Tag: Trader Joe’s

Super Quick, Super Easy, Delicious Tomato Soup

Even those of you who only use a microwave to heat things up can transform a box of tomato soup into a stunning bowl of delicious with just two added ingredients.

You buy a box of tomato soup. This one was the Organic Creamy Tomato Soup from Trader Joe's and we look for one with the fewest ingredients.

The secret ingredient to take this soup to a new level is a bit of Boursin Cheese with Garlic & Fine Herbs. We were making this one bowl at a time, so we added a tablespoon to each bowl of hot soup. You can swirl it around, mash it against the side of the bowl, and stir until the cheese dissolves.

A sprinkle of fresh, ground, black pepper added a bit more zip.

While we are sharing the recipe, we cannot take credit for it. Years ago we invited two of our favorite restaurateurs on a fall sail with us. They arrived at the boat with thermoses of soup. When we stopped for lunch, everyone on board raved about the soup, asked for seconds, then asked for the recipe. It was at that point the friends told us their chef had not made the soup, they had.

What's more, making soup was a last minute decision after they realized how chilly the sail was going to be. They ran out and bought the ingredients then heated, mixed, and packed the soup in vacuum jugs, and brought it to us. When they told us how to make it, we all stared in disbelief.

The doubting only lasted until one of the gang, then another and another, made it at their own home and discovered how easy it could be to raise the bar on a bowl of tomato soup.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

October 19, 2017
Rhubarb, Ginger Crostata Recipe from Leite’s Culinaria
Okay, when you click on this link to Leite’s Culinaria to get the recipe, it will just say Rhubarb Crostata, but the ginger sets this simple tart on a rung high above similar recipes.

I'm sure a few long-time readers are surprised to see a recipe for baked goods here because I'm not a baker, I'm a cook. But this dessert is so simple and quick that it should be part of every cook's repertoire.

I had posted the recipe on social media when it popped up on my daily reading list. (As you know from this previous Friday Link post, Leite’s Culinaria is one of my favorite sites.)

A friend saw it and delivered a big bag of her own freshly cut rhubarb with a note saying, "I was totally inspired by your rhubarb post this week …"

Just imagine walking into a summer potluck with a tray of these beauties made with whatever fruit is in season.

My Version with a Major Shortcut

I used Trader Joe's frozen pie crust instead of making my own. Thanks to this excellent, flaky crust and the ease of making crostata, I do make these pastries from time to time.

I've been using it since back in 2010 when Erin Zimmer, one of my editors at Serious Eats, tested it. She was right, it is crumbly. But this is an informal dessert and a few crumbles are fine.

My work to make this dessert consisted of cleaning and cutting the rhubarb, grating the ginger, and tossing those with the other ingredients.

I also used less sugar as suggested by one of the recipe testers. And, because I thought it would add depth and round out the sharp notes of the rhubarb and ginger, I used half light brown sugar and half raw sugar.

A Few Tips:
- The frozen dough takes time to thaw. I moved it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight and it still had to sit on the counter for an hour before it was ready to use without cracking and breaking.
- I used local, organic ginger from Old Friends Farm. I keep a supply of this zesty alternative in my freezer and just grate it in its frozen state.
- Once thawed, I left the pie crust between its layers of plastic and used my hands to reseal a few cracks. That meant no rolling pin or floury counter to clean.
- You can use the bottom piece of the plastic to help flip the pastry onto your prepared baking sheet. Pile on the filling then flip up the sides in your most casual manner.
What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Be sure to add David Leite's wonderful cookbook, The New Portuguese Table.

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino

Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Dogs in Danger from the Xylitol Around Your Home

Do You Have a Signature Dish that You Bring to Food Gatherings?

Daytrip to the Lobster Pool in Rockport, MA

How To Make A Fern Pie Crust
May 27, 2016
Rhubarb, Ginger Crostata Recipe from Leite’s Culinaria
Okay, when you click on this link to Leite’s Culinaria to get the recipe, it will just say Rhubarb Crostata, but the ginger sets this simple tart on a rung high above similar recipes.

I'm sure a few long-time readers are surprised to see a recipe for baked goods here because I'm not a baker, I'm a cook. But this dessert is so simple and quick that it should be part of every cook's repertoire.

I had posted the recipe on social media when it popped up on my daily reading list. (As you know from this previous Friday Link post, Leite’s Culinaria is one of my favorite sites.)

A friend saw it and delivered a big bag of her own freshly cut rhubarb with a note saying, "I was totally inspired by your rhubarb post this week …"

Just imagine walking into a summer potluck with a tray of these beauties made with whatever fruit is in season.

My Version with a Major Shortcut

I used Trader Joe's frozen pie crust instead of making my own. Thanks to this excellent, flaky crust and the ease of making crostata, I do make these pastries from time to time.

