We’re celebrating our birthday with a look back at some of our favorite recipes throughout the years. The Blue Apron menu is always changing. We introduce new ingredients and techniques every year. We love every meal we make, and it’s hard to play favorites. These are some of our all-time most memorable dishes.
2012: Barbecue Cornish Game Hen with Coleslaw & Sauteed Corn
Barbecue chicken with slaw and corn is traditional across the American South. Flavors of the sauce itself can vary from state to state. Ours has a terrific balance of sweet and tangy notes and coats a Cornish game hen in place of chicken. We spice up the typical coleslaw and corn with sesame oil and cilantro. It’s a flavorful twist on an American classic.
2013: Maple & Ginger Glazed Salmon with Watercress, Orange & Parsnip Salad
Parsnips have been a staple food in Europe and Asia since ancient times. They resemble carrots in shape and texture, but have a cream-colored, uniquely flavored flesh. Though they can be harvested year round, the best parsnips are plucked in spring, after the winter frosts. Cold weather turns some of the starch in parsnips to natural sugar and preserves their crunch, making them the perfect, subtly sweet addition to this salad.
2014: Thai Shrimp Soup with Coconut, Lemongrass & Red Curry
In this recipe, we’re using lemongrass, an ancient Southeast Asian herb, two different ways. First, we’re smashing one of the stalks, and simmering it in the coconut milk broth to infuse the dish with flavor. We’re also thinly slicing another stalk and briefly sautéing it with other aromatics (garlic, ginger and scallion). This step brings a wonderful crunch to the rich curry, adding texture and brightness to each bite.
2015: Chicken & Sage Biscuit Pot Pie with Cremini Mushrooms & Purple Top Turnip
Chicken pot pie is the ultimate comfort food. We love breaking through a flaky pastry crust into a rich stew of chicken and vegetables. Here, we’re doing something special with the crust: replacing it with mouthwatering, fresh sage-infused biscuits. These “drop biscuits” (named for the technique of spooning them onto a filling) have an amazing effect: the stew steams the dough, creating an almost dumpling-like bottom, while the top becomes golden brown, crumbly and utterly delicious.
2016: Steaks au Poivre with Crispy Fingerling Potatoes & Sautéed Kale
Steak au poivre, or peppered steak, is a French bistro classic. It features steak coated with a layer of cracked peppercorns, then served under a peppercorn cream sauce. We’re doing just that in this recipe, making our pan sauce with smooth crème fraîche. And we’re completing the steaks with fingerling potatoes—boiled, then browned on the stove until perfectly crisp (a preparation known in French as “pommes rissolées”)—and a light sauté of Parmesan-enriched kale.
2017: Shiitake Mushroom Burgers with Miso Mayonnaise & Roasted Sweet Potato
Chefs, the secret to these burgers’ spectacular umami (or savory) flavor is dried shiitake mushrooms, which pack even more potency than their fresh counterparts. After rehydrating the mushrooms with a bit of hot water, we’re adding them directly to our patties, along with hoisin sauce for a salty-sweet touch. A creamy spread of mayo and miso paste is the perfect complement to the juicy burgers.
2018: Spicy Chicken & Stir-Fried Vegetables with Jasmine Rice
In this dish, a coating of rice flour on chopped chicken just before it hits a hot pan creates a delicate crust—perfect for soaking up a flavorful sauce made with spicy sambal oelek. It’s balanced by fluffy jasmine rice and vegetables stir-fried in a tangy-sweet sauce.
2019: Spicy Chicken & Vegetable Stir-Fry with Persimmon Rice
This easy stir-fry brings together tender bites of chicken, bok choy, and carrot with a unique sauce made with miso paste, ponzu sauce, and Thai yellow curry paste—for savory-sweet flavor and a layer of bright heat. It’s served over simple jasmine rice, which gets a sweet lift from persimmon, an autumn fruit beloved in many Asian cuisines.
2020: Ginger Pork Meatballs with Bok Choy & White Rice
We’re giving these pork meatballs an aromatic twist thanks to the fresh ginger mixed in. It’s all boosted by the punchy combo of barbecue sauce and soy glaze we’re using to finish the meatballs and tender bok choy.
2021: Calabrian Beef & Gnocchi with Zucchini & Romano Cheese
Plump gnocchi and ground beef get a delicious kick from Calabrian chile paste, a specialty ingredient from southern Italy known for its irresistibly sweet-hot flavor. We’re finishing it all with a bit of mascarpone cheese, which balances out the heat and provides creamy texture.
All done with dinner? Keep celebrating with a slice of birthday cake.
