Blue Apron Review – Summer Bean and Mushroom Pasta with Crispy Shallots

Blue Apron is a subscription that sends just about everything you need to make 3 meals for either 2 people ($59.94/wk) or 4 people (two different options that are under $9.99 per person per meal).

 

I wrote a whole bunch more but the post was deleted so I will do more writing later when I have calmed down. I will say that this subscription is really fun for me because I hate to plan and shop for cooking and I don’t really know how to cook. This takes care of all the work, and I get to learn new things and feel fancy.

 

I love feeling fancy!

 

Summer Bean & Mushroom Pasta with Crispy Shallot Rings

 

Summer Bean & Mushroom Pasta
Summer Bean & Mushroom Pasta
back
back

 

Some pics of the recipe card. Blue Apron has a really nice recipe card that is printed on nice thick glossy paper. Because I always have to reach for it with cooking stuff on my hands I appreciate it being so sturdy. I also find it really easy to read an understand. The finished dish and what goes into it is on one side, and how to make it happen is on the other. I also dig on how large it is, so I am not breaking out my monocle to suss out the subtle nuances of boiling noodles…

 

All the stuff!
All the stuff!

 

All the stuff is in the package. They put the smaller items into a brown paper bag. I guess that is one way to do it! I was worried about there being a lot of trash after. Usually there isn’t really very much at all.

 

Charles Shaw... For drunks on a budget
Charles Shaw… For drunks on a budget

 

But before I can even THINK about picking up a knife to chop and cook over a fire I need to get my cooking drank poured!

 

Crispy Shallot Rings
Crispy Shallot Rings

 

Alright I am feeling it! Here is probably the worst looking Crispy Shallot Rings. I didn’t really feel like going to the trouble to make sure they were rings because I figured I would be chewing them anyway right? I also burnt them and just all around made a mess of things. The directions were super simple too. At least they taste SO GOOD!

 

 

Poor pan, I will wash you... one day
Poor pan, I will wash you… one day

 

They have you reuse the same pan but I couldn’t because of my crappy job! Oh well…

 

boiling water and mushrooms
boiling water and mushrooms

 

Then I set up the boiling water and mushrooms. I am from the Bay Area, and almost every year some hippie family would end up in the hospital because they were gathering mushrooms and ate the wrong ones. I always imagined myself in such a family trying to be the voice of reason, only to be told that I was a “downer.”

 

whoops things are getting messy!
whoops things are getting messy!

 

About this point in cooking I am feeling a buzz and not really watching everything closely. I am also making a huge mess! Notice the Little Lace Box bowls!

 

 

Add the beans!
Add the beans!

 

Time to add the beans and spices. I like to take pinch fulls of spice and yell BAM! as I fling it in. I really should be given a cooking show…

 

Tasty!
Tasty!

 

Here is the finished product! Does it look like the picture? Yeah I know I burnt the shallots. They still taste good though. I mean are we really going to be picky when the cook is already through half a bottle of wine?

I thought not.

 

Verdict: I really liked tonight’s meal and felt it was one of the easier ones to throw together. I hate when I am given too much prep work and this one had hardly any. I also got to burn stuff and boil stuff which pretty much makes me awesome.

 

  11 comments for “Blue Apron Review – Summer Bean and Mushroom Pasta with Crispy Shallots

  1. Pnut
    July 31, 2015 at 5:40 am

    Hilarious I love it! This is the best food sub box review I have read. So real and not trying to be Martha just a real life person!
    It reminds me of one of those Pinterest v. Real Life blog posts!

    • Subscriptionista
      July 31, 2015 at 5:51 am

      That was the first type of blog I wanted to do! But I found that I’m just able to write more when giving an opinion lol

      I may be a “try hard” in other areas in my life but the kitchen is a humble place for me. I’m actually proud I made something I could even eat. Also I used different pans and pots. That’s big for someone who never cooks ever.

      I really appreciate that you liked it because part of me felt bad for not making it look nicer. I just gotta blog it like it is. I really liked the dish which is odd because I didn’t execute it all right.

      Did drink wine though!

  2. Kelly
    July 31, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    I love our blue apron meals, we had chicken Miles a last night. I have a few Free meals to send, let me know if any readers would like to try them .

    • Subscriptionista
      July 31, 2015 at 2:55 pm

      Alright that is an awesome offer. I totally forgot about the free meals thing! I am glad to find another fan!!!

  3. Kelly
    July 31, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    Chicken milensa, grrr auto correct

  4. nana
    August 1, 2015 at 12:09 am

    That’s way too much work for me. But then again, I either make elaborate meals or eat frozen foods. No in betweens for me.

    BTW, after 22 years of serious cooking (which started when I got married), I finally bought myself a (pre-seasoned) cast iron pan. We had one when we first got married, but for whatever reason I didn’t use it. This one, however, was a revelation. Right off the bat, it was the most non-stick pan I’ve ever owned and a breeze to wash (I just make sure to dry it right after I wash it). Because it’s heavy, I just leave it on my stove. I’m no thinking of also getting a cast iron dutch oven.

    • Subscriptionista
      August 1, 2015 at 3:00 am

      Gotta get a cast iron dutch oven! I don’t like that the pans are heavy but they do work well for being non stick. I have to REALLY make sure I have a good gripe before I left. Part of it is my jacked up hands, and the other part is I am a klutz.

      It is not that bad work wise compared to if I had to actually go out and buy or plan anything. I did like that plated has less chopping and so forth. But I HATE their recipe cards.

  5. August 1, 2015 at 1:21 am

    I enjoyed reading the review. It’s good to see this type of review because people might find it intimidating to try this subscription. This makes it more real to them and that it is still edible even if it doesn’t look perfect. I’m proud of you! It didn’t sound like you did much cooking from comments you made previously. I love the LLB tie-in!

    • Subscriptionista
      August 1, 2015 at 2:40 am

      Thanks! I feel bad because I know food that doesn’t look “good” doesn’t seem very fun to look at. But I ate it lol I mean its already tough to cook and take pics!

      I didn’t cook AT ALL. This box is making me learn and feel more confident. I also am enjoying cooking more. I don’t have a passion for cooking like others.

  6. August 1, 2015 at 1:42 am

    Awesome review! What fun.

    • Subscriptionista
      August 1, 2015 at 2:41 am

      Thank you Shana! I had some fun. I am posting another soon, I ended up burning my paw but don’t worry I wont post a pic of it.

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