My dear sister, of course. Ashley lives in NYC, and getting dinner was a challenge for them, just like any working family. (Don't get me wrong, I enjoy cooking, but with a 10-month intent on exploring door hinges and cat food, a toddler who wants to play "queen" when we regroup at home, and a husband who works 11 hour days, my strategy is to get food on the table fast). My sister recently discovered Blue Apron, a start-up company that delivers three dinners for two adults weekly. She soon received coupons to invite family and friends for a free trial week, which is precisely how we arrived at freekeh. And blue cheese grits, and ettouffe, and Mexican chicken mole....
We received the first box a couple weeks ago, with its craftily-labeled pouches of golden raisins, mint, lemongrass, chives, and so on. Their proteins include local poultry and red meat, as well as fish. Everything is well-branded and charming, and the recipe cards spell it out, even for newer chefs. Upon receiving our first delivery, I smiled while pulling out each little bagged item like it was a precious jewel. Ah! A single sprig of rosemary. Nine raisins! How adorable!
I initially thought that my dinner prayers had been answered. A box of food on my doorstep eliminates the need to plan meals (or pretend to), or buy plastic packages of herbs which will mostly die a slow death in my fridge. I don't have to throw out chicken breasts that don't get used in time. I also appreciated the ability to try new things without doing the legwork. I mean really, who has time? (says a former subscriber to Cooks Illustrated)
Ashley likes the service because her husband quickly gained the confidence and curiosity to make the meals. This was something new, and it meant she could drink wine and flip through a magazine while he cooked. Well, sadly it didn't go down that way in our house. And Dave never implied it would. Dave likes the Cuisinart griller/panini maker, and if it's his turn to cook, dinner better make a nice sizzle on that appliance.
After the first week, we were charged a flat fee of $60 (shipping is included). I tried to stick within my budget at the grocery store - of course we still needed food for other meals, food for the girls, snacks, and drinks. My goal was to stay under $70, which I totally did....until I returned the next day and bought the rest of my grocery list. I felt guilty for blowing our budget.
Beyond the money issue, the meals take prep. Though I understand great meals take time, I loath mincing garlic like no other task, and it seems to be part of every recipe. I also, truly, do not have time to roast almond slices or make lime zest. This ain't 1954! Tonight as the sous chef and chef, I clocked some serious time over the stove while Dave did damage control with the girls. When we sat down to eat, the freekeh was yummy but the tilapia was cold, likely because I put Emmeline to bed in the middle of cooking. As Julia Child would say, c'est la vie.
After next week, no more Blue Apron for a while. I canceled our subscription. We need more crock pot, less lime zest.
