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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The seared steak and mashed potatoes looks amazing! Yumm!
I would love to try the Hoision-Glazed Chicken Meatballs!
seared steaks and mashed potatoes
Seared Steaks & Mashed Potatoes!
The sweet potato, broccoli and quinoa salad with goat cheese! Yum!
Mmmmm! The seared steaks & mashed potatoes with sautéed radishes & snap peas look delicious!
Seared Steaks and Mashed Potatoes!
I want to try the Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs! I wish they came with those pillowy buns.
Seared Steak with Mash Potatoes! Yumm
Hoision-Glazed Chicken Meatballs!
The seared steaks & mashed potatoes with sautéed radishes & snap peas look delish! Blue Apron’s cookbook always inspires the chef in me 🙂 To the grocery store! 😉
Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs with Zucchini & Brown Rice!!
Hearty sweet potato, broccoli & quinoa salad, please!
Definitely the seared steak and mashed potatoes!
I’d be down for trying the seared cod!
I just ordered and got my two free meals! Thanks. The Sweet Potato, Broccoli, Quinoa Salad looks amazing.
I would love to try the seared steaks and mashed potatoes for a special night with my boyfriend!
I would like to try the Seared Cod with Spring Vegetables & Lemon-Mustard Vinaigrette! But the chicken meatballs sound good too.
I would want to try the sweet potato, broccoli and quinoa salad with goat cheese!
The Seared Cod with Spring Vegetables & Lemon-Mustard Vinaigrette sounds amazing!
The quinoa salad looks good to me!
Hoision-Glazed Chicken Meatballs, please! Seriously, I want to eat that right now 🙂
Definitely the Huevos Rancheros with Salsa Verde, Radishes & Avocado!
Seared steaks and mashed potatoes!
Sweet potato, broccoli and quinoa salad. Though I know my husband would NOT be on board with that. I’m also excited that they’ve added the Family options.
Please pick me : ) lol I would love to try the seared steak and mashed potatoes. Will probably try the recipe….
Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad
I love EVERYTHING in this meal! Looks so amazing!!
I would love the seared cod!
The seared steaks looks SO good right now!
Without a doubt, steak and mashed potatoes! Was that even a question??
I love that they have vegetarian options! I’d be most excited to try the Huevos Rancheros – looks delicious 🙂
I can’t choose one – I love the sound of the cod, the seared steak AND the huevos rancheros! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Hearty Sweet Potato, Broccoli & Quinoa Salad please! Yum!
The sweet potato, broccoli and quinoa salad with goat cheese looks like a great summer meal!
I would love to try the Seared Cod with Spring Vegetables & Lemon-Mustard Vinaigrette!
The seared cod with lemon-mustard vinaigrette looks amazing!
Those Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs look fabulous!
I would choose the Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Meatballs! But I think my hubs would love the steaks and mashed taters!
seared cod looks great!
The hoisin glazed chicken meatballs look FANTASTIC!
Steaks and mashed potatoes for sure!
The sweet potato, broccoli, and quinoa salad looks delicious!
I would love to try Huevos Rancheros – definitely not something I would make on my own!
The Seared Steaks and Mashed Potatoes look delicious!
the Paneer & Vegetable Kati Rolls look SO good. YUM!
I would love to try the Paneer & Vegetable Kati Rolls! Yum!
I would love to try the seared cob
The seared steak and mashed potatoes!
That sear cod looks delicious, I’ve always been intrigued by blue apron I’d love to be able to try it for free and see if it’s as good as it looks:)
Such a cool idea – I’ve been in a rut lately. The sweet potato broccoli and quinoa salad sounds delicious!