Trader Joe's List

Potsticker Soup // @dcgirlinpearls

2015-06-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

You know when you're going going nonstop and then the moment you finally pause...BAM! You get sidelined with the flu. Thanks to my flu shot, it wasn't the full-blown flu but not exactly a picnic. I flew back to DC for New Year's Eve to an empty fridge and knew I needed to suck it up and brave the grocery store with the sniffles + coughing. Side note: Nothing's a bigger reality check that you're no longer in the suburbs than riding the Metro with 2 bulging Trader Joe's bags. At Trader Joe's, it was complete chaos. So naturally, I went to the wine section first to get a bottle (okay, three, I panicked with all the chaos) of Prosecco. Now the important stuff was taken care of, I had to think about what to make for dinner. I toyed with the idea of chicken noodle soup for my sore throat but I knew cooking chicken wasn't in the cards for me. I wanted something I could make quickly to maximize the amount of time spent curled up in my fuzziest throw blanket. Then it hit me: potstickers. With the checkout line winding around 3 aisles, I grabbed the ingredients from the non-line aisles and felt pretty clever getting into line and grabbing the ingredients as we moved forward. Everything was going swimmingly until I reached the wine aisle with no potstickers in sight. The key ingredient. The star of the recipe was missing. So yes, I was that girl at checkout who went darting back in a quest for potstickers. All's well that ends well. And this potsticker soup recipe was well worth it! potstickers in a low-sodium broth joint. I added Sriracha because...do I really need to give a reason at this point? Go crazy and add some more greens like shaved brussels sprouts. Now that I'm thinking about brussels sprouts, I really want to make this dish again just to add those li'l sprouts. Make a big pot of potsticker soup, grab your fuzziest blanket and watch the entire first season of Friends in 24 hours. Not that I did that.

Ingredients

2 containers Low Sodium Chicken Broth (Or vegetable) 1 container Trader Joe's Mirepoix (A mixture of diced carrots, onions + celery) 1 bag Spinach 1 bag Trader Joe's Vegetable Gyoza 1 tablespoon Trader Joe's Toasted Sesame Oil 1 tablespoon Trader Joe's Soyaki Sauce Chopped scallions for garnish Sriracha (Optional)

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, heat up approximately 3 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Add the mirepoix and stir occasionally until the onion pieces become translucent. Add both containers of broth and bring to a simmer.
2. In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat (deja vu). Add the potstickers and cook until golden brown, turning over once to ensure even browning.
3. Once the broth is bubbling, toss in the spinach, toasted sesame oil and soyaki sauce. Stir to mix the ingredients and drop in the cooked potstickers. Garnish with scallions + Sriracha and enjoy!

Note: If you want to store the soup in the fridge, separate the potstickers from the broth so they don't break down.

Healthy Tacos // by Mary Shirley

2015-06-09T14:53:00.001-07:00

Hi! This is Mary with Love of Veggies, previously Gold Layer Cake. Weeknight dinners are usually thrown together pretty quickly, and I make every effort to keep them as healthy as possible. Sometimes you just want a taco, but you don't want to ruin the workout you just spent the last hour sweating for. Maybe thats just me. I made a healthified taco, and I'll have to admit I didn't miss the taco shell. I used Romaine Lettuce Hearts as the taco shell. The lettuce held all the ingredients pretty well or at least as well as a taco shell usually holds up. The lettuce had the crunch, just like a taco shell, but it just left the taco tasting fresh and allowed more focus on the taco fillings. I did add a little bit of Trader Joe's Spicy Soy & Flaxseed Tortilla chips on top. These tacos could easily be made into a vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, or meat lovers version. Check out the recipe at my blog Love of Veggies.

Burritos With a Kick

2015-01-10T15:30:00.000-08:00

//recipe by Keri Ann O'Riordan//

Sometimes, I’ll be sitting at my desk wrapping up a long day at work, and the thought of cooking an elaborate meal from start to finish fills me with dread. Okay, okay… dread might be a little dramatic, but you know what I mean. Thankfully, Trader Joe’s has a handful of products that help me put together tasty but incredibly easy-to-make weeknight meals, so I’d like to share one of my favorites! Actually, I have to thank one of the employees at my local Trader Joe’s for the inspiration behind this recipe. The amount of flavor that comes out of such an easy recipe is astonishing. I made mine and forgot the shredded cheese, but I added it to the recipe below because I think it would make a perfect topping. I’d also suggest toasting the tortilla beforehand for an added crunch!

