Extra Helpings - A Blue Apron blog
Meet the new Blue Apron, now more convenient (and delicious) than ever. This is meal planning the way it should be: simple, inspiring, fun—and no subscription needed.
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How to Pit Olives
Olives add a salty complexity to salads, flatbreads, and cheeseboards. These fruits are native to Southern Europe and Northern Africa, and are an essential part of many traditional recipes from those regions.
How To Make a Rice Dome
Instead of scooping rice into the bottom of your bowl, then pouring the curry on top, we do exactly the opposite. On top of our steaming, lemongrass-scented bowl of tofu or shrimp curry, we scoop out a perfect dome of rice.
What is Sambal Oelek? (& How to Use It)
Sambal oelek is an Indonesian condiment made from chili peppers, vinegar, and salt. It’s name comes from the Indonesian word for pepper—sambal—and the name for a mortar and pestle in which peppers are sometimes ground.
How To Properly Cook Ground Beef
Properly cooked ground beef should be browned and flavorful. If you end up with grey or dry meat, it’s time to examine your technique. You might be accidentally steaming your protein instead of gently sautéing.
How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Grilled cheese is delicious any time of day. Two slices of white bread with gooey American cheese is a perfect lunch order at your favorite diner. Whole wheat toast with melted slices of Swiss makes a perfect snack after a stressful day. For a full-on dinner, we love to create gourmet sandwiches with great artisan bread, imported cheese, and fresh vegetables.
Romesco Sauce
Romesco is a thick sauce packed with smoky and sweet flavors. This sauce originated in Spain, but today you can enjoy it around the world. It’s traditionally enjoyed as a sauce for fish or grilled meats, or as a tasty dip for vegetables and breads.
Furikake Seasoning: Description, Recipes, & Uses
Furikake seasoning is one of those ingredients that does your work for you. All you have to do is add a few teaspoons to the top of your dish, and you’ll instantly boost the flavor, texture, and appearance of whatever you’re serving.
A Guide to Caramelized Onions
Caramelized onions are onions that have been cooked over a low, slow heat until they are soft and browned. During this process the natural sugar in the onion caramelizes and creates a complex, delicious flavor.
How To Boil Rice: Cooking Tips & More
The advantage of this method is clear. When you cook rice like pasta you don’t have to double check the ratio of water to rice, or measure the water. You also don’t have to watch the stove quite as closely, since there’s no risk of the bottom burning.
Italian Salsa Verde Recipe
Mexican salsa verde is a green sauce made with tomatillos and hot green peppers. It can be used to top meats, tortillas, or enchiladas. It can be mild or quite spicy.
Brooklyn Delhi Locks the Flavors of Home into a Jar
The term achaar comes from the Hindi word for ‘pickle,’ and in India dozens of varieties are available. The team at Brooklyn Delhi describes achaar as “India’s equivalent to Sriracha, but without all the sugar.”
All About Chimichurri
Chimichurri is a bright green sauce common in Argentine and Uruguayan cuisine. Authentic chimichurri must include fresh herbs, spicy pepper, something acidic, and lots of good olive oil.
All About the Za’atar Spice Blend
The term Za’atar refers to a family of herbs, including thyme, oregano and marjoram. It’s also a spice blend, and one of Blue Apron’s favorite ingredients
All About Calabrian Chile
Everyone has a few ingredients in the pantry that they turn back to time and time again. There are some spices, herbs, and oil you love so much that you find yourself rushing to the store to replace them the second they run out. For the chefs at Blue Apron, Calabrian chili paste is one of those ingredients.
How To Slice Delicata Squash
Delicata squash is known for its characteristically delicate rind. Its cream-colored skin is so thin that it can be eaten. When roasted, the skin gives the squash a satisfying bite. Before roasting, you have to know how to slice squash.
How To Dice Sweet Potatoes
Chopping sweet potatoes can be tricky. First of all: sweet potatoes are quite hard when raw, and it can take a little force to get a knife through them. This means you should be extra careful to keep your fingers out of the way.
How to Create a Balanced Meal (That You’ll Look Forward to Eating), According to Dietitians
We’ve been told since we were kids that certain foods could be “part of a complete breakfast” and have been coached in health classes, news shows, by doctors, and beyond to fuel up with a balanced diet. But what does it mean to have balanced eating habits, exactly, and why does it matter”
7 Common Types of Pears (Varieties & More)
Get to know the humble pear. From smooth-skinned Bartlett to leathery looking (but very delicious) Bosc pears, we’re here to help you pick the best pears for eating, baking, and salads.
Can You Substitute Butter for Oil?
Let’s chat about fat. Whether you’re making a stir-fry or a birthday cake, fat plays an essential role in the flavor and texture of your dish. You can’t skip the fat, but in most cases, you can substitute. If you’re halfway through cooking before you realize that your olive oil container is empty,
How to Clean the Bottoms of Pans (& Pots Too)
Here’s our tried-and-true guide to how to clean the bottoms of pots and pans, no matter how dirty.
Food you can feel good about
From pasture-raised beef to certified sustainable seafood, we’re raising the bar on animal welfare standards.
