Thank you to Blue Apron for sponsoring this post!
So Jay and I have had this thing lately where we say that we’re going to try to have a “date night in” at least one night a week. I think we’ve been saying this for maybe the past month or so…but we have yet to really make it happen. So instead, we take selfies while we cook dinner.
This was right at the onset of my pink eye, which you can probably see!
The thing is, I love the idea of a date night in. It’s a way to make the evening special and just a little bit different from a regular week night. And since I can’t be popping bottles of wine or noshing on delectable soft cheeses at the moment, our options are delicious and easy home cooked meals.
Last week, one of our “attempts” at a date night in failed miserably, thanks to Jay being on call for work and having to be at the computer. So I took care of the food prep while he sat with me and worked.
Thankfully, we had a Blue Apron delivery that week, so the food prep was a cinch.
You guys already know by now how much we love Blue Apron, right? I mean…they deliver all of the ingredients in exactly the right proportions (no waste!) right to your doorstep. We currently have our deliveries scheduled for Wednesday and it always perks up the middle of the work week. They have a huge selection of recipes and are always adding new ones every week, plus I love how you can now see the menus well in advance so you can plan accordingly. That way, we can skip weeks when we know it won’t be convenient and/or when we don’t really see anything that jumps out at us.
But we do have our next delivery scheduled for next week because, umm…PRETZEL BURGERS.
Want to try it out? The first 50 readers will get two free meals on their first Blue Apron order! Just CLICK HERE!
But as for this last week’s menu? SO good!! The first recipe we tried (the one where our date night in failed) was the Shrimp & Pineapple Fried Rice with Toasted Cashews & Sambal Oelek. I haven’t been overly excited about fish this pregnancy, but this shrimp recipe surpassed all expectations.
For one, I love how every delivery of Blue Apron almost always has at least one ingredient that I’ve never heard of (for this recipe, it was Sambal Oelek – spicy yet delicious) and keeps things exciting.
And I also love how they’re working to develop a sustainable food system and use high quality ingredients (you can check out their mission page HERE!).
So we gave the “date night in” a bit of a spin another night and thought we’d refer to it as a “family date night in.” My plan was to get Lucas involved with the prep work, have him help me with various things like picking herb leaves from the stems, etc. Unfortunately, he’s just not really interested in any of that right now (including the eating part, too), so this is why we mostly stick with the 2-Person Plan right now, as opposed to their Family Plan.
And that’s when our “family date night in” turned in to me prepping/cooking the meal…
and Jay and Lucas playing with balloons in the living room.
But I’ll be totally honest…I love getting the opportunity to cook by myself and letting the boys play. Watching them have fun just makes me smile. <3
So while they played, I cooked up this Chicken & Sage Biscuit Pot Pie with Cremini Mushrooms & Purple Top Turnip. The Blue Apron meals come together quickly (usually in about 40 minutes or less), so that always helps with busy weeknights.
The recipe left us with tons of leftovers and had lots of delicious flavors and textures happening.
As for our last Blue Apron meal of the week? Well, we considered waiting until Lucas went to bed to cook it, but since he doesn’t go down lately until about 8pm, that’s just a mean joke making this preggo wait that long for dinner.
So Jay took care of prep and cooking while me and the little guy had some fun cutting up and playing with his pretend veggies (maybe we’re getting close…?).
And oh, what a recipe he cooked up! Italian Beef Grinders with Aged Cheddar Cheese Sauce & Crispy Potato Wedges (plus some added sugar snap peas since I wanted an extra veggie).
The entire meal was incredible and left us with some more leftovers, too!
So while we may not have gotten our “date night in” this particular week, we sure did eat well. It’s give and take, right?
So don’t forget…if you want to try it out, the first 50 readers will get two free meals on their first Blue Apron order! Just CLICK HERE! And better yet? I’ve got a few weeks of free meals in my account so…
I’m giving away (2) free weeks of Blue Apron meals to you guys!
Want to enter? Just leave a comment on this post sharing a recipe you’d be excited to try! I’ll choose the two lucky winners on Friday, February 19th.
Thank you, as always for your continued support of STSL and the products I love. I love being able to give back with them, too! <3
kristen ECM says
i’d love to try the miso-honey chicken – thank you!
J says
The chicken pot pie or any of the salmon dishes look great-
Sarah says
Definitely the pretzel burgers!!
amy says
honey miso chicken looks amazing, but then, so does everything :) thank you courtney!
Taylor says
Those pretzel burgers look amazing!
Leighann H says
Those pretzel burgers on their website look delicious! Would love to try them!
Makenna says
Yum, those all look great! Your talk of the pretzel burger really makes me hungry for one-that would be the one I’d want to try first!
Melissa says
I’d love to try the spicy shrimp spaghetti!