Ingredients:

· 1 package of Trader Joe’s Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausage

· 1 package of Trader Joe’s Chimichurri Rice

· 1 package of Trader Joe’s Habanero Lime Flour Tortillas

· Trader Joe’s Sriracha Sauce

· Shredded cheese (optional)

Directions:

When the sausages are fully defrosted, boil or fry them (whichever you prefer) until they are slightly browned.
While you’re cooking the sausages, throw the Chimchurri Rice in a pan and cook. It should only take a few minutes, but you should follow the directions on the bag to achieve the best results.
Once both the rice and sausage are fully cooked, chop the sausage up into bite-sized pieces and mix the pieces in with the rice.
Drizzle Siracha sauce on a Habenero Lime Tortilla (which may or may not be toasted), put a few spoonful of the sausage/rice mixture in the center of the wrap, top with shredded cheese, and roll up.
Enjoy!

Resolution Waffles (aka Healthy Waffles)

2015-01-08T19:37:00.001-08:00

//recipe by Mary Shirley//

The holidays are filled with cookies, cupcakes, and anything else you can think of to make! I am all about indulging during the holidays (that's what they are for right?). But, one thing I will stick with during the holiday season (unless I'm eating cronuts or pancakes), is eating a healthy breakfast. For the past 5 years or more, I've eaten oatmeal for breakfast. Its filling and healthy. But, I recently made waffles with oatmeal, and haven't looked back since! These Banana Oatmeal Waffles are my everyday breakfast. I usually pick up a bag of oatmeal and a few ripe bananas when I'm walking through Trader Joe's and I'm good to go!
I literally eat this for breakfast every day. I normally smear them with peanut butter, but sometimes I'll top with a banana, greek yogurt, syrup, or jelly. Really, anything would be great. These taste pretty much like a regular waffle but they are made with oatmeal! These have been life changing for me. Check out the recipe here. If you'd like to see how I make these things in bulk, so I can easily grab and go literally every single morning. Check that out here. Meal Prepping my breakfasts has been a life changer.

Recipe: Cookie Butter Pound Cake Cupcakes with Cookie Butter

2014-12-16T07:30:00.000-08:00

//recipe by Mary Shirley//

Another Cookie Butter recipe for you Cookie Butter Lovers (AKA ME)!! I've mentioned a few times how obsessed I am with Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter. I actually recently bought the Cookies and Creme version, and have eaten most of the jar without making anything with it. Highly recommend. A few weeks ago I made these Cookie Butter Pound Cake Cupcakes with Cookie Butter Icing. YUM. They were moist and delicious. The perfect combination of Cookie Butter and my grandma's pound cake. Check out the recipe over on my blog, Gold Layer Cake. c

Teach Me How to Panko

2014-12-08T20:00:00.002-08:00

//I Prefer Panko by Keri Ann O'Riordan//

The other night, my boyfriend asked what was for dinner, and I told him panko-breaded chicken breast, roasted corn, and a mixed green salad. He had no idea what panko breadcrumbs were and couldn’t wrap his head around why I’d use panko instead of regular breadcrumbs.

I was dumbfounded, since panko is one of my go-to ingredients. For those of you who are like my boyfriend, and don’t understand panko or its uses, read on! You can find a bag of panko at Trader Joe’s. I’ve found that the bag is plenty, and lasts me through a few meals.

Panko: Japanese-style breadcrumbs; used in place of regular breadcrumbs in a variety of recipes

Picture from Confessions of a Chocoholic

Typically, panko crumbs are made from loaves of white bread, so they are lighter colored and coarser than regular breadcrumbs. They produce a crunchy coating with a nice flavor. I recommend toasting panko in a pan before using them, as it deepens the flavor and makes the crumbs even crunchier. Panko can be used for practically any recipe that requires breadcrumbs, but here are a few of my favorite uses:

Breaded chicken
Breaded fish
Breaded pork
Chicken and eggplant parmesan
Fried foods, like onion rings and mozzarella sticks
Baked macaroni and cheese
Topping for baked foods like casseroles, meatloaf, and shepherd’s pie
Crispy Asparagus Spears

Wine Delivery With A Bottle on The House, thanks to @clubw

2014-12-05T15:30:00.000-08:00

Love wine? So do we, that's why we think you should gift yourself a few bottles of wine directly to your front door for the Holidays. Use our link and get your first bottle on the house.

We recommend you have them shipped to a place where you can sign for the wine (aka your office).

We have tried several Club W wines and below are our top 3 favorites:

Club W says "This is classic Napa Cabernet at its finest. With only six barrels made of the 2009 juice, a Cab of this stature would normally sell for way over $100 a bottle. We landed this gem in our private partner program and now we’re giving our members the insider’s deal. Drink it now or drink it later (this is the kind of bottle you could cellar for 10 years), but whatever you do, drink it slow. This is a way to experience a journey in wine as its flavors will change and evolve throughout your evening. 

