Trader Joe's Fan.com Articles, Recipes and Product Reviews http://www.traderjoesfan.com Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:06:42 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/images/rss_logo.jpg http://www.traderjoesfan.com Trader Joe's Fan.com Articles, Recipes and Product Reviews http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/apple_tarte_tatin/details/ I'm fan of this apple tarte tatin ! The apples taste fresh and sweet in the caramel. It's always fun to prepare a tarte tatin and serve it when you have friends at home. Frozen Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:58:12 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/easy_black_bean_soup_for_2/details/ 1 Can Trader Joes Cuban Black Beans Sour Cream (for garnish) Puree black beans in blender or food processor, add a little water to thin if necessary. Heat until hot, garnish with sour cream. Quick Recipes Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:52:00 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/pumpkin_cupcakes/details/ 1 box Trader Joes vanilla cake mix 1 can of Trader Joes organic pumpkin Follow instructions directly on the cake box. In a large bowl combine ingredients. Add a can of pumpkin. Mix well with a spoon. Spoon the mixture to the very top of each cup cake mold. -Mini cupcake pan – bake for 9 minutes. -Regular size cupcake pan – bake as instructed on the cake mix box. Quick Recipes Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:51:24 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/wild_blueberry_tarte/details/ This tarte is absolutely wonderful ! it looks great, at least as good as when buying in your local bakery. The taste is very fruity, well balanced with the pure butter crust. delicious with a splash of cream. Frozen Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:48:06 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/wasabicado/details/ 1 avocado 1 tbsp light sour cream 1/2 tsp wasabi mayonnaise just a little squeeze of lime juice Mush together and serve with pita chips or thin crispy crackers. Quick Recipes Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/beer/beer/hair_of_the_dog_ruth_american_ale/ Imagine a brewing company that only makes a handful of beers so intense, so delicious and so sought after that they have to have secret release dates of their brews to avoid overcrowding and you will have imagined Hair of the Dog Brewery in Portland, Oregon. Beer Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/quinoa_stuffed_peppers/details/ Ingredients 3 medium sweet peppers ¼ cup uncooked quinoa ½ cup chicken broth, plus 1 ½ cups ½ small-medium brown onion, small dice ½ can fire roasted tomatoes 5 cloves garlic, grated ¼ cup shredded carrot ¾ cup cooked garbanzo beans ½ cup shredded cheese of your choice 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp coriander Hot sauce to taste 1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Method Prepare quinoa according to packaged instructions (in broth) and set aside. While the quinoa cooks, prepare the peppers. Cut the bottom of the pepper off so that it can stand up on its own, then cut off the top and clean out seeds and membranes. Heat oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Once oil is rippling, add onion, season with salt and pepper and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until caramelized but not burned. After onions are browned, add garlic and cook for one minute before adding carrots and beans. Cook for 2 minutes or until carrots begin to soften, then add tomatoes, quinoa, cumin, coriander and hot sauce. Turn up heat to medium high and cook for 4 more minutes to allow flavors to meld. Remove from heat and add cheese, reserving a few tablespoons to put on top. Stuff each pepper without packing too tightly and top with cheese. Place stuffed peppers in a loaf pan with just enough room for the 3 peppers to help them not fall over. Add enough broth to the baking dish so that 1/3 of the pepper is submerged. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove foil and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese is browned. Quick Recipes Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:14:46 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/black_beans_and_rice/details/ Ingredients: 1 can Trader Joe's Black Bean Soup 1 can Trader Joe's Black Beans, drained 2 Tbsp Trader Joe's Salsa Autentica Trader Joe's Red Chile Pepper Flakes, to taste 1 red onion, diced 1 cup Trader Joe's Mexican shredded cheese Heat soup, black beans, salsa, and Chile Pepper Flakes together. Serve over brown rice. Garnish with red onion and cheese. Easy, healthy, and Yummy! Quick Recipes Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:14:30 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/stuffed_eggplant/details/ 1 Large Eggplant 1/4 c. Sicilian Olive Oil 1/3 c. fresh Genova Pesto 1 c. Quattro Formaggio cheese 3/4 jar Puttanessca Sauce Heat oven to 400F. Slice eggplant in 8 slices lengthwise. Place on a cookie sheet and brush with oil on both sides. