Good Morning, Everyone!
I can’t believe we only have a few weeks left of summer. The weather has been brutal down here in the south. I’ve been dreaming of fall weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and the changing of the leaves. Although, I can’t complain too much. I’ve had such a great summer! It’s been filled with fun adventures, fun times with friends, goals set, and goals accomplished. I wrote a post all about my goals a couple of weeks ago, and one of them was to “Dine in More.” So today, I’m going to share some of my favorite Blue Apron meals that we cooked this summer, which made it easier for us to stick to our “dining in” goal. Cooking Blue Apron’s chef-designed recipes are so much fun!
Last summer, I found myself dining out all the time, sometimes twice a day. When I bought my house in December, I decided to cut back on dining out (tremendously.) I started making grocery lists filled with yummy breakfast food, meal prepping quick snacks, and cooking dinner with Blue Apron. I compared my bank statements from last summer and saw that I saved $867.63 by not dining out. Not only is dining out expensive, but it can also take a toll on your health. Cooking with fresh food, being able to customize ingredients, and eating seasonal has made me feel so much healthier. I find myself having more energy throughout the day, being excited about cooking, and spending more time at home. I’ve learned to make dining out for special occasions and not for convenience. Sometimes we have busy schedules and don’t spend a lot of time at home, so it’s OK to customize your Blue Apron menus! There is no commitment. You can skip or cancel or service at any time! I try to schedule my meals once or twice a month.
One of the latest Blue Apron meals we cooked was the Spicy Lemongrass Salmon with Green Beans and Herb Rice. Now, this meal is my cup of tea. You can never go wrong with salmon. It’s healthy and the best-tasting fish out there! I hated seafood until salmon came into my life. It was the perfect date night meal, and I learned a new way to cook my green beans. One of the great parts about cooking with Blue Apron is learning all of the new vegetables or ingredients they throw your way. When I’m planning my recipes, I stick to what I know, and that’s why I love Blue Apron. I’m always learning new ways to cook my favorites, exploring new species of vegetables, and trying recipes inspired from cuisines all over the world. I can proudly and honestly say that there hasn’t been a Blue Apron recipe I didn’t like. And if you’re wondering where Blue Apron get’s its name, it’s because chefs in training wear blue aprons. All around the world, the Blue Apron is a symbol of lifelong learning in cooking.
It’s funny because I buy candles with lemongrass, but had no idea what it looked like. I didn’t even know you could cook with it. It’s a classic ingredient in Southeast Asian meals. When I saw it, I thought it was a white asparagus. This recipe had more ingredients I’ve never cooked with before like bird’s eye chile. It’s a tiny little pepper with a whole lot of spicy power! My favorite part of the recipe was the ginger, my favorite flavor in the entire world. This recipe called for mint and cilantro, and I’ve never been a fan or either, so the cool thing is that I don’t have to include them in the recipe. It’s hard to customize recipes like that when you’re at a restaurant.
The spicy lemongrass salmon with green beans and herb rice only took thirty minutes to make. We had sparkling pink lemonade on the side. If we were to go to a restaurant and order two salmon plates, we’d probably walk about with a $50 bill. This meal was around $8.99 a plate! Even the grocery store would have been pricier. If you want to step up your date night meal, you can choose one of their wine pairings.
Another delicious Blue Apron meal we made this summer was the Chicken Tagine with Cherry Tomatoes, Dates, and Couscous. Such a unique and delicious dish inspired by Moroccan cuisine. Look how gorgeous this dish is!
I never thought I would enjoy cherry tomatoes, but this recipe left me speechless. It was a quick recipe, too! Just fried up the chicken, sauteed the vegetables, formed a sauce, and combined all the ingredients into a serving dish!
Another goal on my summer list was to start recycling more and more. Blue Apron is great for helping me stay on top of my goals in the recycling department. They offer a recycling program. You don’t have to feel bad about the packaging because a lot of the time you can throw it into your home bins, use the recycling locator to find recycling options in your community, or return your Blue Apron packaging with USPA. The great part about returning the packaging is that it’s free! You will save a lot of time with Blue Apron. It takes away the stress of coming up with recipe ideas, grocery shopping, or buying too much of one ingredient. Farm-fresh ingredients are delivered straight to your doorstep, without extra food, and nothing will go to waste! I hate when a recipe calls for a pinch of something but the store only sells it in a package or by the bunch. No food goes to waste with Blue Apron, so it saves you money, and it’s better for our environment.
Whoever the chef was that created this Fairy Tale Eggplant & Mozzarella pizza deserves an award. Even the blistered cherry tomatoes & summer squash salad recipe was fantastic! A couple of weeks ago, during the solar eclipse, I brought the ingredients over to my parent’s house to make lunch while we watched the eclipse. This recipe was a hit, and perfect for more than two people!
This pizza was filled with seasonal ingredients, and you could taste the earthy flavors in each bite. These seasonal ingredients are sourced from artisans and quality suppliers. Adding eggplant slices to a pizza is a great idea if you’re looking for a vegetarian option. It took the place of the traditional pepperoni. The crust was my favorite part of this dish, and I’m usually not a crust person. I hope they bring back this pizza again and again! At least the crust and fresh mozzarella 🙂
You don’t have to be home when your blue apron box arrives! It is delivered in a refrigerated box, so the ingredients stay cold and fresh! Blue Apron offers a 2-person plan, which is perfect for one person as well. Leftovers are always my jam throughout the week. They also provide a family plan! These meals are so convenient and can be made in 40-minutes or less. That’s perfect for busy lifestyles!
Not all dishes are targeted for adults only! Look at these tasty crispy chicken tenders! How fun would this recipe be to make with your kids? Cooking with your kids is a great way to get them to eat their food. My mom used to let me cook with her in the kitchen, and it was so much fun! Each menu is between 500-800 calories per person.
