Blue Apron helps you overcome kitchen fatigue while saving you time and effort

When you have the time and resources to cook, shop and scout new restaurants, it’s easy to call yourself a foodie. But even foodies can fall off the wagon — like I did in 2020 when the pandemic first hit. And then again when I had a kid. And then, moved out of New York City, the capital of scrumptious eats. Cue sad music.

Forget spending an hour-plus in the kitchen, experimenting with trendy meals for two. Forget group dinners at the hottest new gastropub. Forget having fun at the grocery store or trying new recipes — it’s “mac and peas” or some variation all day everyday, my friends.

Then it occurred to me: People talk a lot about regaining a spark in the bedroom, but why not in the kitchen? That’s what I’ve been missing, and the meal subscription service Blue Apron delivered — literally — by helping me reignite that flame (or burner) without added stress.

Fortunately for all you Mashable-ings, there’s no time like the present to replicate my quest. You can sign up for Blue Apron today to get $110 off + free shipping on your first box just in time for the holidays. Here’s why it’s worth it:

Options galore

Before my box was even delivered, Blue Apron wowed me with its huge list of menu options. There were over 50 menu options to choose from in a single week. Between Premium recipes, Signature faves, vegetarian and Wellness options, there really is something for everyone. You can also customize your order by swapping or adding ingredients to suit your tastes — or those of your picky partner and toddler, bless them.

As for me, I opted not to defer to the boys this time around and get a little experimental.

Credit: Jen Markert / Mashable composite

Convenience and flexibility

Let’s face it: grocery shopping can be a time-consuming nightmare, especially with a kid in tow during a global pandemic (gulp). Having Blue Apron arrive right at my doorstep lifted that burden, and coming off the Thanksgiving weekend, the last thing I needed was another shop — although it’s great to know I can skip weeks and alter my plan as needed.

One of my favorite things about Blue Apron is that they give you an exact amount of every item. Buying groceries that go to waste is a huge source of anxiety for me; you could say the perfectly-portioned ingredients have brought Jen some Zen.

As for the cooking, each meal took only a little over a half an hour to prepare while still introducing new techniques and flavor combinations. I even got to knead a big ol’ ball of dough — talk about stress relief.

Credit: Jen Markert / Mashable composite

Impeccable quality

Now, the food itself: Oh, the food! For variety’s sake, I opted for salmon, a truffle flatbread, Italian burgers, and spicy farrow bowls.

It turns out pesto and breadcrumbs were all I needed to go from fish-agnostic to sea-worshipper. The truffle flatbread looked (and tasted) straight out of a Brooklyn pizzeria. The burger, oozing with mozzarella and an out-of-this-world pepper and olive mayo, may have been the best I’ve had in years. And the farrow bowls, with their delightful pop of green and orange, were gourmet and gobble-able with just the right kick.

It should be no surprise, once you try them, to learn these meals are chef-designed. Many even include specialty sauces from boutique brands I definitely wouldn’t be able to find just anywhere, let alone at this value. As a bonus, Blue Apron has strict animal welfare standards — so I can feel good about my selections right away instead of Googling obscure certifications at the market.

In the end, Blue Apron was a much-needed balm for my cooking blues. If you want to reclaim your inner foodie and get your kitchen groove back, give it a shot — it could do the same for you. Sign up for Blue Apron to receive $110 off across your first 4 boxes and receive free shipping on your first box.

Credit: Jen Markert / Mashable composite