I've been using it since back in 2010 when Erin Zimmer, one of my editors at Serious Eats, tested it. She was right, it is crumbly. But this is an informal dessert and a few crumbles are fine.

My work to make this dessert consisted of cleaning and cutting the rhubarb, grating the ginger, and tossing those with the other ingredients.

I also used less sugar as suggested by one of the recipe testers. And, because I thought it would add depth and round out the sharp notes of the rhubarb and ginger, I used half light brown sugar and half raw sugar.

A Few Tips:
- The frozen dough takes time to thaw. I moved it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight and it still had to sit on the counter for an hour before it was ready to use without cracking and breaking.
- I used local, organic ginger from Old Friends Farm. I keep a supply of this zesty alternative in my freezer and just grate it in its frozen state.
- Once thawed, I left the pie crust between its layers of plastic and used my hands to reseal a few cracks. That meant no rolling pin or floury counter to clean.
- You can use the bottom piece of the plastic to help flip the pastry onto your prepared baking sheet. Pile on the filling then flip up the sides in your most casual manner.
What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Be sure to add David Leite's wonderful cookbook, The New Portuguese Table.

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino

Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Dogs in Danger from the Xylitol Around Your Home

Do You Have a Signature Dish that You Bring to Food Gatherings?

Daytrip to the Lobster Pool in Rockport, MA

How To Make A Fern Pie Crust
May 27, 2016
Breakfast for Supper on a Piece of Toast

We love to have breakfast for supper and we recently decided that breakfast on toast would be fun.

This was a Trader Joe's meal. The bread is a wonderful toasted slice of the sourdough boule that's available in our local TJ's store.

We topped it with scrambled eggs, TJ's Chicken with Maple Breakfast Sausage, and the brownish tomatoes they call Kumatos. A few snips of scallion finished the dish.

This would make a great brunch dish for a group because you can prepare all the components and then assemble the servings on a big platter or tray.

We sliced the sausage on a diagonal and piled on lots of it. (This was another item Penny bought because the TJ's Crew was offering samples. She found it tasted just like the sausage on your pancake or French toast plate when they mingle with the maple syrup poured on the main course.)

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!

Notes on a New Year's Eve Toast with Bollinger Rosé

Join Us as We Toast February 2015 with Charles de Cazanove Champagne

February 24, 2016
Breakfast for Supper on a Piece of Toast

We love to have breakfast for supper and we recently decided that breakfast on toast would be fun.

This was a Trader Joe's meal. The bread is a wonderful toasted slice of the sourdough boule that's available in our local TJ's store.

We topped it with scrambled eggs, TJ's Chicken with Maple Breakfast Sausage, and the brownish tomatoes they call Kumatos. A few snips of scallion finished the dish.

This would make a great brunch dish for a group because you can prepare all the components and then assemble the servings on a big platter or tray.

We sliced the sausage on a diagonal and piled on lots of it. (This was another item Penny bought because the TJ's Crew was offering samples. She found it tasted just like the sausage on your pancake or French toast plate when they mingle with the maple syrup poured on the main course.)

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!

Notes on a New Year's Eve Toast with Bollinger Rosé

Join Us as We Toast February 2015 with Charles de Cazanove Champagne

February 24, 2016
Max Is Sitting in Poppy’s Place

Imagine my smile as I walked into Trader Joe's on Boylston and saw this adorable little guy sitting in the upstairs corner of the entryway where Poppy usually waits with Ed as I shop.

I only had to pick up a couple of things so he and his person were still there when I returned. While I loaded my backpack, I learned his name is Max. I asked if I could take his photo to show Poppy that she's not the only TJ's dog.

Hope I run into you in the waiting area again, Max! Maybe someday you and Poppy will share the space.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Trader Joe's Pane Guttiau (Sardinian Parchment Crackers) Are a Hit!

Pulled Pork with Tart, Tangy Cole Slaw

Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!

February 21, 2016
Max Is Sitting in Poppy’s Place

Imagine my smile as I walked into Trader Joe's on Boylston and saw this adorable little guy sitting in the upstairs corner of the entryway where Poppy usually waits with Ed as I shop.

I only had to pick up a couple of things so he and his person were still there when I returned. While I loaded my backpack, I learned his name is Max. I asked if I could take his photo to show Poppy that she's not the only TJ's dog.

Hope I run into you in the waiting area again, Max! Maybe someday you and Poppy will share the space.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Trader Joe's Pane Guttiau (Sardinian Parchment Crackers) Are a Hit!

Pulled Pork with Tart, Tangy Cole Slaw

Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!

February 21, 2016
Blason de Bourgogne Crémant: September’s Sparkler

Sparkling wines don't have to be expensive to be fun! For example, we picked up this bottle of Blason de Bourgogne Crémant de Bourgogne at Trader Joe's for $11.99.

Last month we told you that we love sparklers that are rich with Pinot Noir flavor. This one, a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, comes from a family collection that includes variations for different tastes. We've tried the others in the past, but this is the one we come back to when we want an inexpensive, fun glass of fizz.