The Bondsman is a beast. 16% alcohol plus five years spent aging in 100% new oak barrels means a wallop of flavor. Pop it open, pour it in a decanter, and come back to experience a taste of the fancy stuff. Dark fruit with rich, oak-aged flavors of cherry, toast, vanilla and clove beg for a steakhouse cut of beef. "

Club W says "We love Santa Barbara. It’s one of the hottest regions on the forefront of California’s “new wave” of winemaking that continues to impress us with its exceptionally balanced wines. To celebrate this newcomer, Funk Zone is all about getting funky with Santa Barbara fruit; unique varietals, unique blends, unique artists... there are no rules. Funk Zone wines are limited-lot, experimental wines from Santa Barbara County that celebrate the progressive attitude of this winemaking hotbed.

The Funk Zone Syrah-Viognier blend is an unusual mix of both red and white grapes. Modeled after our favorite styles of Syrah, Funk Zone was created to represent a wild child character of the Rhône varietal. With just a subtle use of oak (the hallmark of great Rhône wines), this Funk Zone is really well balanced. Medium-bodied, smooth but a little spicy, with an extra oomph of floral jasmine and spice aromas courtesy of the blended Viognier. Fruity with some grit and a long finish as its flavors continue to evolve."

Club W says "Bright, jovial, and fun. If we had three words to describe Sauvignon Blanc from Happy Canyon those would be them. This little corner of Santa Barbara County has a storied history (its name comes from the folks who would take a trip for some “happy drinks” during the Prohibition), but Happy Canyon is also known as one of California’s most interesting growing areas for Sauvignon Blanc. The warmer climate is great for Bordeaux varietals like S.B., but the mineral soils here stress the vines into producing rich, tropical flavors alongside their refreshing minerality.

The Smile and a Wink Sauvignon Blanc is your getaway wine -- it smells like a beach. Guava, papaya, passionfruit? Check, check, check. Fruit forward, bright, and tropical, it’s got a lot more texture than your typical Sauvignon Blanc with a little slipperiness on the palate. It’s easy, it’s refreshing, we’d be amiss if it doesn’t put a huge smile on your face."

Cocoa Butter and Cocoa Swirl Gooey Cookies

2014-12-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Recipe by Mary Shirley over at Gold Layer Cake

These cookies are good. I mean really, really good. I have yet to have a cookie as good as these. I
mean, there can't be much better things than making cookies from Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter. Am I right?

These are Cookie Butter and Cocoa Swirl Cookies. I used a jar of Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter & Cocoa Swirl, but you could use regular Cookie Butter if you prefer. These tasted like Snickerdoodles, but at a whole new level and they were really easy to make, but the dough needs to be refrigerated for about 5 hours before baking. Check out the recipe here over at my blog, Gold Layer Cake.

Reach me:

Delightful and Easy Holiday Gift Crates!

2014-11-30T15:29:00.000-08:00

During the holidays Trader Joe’s carries delicious seasonal chocolates, nuts, and wines. It’s so easy to use these gourmet foods to put together a beautiful and thoughtful gift, without spending a lot of time or money.

I put together three fabulous gifts that are great for a variety of occasions:

1. Holiday Delicacies Gift Crate -

This is perfect for teachers, family friends, or someone else you want to do something nice for but don’t want to spend a ton of money! I picked some of my Trader Joe’s favorites for this fantastic gift. Everything I’ve chosen is delicious, but you can choose more or less expensive things depending on your budget.

To make this beautiful gift, start with a medium-sized crate from Michaels (or use a wide, flat basket from home). Line the bottom of your crate with clear plastic wrap, newspaper, or recycled grocery bags. This prevents little pieces of straw from falling out of the bottom.

Fill the crate with straw and arrange your items as you see fit. Larger items in the back, smaller in the front. A few tips: I took the dark chocolate orange out of the box for a better visual and I shook the pecan bag because they had settled. I also took the Cookie Butter Cups (yum!) out of the plastic container and sprinkled them around for a more festive look!

Add whatever ribbon you have on hand and this gift basket looks like you spend a lot more than $40!

Items used:

-Milk Chocolate Belgium Crisps ($2.49)

-Dark Chocolate Orange Break ($2.99) - these are divine and so much to “break” open!

-Holiday Peppermint Cremes ($2.99)

-Dark Chocolate Cookie Butter Cups ($4.99)

-Holiday Chocolate Minty Mallows ($2.99)

-Pecan Halves ($4.49)

-Holiday Sea Salt Caramel Candy ($1.99)

-Sparkling Apple Cider ($2.49)

-3” Christmas Tree in a Gold Pot ($4.49)

-medium-sized crate from Michaels (reg. $9.99 but with a 40% off coupon it is $5.99).

