This post is sponsored by Blue Apron. When life, as it does, gets a little heavy in the responsibility department, we love using Blue Apron to lesson our load a bit. It’s like putting the delicious home-cooked meal part of our responsibility load to autopilot. We don’t have to think about what we’re cooking–Blue Apron takes over. Click the link here to get $50 off your first two weeks of Blue Apron.
Something you should know about us: We have the best neighbors in the entire world. No, really–the best. In fact, we’ve said that if our neighbors ever moved, we would probably consider moving too because part of the value of our home is wrapped up in what it comes with across the street…friends that have become family. Friends that show up an hour before your kid’s Halloween party to help you set up tables and frost cookies and garnish drinks even though their child is all grown up. Friends that save you from running to the store for that egg you need or the vanilla you ran out of or–not kidding, this has happened–three bottles of wine because your party is still kicking and you ran out. Friends that invite your babysitter and all your kids to their house while you’re on date night because they heard the kids were missing you, and they thought they could help.
So, when Blue Apron asked us to answer the question “Who Would You Cook For?” during this season of gifting and gratitude, I knew our table would be shared with these friends who continually share kindness with us from across the street. Cooking for someone is such a great way to recognize the contributions they’ve made in our lives, and it’s perfectly fitting as our neighbors have cooked for us on so many occasions. If we were keeping track, they’d so be in the lead for sharing kindness; so it was fun to pay it forward for once.
The best part about using Blue Apron to cook for someone is that you don’t have to worry if it’s going to be good or not (I’ve cooked for people before and had it fail, so this is nice). Blue Apron meals are created from chef-designed recipes, use farm-fresh ingredients and have step-by-step directions (with photos!) that you can’t mess up. A refrigerated box with everything you need in just the right portions (no waste!) arrives at your doorstep, and all you have to do is follow the cooking instructions to serve and enjoy.
Their meals are great opportunities for the kids to help because the directions are all laid out. I read them aloud, and Dash does the work.
We made Garlicky Cilantro Beef & Beans, and it turned out delicious. I love the combination of flavors and the way Blue Apron’s creative recipes push me out of my same ‘ol meal repertoire.
And while the recipes are creative and introduce us to new things, we’ve never had a Blue Apron recipe that’s overly complicated or takes a long time to prepare.
My favorite part about this recipe was the to-die-for cilantro sauce we drizzled on top of the finished meal. I am all about the sauces.
Our neighbors approved. And yes, I admitted the meal was not my own creative compilation but Blue Apron’s. Either way, it was delicious, a great opportunity to do something for friends who are so good to us, and a fun invitation to gather.
If want to lighten your own load this season, cook for someone else, or gift someone with a meal for the holidays, click here to get $50 off your first two weeks of Blue Apron. And share in the comments…who would you cook for?
Susan Leskis says
This has nothing to do with this post, but saw on FB where the Grand Hotel in Mackinac, MI is having a photo contest for next summer. I’ve seen great pictures of your kids up there and thought you might like to submit? Contest ends soon, announced next Summer
Carole says
I tried Blue Apron and although the food was yummy I was not happy with the amount of packaging that I had to put in the trash (landfill) at the end. Also, every item I picked from the menus had to be fried in olive oil. Chicken, fish, beef, all of it. I don’t usually fry hardly anything. But the food is good and convenient, just not for me.