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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Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs would be on the top of my list! They sound absolutely delicious!
The paneer rolls look amazing!
The Seared Steaks & Mashed Potatoes look delish!
HUEVOS RANCHEROS! Aye yi yi! Ive always tried to make these and it turns out a total bust. Would love the opportunity to try them with a step-by-step and pre-portioned ingredients! What a fabulous idea!
YUM! I would love to try the hoisin-Glazed chicken meatballs!!!
I would LOVE to try the seared cod! With the temperatures getting warmer outside, it seems like the perfect summer dish! 🙂
That cod looks amazing!!
I would love to try them all, but I think my boyfriend would be most excited about the seared steaks and mashed potatoes!
The seared steaks and mashed potatoes look yummy! ….actually, it all looks pretty good!!!
The paneer rolls look really interesting!
The chicken meatballs look great! I would love to try those.
The chicken meatballs look so good!
Def the Paneer and Vegetable Kati Rolls since Indian food has always intimidated me. 🙂
Huevo rancheros because I have never made it!
I’ve been craving fish so the seared cod!!
Seared steak and mashed potatoes sound amazing! I don’t know why, but I am always intimidated by steak!
i ordered a box shortly after your first review, it was so good. a great option to help reset your inspiration in the kitchen. that fettuccine looks delish!
this may be the most perfect thing ever!
My boyfriend and I just moved in together and I am the worlds worst cook!!!
I had made healthy tacos and pizza lately but he says they are ok.. and a 7 out of 10. I asked him what would make it a 10 and he said steak and potatoes! Hahahaha so the blue apron steak and potatoes would be awesome for him but I love the quiona and sweet potato recipe!!!
Maybe the exact directions would help me because as of now Im a terrible cook haha! Tonight we are going out to dinner!
The Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad looks delicious!! I’ve been on a quinoa kick lately and am trying to find more good recipes to use it cold during the warm summer months.
If I am going to get my fiancé on board with this the seared steak will be the best way to go!! They all look so so yummy though!!
The turkey steam buns had my mouth watering!
The seared cod and veggies look delicious!
If it makes you feel any better (although I’m not pregnant) 😉 I felt unmotivated today also. But a week’s worth of meals for 2 people how awesome!
Those hoisin chicken meatballs look amazing! Would love to have those!
All of the items on the menu sound great, but the huevos rancheros definitely caught my eye!
Seared steaks and mashed potatoes
Huevos rancheros are something I’ve heard good things about and would love to try!
definitely the Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs!
I would love to try the huevos rancheros, but I would probably have better luck getting my picky husband to try the seared steak and mashed potatoes.
Huevos Rancheros (breakfast for dinner) look good
Wow- it all looks so delicious! If I had to pick, maybe the sweet potato, broccoli and quinoa salad. Thanks for the giveaway!! 🙂
The seared cod sounds good!
Seared steak and mashed potatoes from the dinner for 2 plan 🙂 Yum!
The spring miso Ramen is def right up my alley. Really, everything on their site looks amazing!
The Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs look delicious!
I looked at next week’s menu and would love to make the Pea Tip and Snap Pea Gnocchi. I grew up with my grandma’s tortellini broth soup, and it would be fun to try this new twist with gnocchi.
I would have to go with the seared cod– my boyfriend and I live in st pete so he is obsessed with fishing and I feel like merri used to feel in the kitchen! Not so confident! I think blue apron could help me cook for my boyfriend for once… He always cooks for me!
Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad
with Tahini-Lemon Dressing & Goat Cheese
Because I am a vegetarian and it sounds amazing.
Hoisin glazed chicken meatballs sound amazing!
The Hoisin-Glazed chicken meatballs look delicious!
Sweet potato salad all the way!!!!
The Spiced Chickpea Burger with sweet potatoes looks SO good!!
definitely want me paneer and vegetable kati rolls!!!
I’m not usually a meat and potatoes person, but those steaks with the roasted radishes look amazing!
So glad Blue Apron now delivers to my area, I have been wanting to try it! Everything looks great but the hoisin glazed meatballs sound particularly delicious!
Seared steak and mashed potatoes all the way!
The quinoa for sure!
Oooh, I really like the hoisin-glazed chicken meatballs and the paneer and vegetable kati rolls!
The seared cod looks delicious!!
What a fabulous idea!! The Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad looks mouth-watering!!