-straw filling ($4.99) from Michaels (this is enough for multiple gift crates).

-ribbon (Optional or use what you have on hand; mine is from The Container Store)

Total = $40.89 + tax

2. Beautiful Assorted Fruit and Pinecone Crate

A basket of fresh fruits is always a welcome gift! This one mixed with pine cones smells absolutely divine. And it’s so pretty that it can be left out on the kitchen counter for everyone to enjoy. I love this gift for neighbors, bosses, and teachers; it’s a little more personal than a gift card.

To get this “color blocking” look, put the pinecones in first, then the fruit.

You can even wrap it with burlap ribbon to give it a more earthy feel:

Items used:

-Bag of D’Anjou Organic Pears ($2.69)

-Bag Jazz Apples ($2.69)

-Bag of Tangerines ($2.99)

-Bag of Pinecones ($2.99 from Michaels)

-Medium Crate ($5.99 from Michaels after 40% off coupon)

-Straw (used leftover from first gift)

-Ribbon (Optional or use what you have on hand; mine is from The Container Store)

Total = $14.36 + tax

3. The Perfect Hostess Gift

It is always gracious to arrive at a holiday party with a gift in hand. This hostess gift brings a little more thoughtfulness to the standard bottle of wine often brought to parties.

Grab your favorite Trader Joe’s spread or tapenade and a mini baguette and add your favorite bottle of wine to create a hostess gifts that really pops! (I used the small crate from Michaels for this gift).

Items used:

-Laurent Dublanc Cotes du Rhone ($6.99)

-12 oz. Bruschetta Sauce ($2.49)

-Demi Baguette ($1.19)

-Small crate from Michaels ($4.80 with 40% off coupon - reg. $7.99)

-Straw from Michaels (used leftovers from previous gifts)

-Plastic wrapping paper from Michaels (Optional - I always keep a roll of this because I use it all the time! See link below.)

-Ribbon/Card - I used what I had on hand (mine are from The Container Store)

Total = $15.47 + tax

The great thing about gift baskets/crates is that once you have the standard materials (straw, ribbon, plastic wrap) they are so easy to pull together in a just a few minutes.

What seasonal items do you love at Trader Joe’s? Comment below and consider packaging them together for a great gift. Post on Instagram if you do and tag @traderjoeslist and @dosaygive!

Happy Giving!

Lee @dosaygive

www.dosaygive.com

@dosaygive on Instagram and Twitter

www.facebook.com/dosaygive

Sources:

Medium crate: http://www.michaels.com/artminds-wood-crate-medium/10279610.html#q=crate&start=6

Small crate: http://www.michaels.com/artminds-small-wood-crate-with-cutout-handles/10279611.html?productsource=Recommendations

Straw filling: http://www.michaels.com/ashland-straw-bale/10234532.html#start=1

Plastic wrap: http://www.michaels.com/celebrate-it-transparent-packaging-wrap-clear/10302775.html#q=clearphane&start=5

Red ribbon: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/giftWrapWonderland/giftPackaging/ribbonsBows/nonWiredRibbon?productId=10034299&N=81035&Nao=0

Glitter burlap ribbon: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/giftWrapWonderland/giftPackaging/ribbonsBows/wiredRibbon?productId=10036074&N=81037&Nao=60

Gift enclosure card - http://www.containerstore.com/shop/giftWrapWonderland/giftPackaging/giftTagsEnclosures?productId=11000729&N=74653&Nao=60

Turkey Cranberry Apple Sausages with Brussels Sprouts and Squash

2014-11-26T07:30:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I went into Trader Joe’s looking for the perfect fall recipe. I usually follow my father’s golden rule “from Labor Day on, no turkey until Thanksgiving,” but when I saw that the Trader Joe’s employee handing out free samples of turkey sausage, I had to give in early (shh… don’t tell him!)

At first bite, I knew that Trader Joe’s Uncured Turkey Cranberry Apple Sausages would be the perfect staple in the fall recipe I was craving. I grabbed a stalk of TJ’s Brussels Sprouts and a package of Peeled & Cubed Butternut Squash, and ran toward the register, suddenly hungry for dinner.

The end result was a fantastic fall recipe, a perfect combination of roasted goodness with a hint of sweet from the brown sugar and cranberries. Here’s my recipe for Turkey Cranberry Apple Sausages with Brussels Sprouts and Squash. I typically cook for two, and this recipe was just enough for dinner and leftovers for lunch the following day:

Ingredients

· 1 package of TJ’s Uncured Turkey Cranberry Apple Sausages

· 1 stalk of TJ’s Brussels sprouts

· 1 package of TJ’s Cut Butternut Squash

· 2 teaspoons of TJ’s Organic Grade A Maple Syrup

· 4 tablespoons of butter

· TJ’s Organic Brown Sugar to taste

images from traderjoes.com

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F and heat a pan over medium heat.