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and spread each slice with pesto and sprinkle over cheese. Roll each slice and place seam side down in a baking dish. Pour over sauce and cook for anotber 10-15 minutes.Remove from oven and serve with sauce spooned on top. Gourmet Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:13:36 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/polenta_with_gorganzola%2c_gouda_and_walnuts/details/ I love this one and so easy. All ingredients found at Trader Joe's: 1 tube of polenta, 1 tub of crumbled gorganzola, 1 package of gouda with walnuts, olive oil spray. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 8 x 8 casserole dish with olive oil spray. Cut the polenta into 18 slices. Place 9 slices on the bottom of the dish. Melt the cheeses together in a microwave safe bowl, stirring every minute, until cheese mixture is melted. Pour half of the cheese mixture onto the polenta in the dish. Place the remaining polenta on top of the cheese, then add the remaining cheese to the top. Place in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown. Serve with pasta sauce, if desired. I like eating mine with Puttanesca sauce!!! Yummy! Quick Recipes Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:13:09 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/salmon_cakes_with_tomato_dill_sauce/details/ Ingredients: (2 patties) 1 egg 10 Multi-Grain Crackers, crushed 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1/4 tsp garlic salt 1/8 tsp pepper 1 can (14-3/4 oz) salmon, drained, bones and skin removed 1 Tbsp butter Tomato Dill Sauce: 1/4 c mayo 1/2 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning 1 tsp fresh dill 1 small tomato, diced 1 c Couscous Prep: 1. Cook couscous according to package directions. 2. To make the patties, combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Shape into 2 large patties. 3. Melt butter in a medium skillet. Fry patties over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until browned on the outside. 4. Mix sauce ingredients together and serve over patties and Couscous. Gourmet Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:10:15 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/sausage_ravioli_in_gorgonzola_sauce/details/ Ingredients: (2 servings) 1 pkg (9 oz) Ravioli (I used Chicken Sausage w/Sun-Dried Tomatoes) 2 Tbsp butter, divided 2 links (6oz) Sausage ,cut into bite-size pieces (I used Spicy Chicken) 1/2 c sliced freshed mushrooms 1 oz crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese 1/2 c heavy cream 1 tsp fresh oregano 1/4 c Parmesan cheese Prep: 1. Cook ravioli according to package directions, drain and set aside. 2. Meanwhile, sauté mushrooms and sausage in 1 Tbsp of butter until mushrooms are soft, about 5 minutes. 3. Melt remaining Tbsp of butter in a saucepan on low, add Gorgonzola and cream. Stir constantly until sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in oregano and Parmesan. 4. Add Ravioli and sausage mixture to sauce. Serve immediately. Quick Recipes Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:09:57 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/sauteed_mushroom_and_caramelized_onion_pizza/details/ 1 Package TJ's Refrigerated Pizza Dough Flour as needed to roll out the dough 1 Package Sliced Cremini Mushrooms 1 Tbsp. Crushed Garlic (jarred) 1/2 c. White Wine 1/2 c. Fresh Parsley, chopped 1/2 Onion, sliced 1 C. Gruyere Cheese, grated 3/4 c. Mozzarella Cheese, grated 1/4 c. Parmesan Cheese, grated 1/2 c. Olive oil Salt & Pepper Heat oven to 400 degrees. Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit out at room temperature for 30 min. in the bag. Heat two nonstick pans to medium heat then add 1 Tbsp of olive oil to each pan. Add onion to one pan and sprinkle with a tsp. of salt, cook down slowly and stir often, scraping any brown bits off pan until you get a nice even caramel color, remove from heat. To the other pan add garlic, mushrooms, salt and pepper (to taste) and saute for 2 min., then add wine and cook down until all liquid is evaporated, remove from heat, cool, then stir in parsley. Roll out dough on a floured surface to about a 12" circle. Oil pizza pan or large baking pan well. Place dough on pan and brush top with a thin layer of olive oil. Bake for about 5-6 min. making sure it doesn't get too cooked. Remove from oven. Top with mushroom mixture, caramelized onions first and then sprinkle with parmesan, gruyere and mozzarella. Bake for an additional 5 min. until cheese gets bubbly and crust gets a nice golden color. Let cool for a couple minutes, slice it up and enjoy! Gourmet Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/pesto_chicken_risotto/details/ 1 1/2 cup chopped onion (TJs fresh makes it easy!) 2 medium yellow or red bell pepper, diced. Olive Oil Garlic (dry/powder) 1 1/2 cups TJs Arborio Rice, or any medium grain rice 1 Package TJs Pesto Chicken Genovese (About 1.5 lbs), cut