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!
***
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!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
The hoisin chicken meatballs look amazing, but so does the cod dish you made!
the sweet potato, broccoli, and quinoa salad!
Seared steak..
It would be a toss up between the chicken meatballs or the seared steak and mashed potatoes! Yum!
The hoisin glazed chicken meatballs sound yummy and something I would love to try!
Sweet potato, broccoli and quinoa salad
I’d love to try the hoisin glazed chicken meatballs!
Mmmm huevos rancheros for sure!
I’d love to try the glazed chicken meatballs, but the quinoa salad looks amazing.
The seared steaks and mashed potatoes look delicious! I’d love to try Blue Apron!
mmm quinoa salad!
The seared cod sounds like the perfect start of summer meal! Blue Apron is wonderful–thanks for sharing!
Mmm the chicken meatballs!
The seared steak and potatoes looks like something my guy would like. I think the Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad looks tasty.
Seared steaks!!
The seared Cod looks awesome. I would love to try it!!!
The cod & salmon sound delish!
Hoisin-glazed chicken meatballs!
Mmm glazed chicken meatballs!!
I would love to make the paneer & vegetable kati rolls with the tamarind-date chutney.
The mexican shrimp fried rice! Yum!
The pan seared cod looks so good!
Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad with Tahini-Lemon Dressing & Goat Cheese!! Sounds incredible!
Huevos Rancheros–my favorite!
Pan seared cod sounds amazing!
The turkey steam buns you made look great and the seared cod also loons tasty!
I love the sound of the Chicken Paillards & Fresh Linguine.
The sweet potato, broccoli and quinoa salad sounds amazing for summer.
The huevos rancheros looks super tasty. I love eggs. Could eat those 3 times day with each meal. Plus I’m a complete avocado junkie. 😉
Actually all the items on the menu appealed to me but most are similar to things I regularly make so I’d be excited to try something totally new like the Paneer & Vegetable Kati Rolls with Tamarind-Date Chutney.
The hoisin chicken meatballs sound delicious!
What awesome timing! I’d been meaning to buy a couple of weeks of blue apron for my dad for Father’s Day. Just got to use your promo code. The sweet potato and quinoa salad for this week look awesome! Thanks Julie!
The Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs sound delicious!
The Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs. Yum!
I’d love to try the sweet potato, broccoli, and quinoa salad! Sounds sooooooo tasty!
I would love to try the Hoisin glazed chicken meatballs – it’s something different to try and learn how to cook.
Grilled Brie sandwiches please!
YES!! huevos rancheros
The Seared Steaks & Mashed Potatoes looks awesome!
Huevos Rancheros…I’m craving Mexican food like crazzzyy! This would be a really fun service to try!
I would love to try the Hoisin Glazed Chicken Meatballs!
The sweet potato broccoli salad looks great!
The seared cod looks delicious!
Hoisen Glazed Chicken Meatballs look good!
What a neat concept! The Seared Steaks & Mashed Potatoes with Sautéed Radishes & Snap Peas looks delicious!!!
Definitely the Hoisin Glazed Chicken Meatballs- my mouth is watering just thinking about them!
Definitely the Hoisin Glazed Chicken Meatballs!
grilled brie sandwiches
Chicken meatballs for sure!
The Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs look good!
I would love to try the Hoisin- glazed chicken meatballs! They look yummy!!!