2. Once the pan is heated, add the butter and sausage to the pan and cook until brown.

3. Once it’s cooked all the way through, cut the sausage into bite sized pieces.

4. Slice the brussels sprouts into bite sized pieces.

5. Put the browned sausage, brussels sprouts, and cubed squash into a bowl and toss with Organic Grade A Maple Syrup. Add more syrup to taste, if needed.

6. Place everything on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with Organic Brown Sugar and place into the oven.

7. Roast for about an hour until the vegetables are fully cooked.

8. Enjoy!

Recipe thanks to Keri Ann O'Riordan

Glazed Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Doughnuts

2014-11-25T06:30:00.000-08:00

By Mary Shirley
I've been making Cookie Butter and Cocoa Swirl Cookies and Cookie Butter Pound Cake, but I wanted to get away from Cookie Butter for a while and try some other things Trader Joe's has to offer! So, Trader Joe's Glazed Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Doughnuts were born. These were delicious and so easy to make! I wasn't sure how a boxed cake mix would work, but these doughnuts didn't taste or feel like a doughnuts shaped cake. The glazed helped give the doughnuts a bite and more of a doughnut feels. And, I think the cinnamon crumb also added a dimension. I will just say, I ate four immediately after taking these photos, which means my husband only got two. He's lucky even even got two! I will definitely be making these again.

Trader Joe's Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Doughnuts

(Makes 6 Doughnuts) Ingredients:

1 box Trader Joe's Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Mix
- 1 1/2 cup cake mix
- 1/2 cup crumb mix
1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (can substitute Soy milk or regular milk)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter

Doughnut Glaze

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
3-4 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk (can substitute Soy milk or regular milk)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a medium bowl mix the cake mix (not the crumb mix), milk, vegetable oil, and egg until combined.
In a small bowl, melt the butter. Using a fork, mix the crumb mix and butter. This will be lumpy, that's okay.
Grease a doughnut pan. I used Trader Joe's coconut oil spray.
Pour the cake mixture into a ziplock bag and cut the corner of the bag to make a homemade pastry bag.
Pipe a thin layer of cake batter into each section of the doughnut pan. Then add a layer of the crumb mixture followed by another layer of cake batter. Do not fill to the brim or overfill because these will rise like cake.
Place in oven and bake for about 18 minutes. Doughnuts will not brown, but do the toothpick test to ensure they are done.
While doughnuts are in the oven, mix the confectioner's sugar and milk in a medium sized bowl.
After removing doughnuts from the oven, place on cooling rack.
When doughnuts are cooled enough to handle, but not completely cool dip each each side of the doughnut in the glaze mixture. I coated each doughnut twice. Place on cooling rack to cool and excess glaze to drip off.
Enjoy.

About Mary:
Hi, I'm Mary and I blog over at Gold Layer Cake! I love to make desserts because I have a huge sweet tooth. I was so excited with Natasha asked me to contribute recipes to Trader Joe's List! I had never even been to a Trader Joe's until my recent move to Phoenix, Arizona, but I am now obsessed!

Soft-baked Snickerdoodles- Gluten Free

2014-11-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

My plan was to write about these delicious cookies while eating a few and unfortunately I am unable to do so because someone (I will find you) ate all ~~the~~ my cookies. I was told about these soft, chewy cookies one afternoon by a fan of Trader Joe's. I immediately jotted them down in my mental Trader Joe's List and 2 days later I totally understood what the hype was about. Their name on the box is a mouthful, but describes the cookies to a tee with the exception of not mentioning they are extremely addicting and extremely at risk of getting eaten by those around you; so be careful and choose a good hiding spot.

Trader Joe's Soft-baked Snickerdoodles Chewy Sugar Cookies Dusted with Cinnamon Free of the 8 Common Allergens Vegan Option No Gluten Ingredients Used

Picture from: http://injohnnaskitchen.com

The last time I bought these ( I'm still steaming over the fact I only had 2 from the entire box of 12) the guy working the register provided me with a fantastic tip- heat them in the microwave for a few seconds, put them on top of a scoop of ice cream with Cookie Butter on top. How was that mental picture? I about died imaging how the whole ménage à trois would go down and how it would be repeated until every last cookie was delivered into the pit of my stomach. So naturally, I paid and jolted out of Trader Joe's before I took his advice and packed on a delicious 10 pounds. (But seriously, I am going to try this sometime soon.) If you beat me to it, leave a comment about your euphoric experience.

