How It Started, How It’s Going: Trader Joe’s Canned Lentils

Canned lentils have never been a huge part of my cooking repertoire. I didn't grow up with them and when I make lentils now, it's pretty much always from dried. TJ's used to have steamed lentils in the refrigerated section, but they were always a little overcooked for me. So when I saw Trader Joe's…

ByMichelleMarch 10, 20250Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Papadum Crisps

Despite eye catching packaging, Trader Joe's Papadum Crisps are really just papadum-inspired. Would they have been better off just calling them lentil and chickpea crisps instead of trying to claim papadum? I think so. Because here's the deal. Invoking "papadum" sets up certain expectations. Texture-wise, these are almost like Pringles...like formed into a…

ByMichelleJune 7, 20220Comments

Product Review

We Tried Maya Kaimal Everyday Dal

We're big fans of Maya Kaimal's simmer sauces and I've cooked from her South Indian cookbook, Curried Favors, for years. Earlier this year, the company came out Maya Kaimal Everyday Dal, shelf-stable lentil dishes in a microwavable bag you can zap and eat in 90 seconds. It joins the likes of similar offerings from Tasty…

ByMichelleDecember 17, 20180Comments

Recipes

I Finally Started Using My Instant Pot

I was what you would call fashionably late on the Instant Pot. I didn't jump on it the way the rest of the food media world did. I just figured, I'm deathly afraid of pressure cookers, I've got a Crock-Pot, that's good enough. It seemed like a solution looking for a problem. I told myself,…

ByMichelleSeptember 14, 20180Comments

Product Review

We Tried Peatos vs. Cheetos

Try Peatos' for Free at Select Kroger Stores with Friday Free Download Coupon You may have seen the news that Pepsi Co.'s Frito Lay division issued a cease-and-desist letter to World Peas Brand defending its trademark against World Peas' use of a tiger paw print and claim that "Tigers Live Longer Than Cheetahs." The promotion…

ByMichelleAugust 29, 20180Comments

Book Reviews

Book Review: Vibrant India by Chitra Agrawal

Masala dosa with potato curry and cilantro coconut chutney from Chitra Agrawal's Vibrant India. **ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley** Vibrant India melds tradition with the modern, capturing and adapting South Indian dishes for the home cook, whether you grew up eating Indian food, or it’s all new. The book suggests vegetable variations for…

ByMichelleMarch 21, 20170Comments

Main Course Recipes Soups

Damn, That’s Good: The First Mess’ Lentil Soup

It's soup season. But have you already run through your tried-and-trues? Chicken noodle, beef stew, chili, vegetable, butternut squash are on repeat, right? It's time to reconsider lentil. Look, I'm with you, lentil soup at its worst is brown slop from the 70s. Let me introduce you to lentil soup at its best -- The First…

ByMichelleOctober 28, 20160Comments

Recipes Salads

Dinner for One: Cherry Arugula Salad

Today, it's been eight days since I’ve seen my husband. I’ve eaten five dinners on my own, if granola and snack mix on the plane home from Austin count as “dinner.” Cooking what I like, only for myself, usually that’s totally liberating. I get to eat all the things I like and he doesn’t. I see myself leaning against the stove in a crisp white shirt (mmm, very practical), sleeves rolled up, stirring a pot with one hand, contemplating my day while leisurely sipping a glass of red wine. Like in a movie.

ByMichelleJune 14, 20130Comments

Main Course Recipes

It’s a (pre)Taco Tuesday Taste-Off

Hold the phone, is this seriously a post for tacos? Are you trying to tell me there’s some grand secret for browning some ground beef in a skillet, adding some spices and then piling it into a crunchy store-bought shell with lettuce, cheese and salsa? Look closer, my friend. That there taco isn’t a standard issue Taco Bell remake. So what gives? It's a pre-Taco Tuesday Taste-Off.

ByMichelleApril 14, 20132Comments