blue apron birthday62 redux

Well, I have certainly enjoyed this extension of my birthday62 celebration!
Blue Apron had wanted to make it up to me for the shipping mishap (what fun words to string together!).
They had allowed me a do-over at their expense, so I had waited for special flavors to entice me.
I wanted different meats, too, for maximum variety...
and my wishes were granted!

I prepared the "Turkey Kofka with the Pickled Onions and the Tzatziki-Dressed Salad" as directed in the recipe that first night.
What a taste treat it was!
I've had the za'atar seasoning before and love that spice blend - sumac, thyme, oregano, salt, crushed aleppo pepper, and sesame seeds!
That isn't something I run across every day, nor in any local restaurants, that's for sure!

The next day, I used the romaine to make lettuce wraps - excellent for brunch!
Plus, the fresh nectarines served a nice taste counterpoint and beautiful addition.
A few days later, I finished the Kofka off for Sunday brunch - three meals from one recipe!
(smile!)

In-between, I changed from fowl to beef, preparing the "Ras El Hanout Flank Steak with Roasted Vegetables & Crispy Saffron Potatoes".
So good to have something different!
I'd had the North African spice blend before, on pork, and it was equally good on beef.
But I'd not had the shishito peppers.
Combined with the poblano pepper and zucchini, it was just the ticket for an evening meal on a hot summer day... or two!

Now, with this third meal, I've changed the meat species to fish.
"Seared Salmon & Tamarind-Tomato Sauce with Aromatic Rice & Marinated Vegetables" is a Tim Hollingsworth version of an Iraqi dish, so I knew it would be good during a southern summer.
And so it was, and so good I almost ate all of it as a single meal!
The Vadouvan curry powder with the tamarind paste was irresistible for my taste buds!
Thanks, Blue Apron!
(smile!)

i had a blue, blue blue blue birthday

Hey, ya gotta be in a Christmasy frame of mind to get that title!
Keep in mind that I'm an Elvis fan...
and that I just gave the yuletide clue...
that's correct!
I'm talkin' 'bout "Blue Christmas"!
It seems particularly appropriate for my birthday during this time of pandemic...
perhaps even more so when I'm talkin' 'bout the Blue Apron gifts...
received from me, myself, and I - hahahaha! hahaha!
And, surprisingly, the number of those chef kits was the same as the number of coffee mugs that were also given by me, myself, and I!
What a cool coincidence!
I promise, that was not done on purpose!
I only just now realized that.
Also, since the first box with a coffee mug will be used for the first time on the 11th...
and the next coffee mug will first have coffee on the 12th...
then the sixth mug will be filled on the 16th!
Get it?
That makes these memory keepsakes even more special for my birthday62!
But, hey, let's get back on track, shall we?
I was talkin' 'bout some fancy meals for celebratin' this time in my life!

I've already waxed rhapsodic about the Grilled Cheese on Sourdough with Pear Salad.
Because of that one meal, I know keep slices of gouda around so I can treat myself to grilled cheese wraps - yum!

The second chef kit was for Seared Salmon & Sweet Chili Sauce, served with brown rice and sauteed carrots and sugar snap peas.
That one was made on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, when my birthday is 'gettin' started'.
(smile!)
That was all so very yummy!
Well, all except those peas - I'll leave them out in the future.
Too many strings involved!
The rest was enjoyed post-kissing!

The third, and last chef kit from my pre-birthday week was supposed to be Seared Chicken & Goat Cheese Sauce - nah, the cheese was not used.
It was also supposed to have Mashed Potatoes - nah, I served those beauties quartered!
The Carrot-Pepper Agrodolce was perfect just as it was!
I even ate it with chopsticks!
No, it was not according to the recipe, but it, and the second meal, was exactly as I wanted!
(smile!)

Then came my birthday week!
I've already spoken of the Seared Salmon Over Farro chef kit that I ate as brunch on my Birthday Eve.
(How'd ya like that Pharaoh pun? Pretty nice, right?)
I'm glad I'd thrown in some extra carrots - I do so love having lots of veggies in my meals!
The second meal from that kit made a lovely picnic lunch three days later.
What an absolutely lovely piece of fish, even without labneh!

Chef kit #5 boasted Italian-Style Chicken & Zucchini with Pesto-Pepper Rice, only it didn't quite work out because of the shipping mishap.
The zucchini had been trashed, so I sauteed carrots and broccoli - magnificent substitution, especially with a bit of the parmesan and Italian seasoning sprinkled in!
But my favorite had to be the pesto rice with those bits of sweet piquante peppers - bellisimo!

