Favorite Trader Joe’s Item #20: Cinnamon Almonds
If you have a thing for almonds-buy these.
If you have a thing for snickerdoodle cookies-buy these.
If you have a sweet-tooth and want something that’s portable and addictive-buy these.
If you think you might not be able to stop at one handful, then make sure you have another bag.
Just read the bag. It’s an irresistible snack!
Favorite Trader Joe’s Item #19: Banana Crisps
These banana chips are delightfully thin & crisp. I’ve eaten many banana chips in my day and am always shocked to see how many calories/grams of fat they contain. These are a lot less than most banana chips.
It’s the fact that they’re *crisps* that are lightly sweetened that make them better for you.
They are very tasty! You won’t feel AS guilty if you eat the whole bag. I’ve been there…..I swear.
Favorite Trader Joes Item # 18: Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup
I found out about this soup from a coworker/friend. We used to drink it in the coffee mugs at work. We just poured it right into a mug and nuked it. Bingo! Presto! Done!
These days I try to keep at least one of these containers in my pantry. They are very handy when it’s a Saturday afternoon and you don’t feel like spending money to go out to eat…but you want something really tasty and fast.
Sometimes I heat the soup up in a large pot. I add cayenne pepper and basil leaves. I like to jazz it up and make it spicy. It’s also really good with cheddar cheese bits mixed in.
Yesterday I decided to pour some in a bowl to heat up.
I added a bit of creme fraiche on top with a little sprinkling of basil:
Snuggled up on the couch, watching recorded episodes of the Martha Stewart show….with my soup…
A good Saturday it was.
This soup is great when you pair it up with a grilled cheese sandwich. A year ago, I was having a dinner party and I convinced myself that I had enough pasta sauce for my dish. DOH! I ran out…. and I didn’t have ANY more canned tomatoes in my pantry. I added half of the container and BAM! I had more sauce. It saved my behind. How was I supposed to leave my party and buy more sauce?
I think I might just have some for lunch today too.
Favorite Appetizer from Trader Joe’s Items:
Goat Cheese with Sun Dried Tomatoes, Basil & Pine Nuts
The magic makers:
Take the goat cheese out of it’s packaging and put it on your party plate.
Chop up the Trader Joe’s Sun Dried Roma Tomatoes. Pour on top of the goat cheese log. A little bit of the oil from the tomatoes makes it soooo yummy & flavorful.
Top with pine nuts and sprinkles of chopped basil. Add some salt & pepper.
And then you have a wonderful appetizer. It’s just soo easy & convenient!
It works well with sliced up crostini or crackers. This went really fast last night! If by chance you have leftovers, toss it all in a food processor and you have a tasty pink goat cheese spread. It’s a great way to recycle a good thing.
Here’s your shopping list:
Favorite Meal from Trader Joe’s Items: The Greek Feast
Start with Trader Joe’s Garlic Sausage.
Take them out of their casings and form into meatballs. Put on skewers & grill:
Grill some flatbread while you’re at it! Make sure to rub some olive oil on top before you place them on the heat:
Buy some of their wonderfully fresh and light tzatziki dip & put it in a bowl:
Remember that delish hummus I was talking about? Grab some and put that in a bowl too! Cut up some lemons for your guests. Take some marinated artichokes out of the jar & place in another bowl…..
Put one of their bagged romaine lettuce salads in a salad bowl. Add some of their cherry tomatoes, red onion slices & crumbled feta. Take some lemon & olive oil and make yourself a healthy dressing. Roast fingerling potatoes in oven & squeeze lemon on top:
And now you can be proud to present…..
A Wonderful Greek Meal with the help of Trader Joe’s:
Here’s your grocery list:
Favorite Trader Joe’s Item #15: Oat N’ Wheat Bran Swirls
I know.. I know… your thinking “BRAN??!!! ICK!!!” Seriously, this is some good stuff. Take the top of a perfect apple crumble and make a cereal out of it. THEN put your little cereal bites into perfect little swirls. THEN package it up and sell it for less than $3!!
We put some leftover pumpkin cream cheese frosting in between two swirls the other night. I did not take pictures to document the combo because I don’t want to admit how many I had.
I put them in yogurt…I eat them plain…I love them…
I’m so glad I found you, Oat N’ Wheat Bran Swirls. You are my new best friend.
Favorite Trader Joe’s Item #14: Ginger
Yup…simple ginger.
One of the most common uses for ginger in my kitchen is Ginger Tea. It’s perfect for this time of year. Especially during the cold season when you need some throat comfort, and your dying for something to warm you up!
Cut up a knob of ginger (the more you use…the spicier it will be). I used a 3 inch piece in this batch. Add some honey and cloves. The amount really depends on you. I’d skimp on the honey at first and then add more later.
Put it all in a pot and cover with water. This batch made about 4 cups.
Simmer over the stove for awhile. The longer you let it sit, the stronger it gets. There’s really no science to it. Just taste as you go. If it’s too strong, add some more honey. (I’d leave it going for a good 20 minutes)
And then you have the perfect cup of ginger tea. Perfect at any time of day. Perfect way to awaken your senses and wake you up without the harsh effects of caffeine.
Sometimes I save the extra tea and chill it. It’s great mixed with club soda & some lemonade. I’ve made a cocktail with it by adding cranberry, fresh lime and vodka. How could that not be good?
Or add some apple juice in the mixture and heat it up. It will make your house smell wonderful.
Either way, I hope you enjoy!
