This was my very first time ever trying a meal kit service so I was not completely sure what to expect, but based off of the countless videos I've seen of influencers sharing their weekly deliveries, I assumed that it couldn't possibly be that bad.
Turns out, I was right.
My first box arrived with 2 different recipes- Beef & Vegetable Lo Mein with Enoki Mushrooms + Seared Chicken & Orzo Salad with Roasted Cauliflower & Honey Mustard Dressing.
Every ingredient was packaged separately, including the cutest mini bottles filled with sauces/liquids needed for the recipes (I just about lost it when I saw those). Large recipe cards were also included and clearly stated cooking times, serving size, ingredients with their respective measurements, step-by-step instructions, as well as, suggested wine pairings for each meal. A little slip breaking down the nutritional value of each meal was also included. And all of the above mentioned can also be found on the Blue Apron website and it seems to be free to view, meaning no purchase or signing into an account seems to be necessary.
If you would like to explore the first recipe from my box, I will have it linked right below.
After breathing a sigh of relief upon seeing how carefully packaged everything was, and the general thoughtfulness behind the entire concept of this meal kit service, my only worry was whether or not my meal would taste good and would it look anything like the photo on the web
Annnnd... I think I got pretty darn close.
As luck would have it, not only did the meal look visually appealing, but it also tasted delicious. Think of it as a healthier version of the lo mein you are probably used to; there was no excessive grease and there was not an exorbitant amount of sodium (like in Chinese takeout that typically makes you really bloated & feeling like absolute rubbish after chowing down).
But simply based off of my experience so far, I totally get why so many people love these meal kit services. It is incredibly convenient, especially for those coming home after a long day at work (or have kids); it takes all the pressure off having to worry over what to cook because they literally provide you with everything you need and walk you through how to prepare it. And most of the meals can be prepared in less than an hour, which is perfect for me because I don't always have to time or energy to spend more than an hour in my kitchen.
I think the only real draw back for many people would be the price. But personally, I only plan on ordering a box once or twice a month (on months that I feel like giving myself a bit of a break), and when looking at the cost break down, the weekly total of what I order would still be cheaper than going out to a nice dinner with someone. Blue Apron also provides you with the cost per serving when you select a plan; which has an average cost between $7.49 - $9.99 per serving (which makes sense of your weekly total, instead of just being alarmed by a large number). For me, the cost per serving, the quality and amount of food I receive, and the convenience are what make it worth it; even as a treat to yourself and your family every once in a while, I think it's definitely worth the try.
Of course, as always, I am eager to know if any of you have tried Blue Apron or any other meal kit service. What was your experience like? Which service do you recommend? What are some of your favourite recipes you've made? I would love to know!
xoxo
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