into 1-2 inch pieces 2 Boxes Chix Broth (Any Tjs 32 oz) Cream/Milk (optional) Parmesan Cheese (optional) Note: The Chicken is a bit salty so I would wait to add S&P until the end. Using a 5 quart saucepan on your stove top, pour Olive Oil once around the pan. Saute onions, bell peppers and 1 tsp. of garlic on medium heat until translucent (5-8 minutes). Add rice and saute another minute or so, to cook with oil. Add 2 cups broth, continue stirring ~ allowing broth to reduce. You will continue to add broth 2 cups at a time until you have used 6 cups broth. (1 1/2 boxes) When you add the last two cups, add tomatoes and Chicken. Stir until liquid is absorbed and Chicken is cooked through. If you need more broth ... just add it in small batches. Risotto should be sticky yet a bit al dente, just like pasta. Stir in cream or milk for a richer consistency, top with cheese. Serves 6. Great for leftovers! Gourmet Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/pear%2c_brie_and_pancetta_flatbread_pizza/details/ Impress your friend and family with this easy and delicious recipe that only takes a few minutes to make. It's great for brunch or as an appetizer. 1 TJ's Plain Pizza Dough (deli) 1 Anjou pear, sliced thin 1 wedge Saint Andre Brie (deli) 1/4 cup already diced Pancetta (deli) 2-3 tbsp brown sugar 1 cup Baby Arugula Lay pizza dough on floured surface and stretch with hands into a rustic oblong shape. Top dough with pears, small pieces of brie, Pancetta and brown sugar, in that order. Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes until pizza crust is golden brown and the sugar has caramelized. Top with Baby Arugula and serve. Gourmet Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:21:54 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/creamy_garlic_wasabi_dressing/details/ INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups Trader Joes Wasabi mayonnaise 1/4 C Olive Oil 1/4 cup Apple Cider vinegar 3 tablespoons chopped onion 1 teaspoon Trader Joes Agave Nectar 3/4 teaspoon salt 5 garlic cloves, minced DIRECTIONS In a blender, combine all ingredients. Cover and process until smooth. Serve over a tossed salad. Quick Recipes Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:24:58 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/easy_fajita_quesidillas/details/ -TJ whole wheat flour tortillas -TJ frozen roasted peppers and onions -TJ frozen carne asada -TJ reduced fat mexican blend cheese -TJ number one guacamole in skillet over medium heat1 table spoon olive oil and 4 table spoons water add pepers/onions and carne asada, place tortillas over meat pepper mixture (to steam them) and cover with lid to cook for 10 minutes. layer tortilla, cheese n meat mixture fold in half and in seperate non stick skillet brown the tortilla until crisp Quick Recipes Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:24:18 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/yummy_in_my_tummy_fall_time_goo/details/ -1 jar Trader Joe's Raw Almond Butter -1 jar Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter -1 tsp vanilla extract -1 tsp cinnamon -1/4 cup unsweeted Almond Milk -1 bag Trader Joe's Salty Sweet and Nutty Trek Mix 1. In a food processor take 1 jar of Trader Joe's Raw Almond Butter, 1 jar Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract,1 tsp cinnamon, and 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk and mix until all ingredients have assimilated into one another. 2. Pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of Trader Joe's Salty Sweet and Nutty Trek Mix. 3. Refrigerate and enjoy I personally love this in between Trader Joe's ginger snap cookies or on a Trader Joe's banana waffle. A yummy Indulgence that tastes like fall Gourmet Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:23:46 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/articles/articles/halloween_pumpkin_quesadillas/ We came across the COOLEST Halloween recipe featuring Trader Joe's Habanero Lime Flour Tortillas. With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, it really is the perfect appetizer for a party or just a really fun snack. Articles Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:26:51 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/beer_bread/details/ Just purchased this at my local TJ's..... quite simple recipe....I chose to make it with Fat Tire beer....and ooooh how the smell is wonderful! Simple instructions. GREAT flavor. I used a tad extra butter... dense, moist..flavorful! We enjoyed it with the Cab. Pot Roast and potatoes...... I recommend! Misc Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:10:23 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/chicken_taquitos/details/ College freshman took two of these in her school lunches often in high school, just whipped 'em out of the freezer & threw them in a baggie. They're even better heated in the oven, served with sour cream and salsa. Excellent Frozen Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:09:35 