This was my first time making crispy chicken tenders on the stove top. I have used this same method for cooking my homemade fish sticks and steak nuggets! You can take and learn so much from Blue Apron and apply it to your own creations. And spicy aioli sauce on sauteed zucchini? Genius.
If you want to try Blue Apron, click here to get your first three meals free! Blue Apron is offering three free meals (on your first order) to the first 50 readers! I hope you guys try! 🙂 I just know you’ll love it.
Questions for you!
- Have you ever tried Blue Apron? If so, what is your favorite recipe?
- Do you try to dine in more?
- What would you like to know about Blue Apron?
This post was sponsored by Blue Apron, but ALL opinions are my own.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
This post is making me so hungry. Your food is so Instagrammable!
I dine in at least five days a week, sometimes six. I usually just eat dinner out during one day of the weekend with my boyfriend, and maybe two times when I’m meeting a friend or something. I enjoy eating at home much more actually – I’m such an introvert haha.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Charmaine!
I also LOVE eating at home as well. I like restaurants that I can customize my meals like Whole Foods or Chipotle though!
Darcie says
Those meals look so tasty.
Do they only deliver on Friday?
Taralynn McNitt says
I believe so! I’ll double check.
Amina says
They deliver any day! Mine comes on Wednesday because that’s the day I’m off.
Taralynn McNitt says
Good to know!!!
Linda @ The Fitty says
I’ve never tried blue apron because I live in Canada,. but man that salmon looks divine. 🙂 I’d eat it raw!
I’d like to know if they have intentions on coming to Canada.
Taralynn McNitt says
Too bad it’s not there!!
Linda @ the Fitty says
It’s too bad we don’t have Trader Joe’s either!
Lesley says
Ugh, I wish it was in Canada, too!
Diane says
Do you think you could do this for a family of four?
Taralynn McNitt says
Yes! They have different dinner plans!
Jan says
That pizza looks so good!
Taralynn McNitt says
IT WAS!:)
Jennifer says
I LOVE Blue Apron! I tried it after one of your very firsts posts about it. One re-creatable meal/side that I love from it is jasmine rice w/zucchini! It’s so good and a tasty way for me to get my veggies in! I also really loved their burger that had the cheese sauce w/beer hops leaves in it — so good and unique!
And yes! I’m trying to dine in more, especially now that it’s fall. Summer was crazy busy and I’m actually kind of sick of dining out! Once I’m back from vacation, my goal is to only eat out once/week, possibly twice if something else comes up!
Taralynn McNitt says
They have the best burger recipes!!!! I think you can definitely get sick of eating out unless its a salad place lol. I never get sick of my salad joints!
Cait says
I’m a huge fan of Blue Apron. The meals have gotten better and better over the years!
Taralynn McNitt says
I have to agree!
David says
I’m a horrible cook. I may need this!
Taralynn McNitt says
Not a bad idea!
Philly says
I hooked my parents on Blue Apron! They are a little older and I don’t like them going all over town to grocery shop, so this works for them.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thats a great idea! & it’s so much fun!
Ivy says
I used to think Blue Apron was pricey, but my boyfriend and I have saved so much money with their meals.
Taralynn McNitt says
You really do save a lot!!! I love that there is no waste.
Emily says
Those plates are goals.
Taralynn McNitt says
So cheap too!:) Love thrift store finds.
Jamie says
Kyle is lucky to have you!
Taralynn McNitt says
I feel lucky to be in his life!
Rhonda says
Great photos and the food looks great.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Rhonda!
Anonymous says
Love your blog!!
Taralynn McNitt says
Well thank you!:)
Iliza says
All of your food looks so tasty.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks!!
Antonio says
I am obsessed with that tangine chicken recipe.
Taralynn McNitt says
It was pretty good and I loved learning how to cook the tomato sauce!
Susie @ Mile High Dreamers says
LOVE Blue Apron! My parents introduced us to it and we love treating ourselves to a box. Not only are the meals super yummy, they make you feel fancy AF when you finish and plate like a pro haha.
I think one of our favorite meals was this bean tostada thing with avocado crema. OMG, it was to DIE for. I also love the fact that it gives you idea for new meals to re-create on your own!
Not eating out is one of our biggest goals because we can spend SO much money in a month going to dinner and breakfast (and that’s just on the weekends). It’s crazy how much you save when you cut down on that!
Taralynn McNitt says
LOL YES you do feel very fancy!!!
Omg, that sounds so good! I will have to look out for that dish.
Anonymous says
Where did you get those plates?
Taralynn McNitt says
The thrift store!:)
Amina says
It’s all your fault that I love Blue Apron! I love the new flavors & recipes to try. I have already recreated some!
We mostly dine in. My mom always say I cook better than a restaurant anyways.
I would love to know how Blue Apron started. Such a unique idea & concept. And where the chefs get their inspiration from.
Taralynn McNitt says
It’s SO GOOD!!! I’ll take all blame:)
I remember reading an article on INC about BA!
Emily says
I need to try out Blue Apron now!
Taralynn McNitt says
Yes yes yes you do 😉
Heather says
Blue Apron is one of my favorite services. I’ve tried almost all of them, and keep finding myself going back to Blue Apron. I made Asian lettuce wraps a couple years ago that are still my favorite.
Taralynn McNitt says
You can never go wrong with lettuce wraps!:)
Amanda says
I have been wanting to try Blue Apron since the first time you posted about the service! Unfortunately I live in a small city in the middle of Saskatchewan in the middle of Canada so options are limited but after this post I did some research and I have found a service that will work for me! So so so excited to give it a try!
Taralynn McNitt says
Maybe if you visit the states!:)