PUMPKIN EVERYTHING

2014-10-12T20:38:00.002-07:00

Did you find the newest Fearless Flyer in your mail box recently? I am utterly amazed at the amount of PUMPKIN influenced items suggestively staining the first 5 pages. This is certainly nothing to complain about and definitely worth sharing. Which one are you most excited about?

Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin Spice Coffee
Joe's Pumpkin O's
Pumpkin Pancake & Waffle Mix
Pumpkin Rolls with Pumpkin Spice Icing
Pumpkin Ice Cream
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix
Mini Pumpkin Pies
Nonfat Greek Pumpkin Yogurt
Pumpkin Spice Granola
Pumpkin Waffles
Pumpkin Croissants
Pumpkin Cream Cheese
Pumpkin Bagels

Super Bowl = It's Wine Time!

2014-01-29T17:55:00.002-08:00

The Super Bowl is a perfect time to stock up on beverages for your Super Bowl party. If you're a wine drinker (like us) then you will be stocking up on some of your favorite wines from Trader Joes. With dinner parties and lots of time spent with family and friends there are a host of reasons to stock up on more than just 1 bottle. Her are a few wines you can find at your local Trader Joe's which we think you might enjoy.

The best way we like to start a party (or morning mimosas) is with a light sparkling wine aka Champagne aka Cava. With its persistant bubbles, crisp taste, and smooth finish we recommend La Granja 360 as it is a great wine to pair with appetizers, smoked fish, or fruity deserts. Just like the duck on the label it will make you happy.

Half-time snacks and appetizers? Open a bottle of Zumaya Tempranillo. With its soft and delicious taste this wine pairs great with meats, cheeses, pasta and pizza. This wine is sure to be a crowd pleaser as it won a Gold Medal, 90 Points, at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition 2013!

I've always enjoyed bringing the crockpot out before the game and tossing in a lamb or beef roast to slow cook all day for a delicious meal after the Super Bowl. I would recommend LA MANO Mencia Roble as it pairs great with red meats. Its deep red colors provide earth notes followed by tastes mulberry and blueberry and hints of spice. I like to decant this wine about an hour before serving to allow the fruits to open up.

I hope everyone has an amazing Super Bowl! Cheers!

Pumpkin Butter

2013-10-23T20:57:00.003-07:00

It's that time of the year again where Pumpkin fever is in the air. One of my all time favorite pumpkin items is Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter. It mixes well with just about anything but it also does a fine job riding solo on your spoon for a quick fix. Mix it with some greek yogurt and you have a delicious protein packed snack or add it to your cookies for a bit of pumpkin spice. Definitely pick up a few extra jars as this item is seasonal.

Get nutrition facts for Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter.

Trader Joe's not a drive away? Pick it up online!

Ready for Mother's Day?

2013-04-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Let mom know you love her and fill her pantry with yummy food from Trader Joe's and her kitchen with fun new home and kitchen favorites!

Wine for tonight? La Granja Please!

2013-04-17T16:47:00.000-07:00

Wine me up!

If you are anything like my group of friends and I, then you probably like to enjoy a nice glass (or two) of wine every night as a means to relax and congratulate yourself on a fulfilled day (and enjoy the powerful benefits of antioxidants). However, sometimes the wine aisles at Trader Joe’s can be a bit intimidating as the aisles are span with wines from all over the world ranging in color from white to red wine and in varying price. For me, these aisles become a mission to find an everyday quality red wine that won’t break the bank and will leave my taste buds with an appreciative finish.

My friends and I had a wonderful, silly dinner last week and decided to try a few of the La Granja red wines: Garnacha Syrah, Tempranillo Granacha, and the Tempranillo. Much to our suprise, all 3 wines (each decoratively labeled) provided a much bigger flavor than their small price tags with my favorite of the bunch being the Tempranillo-it was just a smooth red wine with a bit of spice and small punch of jam. Each of the wines carried the same easy-to-drink, smooth taste and a great flavor for such a decent, drinkable price ($4-$5 a bottle). I will admit I was a little hesitant about the screw top but was pleasantly surprised as they tasted much better than a few of the $10+ that usually end up in my shopping cart. Needless to say, I definitely recommend adding these to your Trader Joe’s List this week.

What label do you fancy the most?

Rumor has it there is a rockin' La Granja Cava/Sparkler in the works! Hopefully it will be released before summer so our mimosa's can get rockin' - La Granja style!

Trader Joe's Spicy Seaweed Ramen

2013-03-12T11:51:00.001-07:00

Was your college experience filled with late nights studying and chowing down on microwaved Ramen? I definitely know mine was and although it was not necessarily the healthiest choice, it sure was the tastiest! Recently Trader Joe's just stocked their shelves with Spicy Seaweed Ramen. As the name implies this soup will bring to the ~~table~~ bowl a mild spicy flavor with bits of seaweed floundering around an array of perfectly cooked noddles. Just like the old school Ramen, Trader Joe's Spicy Seaweed Ramen comes accessorized with its own spiced vegetable packet filled with dried seaweed and dried kimchi. Feel free to play around with the amount of water you add depending on your broth preferences.