Kristin says
I would totally go for the pork meatballs with ricotta on top of polenta and broccolini! Sounds delicious!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
Pretzel burgers yes please!! Their Thai dish also sounds really good!
kate p says
The pretzel burgers sound and look great!!
Megan S says
Moo shu vegetables – or the pretzel burgers! Yum!
Maggie says
The pretzel burgers look so good! My husband and I love doing date night in :)
Caroline @ After Dinner Dance says
I’d love to try the pretzel burgers!
Dee says
Ah I would love to win this! That shrimp fried rice looks right up my ally!
Alex says
The pretzel burgers sound amazing!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
While the “date nights” may not have exactly happened, it sounds like you guys got some good play and family time in regardless! :)
Cara says
That pretzel burger looks delicious! And the center cut pork chop looks yummy too and is out of my comfort zone in terms of the kitchen.
Erin Duffy says
The acorn squash risotto looks amazing!!
Amy says
The spicy shrimp spaghetti looks so good!
Kara @ Money Saving Maven says
I’d want to try Roast Pork and Smashed Potatoes.
Rachel Schlosser says
Ooo its a toss up between the pretzel burgers and the acorn squash risotto both look amazing. I have been dying to try Blue Apron.
Sarah says
Goodness, the first recipe, Pretzel Burgers sound amazing, but as I scrolled so does everything else :) Sweet & Sour Cod also caught my interest.
jocelyn says
It’s hard to get past the pretzel burgers, but I would definitely love to try the steakhouse salmon!
Kerri says
Those pretzel burgers look great! I’ve been wanting to try blue apron for a long time. We are expecting our first child in April, and I’m wondering if signing up for Blue Apron would make grocery shopping and meal prep a little easier during our first months with a baby!
Marielle says
You had me at pretzel burger!!
Caitlin P says
I would have said the pretzel burgers but now seeing the chicken pot pie dish above – oh my I want that! Perfect cozy food for the -12 degree weather we have been having.
Kristen says
Wow! In this winter weather I would love to try making the Tuscan Ribolitta soup!!!
Megan says
I would love to try that chicken and sage biscuit pot pie!
Laura says
ooh you are right! those pretzel burgers look awesome – that would definitely be my pick too :)
Hannah says
The Trinidadian chicken curry looks delicious! I’d love to try blue apron!
Nicole H says
The mushroom & cabbage dumplings look really interesting!!! We got our first delivery last week (for Valentine’s day!) and I was really happy and impressed…plus it was fantastic only having to get 1/2 the groceries this week at the store! Thanks!
kristin mcgeeney says
seared chicken and mashed potatoes look amazing! and easy too!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
The sausage and biscuit one! Oh my goodness, I’d love to try that. I’m sad that you can’t re-order or try the same recipe until like a year later with Blue Apron though. I’m game to try anything of theirs. I got a free week trial of it a while back that was all delicious.
Sara @ LovingOnTheRun says
I’d love to try the spicy shrimp spaghetti and the seared chicken and roasted acorn squash! These look perfect for a fun date night in!
Katie R. says
I love love love anything pretzel! Those burgers…yum!
Rob says
I would love to try the pretzel burgers!
Jennifer says
I’ve been wanting to try Blue Apron for awhile now. Looks like a great way to get out of your normal cooking rut
Luci says
I’d love to try the Acorn Squash Risotto. Yum!
jen says
Because I am picky about food..the seared chicken and mashed potatoes look really good. I LOVE chicken recipes!!!!
Em @ Love A Latte says
Oh man I need some new recipes in the my life. The pinto bean and winter squash stew looks delicious. Loved watching you on blab last night. I’m a working mom of one (soon to be two) as well and I can totally relate to sooo much of what you said!!
Emily @ ZippChick says
I would love to try the Fresh Beet Linguine! I finally put my first order in for Blue Apron so this would be an added bonus. Thanks for sharing.
Tiff G. says
The acorn squash risotto!
Lori says
Pick me! Pick me! I would LOVE to try Blue Apron!!! The Pretzel Burgers sound amazing…
Patty says
I would love the try the Vegetable Bibimbap and Kimchi. Definitely not something I would ever try to cook on on my own but Blue Apron makes it look so easy.
Stefanie A says
I would love to try Blue Apron! The meals always look so good!
christy says
The italian grinders sound amazing!!
Lesley says
The seared chicken and mashed potatoes look so good! Thanks!
Melissa Armstrong says
I would love to try the shrimp spaghetti!!! Although the pretzel burger sounds amazing too!
Erin m. says
The spicy shrimp spaghetti sounds great!
Shawna says
the seared salmon dishes look amazing!
Kaylin@EnticingHealthyEating says
I want to try the Moo Shu Vegetables. I like the idea of trying to do more date nights in. :)
Ashley says
I definitely want to try the squash risotto or the shrimp recipe from this post – looks so good!