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/chocolate_brownie_pure_bar/details/ The best possible snack one could eat, is something that tastes like a chocolate walnut brownie, but instead delivers fruit, heart-healthy nuts, fiber and protein. I recommend this snack to just about everyone (except those with nut allergies) because it doesn't have what many special diets must exclude; for example, NO gluten-, dairy-, soy-, GMOs- or artificial colors/preservatives!!!! Guess they mean it when they say "pure"... Seriously, though, back to the brownie... who knew you could taste something like this AND have no guilt. I've found my new Love. Breakfast, Bars Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:09:01 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/slow_cooker_honey_dijon_chicken_with_vegetables/details/ Ingredients 1-1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast 1 can low sodium chicken broth 1 package cremini mushrooms, sliced 1 small brown onion, chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 head garlic, chopped 1 Tbs dried rosemary, ground in palm ¼ cup honey, eyeball it ¼ cup Dijon mustard, eyeball it 1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Red pepper flakes to taste 1 ½ Tbs melted unsalted butter mixed with 1 ½ Tbs flour (optional) Method Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet and brown chicken about 3 minutes on each side, then place in slow cooker. Top chicken with onion, carrot and celery and season this layer with salt and pepper and pour broth over. Drizzle with honey and Dijon mustard. Next add the garlic and then the mushrooms on top. Sprinkle rosemary on top of mushrooms and season again with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Cook on low for 8 hours total. During the last hour of cooking add butter and flour mixture to thicken the gravy if desired. Serve with pasta or rice. Serves 4 Gourmet Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:08:16 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/beer/beer/3_horses_lager/ 3 Horses Lager, the delicious Dutch concoction that has been brewed since the 1500s, is just the beer to pony up to this fall. Crafted using the same centuries-old recipe that made it famous in the Middle Ages, this hearty lager has been warming people to their bones since the days of Shakespeare. Beer Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 http://www.traderjoesfan.com/Trader_Joes/megadarra_-_rice_and_lentils/details/ Megadarra, also called Mujudarra in various spellings, is a traditional middle eastern dish of rice, lentils and onions. It's inexpensive to prepare, filling, and healthy, and was considered "food for the poor" until everyone learned how fantastic it is, and then it crossed all class boundaries. It's not much to look at, as many food bloggers will tell you, and there is nothing impressive about the list of ingredients. You wouldn't think such humble ingredients could turn out such a stellar side dish, and yet, they do. They team together to make a simple wonderful side dish which is good hot or cold, and ages well -- the taste is as great on Day 3 as it was on Day 1. More complicated versions will have you adding vegetables and spices, but it's best to try it the traditional way, first. Claudia Roden, in her 2000 cookbook "in The New Book of Middle Eastern Food" said: An aunt of mine used to present megadarra regularly to guests with the comment: ‘Excuse the food of the poor!’–to which the unanimous reply always was: ‘Keep your food of kings and give us megadarra every day!’ Trader Joe's makes it very easy for you to prepare this dish at home, and much faster than having to cook your own rice and lentils. Here's my method: 1 yellow onion 1 package of Trader Joe's Steamed, Cooked Lentils 1 package of Trader Joe's Frozen, Cooked Jasmine Rice (or Brown Rice) 1 packet of Trader Joe's Chicken Stock concentrate Olive Oil Salt and Pepper Squeeze the contents of the chicken stock packet into a cup of hot water, blend, and set aside. Slice the onion into paper thin slices. In a heavy, deep skillet, heat a sufficient quantity of olive oil (1/4 to 1/3 cup), and, with the skillet on low to medium, slowly sweat out the onion in the oil, sprinkling with salt and pepper, until the onion is very soft and fully caramlized, and there is still oil in the pan. Take your time. You don't want it crispy or too blackened. Just soft and golden. When your onion is fully caramlized, open the lentils, breaking apart the cooked brick and sprinkle them over the onions, stirring thoroughly to combine. Open and stir in a package frozen, fully cooked rice. Keeping the heat on low to medium, combine the rice, lentils and onions thoroughly, adding more salt and pepper to taste, and, slowly stir in chicken stock -- I've used the entire cup before but this isn't always necessary -- until the entire dish is moist and fully heated. Serves 6 as a side dish, or 2-4 as a main dish. Gourmet Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100