That was so nice, I had it twice!
The same is true for the sixth chef kit, too, the one I wrote all about a few days ago.
I can still taste that center-cut sirloin steak, cooked medium rare as Blue Apron suggested - so tender!
And those garlicky gnocchi and the scallion-kissed green beans - a meal for a queen!
No, make that two meals for a queen, from that single kit!
Now, what new chef kits to order?
(smile!)

another birthday dinner with potatoes and green beans

As a reminder, this is the birthday62 dinner from last week, courtesy of that darling first niece of mine.
To wit, I had a full and meaty breast portion from the roast chicken, fresh green beans sauteed in olive oil, and instant smashed potatoes - from a package! - which I made using Lactaid milk.
Magnificent and delectable!

Tonight, I finally had the birthday62 dinner I'd planned three weeks ago to have.
Potatoes? Yes, in gnocchi form, sauteed with garlic, capers, and red pepper flakes.
Green beans? Yes, the leftovers that I'd frozen from that first meal, cooked with shallots in pan drippings. (Blue Apron's green beans had perished.)
Meat? Yes, a sirloin steak pan-cooked to medium rare.
Again, magnificent and delectable!

Both meals, though 8 days apart, were served with the same Pinot Grigio alongside, in celebration -
the LaToretto wine from Italy.
Both had Roman Raspberry Sorbetto for dessert, too -
the Talenti frozen treat from Italy.
I still have one glass left of the beverage, but of the sweet -
all gone!
I'm amazed it lasted this long!
(smile!)



Here's the amazing thing: Christina knew nothing about the Blue Apron order.
She knew not a peep about what my dinner plans had been.
She'd heard nary a word about me selecting something other than pasta or Mexican.
What an amazing coincidence that she chose potatoes and green beans as the two sides!
I know why she chose the roast chicken: she knows I tend to eschew beef.
But why did she pick those other two items?
Had she intercepted my telepathy about wanting that combo for my special meal?
Perhaps she had.
I already know she and I have that link, just as Mama and I did.
How reassuring.
(smile)

i thank You, God, for having her watch over me, too.

thanks, blue apron, for making it right!

When the box had arrived on the Wednesday before my birthday62, I had been home - of course - to immediately bring it inside.
No need to leave it out there on the porch to get heated, right?
Plus, I was eager to open it, as I had steak and salmon awaiting me!
But I noticed the box was a bit soggy...
then, inside, goop was all over the inside of the box and outside the insulated bag.
Drats, another leaky freezer bag must have been inside...
and the box had been inverted at some point during transit...
allowing those goopy contents to smear all inside.
So, as before, I had removed the individually bagged vegetables and meats and knick knacks, washing them clean before they went into the fridge.
I spread out the recipe pages to dry.
Then I tried to clean the two loose zucchini, coated in goop.
The garlic, also loose, was so saturated that I threw it out.
Then, I wrote a letter to Blue Apron.
Today, they responded...
and they're granting me full replacement cost!
Hallelujah!
My birthday62 celebration has just been extended to some indefinite time in the future!
Here's the email from them, as well as the letter I'd sent.
(smile)

----- ----- -----

Re: A follow-up to your Blue Apron email

Marshona M. (Blue Apron)

6/4/2020 2:36 PM

Hi Faustina,

I’m so sorry to hear your recent delivery arrived with broken gel packs. We want you to have an enjoyable Blue Apron experience, and I realize this must have put a damper on your dinner plans for the week.

Although the gel is non-toxic, it’s not intended for consumption. Because of this, I have to recommend that you discard any ingredients which came into direct contact with the gel. I’m so sorry for any disappointment this may cause.

As an apology, I’ve issued a credit of $59.94 to your Blue Apron account, to cover the cost of your next scheduled delivery. You can see this credit reflected in the top right hand corner of your account, or in the order details of your next scheduled delivery on your [Upcoming page](https://www.blueapron.com/account#upcoming).

Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I’m here to help.

Sincerely,

Marshona M.
Blue Apron Customer Experience Team
www.blueapron.com

On May 27, 9:29 PM, Faustina Smith wrote:

Last week, when the box arrived, it was leaking.
One of the ice bags had been pierced and the contents were on some of the items, but they were all in bags
so I washed them and they were okay to use.
Today, when the box arrived, it was leaking again.
When I opened it, it had been upside-down and there was again a leaking ice bag, with its gooey contents on everything.
That included the garlic and the two zucchini, neither of which were in bags, all inundated with the ice bag contents.
I plan to throw them away, as I do not know what chemicals are in the ice bags.
I expect compensation for this bad delivery today.

----- ----- -----

Now, I wonder what - and when - I will next order...
I'll be sure to include it with my birthday62 post label!

birthday eve brunch!

The second installment of my birthday62 gifts-to-me from Blue Apron arrived yesterday!
Now, to decide on which days to make the beef, the chicken, and the salmon meals -
decisions, decisions!
When I woke, the Salmon Farro (say it for the joke!) spoke:
"Make me! I'm quick and easy, and we both know you like that!"
Oh, I most certainly do, sir!
And you know what?
That Farro was correct -
super fast, super easy!
I had oral pleasure going on lickety split!
(smile!)
"Seared Salmon over Farro, with Dates, Carrots, Zucchini, & Garlic" -
what an absolute thrill for my taste buds!
To round out my brunch, tart blackberries were there to plop into my mouth -
oh, so ripe and so juicy!
So glad the bfe's Elvis was there to keep me company in the sun room!

