Trader Joe’s Dinner

Again, I’ve tried some new things and can’t wait to share!  Trader Joe’s is always on point with their food and it saves me the trouble (and the extra money) of trying to make all of these things from scratch!

Here are this week’s picks!

1.  Frozen Meat Lasagna

This lasagna is seriously so good.  It was a TON of food because it was family style, so I had enough to have some for lunch the next day, which is literally one of my favorite things!  Pair it with some garlic bread and white wine and you’re golden.  Just turn on the Italian music and you might as well be in Rome.

2.  Frozen Turkey Meatballs paired with Tortellini

I am sometimes apprehensive about frozen meats, but I decided to give this one a go.  The meatballs taste so fresh!  All you have to do is microwave them for like three minutes and they are done!  I also bought some spinach tortellini to pair with it, which is in the refrigerator section next to the deli meats.  You just put it in a pot of hot water and boil for three or four minutes and it’s done.  I also decided to top it with some tomato based pasta sauce, but it would have been good with a butter sauce or pesto.

3.  Chicken Chile Burgers

So. Good.  I decided to grill these for Labor Day and they were the perfect compliment to the hotdogs, chips and sweet potato fries.  They can also be cooked really quickly in the microwave if you’re in a crunch.

4.  Shrimp Stir Fry

Microwave.  Holla.  So good.  You put this in the microwave for a few minutes and it comes out (and tastes) like you just ordered it at a restaurant.  Plus, shrimp are so expensive if you try to buy them on your own and make a meal with them.  This was a totally affordable option with all the perks of the shrimp flavor.

5.  Pesto Gouda

I saw on a website somewhere that I should try Pesto Gouda, so I bought a wedge of it and pondered over how I should use it.  I didn’t want to just eat it straight, because that seemed like a waste of cheese.  Last Saturday, I went to the Farmer’s Market and bought some fresh ciabatta bread.  I decided to make a panini.  I looked in my fridge to see what else I had: leftover chicken and bacon, and a brilliant idea was born.  I made panini sandwiches with baked chicken, pesto gouda and bacon on ciabatta bread.  Need I say more?

Trader Joe’s Frozen Dinners

Omg.  Trader Joe’s.  Lately, this has been my favorite place to shop for groceries, and is quickly becoming one of the only places I go.  They have a huge assortment and basically everything I need in one place.  Their prices are completely reasonable, too.  These past few weeks, I haven’t felt like cooking when I got home, so their frozen dinners have seriously been a lifesaver.  I did some research to see what everyone recommended, and here are my top choices/meal pairings to create a full, well rounded dinner.

1.  Asian Cuisine

• Pot Stickers
• Edamame
• Japanese Fried Rice

This has honestly been one of my favorite meals for the past couple of months.  It is so quick and easy.  You put the pot stickers in a pan with some olive oil and fry them until they are heated through, same goes for the rice.  The edamame goes into a pot with some boiling water and salt for 5 minutes and then you’re done.  Seriously the easiest thing ever.

2.  Italian Cuisine

• Mushroom Ravioli
• Garlic Bread
• Charles Shaw White Wine

This mushroom ravioli is amazing.  It has the same taste that you would get from going to a restaurant, but all you have to do is throw it in the microwave.  The garlic bread goes in the over for a few minutes and you’ve got a good, filling meal.  I will note that the ravioli doesn’t have as much in the bag as it looks like, so I would recommend two bags if you are trying to feed (and fill up) multiple people.

3.  Mexican Cuisine

• Handcrafted Chicken Enchiladas
• Chips and Salsa (in the grocery section)
• Spanish Rice (in the grocery section)

I’ve personally never made the enchiladas, but I’ve eaten them and I was impressed.  They tasted so authentic.  I’m pretty sure all you do is put them in the oven for a few minutes and voila!  A great side for anything Mexican is that red Spanish rice.  I know, mixing styles, but I LOVE it.  And I also can’t have a Mexican meal without chips and salsa to start out.

4.  American Cuisine

• Mac and Cheese
• Fresh made Sandwiches (in the refrigerated section)

Classic comfort food.  Trader Joe’s always has fresh made sandwiches in their refrigerated section that are ready and waiting for you to grab and eat.  Their frozen mac and cheese is the perfect partner, because you can either heat it in the microwave or a traditional oven.

5.  In a Rush

• Sushi (in the refrigerated section)

You can’t go wrong with they sushi.  It’s pre-made and tastes so good.  It may not look like a lot, but it is really filling!