Expanding horizons with Blue Apron

This post is sponsored by Blue Apron.

I’m fortunate that I haven’t had many aversions lately when it comes to food. First trimester was a little rough, but after that, almost everything became appealing again. The one thing that doesn’t sound appealing all the time: cooking. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m extra tired, or just not in the cooking mojo, but I feel like it the food is there, and ready to go, I can do it. Otherwise, if it sits in the fridge without a known destiny, chances are that I’ll ask the Pilot to throw it on the grill.

Blue Apron to the rescue.

We have been huge fans of Blue Apron for the past year. We’re able to make restaurant-quality meals at home, and I especially love the fact that they send you exactly what you need, so you don’t have bottles of random condiments and spices that will sit untouched for the rest of eternity. Shipping is free, and the ingredients arrive in a refrigerated box so everything stays fresh. They offer two plans: a 2-person plan and a family plan (for families of 4). The servings are very generous, too, and around 500-700 calories per serving.

It’s also helped quite a bit with my pregnancy cooking rut. I’m excited to try new things, but may not feel as enthusiastic about planning and grocery shopping. With Blue Apron, someone kindly already sent me what we need to make something new and delicious. All it takes it a little bit of prep.

Blue Apron has also helped me to streamline my cooking processes, since I make a little mise en place before starting to cook our meal:

Blue apron dukkah crusted catfish 1 of 1

and has encouraged us to try entirely new things, like this Dukkah-crusted Catfish. Can you believe it was my first time having catfish ever??

Blue apron dukkah crusted catfish 1 of 1 5

And just looking at these pics is making my mouth water.

Blue apron dukkah crusted catfish 1 of 1 4

The catfish was coated in a hearty and naturally gluten-fee mix of Dukkah spices and chopped almonds, topped with a creamy cucumber yogurt sauce (I used plain goat’s yogurt for mine).

After making a quick couscous and snap pea salad,

Blue apron dukkah crusted catfish 1 of 1 2

Blue apron dukkah crusted catfish 1 of 1 3

I cooked the catfish in the pan and it was ready to go!!

Blue apron dukkah crusted catfish 1 of 1 6

The fresh mint and parsley was a lovely addition.

Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a try!!

Blue apron dukkah crusted catfish 1 of 1 7

They have a selection of recipes on their site, too, if you’d like to try out some Blue Apron-style recipes at home, or want to recreate dishes from your Blue Apron shipment later on. I can’t wait to try these salmon burgers and the pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches.

They kindly offered an awesome freebie for readers, too. The first 50 to order will get two meals free! Just click here

Anyone else try something totally new lately?? What’s something fun that’s on the menu this week?

xoxo

Gina

This post is sponsored by Blue Apron. Thank you for your continued support of this blog and the companies who help to support our family. 

Post Navigation:

25 Comments

  1. April on June 10, 2015 at 8:23 am

    Ah, i have been going back/forth about trying out Blue Apron as it all sounds lovely – someone else doing the meal planning and the food looks AMAZING – however, i cannot get past the food being sent to me ‘in a box’…i have a thing about knowing where my food is coming from, and this just seems a little weird (lack of a better word). Also, I try to eat ‘mostly’ organic, and i don’t believe the food is organic…they say ‘local’, which doesn’t mean it is ‘local’ to everyone ordering it, nor does it mean organic.
    The catfish looks so delish, thanks for sharing the recipe!

    • Fitnessista on June 10, 2015 at 6:21 pm

      totally agree, as i have similar beliefs. to me, i see it more like dining at a farm to table type restaurant, since they support farmers (who may have organic practices without necessarily the certification, as many farmers at the market have). when i go out to eat, the food usually isn’t organic, so i see it more like dining out at home, but having control over the portion sizes and how much oil is added, etc.

      • April on June 11, 2015 at 6:08 am

        You just gave me a new perspective Gina, thank you!!!!

  2. Rose on June 10, 2015 at 8:25 am

    i made whole wheat pasta with sauteed vegetable. It was yum!yum! because i used a teaspoon of salted butter for the vegetables.

  3. Chelsea@TableForOne on June 10, 2015 at 8:28 am

    Blue Apron recipes are perfect for times when you just need something fresh and exciting! This recipe looks like a winner. I might just have to try it at home.

  4. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on June 10, 2015 at 8:39 am

    I’m trying to be more adventurous with my fish eating. This looks yummy!

  5. Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run on June 10, 2015 at 8:58 am

    That fish looks incredible!!

    & OMG, your outfit!! Is the top Stitch Fix??

    • Fitnessista on June 10, 2015 at 6:21 pm

      thank you! yes!

  6. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on June 10, 2015 at 9:02 am

    That fish looks amazing! I tried yucca recently and really like it. New food for me!

  7. Sarah T on June 10, 2015 at 9:09 am

    Your shirt is stunning! Where did you get it? It looks perfect for summer.

    • Fitnessista on June 10, 2015 at 6:22 pm

      thank you so much! it’s from stitch fix.

  8. Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed on June 10, 2015 at 9:53 am

    I’m obsessed with this cajun catfish we get from our local fish market at the beach! I can’t get enough of it!

  9. Elizabeth Beil on June 10, 2015 at 10:11 am

    Yum! I love trying new recipes. I set a goal to make a new one once a week. This week was Healthy Sesame Chicken with brown rice {YUM!} and last week was crab and avocado enchiladas. Both were a hit!

  10. alexis on June 10, 2015 at 10:22 am

    Love the shirt you are wearing in this post! Where is it from?

    • Fitnessista on June 10, 2015 at 6:24 pm

      thank you! stitch fix 🙂

      • alexis on June 11, 2015 at 9:42 am

        From a recent fix? I’m tempted to sign up for stitch fix just for this shirt!

  11. Erin @ Erin's Inside Job on June 10, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    I love BA. I write about it all the time haha. I’ve had to skip a couple weeks bc we have been out of town and my husband had dental surgery, but I’m all set for this Friday!

  12. Michele on June 10, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    Is it weird that all I could think was “Wait, that’s not her kitchen?!” I’m still getting used to the new settings. haha

    • Fitnessista on June 10, 2015 at 5:45 pm

      hahah! i’m still getting used to it, too

  13. Kate @KateMovingForward on June 10, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    So fun! I don’t think I’ve ever had catfish either, but I am not a big fish person. Love that it comes all ready to go for you from Blue Apron! I actually made asparagus for the first time last week–it was good! I’m definitely going to make it again…always good to try new things!

    • Fitnessista on June 10, 2015 at 5:44 pm

      that’s awesome!! it’s so good with garlic, lemon and goat gouda on top!

  14. Olivia on June 10, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    Other women prefer to have the news broken to them slowly.
    Where do you go to meet Singles 50+ in Marin County.
    The vernacular for ‘You are beautiful’ tends to work with most of them.

  15. JennP on June 10, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    I totally redeemed! Get my first delivery in 2 weeks. Thanks!! 🙂

  16. Liz on June 11, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    Ugh I agree on the cooking front. I am a few weeks behind you in pregnancy and it’s been so hard for me to get motivated to grocery shop, meal plan and cook. If a plate of food appeared in front of me I would totally eat it all but me cooking it? No thanks! I am considering signing up for a few meals once the baby comes but I am back and forth because from some of the reviews I’ve read it sounds like quite the event putting some of these meals together, which might not be ideal with a newborn. Maybe though!

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.