And just as I was putting away those dishes and finishing my coffee, that valiant gent reminded me that I still had dessert to come -
oh, sir, thankyouverymuch!
For the third morning this week, I've had two Nutter Butter peanut butter sandwich cookies to dismantle and dunk and savor, each piece separately, leaving a bit of filling to accompany the moistened treat...
a lovely, leisurely luxury for the lips!
I'm all about the lips right now!
(smile!)

And what's on the agenda for today?
Giving blood at the American Red Cross!
That's one of the things I do for my birthday...
I give life to others.
i thank You, God, that i am able to do so.
(smile!)

grilled cheese, please

Yesterday, part of my birthday62 gift to myself arrived.
I actually ordered the six meals from Blue Apron, to cover this week and next, a couple of weeks ago, when I realized that things were most likely not yet going to be user-friendly for big celebrations.
If I couldn't do it up with others, I was damned sure going to make sure I did it up for myself.

Of course, I'd rather not be the one doing all the prep work.
The Blue Apron meals tend to be a bit more in-depth with that, I've found, than Sunbasket was.
The latter would have sent the vegetables already sliced, perhaps, and maybe the cheese as well.
I found myself liking the task this time, though, inhaling the sweet aroma of the pear, enjoying the feel of the Gouda and Fontina, calming down as I tore the butter lettuce.

By the time the red and orange pepper slices were basking in heated olive oil, my attention was fully on the task at hand.
As I assembled the sandwiches, placing the cheese slices atop the fig spread on the sourdough pullman bread, I tried to recall when last I had this treat.
Only, it was not the sandwich from my childhood.
Not with those grilled peppers added before the sandwich was completed and heated!

It had taken almost 90 minutes, rather than the 35 listed, but it was done at last - right on time for my "Quantum Leap"!
Out this went to my ex, my first niece, the bfe, and the bfrb!
"Part of my birthday treat to me: three Blue Apron meals.
[I just made] the grilled cheese on sourdough with pear salad. Slightly scorched, but smells divine! Tastes that way, too."

Jeff, the ex:
"It came early!"
The 1st niece:
"Sounds yummy. It came early..."
Me, to them:
"Well, I have three more meals coming next week. Might as well enjoy some change of pace at home, since people be crazy in the real world."
Jeff, the ex:
"I have a feeling that more people, including us, will have to learn the joys of meatless dinners or cheaper cuts.
I say bring it on."
Me:
"Oh, the other two meals [this week] have meat.
Chicken for one, salmon for the other."
Jeff, the ex:
"I recently took a closer look at that book you sent me about what the f*ck to cook.
It's more of a riot than I expected!
Thank you again."
Me:
"Hell to the yeah!
So glad you are enjoying it!"

The physicist:
"Grilled cheese is a special comfort food I find... "
Me:
"Definitely. I especially like the gouda."
The physicist:
"Contessa would agree with that gouda statement!"
Me:
"No doubt in my mind. That girl had good taste."
The physicist:
"How are you holding up in general?"
Me:
"Well, i am avoiding the Memorial Day commercials.
They just remind me this is not the birthday i was needing to have. "
The physicist:
"Are you okay?"
Me:
"I am better today.
Been in a funk since Monday.
Taking one day at a time.
Looking forward to this grilled cheese. :-) "

The psychologist:
"Happy Birthday!!!
Healthy deliciousness Nom!"

Last night, I had my European-time dinner, meaning I ate about 10 PM.
Hey, late dining has been part of my groove for years, ever since I started teaching night classes.
So if it works... n'est-ce pas?
I couldn't resist the rest of the pear salad - so tangy from its rice wine vinegar bath, so sweet from the fruit!
The wrap is using pickled chicken, a la Chick-Fil-A, with me using up the last of the Food Lion rotisserie chicken from a week ago.

The Blue Apron is yielding two more dining experiences on top of the two already from this first meal.
For brunch, I ate the other grown-up grilled cheese sandwich, plus a green apple from Michael, with my coffee in the "Favorite Aunt" mug from my dearest Christina.
For slunch, or perhaps dinner, I'll have the rest of the butter lettuce in a BIG salad with tuna.
Seinfeld fans, like my ex, will get that little inside joke.
Now, I've watched the final episode of "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist", with the strains of Don MacLean's song about "the day the music died" still in my head, mingled with the memory of Sam Johnson singing it and my Daddy's last birthday.
Time to dry my tears, get dressed, and go into the sunshine.
I think I'll bring a popsicle.