For Trader Joes fans-what is favorite frozen entree-trying to get some easy/fast cooking ideas

[Anonymous]

love the mandarin orange chicken over the frozen jasmine rice (great when you have a craving for Chinese -- much cheaper)

the kool bogi (Korean marinated beef) in the refrigerated meat aisle is great on the grill -- takes like 5 minutes, although you have to defrost it

we also eat the turkey meatballs all the time, a great standby to have in the freezer

[Anonymous]

I was in there once and they had a sample soup as a tasting which was great! I ended up eating it a ton throughout the winter! Take a box of their red pepper soup and mix it with a bag of frozen rice. I can't remember the name of the rice...but I believe it's Peruvian rice with some spices and veggies. You just pop it all in a pot for a few minutes to heat it up, cut some fresh bread and you have dinner all set!

[Anonymous]

Wow-I just realized that I wanted to check and see if anyone responded and saw all of this! Thanks!!! I went right after I posted so didn't get to see these but will go again next week probably. I ended up getting the turkey meatballs (which were good but I prefer to bake them and I ended up not having time because basically I stuck them on a pan dry and they started to burn on the bottom (seriously I need help in the kitchen) I saw some of the frozen pasta dishes but they looked pricey and I kne wI had pasta at home-
Anyway-I bought but have not eaten yet--the chicken fajita frozen bag-I have tons of tortillas and salsa at home that will be a good quick dinner-has anyone tried that?
I got the marinated chicken breast frozen in an asian marinade? sounded good

I didn't see the orange chicken? or sweet and sour-is that frozen?

I got the ranch chipotle fries-looked good--and I had the sourdough bagette which I sliced and toasted and served with a red pepper/artichoke spread-pretty good but the green olive one next to it might have had more of a kick-I'll have to try that in future
I need to try and eat healthier but honestly making fast good dinners seems to be more of a priority to me than low-fat-I did make a great salad though with my own homemade dressing-red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, whisked in olive oil--it was yummy!

[Anonymous]

I brown ground turkey - then add salsa and Trader Joe's marinated bean salad (in a can). Heat through and you have a quick turkey chili.

[Anonymous]

I've eated the chicken fajitas that I think you're referring to. They're good with the tortillas, salsa and sour cream. I liked them but my husband only wanted them a couple of times and now we've had another bag in the freezer for a while and just not been in the mood for it. So, yeah it's good but it's not one of our favorites. Really, it's all pretty good quality so it's just a matter of taste. Try the things they sample because they will give you good ideas. Don't worry that much about being unhealthy, most of the things you're talking about are not bad for you....frozen does not equal unhealthy.

[Anonymous]

This is a Trader's Joe's website that has some good ideas:


http://www.traderjoesfan.com/magazine/

[Anonymous]

I buy the mini frozen meatballs and heat them in TJ Tomato soup, add pasta and my 2 year old loves it.

We also like the frozen salmon roll stuffed with crabmeat?, add veggi and you are good to go.

[Anonymous]

Here's a healthy burrito/taco entree that kids love: Heat one tablespoon margarine and one tablespoon olive oil in large frying pan. Pour in one cup of risotto rice (available at TJs), and stir continuously until it gets a tiny bit brown. Pour one cup of chicken stock (TJs) in and stir until it's mostly absorbed. Continue with three more cups of chicken stock.

At the same time, in another frying pan, brown 1 package ground turkey breast (sometimes, not always, available at TJs) and one can of drained pinto beans. Add 1 package taco seasoning and 2/3 cup water. Cook until most of the liquid is absorbed. Add all the risotto and you've got a lot of burrito filling.

Put the filling in soft tacos (TJs are best) heated in the microwave and serve with chopped tomatoes, cheese (if desired), lettuce and salsa.

Put leftover filling in tacos. Great for school lunches!

[Anonymous]

to the OP -- yes, the mandarin chicken is frozen, it's yummy

it's hit or miss for me with the products so I usually buy our favorites and try one new thing each time I go -- recently tried the fish tacos and didn't care for them

the pork carnitas in the refrigerator section were just recommended to me so I'm going to try them with some corn tortillas and make a quick dish of rice and beans on the side

the sweet potato fries are really good and a lot of the desserts are great to keep in the freezer for unexpected company - the apple pie is quite good and like $5.99 (I'm someone who prefers to cook from scratch, but with two little ones, I love having TJ's stuff in the freezer for impromptu dinners with friends or when family is visiting for a while)