Shut Up & Cook: What I Thought of Blue Apron

If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile then you know I love to cook.  I’m pretty big on making meals from scratch at least six days per week. I’m also big on variety. While we have some go-to routine meals for busy nights (hello, frozen pizza), I really like to mix it up and try new stuff all of the time. Once my daughter, Emma, became a vegetarian/pescatarian (a year ago so I think it’s going to stick) I had to beef up my variety even more (see what I did with that? BEEF?).

 So, when Blue Apron contacted me to try their service I was excited. I had heard a lot about Blue Apron from other bloggers and was impressed. Basically, it’s a dream come true for people who like top-notch restaurant quality meals but are too lazy or busy (or both) to make them. You may not know this (I didn’t) but chefs in training around the world wear blue aprons – it’s a symbol of lifelong learning in cooking.

Blue Apron helps you to create unique, healthy and delicious recipes at home. All recipes and ingredients are shipped fresh to your door in a refrigerated box (so it’s okay if you’re not home at the time). There is a very large selection of recipes and you can tailor the meals you get based on types of cuisines (Asian? Creole?) and main ingredients you like the best. Shipping is free and you can start and stop at anytime.

A week before my shipment came I got an email letting me know what my meals would be: Pizza Burgers with Parmesan-Garlic Zucchini Fries and Seared Salmon with Asparagus/New Potato Hash and Lemon Aioli. YUM.

 My shipment arrived right on time and in its refrigerated box. The first thing I noticed was how top notch and fresh all ingredients were. Especially the salmon and the produce. I loved how I was sent just the right amount of ingredients – no measuring and no wasting food.



For our big Saturday night extravaganza (we are really crazy around here) I made the Pizza Burgers. Emma was gone for the night so we needed to have a meat-dense dinner.



I started by quartering four zucchinis.

 

Next I tossed those babies with fresh garlic and parmesan. I added some salt because I am addicted to it (but that is my own personal issue).



This studly son of mine then helped me mix up the burgers (spice pack included).

 

The patties were formed and we were off to letting them sizzle (yeah, okay, I desperately need a new pan).

 

I think it will work if you scratch ‘n sniff your computer screen. The aroma was mouth watering.



While the patties cooked away, I got busy making the home made sauce.

 

I grabbed the “fries” from the oven and loaded the burgers onto the buns.



The end result. This was incredibly tasty and fresh.

 

Sam who thinks we don’t eat enough red meat around here was particularly beside himself:

   

The next night I made the Seared Salmon and that was seriously to die for. And EASY. The fresh lemon aioli was perfection and it’s not something I would have ever made on my own.



I’ve check out lots of recipes on Blue Apron and have found a TON I’d like to try. I’m impressed with how well-rounded, interesting and creative they are. I’ve got my eye on the Pan-Seared Cod with Curried Basmati Rice, Snow Peas and Mint and the Spiced Chickpea Burgers with Vadouvan Sweet Potatoes and Lemon Yogurt Sauce.

Here are a couple of other pros to using Blue Apron: 

• Each menu is between 500-700 calories per person.
  
• All meals can be prepared in 40 minutes or less.
  
• Blue Apron lets you learn to make new recipes and cuisines so you can get out of your dinner rut of making the same old dishes or relying on take out < this one is HUGE for me.

Because I can read your mind I know you are thinking, “Yeah, this sounds too good to be true, so what's the cost?” I’m glad you asked. The price for a family plan (4 servings) is $8.74 per meal or $69.92 per 8 serving delivery. There is also a 2 person plan selection. Yes, this might seem pricey, but you have to keep in mind convenience and the quality of ingredients. I also think it would make a great gift.

Final thoughts: This is a perfect service for busy professionals who want quality food but don’t have time to cook. Or, those people who don’t want to go out for “just okay” food for the same price that they could make a more gourmet meal at home. Or…for someone who is learning to cook and needs some extra hand holding. Personally, I am a frugal shopper and a pretty good cook so this is not something I could afford to do on a regular basis. More of a splurge. But, I REALLY enjoyed it and think it’s a great product.

Bonus! The first 25 readers will get two meals of their first Blue Apron order free! Click HERE for the special offer.

Would you consider giving Blue Apron a try?

SUAR

This post was sponsored by Blue Apron. All opinions are my own.