(This photo courtesy of www.Blason.com)

You may find the brut, the rosé, or the reserve (which we have not found around here as of yet) more to your taste.

Sometimes your reason for buying a sparkling wine might not call for spending big bucks, but you still want good flavor and dependable bubbles. Blason delivers both. So sip it on a boat as you sail through September. Pack it for a picnic. Add it to a sangria base to create a sparkling sangria. Make mimosas for brunch or get creative with sparkling cocktails.

We hope you'll join us in our resolution to start each month with a glass of sparkling wine. Toast to something you're looking forward to in the month ahead or were thankful for in the month past.

Here’s How Our Sparkling Resolution Began

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your Wine Lover's shopping list?

In this post, you see Schott Champagne glasses, ice bucket, and mardi gras beads.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2015 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée, Love at First Sip!

Welcome Luke's Lobster to Boston

Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!

September 1, 2015
Blason de Bourgogne Crémant: September’s Sparkler

Sparkling wines don't have to be expensive to be fun! For example, we picked up this bottle of Blason de Bourgogne Crémant de Bourgogne at Trader Joe's for $11.99.

Last month we told you that we love sparklers that are rich with Pinot Noir flavor. This one, a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, comes from a family collection that includes variations for different tastes. We've tried the others in the past, but this is the one we come back to when we want an inexpensive, fun glass of fizz.

(This photo courtesy of www.Blason.com)

You may find the brut, the rosé, or the reserve (which we have not found around here as of yet) more to your taste.

Sometimes your reason for buying a sparkling wine might not call for spending big bucks, but you still want good flavor and dependable bubbles. Blason delivers both. So sip it on a boat as you sail through September. Pack it for a picnic. Add it to a sangria base to create a sparkling sangria. Make mimosas for brunch or get creative with sparkling cocktails.

We hope you'll join us in our resolution to start each month with a glass of sparkling wine. Toast to something you're looking forward to in the month ahead or were thankful for in the month past.

Here’s How Our Sparkling Resolution Began

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your Wine Lover's shopping list?

In this post, you see Schott Champagne glasses, ice bucket, and mardi gras beads.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2015 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée, Love at First Sip!

Welcome Luke's Lobster to Boston

Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!

September 1, 2015
Pulled Pork with Tart, Tangy Cole Slaw

Pulled pork is something we've normally enjoyed in BBQ restaurants since Penny is not about to try preparing it in our tiny urban kitchen. But, she did spot a package of pulled pork among the fresh packaged meals, mains, and sides at our local Trader Joe's, recently.

We tried it and liked it. Since the sauce is a bit sweet and mayo is outlawed in our food, Penny's solution was to balance the sweetness of the pork with a tart, tangy cole slaw.

In addition to cabbage, carrots, celery, and scallions, we added a finely shredded hakurei turnip purchased from farmer Michael Docter of Winter Moon Farm at the Wayland Winter Farmers' Market. Those are his carrots too! And, below you see him offering samples of the carrots and turnips.

The dressing was malt vinegar, salt, pepper, a bit of honey, and a handful of yellow mustard seeds. This slaw is best made the day before you need it. Letting it sit and pickle mellows out the raw vegetable flavors and allows the mustard seeds work their zingy magic. Just give it a mix a couple of times as it sits in the refrigerator.

Shredding

In case you were wondering, the shredder Penny was using is a very old, now considered vintage, Borner Thin Julienne Slicer. This syle has long since been replaced by new versions. Here's the current one – Borner Thin Julienne Slicer. (It is fun to see things you use all the time listed on ebay as vintage goods.)

This tool cuts in both directions so it makes quick work of the slaw preparation and it's easy to clean under a stong spray of water. Make sure you use a guard. It doesn't come with one but we use one from another mandoline. The guard also makes it possible to shred almost all of the carrots or turnips with only a thin scrap left behind.

Assembly

As you see in the photo, we used the bread we had on hand. Softer bread is the usual choice for a pulled pork sandwich but our kitchen staple is crusty artisan bread. This was a ciabatta from Trader Joe's. And, because of that crusty texture, we opted for open faced sandwiches. Messy, but delicious!

Pulled Pork Tips

We did heat the pork in the microwave. Penny breaks it up a bit before she cooks it and removes the occasional piece of fat. (Yes, fat is flavor, but there's plenty of intramuscular fat in this product.) She also makes an effort to get all the sauce out of the bag, squeezing it like a pastry bag.

In this review of the product from SFGate, one of the testers thought it was dry. That could be because a lot of the sauce was left behind in the bag or that the meat was not fully shredded and mixed with the sauce. It was the winner in this taste-off of six prepared pulled pork products.

Have you tried some of these fresh Trader Joe's products? What did you like or not like?

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino

February 18, 2014