Blue Apron

I have found a favorite new way to cook.  Blue Apron is a subscription service which you can opt in an out of and personalize to your dietary preferences.  I initially loved the idea of using fresh and seasonal produce and learning new recipes but wasn’t sure about the value.  Having someone plan, purchase, and lay everything out for you sounded like a great time saver, but I haven’t been leading such a hectic life that I don’t have time to come up with a few meals and make a weekly trip to the local farmers market and grocery store.  Also, spending $60 eating out or even ordering in for 6 meals (3 dishes of 2 servings) would be a great deal, but I don’t generally spend that much on home cooked meals. 

After trying Blue Apron, I definitely see the value in the system.  This company goes into so much detail in their directions (with additional tips online) as well as their products.  I think I contributed 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper to the last meal, but really and truly, everything else was provided, right down to the butter and seasoning.  Not only are you provided with fresh and seasonal produce, but also the opportunity to try things that may not be readily available at your local supermarket.  Even better, I feel like the recipes could be easily reproduced (with potentially a few substitutions).  In addition, the 2 meals that each recipe produces are so large!  Granted, I don’t eat large portions, but what was supposed to be 6 meals, really gave me 10-11 delicious meals.  

Earlier this month, I received the chicken schnitzel with watercress, apple, beet and red walnut salad, the shrimp & mustard green laing with jasmine rice, and the orecchiette pasta with roasted cauliflower, capers and garlic breadcrumbs.  While the chicken schnitzel was good, the orecchiette pasta was my absolute favorite.  I loved that each meal really brought together ingredients which I would not have thought to combine and did so in such a delicious meal.   I will definitely continue to use blue apron and encourage you to try it as well.  I received a free week of Blue Apron through a friend, but was not contacted or compensated by Blue Apron. I just loved it enough to share!