So another week and another meal prep kit to try. This is my third meal prep kit and I have to say I’m becoming some what of a meal prep kit guru. All that aside….the beets….no bueno. So how did Blue Apron stack up?
Blue Apron and Beets
Now I’m not gonna judge or should I say try to judge Blue Apron alone on the beets but it was a definite push over the edge of not liking the whole meal prep kit…. I’ll take responsibility for not checking into the meals and deselecting. So let me make that known from the rip. Since this is my 3rd meal prep kit company; let’s break down what I didn’t like and what I actually liked.
Is it Affordable!
The two meal meal prep kit that I had was from their signature line. This was a 2 serving and 2 meal plan. These meals averages out to about under $50. The way I calculate the meals are 9.99 per serving per person. I ask myself does these meals seem like a good price for a home cooked meal? I know some others would look at it in other ways but that’s how I break it down. Now had I gotten say a fast food choice you’re gonna spend that amount per person especially a vegan option if not more. So it’s definitely comparable and a home cooked meal makes it a great choice.
Options Anyone?
Again the signature line is a great starting place for the meal prep kit. It’s easy to cook. Takes less than 30 minutes to cook and prep. I didn’t have an issue with any of that. However it was the beets for me! The two meals I received were Hand-Cut Pappardelle with corn, tomatoes, and Parmesan and the Feta and Beet Grilled Cheese served with Pear and butter lettuce.
Meal Prep Made Easy
You get the same type of meal cards aka the recipe cards. It has the recipe written and with pictures. I learn from both reading and seeing so that is always a great. They are big enough to set up in your kitchen propped up so you can be hands free while you prepare the food.
Feta and Beet Grilled Cheese
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a grilled cheese sandwich. One of my favorite things to eat especially in the Fall is Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. This is like an adult version with some added ingredients. Now I said from the title of this blog that it was the beets for me and I meant it. I didn’t do my due justice of checking my box before it shipped. I’m going to blame it on the fact that I had a flood in my home and I’m backed up on emails. However when Blue Apron came, the beets were in there.
Beets…
Beets don’t have a real distinguishing taste to me. It’s the texture of them that I don’t like. I don’t like the slime of them. They smell weird to me too. However I stepped into this meal prep kit with an open mind. I decided to switch out the feta with vegan cheddar. The meal comes with a smoky spice blend. I added that blend with the vegan cheese and also added it directly to the beets with a little sriracha sauce, I wanted to take the taste of the beets out. Mission accomplished!
Since I don’t like the beets I kept them in but my kids were watching me so I didn’t want to throw the grilled cheese into the trash. I ate it. I was pleasantly surprised it was good. I still chewed super fast whenever I got to the beets to get past the texture. But it was amazingly good. Not enough for me to duplicate the sandwich with the beets in it again, but enough for me to feel full and happy about the way I prepared it.
Pear and Butter Lettuce Salad
That salad was fire. It was super good. I am going to make it again. It was just a burst of flavor. I can’t explain it but I love it. Coupled with the sandwich it took my lunch up a notch. I enjoyed the pairing. The purpose of these meal prep kits is to have a meal ready to cook and to learn and appreciate new meals pairings. I can say Blue Apron you definitely paired this meal well sans the beets. I added cucumbers in my salad too and I loved it just in case you order it and wonder if your cucumbers were missing. It’s not that’s my extra add.
Hand-Cut Pappardelle
This was my favorite out of the two. Flavor was everything. It reminded me of a meal that I would have with my grandparents. The Pappardelle was easy to make. It only took me about 20 minute if that. It was fresh tasting. I can’t say enough great things about it. Of course I switched out the powder Parmesan cheese for vegan Parmesan. I substituted and mixed with unflavored almond milk to make the Crème Fraîche with a little vegan butter that I mixed on the side and warmed to add at the end. It was pure perfection. The garlic is what makes it pop! I was impressed!
Worth it?
The servings are perfect for me. These meal prep kits are never gotten with the intention of feeding my family of 5. If so the servings would be too small for my kids alone. They can eat. I would have to add too much to the meal kit to feed them all. For me, it works. I meal prep my family’s meals separately on Sundays. These meal kits makes my meals easy since I cook my meals in real time. With home school virtual learning on the rise…I’ll let you know what meal prep kit I will keep. I also will update on the meals that I’ve gotten in between too that swayed my decision.
In the mean time-Blue Apron is good meal kit to try. The only thing that stood out from the other kits and Blue Apron is I like the minimalist approach to their packing.
Thanks Blue Apron this was good. I have another package coming this Saturday too. These meals again coupled with the other 2 meal prep kits I’ve been making a list. Within a week one will be selected and I’ll report back. I want to have one less thing to worry about especially with making sure the kids are good for virtual learning.
For those wondering with my ability to cook why in the world would I go this route, self-care. Self-care and making life easy works. I’m working from home, virtual learning, and social media management-this is love for me!
