Blue Apron or Gobble anyone?

[ted]

Neither my wife or I are chefs by any means.
I'm not into grocery shopping much either.
Except for the occasion back yard BBQ.

Both services provide nice meals delivered to your house.
We alternate between the two.

Gobble seems to be a little quicker with shorter cooking time.

Blue apron directions and required food preparation make you feel like a chef.

Nice alternative to the normal take out dinners.

[Craig T]

My wife and I are on our 4th week of Blue Apron and LOVING it!

It does require some preparation and practice, but you're right…I'm feeling like a chef. I went out and bought better knifes, a couple pots, and a zester

We're actually saving money by using BA. No waste.

[porsche4life]

Not sure I follow the concept.... If I'm going to cook I want to cook what I want, not what someone sent me in a box!

[ted]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Not sure I follow the concept.... If I'm going to cook I want to cook what I want, not what someone sent me in a box!

The deal is you get 3 meals a week that feed 2 to 3 people each.
You do have a choice of 6 to 8 different meals every week.
Veggie plates and meat too.

The box delivery is for your convenience.
Saving you a trip to the store and from searching the store for it all.
Spices are included too, very complete and tasty.

https://www.blueapron.com/

https://gobble.com/

[Craig T]

...and completely efficient. If the recipe calls for two sprigs of cilantro, it comes with two springs of cilanto. There is zero waste. The only thing you need at home is olive oil, salt, and pepper.

[ted]

Craig seems funny to be talking about cooking.
It's a relief to have good recipes and good food delivered to your door.
Makes the kitchen remodel seem a little more valid now.

more info on BA.
The Liberty Project

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by ted

Craig seems funny to be talking about cooking.

You kidding?, I can put a hurtin on in the kitchen...as long as I finish cooking while I'm still sober.

[vash]

i like the concept.

i can cook. but i have this weird mental ingredient limit. if there are a lot of ingredients, i'm out. i hate laying out all the little piles of stuff. it would be nice to have a pro do the mise en place crap.

[Cajundaddy]

We did Blue apron for a while. The ingredients were fresh and recipes were interesting but there is a LOT of chopping involved and if you don't own a zester you are SOL. Typical prep time for me was 1 hr. We are both pretty good cooks and this was a nice variation on what we eat but it's not all that different than our typical home-cooked meals.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I just checked out Blue Apron and it looks like a great idea, especially for busy people. Menu has an interesting variety with some fresh ideas like the Korean tteok & pork ragu. Even though I like to cook, I probably wouldn't even look for how to make something like that but looks tasty. And while it's easy for me to get Korean rice cakes, probably not for everyone.

I think it will do well.

[violation]

Just wanted to pipe in on Blue Apron. Wife and I used it for over a year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Nice to cook together or be able to cook a "fancy" meal in under an hour.

For those not-too-experienced in the kitchen, it is great. Just realize the prep time take a bit longer then they say (for example, if they say it'll be 15 minutes prep time, I expect 20-25 min, probably because they chop veggies faster than I do).

Learned a few things too. Like how much I like brussel sprouts and how to make them myself.

I highly recommend it.

[LeftCoastErik]

We used Gobble for several months. Generally good choices, though we did start to get some repeat dishes. Prep is quite easy, usually one pan and the microwave and about 10 minutes. The cool part of the deal is that you avoid the "What do you want to eat?" "I don't care" "Chinese?" "No not Chinese" "I thought you didn't care?" discussion...at least a few nights a week.

We like to cook, so we are actually going to try Blue Apron later this month. Their meals definitely require more work, but we kinda dig that.

[rattlsnak]

I've used Blue Apron for a span and really liked them also..

[flatbutt]

How cost effective have you found BA to be?

[TimT]

How cost effective have you found BA to be?

I think its pretty good. I've been using Blue Apron for a few months, like mentioned, very little waste, I don't have to shop, and don't have to fret over what to cook (first world problems). I'm a pretty good cook on my own, but this is just convenient..

Being single, I chose the two person plan which is three meals for two people, cost $59/week. I get six meals from that..

Also I started Blue Apron with a groupon which gave me meals at $39/week for six months..

No waste, no shopping... a box shows up on my doorstep every Monday morning..

I just wish the box didnt have a logo, I'm sure there might be some scumbag who starts stealing my dinner

[vash]

do they give you the complete recipe? it would be interesting to see if someone can recreate the meal without the ingredients.

[TimT]

They give the complete recipe....

Except.... for.... "The Spice Blend" which is a packet of spices... pre mixed... you can usually figure out whats in it though..

Last night dinner...

[Stutzdriver]

My son is a newly minted, single MD doing his residency. Not a lot of time for shopping (nor is it convenient to where he lives) some weeks and he loves his Blue Apron. Give him six meals a week, some he freezes and has the next week but it works great for him.

We have decided to do every other week and its a great variety for my wife and I. I end up being the Blue Apron Chef due to her work schedule and I have to admit, its fun to do.

[javadog]

I'd never do this. Too many downsides, the only upside seems to be not going to a grocery store.

Costs more
Ingredients aren't as fresh
Doesn't save any cooking time
Locks me into eating something days in advance, whether I want it or not

If it gets you more interested in cooking, go for it, I guess.

JR

[vash]

thanks Tim!!

that looks fairly straight forward.

i like the concept..it would certainly limit how much food i stuff into that big hole in my face.