What’s New (and Returning) at Trader Joe’s – July 18, 2024

Here's a look at what's new (and returning) at Trader Joe's this week, as spotted in the Pacific Northwest. Of course, the magenta and teal mini insulated bags restocked this week, but I'd bet money they made it through Wednesday and that was it. Let's get to it. NEW: MANGO STICKY RICE CRISPS…

ByMichelleJuly 18, 20240Comments

Recipes

What to Do with Trader Joe’s Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce

Trader Joe's Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce ($2.99 for a 6.7 oz. jar) is one of the items I've been looking forward to most this summer. Calabrian chile paste adds a nice kick to a whole host of dishes, but I usually have to go to an Italian specialty market to pick it up. I…

ByMichelleAugust 1, 20190Comments

Pasta Recipes

Summer Pasta Solution #2 – Spaghetti with No-Cook Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti with No-Cook Tomato Sauce is an oldie but goodie that's perfect for the hottest days of summer. When you can only bear to turn on the stove for a few minutes, you'll only need to boil the pasta. The rest happens in a food processor. Adapted from a Giada de Laurentiis recipe, I think of…

ByMichelleJuly 31, 20180Comments

Recipes

How to Make Good Falafel at Home

Inspired by Sarina Bowen's Brooklynaire, which drops Monday, I went back into the archives to remake and reshoot a previous post on falafel. I opted for balls rather than patties as I did last time, but the recipe holds up. I tried using canned chickpeas knowing that some of you might want to take the shortcut,…

ByMichelleFebruary 9, 20180Comments

Recipes

Six Delicious Summer Dishes from Josh McFadden’s Six Seasons

Israeli-spiced tomatoes with yogurt and chickpeas from Joshua McFadden's Six Seasons cookbook. I first cooked from Six Seasons, Josh McFadden's vegetable-centric cookbook, before it came out in May. Spring took its time getting here in the Pacific Northwest and I only had a chance to cook a few recipes before summer came on full force. I'm…

ByMichelleAugust 29, 20170Comments

Main Course Recipes

Spicy Dhal with Tomatoes and Swiss Chard

Man, what a grey old day we had. It's the Pacific Northwest, but man, the first one of the year, the day where it doesn't get light until after 7 a.m. and it's in the mid-40s, and it's stormy, it's just a slap upside the head. And I'm just done with turkey for now. I'm not hating…

ByMichelleDecember 1, 20160Comments

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

Cooking Pizza Recipes

Friday Night Slice: Soppressata Styles

We’re almost a week into Daylight Savings Time and I still haven’t quite adjusted. 7 am, when it’s just getting light, feels like the right time to get up. Any earlier, it’s pitch black and I just don’t want to roll out of bed, not even for coffee. This week’s Friday Night Slice falls on Pi(e) day, so if you happen to not be fan of flaky-crusted sweet or savory pies, or you just don’t have the time or inclination since we're all in a bit of a haze, a slice of pizza pie is here to mark the occasion. So let’s get to this week's topping inspiration – Fra'Mani soppressata, red onion and cherry tomatoes.

ByMichelleMarch 13, 20141Comment

Book Reviews Main Course Recipes

Chicken Saute with Green Beans, Tomato and Mint

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was lamenting the end of summer. Something about back-to-school signals an end to the summer fun, but the truth of it is, it has been a grrrrrrrreat summer in Seattle. Maybe the best one we’ve had in the handful of years we’ve lived here. A long summer of…

ByMichelleAugust 28, 20130Comments

Main Course Pizza Recipes

Easy Peasy > Gemelli w/ Sausage & Cherry Tomatoes

This wasn't supposed to be a blog post, just dinner on Monday night. There are no photos of cherry tomatoes casually rolling toward the edge of the counter, or a scatter of pasta strategically positioned behind the bowl. There's not even a fork, just a quick snapshot because I was texting it to Wolf to get him to hurry up on home. Then, I was pleasantly surprised by how fast and delicious it actually was, so, well, here we are. Gemelli con salsiccia e pomodorini…which sounds fancy, no? Gemelli with sausage and cherry tomatoes. Let’s go.

ByMichelleJuly 30, 20130Comments