Marie says
Those look so yummy! I’d love to try the goat cheese and kale quiche!!
karen says
the pinto bean and winter squash before winter is over.. i really want to try this…I pick out recipes but then never have all the ingredients at home….eventually losing the recipe..an endless cycle!
Kayla says
The first recipe on the list — https://www.blueapron.com/recipes/short-rib-burgers-on-a-pretzel-bun-with-hoppy-cheddar-sauce-roasted-sweet-potato-rounds — caught my eye. I LOVE pretzel buns, my husband LOVES beer (hoppy!)…how could we go wrong?
I’ve been so curious about Blue Apron. I’m an excellent cook, but I feel like BA would “force” me to try new things and new ingredients. I’m just so hesitant about the cost of a meal delivery service. Two weeks free would help me evaluate its worth.
Ashley S says
Sweet and sour cod sounds interesting!
Julia Allman says
Those pretzel burgers look DELICIOUS!!
Ella says
Would love to try the Mexican Spiced Salmon!!
Mandy says
I really want to try the Roast Pork & Smashed Potatoes! I know my family will LOVE it!!!
chloe says
Would love to try the pretzel burgers – yum! I feel like my BF and I go to the grocery store multiple times a week and never have anything to cook for dinner. I think this would actually save us money and help us eat healthier (less take out)!
Beth S. says
Spicy shrimp spaghetti!
Paige c says
The spicy shrimp spaghetti sounds awesome!
Kari F says
You had me at pretzel burgers!
Kelsey Ogletree says
I will join Blue Apron just for those Pretzel Burgers! Wow!
Julie ONeil says
The miso honey chicken looks delish!
Taylor says
The mexican spiced salmon looks yummy!! I haven’t tried Blue Apron, but my dad loves it!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Wow you’re cooking up a storm!!! Some delicious looking meals!!! BTW you’re looking fantastic!
natalie says
I would love to try the miso honey chicken!
Cass says
Oh, pretzel burgers!!!!!!!!!!
Marissa says
The pretzel burgers do sound amazing!
Alaina Burran says
I would love to experiment with the Za’atar Chicken Skewers & Mint Yogurt Sauce
with Roasted Broccoli, Apricots & Almonds!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then again, that Seared Steakhouse salmon is calling my name!
Kristen says
I would definitely be excited to try that pretzel burger!
Kaitlyn says
Pork and ricotta meatballs with polenta!! YUM!!
Brigid says
Love to try smoky swiss chard and black bean tostadas. It’s probably something I would never try on my own but sounds good!
Julie says
Pretzel burger?! Sign me up! I saw some other cools recipes of things I likely wouldn’t make at home myself, like za’atar chicken skewers and yogurt sauce. Yum!
Tara Nerling says
Pretzel burgers!! yummy!
Jess says
I would love to try those pretzel burgers!
Rachel says
I would love to try Miso Ramen & Tempura Acorn Squash with Tatsoi & Soft-Boiled Eggs. That sounds so delicious and is something I would never make on my own!
Kim B says
Sweet and sour cod with fried rice looks yummy!
haley @cupcakes and sunshine says
Ah, I would love to try the Socca chickpea flatbread! YUM!
Catherine says
I love making stir fry and pasta. Many of the recipes on blue apron looking amazing.
Laura G says
The pretzel burgers! They do look delicious.
Jessica C says
Those pretzel burgers– om nom!
Kristi P says
I would love to try the Pretzel Burgers or any Salmon dish!
Rachel says
I’d love to try the Italian grinders!
Charlotte says
Definitely the spinach and ricotta calzones!
Naomi says
The shrimp and pineapple dish sounds amazing!
Kristen Z says
The spicy shrimp spaghetti looks delicious!! I’ve been wanting to try blue apron!
Kristin says
I would totally want to try the pretzel burger…Yummmm meeeeeeee!
JenG says
The Italian beef grinders sound awesome! Trying Blue Apron has been on my list ever since our 8 month old was born.
Tarin says
I have never tried Blue Apron meals! They look amazing, especially the spicy shrimp spaghetti.
katie says
The chicken & sage biscuit pot pie meal looks incredibly delicious!
Rachel R says
I’m on the same page as you with those Pretzel Burgers…holy yum! The Pork & Ricotta Meatballs with Polenta look amazing too!
cara zimmer says
Chicken Scallopini and and the Pretzel Burgers look amazing!
Britt says
Those pretzel burgers looks so good!!
Cassie says
All three of the dishes in your post look divine! Especially the chicken pot pie dish. Yum!
Su Chintala says
I would love to try the Pork and Ricotta Meatballs! They’re so different from what I usually cook.
Julie says
I would love to try Blue Apron. The chicken pot pie looks amazing!