Get nutrition information here.

A side note, if you have a gluten, soy, wheat, clam, shrimp or anchovy allergy and/or are sensitive to salt, then definitely stay way from this delicious treat. If you have none of the above, definitely keep these stocked in the pantry as they make a great rainy day/cold evening treat!

If you like this, you might also like this:

Pasta! Pasta! Pasta! #Recipe

2013-02-11T11:47:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite Sunday night activities is to invite a few friends over to my house and cook them a yummy dinner. I find cooking to be extremely meditative which definitely helps me to sort out my anxiety for the week to come. Lately I have been completely obsessed with a pasta recipe which was given to me from a close family friend. In the past week I have already made this pasta twice! That being said, last night I had 2 of my girlfriends over and decided to make them this pasta dish (for the 3rd time this week!)

This recipe is super simple and takes around 45 minutes to make, feeds about 5. Of course, all the items can be found at Trader Joe's :) I know some of the ingredients are not traditional to most pastas dishes (capers and olives) but trust me, it's amazing!

Santa Monica Pasta Recipe, Gluten Free

1 Package gluten free rice pasta

1 Jar Tomato Sauce (I use Arrabiata since I enjoy it spicy!)

½ onion, diced

1.5 TBS crushed garlic

2 TBS Capers

¾ Can of Green Olives, (slice them into 3rds)

3 Shiitake Mushrooms, (large)

½ cup sliced mushrooms

¼ cup pine nuts

2 chicken breast, sliced

4 TBS Olive Oil

Salt (to taste)

Cook the GF rice pasta according to the package. Strain and set aside.

In a large pan, add the olive oil, onion and garlic and sauté for 7 minutes, add a few sprinkles of salt. Next add to the sauté mixture the mushrooms, olives, and capers. Add about half of the olive juice in the can to the sauté mixture. Let simmer with a lid on stirring occasionally for 5-10 minutes. Then add the sliced chicken to the mixture on med-low heat with the lid on for 10 minutes (or until cooked), stirring occasionally. Finally, add the Arrabiata sauce to the chicken mixture and put on low heat to simmer or another 5 to 10 minutes.

Add the sauce mixture to the cooked pasta and toss while adding the pine nuts. That’s it! Enjoy!

P.s. If there are any leftovers, this dish is amazing right out of the fridge, its like cold pizza!

Trader Joe's Crunchy Cookie Butter

2013-02-04T16:04:00.001-08:00

photo from bakingbites.com

My next heartbreak is going to result in me eating my body's weight in Cookie Butter..

There’s Almond Butter and then there is Chunky Almond Butter. There is Peanut Butter and then there is Chunky Peanut Butter. There is Cookie Butter and NOW there is (…drum roll please…) Crunchy Cookie Butter. I think we can all agree that once a 2nd version of a product is created it pretty much solidifies it into Foodie Hall of Fame and your pantry.

Suggestions for how to enjoy Crunchy Cookie Butter include:

Simple: On a spoon

Wild: On a piece of toast

Adventurous: On someone else’s spoon
Extreme: In a smoothie

Nutrition facts for Trader Joe's Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter.

Since I like to be extreme, I think I will try this smoothie recipe from Girl Gone Veggie:

{If you are looking for a good blender, I really like the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender. It's compact, single serving, and easy to take on the go. You can find it here.}

girlgoneveggie.com

Cookie Butter Smoothie

½ cup old fashioned oatmeal

1 tablespoon peanut butter

1 tablespoon cookie butter

1 cup Silk PureAlmond Unsweetened Vanilla

1 banana, sliced

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Handful of ice cubes

This could not be a more simple recipe. Put all ingredients in the blender (if you’re using a really powerful blender the order really doesn’t matter) and mix until smooth. Pour and drink!

If you like this, you might also enjoy:

Cookie Butter Fudge

2012-12-16T09:27:00.003-08:00

For the love of Cookie Butter, I found a fudge recipe that I could not pass up on this blog. It looks so yummy that I thought I would share it with you.

Cookie Butter Fudge

{recipe and pictures from With Love Rachel}

1/2 cup milk

2 cups sugar

1 cup Speculoos Cookie Butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

In a small sauce pan, boil milk and sugar. In a medium bowl, mix cookie butter and vanilla. Once the milk mixture has boiled and is smooth, pour over the cookie butter mixture until thick. Pour batter into 8 by 8 greased baking dish, and set in refrigerator for 30-45 minutes. Cut into small squares, these are rich little suckers.

