My friend was kind enough to send me a free week of Blue Apron meals. Each week consists of 3 meals for 2 people (one meal is usually vegetarian) and costs $60. They send you everything you need, except olive oil, salt and pepper and everything is premeasured and ready to go.
The menu for the week I got was: (1) Heirloom Potato and Kale Hash with Farm Eggs, (2) Lamb, Mint and Pea Orecchiette, and (3) Oven-Fried Chicken with Sauteed Green Beans and Corn.
Each meal takes about 40-60 min to prepare, including prep time.
I used a mandolin to slice the potatoes (and cut myself, so ALWAYS use the safety shield!)
The best thing about Blue Apron is that everything is ready to go and they have very easy-to-follow directions for the whole meal. Anyone, even with limited culinary experience, can make these meals. Another plus is the variety of recipes that you are ‘forced’ to try, opening a whole new world of flavor combinations! The meals range from 550-700 calories/serving and it teaches you about portion control (sort of).
The fact that I get a CSA share from Boston Organics every other week is the main reason that I won’t be using Blue Apron weekly. Also, the cost is $10/person/meal, which is cheaper than eating out, but more expensive than grocery shopping.
Hash:
Orecchitte:
Oven-Fried Chicken with Sauteed Green Beans and Corn:
Overall I was very impressed with the quality of the produce and the flavors of the meals. This is definitely something I would use during busy weeks when I don’t have the energy to think up dinner every night.