Megan says
The white turkey chili looks amazing!
Tami says
I’d love to try the miso honey chicken! Sounds amazing!!! :)
Kristen E says
OMG PRETZEL BURGERS!!
Lydia says
I would love to try the pretzel burgers but would have to go with a more gluten-free option unfortunately since we have allergies! The pork meatballs sound amazing.
Jackie says
The miso honey chick and PRETZEL BURGERS both sound delish!
Alana Rome says
DEFINITELY the pretzel burgers
amy says
PRETZEL BURGERS!!! Mmmmm that sounds so good!
Jill says
I love Blue Apron! We tried it for the first time after Christmas – my mom gave us a gift card for 4 weeks worth of meals. Our last week was the same menu you mentioned in this post. We loved the grinders! I was hesitant about the shrimp fried rice b/c I don’t love seafood or asian flavors, but I LOVED this dish!
Kelly W. says
Pretzel burgers!
Laura says
Everything about those pretzel burgers sounds amazing!
Ellen says
Pretzel burgers! Our favorite restaurant has pretzel bread and it is the best!
Abby says
I would love to try the seared chicken with mashed potatoes! Yum! It looks kid friendly as well. I have two kids that love some chicken and potatoes!
natasha says
Oh the Manhattan Style Fish chowder with garlic bread sounds perfect for me this winter and ideal leftover goods to take to work (:
Lesley says
Spicy shrimp spaghetti sounds so good!
Danielle says
I’d love to try the Shiitake Mushroom & Cabbage Dumplings with Garlic-Roasted Tatsoi!
shannon says
Everything looks amazing. I would love to try the chicken curry or the farro salad! Also wish I could eat one of those pretzel burgers right now, lol!
Anna says
https://www.blueapron.com/recipes/short-rib-burgers-on-a-pretzel-bun-with-hoppy-cheddar-sauce-roasted-sweet-potato-rounds
That looks amazing!
Kate says
Oh my gosh, pretzel burgers!? This would be the best thing ever!!
Liz says
Trinidadian chicken curry! I love curry but I’ve never had Trinidadian food so I’d love to try this.
Tori says
The chicken and sage biscuit pot pie looks delicious!
Kelsey says
So many options it’s hard to choose, but the chicken meatballs with creamy polenta sounds delicious!
Kalena says
The Miso honey chicken looks so good!
Jen W. says
Oh my, pretzel burgers get in my tummy NOW….
Kristin says
Wow there menu is getting better and better would love to try this out. There are quit a fee menu items I like the pretzel burger the acorn squash ricotta the pizza. It all looks sooooo good
Annie B says
Trinidadian chicken curry! Because yummmmm!!!
Madeline says
I probably sound like a broken record but I’d also I’ve to make the pretzel burgers. The steakhouse salmon and veggie bibimbap also look really good!
Dana S says
miso honey chicken mmm
Jessica W says
the shrimp and pineapple fried rice looks amazing,but so many of their recipes do
Nicole says
Spinach and Ricotta calzones – yum!
ashley says
miso ramen and tempura would be something totally different for us! looks fun.
Nancy says
The Moo Shu Vegetables with Pancakes recipe on the menu right now would be fun to try, definitely have not made that at home before.
Katie M says
The Za’atar Chicken Skewers & Mint Yogurt Sauce recipe looks fab!
Melissa G says
The pretzel burgers look amazing!!
Alex says
The miso honey chicken sounds delicious ! Thanks!
Alissa says
I have never posted on your blog before but have been reading it for quite awhile now and love it! I have been kicking around the idea of Blue Apron for awhile for our house and also as a gift for my sister in law as they are having a baby next week! So I am glad to see how well it works for you!
I think the pineapple fried rice and shrimp recipe or the smashed potatoes and roasted pork look great! Thank you
Amy says
I would love to try the Mexican spiced salmon
Jen says
Id love to try the moo shu vegetables!
Teri says
So many yummy choices, but the Chicken Schnitzel looks great!
Courtney Robinson says
With something like this, I would want to try to make something completely out of my comfort zone so I think the Beet Linguine sounds pretty interesting to try!!
Harry lorello says
Pretzel burgers please!! Looks fun and delicious!
Jill says
The Chicken & Drop Biscuit Casserole looks good.
Melissa says
You are right – the pretzel burgers for the win! I’ve been wanting to try Blue Apron!
Laura G. says
I keep hearing about Blue Apron but have yet to try it. Would love to try the Spinach and Ricotta Calzones!
Brianne A says
The Steaks au Poivre look amazing!
Nicole Spizzirri says
Pretzel burgers sound perfect in this cold weather!
Leila says
Pretzel burgers!!!
Amy U says
Mmmm burgers on pretzel buns sound amazing!