Easy Meals from Trader Joe’s: What We Are Trying
Lately, we’ve been enjoying Hungryroot for meal delivery. The food is healthy, packed with vegetables, SUPER easy to put together each night (10 minutes or less), and relatively affordable. However, we are starting to get tired of the repetition. Also, the kids are not thrilled about the recipes. Enter Easy Meals from Trader Joe’s!
My plan is to recreate the Hungryroot experience with ingredients from Trader Joe’s instead. Will it work? We shall see!
This week’s menu ideas:
- Lemon, Garlic, and Spinach Gnocchi
- Pizza
- Burritos
- Vegetarian BBQ Sandwiches with arugula salad
- Kung Pao Cauliflower with Rice
Each of these recipes seems pretty straight forward and easy. They also seem healthy enough!
My plan is to have each family member rate the recipe for each of these easy Trader Joe’s meals (out of 5 stars). I think we need an average of 4+ to make it into our family recipe binder!
I will likely share any highlights in my weekly newsletter if you are interested in subscribing to hear how it goes!
Now I just need to figure out a low-key time to head to Trader Joe’s. The last time I went I had to stand outside in a very long line for a long time!
5 Comments
Mamaschlick
Sara, why don’t you get an inexpensive rice steamer? They’re amazing and you can make lots of totally foolproof rice dishes beyond having plain rice, like spanish rice, cocunut rice, etc. It makes cooking brown rice a no brainer. A lot of the meals above are good but also use processed/canned foods so starting with your own fresh base can help.
I still think the answer to your struggles is finding a few meals you can make from scratch and doing it in parts (chopping one night, cooking next etc). Casseroles and sheet pans are your friend. One of my fave cookbooks is my “one pot weight watchers” which I use a lot. Same or not much more prep then the 10 min you take for these recipes and all fresh ingredients. i also love “quick vegetarian pleasures!”
https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Vegetarian-Pleasures-Delicious-Meatless/dp/0060969113
Just pick a few recipes from each and you’re golden!
Sara Cotner
Is a rice cooker the same thing as a rice steamer? I do have a rice cooker but I lost the manual and have no idea how to use it. As I type that out, I’m realizing I could probably google it? I am seriously HOPELESS in the kitchen. Ha!
mamaschlick
Hmmm I think so. I mean the appliance where you put dry rice + water in and turn it on, and it keeps it warm too. They are so awesome!
Phae
I had to stand outside at TJs this week too! Blah!
Sara Cotner
So fun to see you around these parts, Dear Phae! I just got your holiday card today. So sweet! I loved the descriptions of each person.