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 seared cod. It looks so healthy.
Ooohhh I love indian paneer cheese so I would have to go for the Paneer & Vegetable Kati Rolls!
I’d love to try the hoisin glazed chicken meatballs – that meal looks incredible! Yummm
The Paneer & Vegetable Kati Rolls with Tamarind-Date Chutney because I’d never make something like that otherwise!
I’ve always wanted to try paneer at home!
I would love to try the Hoisin Glazed Chicken Meatballs.
Your meal looks yummy!
I’d like to try thr Hoisin Glazed Chicken meatballs!
I would love the Hoisin glazed chicken meatballs!!!! Yum!!!!
Would love to try the Huevos Rancheros!!
The hoisin glazed chicken meatballs. YUM!
The chicken meatballs – something I would never make for myself!
There was’t a recipe I wouldn’t want to try, but if I absolutely had to choose, I’d go with the Lamb & Risotto-Style Ditalini Pasta from next week’s menu! 🙂
The paneer for sure!!!
The Sweet Potato, Broccoli, and Quinoa Salad — this looks right up my alley, plus goat cheese makes everything even better (my absolute favorite)!
The chicken meatballs look amazing!! Great giveaway!
The sweet potato and quinoa salad looks awesome!
I would try the seared cod for certain! I have never made fish at home (I think it intimidates me?) and would love to try it!
The paneer vegetable Kati roti looks delicious! Would love to make that!!
The Hoisin glazed chicken meatballs look fantastic! I’d love to try those! This is such a wonderful giveaway!
The glazed chicken meatballs look so good!!
Cod
The Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs sound fab!
The seared steak and mashed potatoes dinner looks delicious!
The pan-fried orange shrimp looks heavenly!!
I would love the seared steak and mashed potatoes! Looks like great comfort food while also being lighter than the traditional steak and potatoes meal.
I would love to try the paneer!
The seared cod sounds fabulous!
The Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad looks amazing!! You had me at sweet potato… and goat cheese! 🙂
I have heard so many good things about Blue Apron!! I would love to make the seared steaks and mashed potatoes!!
The sweet potato and quinoa salad looks amazing!
Absolutely the Sweet Potato, Broccoli, and Quinoa Salad!!! You can sign me up for anything with goat cheese! It’s my absolute weakness.
The Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad looks amazing! I’d love to try it!
Definitely the seared steaks with mashed potatoes!
The seared cod looks good!
I am most excited about creating the huevos rancheros!! I have tried to make these at home before but they never turn out as good as I want them too! Hoping Blue Apron can teach me some new tricks!
The steak and mashed potatoes look delicious!
the seared cod and paneer vegetable kati roll both look great! don’t usual venture into indian food but would be good to mix it up!
I’d choose the paneer!
the meatballs sound awesome
The Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad looks delicious!! Love your giveaways 🙂
The glazed chicken meatballs sound so good!
The sweet potato and broccoli salad looks great! You had me at goat cheese. 🙂
mmmm, seared steaks and mashed potatoes! Newly preggo and I need ALL THE MEAT right now. It’s ridiculous. And I’m absolutely craving any kind of potato!
I’d choose the seared steak and mashed potatoes, but they all look amazing!
I really want to try the Seared Steak with Mashed Potatoes!!
Definitely the seared cod. Can’t go wrong with a mustard vinaigrette!
I’d love to try the hoisin-glazed chicken meatballs and the paneer and vegetable kati rolls!
Yummy I’d love to try the hoisin glazed chicken meatballs! I feel like I need to figure this out on my own, it looks amazing!
Mozzarella and Barley Stuffed Zucchini. I have yet to get my husband on board with ordering from here because he thinks the portions are too small. Maybe with a weeks worth of delicious meals, he won’t be able to refuse!