to easy-to-follow recipe instructions and creative cooking techniques. (I swear I learn something new to try in the kitchen every time I order Blue Apron!)
A little backstory about my experience with Blue Apron for those who may not know how I first discovered the service that delivers all the ingredients you need to make three gourmet-quality meals: I first heard of Blue Apron back in December 2013 when my friend Merri made us a delicious Blue Apron dinner of udon noodle soup during one of my visits to New York City. Merri signed up for Blue Apron to teach herself how to cook since she was not really comfortable in the kitchen and raved about the step-by-step instructions that came with each shipment of the meal delivery service.
After I arrived back home, I could not stop talking about Blue Apron and that inspired Ryan to give me four weeks of Blue Apron meals for Christmas that year! We now continue to order Blue Apron meals about once a month or so (we get the two-person plan that breaks down to $9.99 per person per meal with free shipping) and still have yet to make one meal we haven’t loved! We’ve also inspired my parents and two of our friends here in Charlotte to hop on the Blue Apron train.
Our Recent Blue Apron Delivery
Late last week I received my most recent Blue Apron delivery and requested a combination of vegetarian and fish/poultry dishes. The three meals we made were fantastic and, as always, incredibly flavorful thanks to farm-fresh ingredients sourced from quality suppliers and artisans.
Here’s what ended up on our menu:
We made this dish last night and thought the basmati rice was wonderful and incredibly aromatic. We made it with a blend of spices and thought the rice added so much flavor to this dish. I absolutely loved the addition of the fresh mint and cilantro, too!
Blue Apron’s vegetarian dishes are almost always our favorite and this one was no exception. After combining the peppery arugula with Parmesan, lemon zest and olive oil, we had a delicious fresh pesto on our hands to use on top of fresh fettuccine. I couldn’t get enough of this one!
This recipe incorporated pillowy Chinese steam buns that we filled with seasoned ground turkey and topped with zesty kimchi. It was a messy one, but I loved the spicy turkey and fresh veggies!
I personally love the way Blue Apron always includes recipes from a variety of cuisines so I’m constantly exposed to new flavors and spices. Recipes like the Spring Miso Ramen, Manhattan-Style Fish Chowder and Seared Salmon and Long Beans all sound amazing to me!
Blue Apron Giveaway + PBF Reader Discount
And now it’s giveaway time! One PBF reader will win a free week of Blue Apron meals for two!
To enter this giveaway, click here to head over to Blue Apron and check out what’s on the menu for this week and leave a comment below telling me which recipe you’d be most excited to create at home!
And please don’t worry if you don’t win because the first 100 readers who try Blue Apron will receive two free meals on their first order! To receive this promo, please click here to order.
Please note: This giveaway includes a week of meals for two people. Blue Apron now delivers to most of the United States. (You may see if delivery is available in your area here.) I will randomly select a winner on Friday.
Good luck!
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Disclaimer: While this post is sponsored by Blue Apron, affiliate links are not included and I am not receiving any compensation for orders placed with Blue Apron. Though I am partnering with Blue Apron this year, Ryan and I continue to purchase Blue Apron meals on our own because we really do love the service that much! Thank you so much for your continued support surrounding sponsored posts. I truly appreciate it!
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I’ve really been meaning to try this and now that I live with my boyfriend maybe I can get him to finally start cooking for me! 😉
That top row of recipes (steak and potatoes? meatballs? cod? YUM IN MY TUM) all seem like pretty good places for him to start!
Oh my goodness, the Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad sounds amazing!
The seared cod looks so yummy!
It would be great to try the sugar snap pea and farro salad!
The hoisin glazed chicken meatballs look yummy!
I would love to try making the huevos rancheros at home — YUM!
The seared cod not only sounds fabulous, but I’m not exactly comfortable cooking fish- so I’d love the step by step instructions!
mmm huevos rancheros:)) I love breakfast for dinner!
The seared steaks with mashed potatoes look amazing!
The cod would be my first pick but the steak is a close runner up!
The hoisin glazed chicken meatballs looked yummy!
Everything they have sent YOU so far has looked unreal, but I’d love to be able to make the seared cod and the hoisin-glazed chicken meatballs! YUM!
would love to try those steam buns!
Mexican shrimp fried rice!!
Definitely the Paneer & Vegetable Kati Rolls !!
Steak and potatoes!!
I like the Seared Steak and Mashed Potatoes the best .
The seared cod! I’m always looking for new ways to prepare fish.
I would LOVE to try the Huevos Rancheros!
I have never had Huevos Rancheros so would love to get the ingredients and instructions to make that! It’s such a great idea!
The Hoisin Chicken Meatballs look fantastic!
I would love to make the Huevos Rancheros. This would then teach me how to make it for the future as well!
Seared Cod!!!
Oooo, I’d go with the seared cod!
The Kati Rolls look great. I’ve always wanted to try new cuisines, but have no idea where to start!
Seared cod with vegetables
The paneer and vegetable kati rolls look great, as does the quinoa salad (and I’m not ever vegetarian!).
Yum! The “Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs” look right up our alley. My fiance loves rice and chicken and I lovel sweet and sour meatballs. Perfect!!
The seared cod looks amazing!
Both the seared cod and steak look fantastic! I would love to try them
the seared cod looks delicious!
I love Huevos Rancheros!
Definitely the seared cod…we don’t eat as much fish as we should!
The seared cod looks amazing!
The seared cod looks wonderful! It all looks good!
I would be most excited to try the seared steak and mashed potatoes! Looks like a new spin on a classic.
The seared cod& vegatables look delish!
Mmmm. The Paneer & Vegetable Kati Rolls!
My hubs would like the Seared Steak and Mash Potatoes. Especially if I cooked it for him. 🙂 My ideal dinner- Seared Cod. Looks too yummy.
The seared cod!!!
The Paneer & Vegetable Kati Rolls look delish!
Either the paneer and vegetable kati rolls or seared cod, they both sound delicious!
Wow – the Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli, and Quinoa salad sounds delicious! I keep meaning to try Blue Apron – we need some more inspiration for our dinners!
I would love to try the Huevos Rancheros. The steak and potatoes look good too!
the hoisin chicken meatballs look amazing!
It’s definitely a toss up between the huevos rancheros and hearty sweet potato, broccoli and quinoa salad! Mm!!
The huevos rancheros sound delicious!
Seared Cod for sure. YUM!
that pan seared cod sounds really good! also the sweet potato, broccoli ad quinoa dish!
The paneer veggie rolls look delicious!
I’d love to try the Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs. Sounds delicious!