You can either toss those chocolate chips in with the mix before putting the batter into the dish, or melt the chocolate and drizzle on top. I didn't do either... I forgot.

Thanks With Love Rachel for this amazing, yummy recipe!

Trader Joe's Spinach & Kale Bites

2012-12-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

We have all heard of the saying it's 'raining cats and dogs' and generally when this happens we run to take cover and keep dry. At Trader Joe's instead of 'cats and dogs' it's raining Spinach & Kale bites. No need to take cover, all you need is your Trader Joe's basket and a few strides to the frozen food section. These tasty bites include spinach, kale, and parmesan mixed together with onion and parmesan lightly frosted with a layer of panko breadcrumbs providing that finishing crunch.

With 10 bites per box, it will make the perfect pre-dinner treat for you ~~and your friends~~. At only $4.49 a box, you have no reason to not share these with your friends and family (if you want too).

Get nutrition facts for Trader Joe's Spinach & Kale Bites.

Just in case you have no idea about all the health benefits of Kale, check out 50 Shades of Kale.

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Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

2012-12-12T15:14:00.000-08:00

traderjoes.com

I'm going nuts, coconuts, for Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. It is totally the magical do-all, for-all item. It is full of so many health benefits whether you choose to cook with it our use it on your skin and hair.

Coconut Oil in the Kitchen:

If you choose to cook with it, coconut oil is full of good fats that are heart healthy and great at controlling blood sugar, increasing digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Coconut oil also does wonders for your immune system. It strengthens the immune system with its antimicrobial lipids and various acids which have anti-fungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Nutrition facts for Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil in the Powder Room:

If you choose to use it on your face and body, it is one of the best forms of natural nutrition for your skin and hair. For your hair, it is an excellent conditioner used to regrow damaged hair and if massaged onto your scalp it ensures your scalp will be dandruff free. When applied to your skin, coconut oil acts as an excellent moisturizer on all types of skin and helps delay wrinkles and sagging. It is also an excellent product to help treat various skin problems like eczema and dermatitis.

With all these amazing health benefits it is a steal of a product for only $5.99 in stores. If a Trader Joe's is no where near you, it is still worth every penny to buy it online as it comes in a 2 pack allowing you to keep one in the kitchen and another in the powder room {or bathroom, wherever it is you primp yourself}. At under $20 for 2 jars, think of how much cheaper it is to buy coconut oil, which is all natural and organic, than spending a ton of money on cosmetic and haircare products which are full of harsh chemicals and fillers you can't even pronounce!

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If you already use Coconut Oil in the kitchen and/or as a beauty product, please share your experiences in the comment field below.

COOKIE BUTTER & CHOCOLATE DRIZZLED POPCORN BLISS

2012-12-10T11:50:00.002-08:00

In writing the previous post an idea came to my mind that I thought you would enjoy. How about Cookie Butter popcorn? That actually does not exist in Trader Joe's stores, but I think a little magic in the kitchen with a few Trader Joe's items may facilitiate this concoction Let's give it a try with this recipe:

COOKIE BUTTER & CHOCOLATE DRIZZLED POPCORN BLISS

{recipe adapted from Brown Eyed Baker}

browneyedbaker.com

INGREDIENTS:

9 cups plain popcorn
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup cookie butter
¼ cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Put the popcorn in a very large bowl.

2. In a microwave (at 50% power) or over a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips, cookie butter and butter until melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla.

3. Pour the chocolate mixture all over the popcorn. Using a large spoon, stir until all of the popcorn is evenly coated with the chocolate/cookie butter mixture.

4. Sift the powdered sugar over the chocolate-covered popcorn and stir until each piece is evenly coated. Spread the mixture out onto a baking sheet and place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate is set.

5. Break it up and serve! Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Trader Joe's Carmel & Dark Chocolate Popcorn Crunch

2012-12-10T11:18:00.003-08:00

'Tis the season to be jolly with this show stopper. Trader Joe's carefully crafted this seasonal item in a red canister for two reasons. First, the red is intended to mimic a stop sign and stop you in your tracks. Secondly, the carmel and dark chocolate are intended to lure you and your taste buds into a love affair that you can't resist.

Of course, nothing this delicious will last forever which is why they stamped their seasonal (limited time) badge on it. At only $3.99 each, I don't think you will have a problem tossing ~~one~~ three of these into your cart this Holiday season.They also make great stocking stuffers too.

"American does consume 17 billion quarts of popcorn a year (enough to fill the Empire State Building 18 times!), so you might as well contribute in a tasty way!

The nutrition facts for Carmel & Dark Chocolate Popcorn should be read as just facts; it is, after all, the Holidays and that's what New Years resolutions are for anyways...