Please plan my Trader Joe's dinner

[Anonymous]

Here's what I'm eating while I read this...all purchased at TJ's this morning and put together in 5-10 min after I finally got all three kids, including a newborn, to bed (so you know I have no time for anything complicated!).

Heated up a pan, drizzled in olive oil. While it was heating, chopped a zucchini into thin half-moon slices. Tossed them into the pan with a sprinkle of salt and a few grinds of the lemon pepper seasoning. Let that cook for a min or two then threw in a handful of the shelf-stable gnocchi. Cooked it all for 3 minutes or so, until the gnocchi got crispy. Sprinkled with a little more salt and grated parm over the top. Delicious with a glass of fruity white wine. Will be followed by their peanut butter cup ice cream. Lots.

This was a really fast a yummy meal. If I'd had more time or brain power, I would have added some garlic to the zucchini and grated some lemon zest over the top at the end with the cheese.

[Anonymous]

TJs has some quite good prepared foods, and handy adjuncts in bags, jars or cans. Especially for the price.

Does that qualify as a rabid, frothing attack?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1 package chicken sausage
1 onion (or precut onion/celery/carrot aka mirepoix)
1 bag kale
1 can white beans
1 garlic clove or garlic powder
1 lemon
Salt + pepper to taste

Chop chicken sausage into rings and cook in a large skillet with a good glug of olive oil. Don't stir too much, you want the sausage to sear/brown. Remove the sausage to a plate. On medium heat, cook the onion (or mirepoix) with a little salt and pepper. Chop the garlic and add it (or a generous sprinkle of garlic powder). Stir in the rinsed and drained white beans and half the bag of kale, and the cooked sausage. Top with the juice of half a lemon and season with salt and pepper and stir everything to start wilting the greens. Taste for final seasoning (salt, pepper, lemon) and then serve.

If you need to bulk it up even more, add a pound of cooked (whole wheat) pasta.

Not the OP, but I like this suggestion. Thanks! I'll try it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJs has some quite good prepared foods, and handy adjuncts in bags, jars or cans. Especially for the price.

Does that qualify as a rabid, frothing attack?

Didn't you read the last TJ's thread? One of the best things about them is that their packages are so small -- no need to separate out what you want or deal with leftovers.

If you are feeding a family, the price is not that low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a DH reading all this and thinking, hey, I could cook.

Oh yeah, you don't have to suffer to eat well.

Yes, you absolutely can, and these threads are great inspiration!

My favorite:

Dice up some Baked Tofu (I like Savory flavor) and warm up in some olive oil. Add any vegetables you like (I love the harvest hodge podge but there are lots of fresh and frozen stir fry veggies to choose). Add some Stir Fry sauce (I keep a lawrys from the regular supermarket on hand, but I bet TJ's has a nice one). If you are feeling crazy, scramble an egg in there. Serve over any rice you like. Sprinkle on some peanuts or some toasted sesame seeds or both.

[Anonymous]

Sweet. Potato. Ravioli.

Boil them frozen add a little butter. HEAVEN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TJs has some quite good prepared foods, and handy adjuncts in bags, jars or cans. Especially for the price.

Does that qualify as a rabid, frothing attack?

Didn't you read the last TJ's thread? One of the best things about them is that their packages are so small -- no need to separate out what you want or deal with leftovers.

If you are feeding a family, the price is not that low.

I just posted the tofu recipe. Yeah, you can't really eat just based on a package of something. You need to do the combos people are posting on here, cooking with beans, rice, pasta. These people know how to do it! And it is cooking. And it can be done in a healthy and cost-effective way.

[Anonymous]

For next time, pick up a bag or two of the frozen shrimp stir fry. It is basically just frozen veggies, frozen shrimp and a spice packet (I use about half). You could even make your own sauce if you wanted. I usually throw some rice in the rice cooker when I get home and then just cook up the stir fry in about 10 minutes.

[Anonymous]

We get the Indian frozen foods with Naan and are set for a night.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for the stuffed pasta. After adding it to a pan with the melted butter I throw in some arugula or spinach and turn it til it's slightly wilted. Or sometimes a fresh tomato.

[Anonymous]

Roasted red pepper soup and grilled cheddar cheese

[Anonymous]

One night I was at my limit with my kids and could not think of cooking. I forget what they ate that night but I did the oven poutine and let me tell you, it was not bad. Disclosure: I have never had real Québécois poutine. I ate the whole pan with some wine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1 package chicken sausage
1 onion (or precut onion/celery/carrot aka mirepoix)
1 bag kale
1 can white beans
1 garlic clove or garlic powder
1 lemon
Salt + pepper to taste

Chop chicken sausage into rings and cook in a large skillet with a good glug of olive oil. Don't stir too much, you want the sausage to sear/brown. Remove the sausage to a plate. On medium heat, cook the onion (or mirepoix) with a little salt and pepper. Chop the garlic and add it (or a generous sprinkle of garlic powder). Stir in the rinsed and drained white beans and half the bag of kale, and the cooked sausage. Top with the juice of half a lemon and season with salt and pepper and stir everything to start wilting the greens. Taste for final seasoning (salt, pepper, lemon) and then serve.

If you need to bulk it up even more, add a pound of cooked (whole wheat) pasta.

Not the OP, but I like this suggestion. Thanks! I'll try it.

I wanted to come back on here and say Thank you!! for whoever posted this.

I made it for dinner last night and the whole family liked it (even my 3 year old!). And, we NEVER eat kale, so I felt good getting some veggies in there. The beans worked well too. And, so easy - I am not a cook.

I hope whoever posted this sees this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1 package chicken sausage
1 onion (or precut onion/celery/carrot aka mirepoix)
1 bag kale
1 can white beans
1 garlic clove or garlic powder
1 lemon
Salt + pepper to taste

Chop chicken sausage into rings and cook in a large skillet with a good glug of olive oil. Don't stir too much, you want the sausage to sear/brown. Remove the sausage to a plate. On medium heat, cook the onion (or mirepoix) with a little salt and pepper. Chop the garlic and add it (or a generous sprinkle of garlic powder). Stir in the rinsed and drained white beans and half the bag of kale, and the cooked sausage. Top with the juice of half a lemon and season with salt and pepper and stir everything to start wilting the greens. Taste for final seasoning (salt, pepper, lemon) and then serve.

If you need to bulk it up even more, add a pound of cooked (whole wheat) pasta.

THANK YOU for this awesome recipe. I made it last night but substituted spinach for the kale and added brown rice. Super yummy and really easy. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

I always keep a bag of their frozen free rice on hand. Can add tofu, chicken sausage or chicken to that easily/quickly plus some extra veggies for a super quick meal.