Linni Cooks Cheap & Easy
A Student Guide to Trader Joe's
Linni Kral
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: Can You Hear Me Now
Between part-time jobs, grueling course loads, and wallets that get lighter every day, finding the time and money to cook a delicious, healthy meal has taken up permanent residence on the back burner of many of our to-do lists. It's too easy to eat food that's wrapped in microwaveable plastic, food that comes in the form of free pizza at dorm meetings, or even food prepared by zitty teenagers in paper hats at a drive-thru window. But kicking that old Lean Cuisine habit aint as hard as you'd think.
Enter Trader Joe's, semi-prepared food capital of the U.S., or at least its home state, California. The prices brought to you by the Hawaiian shirt crew coupled with their freshness and quality make this a college foodie's dream, which explains why I spent the past three years getting very closely acquainted with the ways of their Outside link: Fearless Flyer.
It's taken years of perusing the T.J. aisles, but I now consider myself somewhat of an expert in cheap meal preparation. Not wanting to unfairly horde this knowledge, I've decided to spread it to the masses. So many college freshmen only know Trader Joe's because of Two Buck Chuck, but the recipes I provide here will change that. These recipes will use all Trader Joe's ingredients, and will be easy for even a complete kitchen novice. And best of all--they'll be cheap. If you have a favorite T.J. product, Email: tell us! We will make an effort to include it in the next recipe.
Breakfast
Coconut Steel Cut Oats with Dried Fruits & Nuts
1 can coconut milk--$0.99
1 carton steel cut oats--$2.29
1 bag ABC Trail Mix (almonds, blueberries, cranberries, golden raisins)--$2.99
No one wants to eat Quaker instant oats every morning, but some mornings are just begging for a hot bowl of cereal. When that craving hits, you can indulge it in style with this rich recipe that doesn't even require sugar like most plain oats do--not only does the coconut milk make it smooth and creamy, but it serves as a natural sweetener, too.
Follow the directions on the back of the oatmeal container, subbing the coconut milk in for water. For super creamy cereal, use all milk. If you want it a little lighter or are pinching pennies, use a mix of tap water and milk. Bring to a boil and add the oats; cook on medium, stirring occasionally, until the oats have absorbed most but not all of the liquid. They can then be eaten or stored for future mornings in the fridge or freezer. If you're pressed for time, try this simple method: bring the liquids to a bowl, add the oats, secure a lid tightly on the pot and turn the heat off. Leave on the burner and go to bed. When you come back in the morning, voila! The oats will have absorbed the liquid and all you'll need is a 1-minute nuke to get these back to gourmet standards. Add additional coconut milk if it's gotten dry and stir in your favorite trail mix for more texture. Bananas, berries, or granola are also nice in this.
Lunch
Black Truffle Pizza Panini with Fresh Basil
1 Black Truffle Flatbread pizza--$4.69
1 carton fresh basil--$2.19
1 Roma tomatoe--$1.99/lb
This recipe was discovered purely by accident. A friend and I made Trader Joe's Black Truffle Flatbread pizza the morning of a long road trip and folded it in half to wrap in foil for a road snack. When we opened it later, the two halves had fused together, creating a panini-like sandwich we couldn't get enough of. The strong truffle and mushroom flavors remained, cold or hot, and we decided this had to be made into a full-on Italian panini.
Prepare your pizza as directed on the box. While it bakes, thinly slice 1 Roma tomato. After removing the pizza (but before letting it cool) place the tomato slices and pieces of fresh basil on one side of it and fold the other half over the toppings to create a sandwich. Cut into however many pieces you like-either 2-3 large "sandwiches" or 7-8 minis. You can also dust the pies with oregano or other spices before folding them over.
These are very lunch-bag friendly, so take one to school, work, or wherever you enjoy your mid-day meals!
Snack/Hors d'oeuvres
Vegetarian Chili Cheese Fries
1 bag frozen Potato Wedges--$1.79
1 can Vegetarian Chili--$2.19
1 bag shredded cheddar blend--$2.99
1 container sour cream--$1.49
My love affair with these Potato Wedges used to exist for them alone, without toppings, but all that changed when I tried them with Trader Joe's canned Vegetarian Chili. Ordinarily I steer clear of canned soup, and I don't even really like chili fries--I prefer my fries crispy and the chili tends to make them too soggy. But these wedges are large enough to hold their own without turning to mush, and the chili doesn't have that tinny taste of most canned soups. It even has some soy meat in there, so you aren't just eating plain beans!
Bake the wedges according to the package directions and try not to eat more than half off the cookie sheet before you start adding toppings. You can sprinkle them to taste with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite spices before placing them in the oven, but it's not necessary since they come pre-seasoned. While they cook, heat the chili on the stove or in the microwave. Remove the wedges and place on small plates or bowls, pour the chili over them, and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. You can add other chili-themed toppings like sour cream or scallions if you like, and you're good to go!
Dinner
Ravioli with Balsamic Butter Roasted Vegetables
1 package ravioli (available in Four Cheese, Chicken Sausage, Lobster, and Artichoke varieties, ranging from $2.49-$3.50)
1 jar pasta sauce (available in Rustico, Pomodoro, Vodka, and Roasted Garlic varieties, ranging from $2.50-$2.99)
1 bag frozen Balsamic Butter Fire Roasted Vegetables--$3.29
1 package vegetarian or chicken sausage--$3.50 for vegetarian, $3.99 for chicken (optional)
The possibilities are endless with this dinner, but the sauce and ravioli won't much matter when you taste how amazing these veggies are. Maybe it's the butter, maybe it's the balsamic, but I never knew frozen vegetables could taste so fresh! These little green beans, pearl onions and peppers certainly changed my mind.
Prepare the ravioli by package directions. While the water boils, prepare the vegetables by their package directions and heat the sauce on a backburner in a saucepan. When you put the ravioli in, set the veggies aside and use the same frying pan to grill up a sausage or two--this part is totally optional. To serve, either put some strained ravioli on a plate and top with veggies, sausage slices, and sauce, or put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix together. I think it's more enjoyable the first way--and my favorite combo is the lobster ravioli with vodka sauce and veggie sausage.
Side
Butternut Squash with Walnuts & Blue Cheese
1 container blue cheese crumbles--$3.50
1 bag broken walnut halves & pieces--$3.99
1 butternut squash--$1.49
Three cheers for squash! From pumpkin to acorn to butternut, I could eat this stuff every day of winter and not get sick of it. The only downside is that it does take a little time to prepare, so you have to know you want it a little while before you satisfy the craving. This isn't hard when you walk around craving it every day, which you will once you taste this recipe.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and halve the squash, leaving the skin but scooping out the seeds. Cut it into 1-inch cubes and spread out on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with whatever spices you like--thyme goes really well with this recipe,
as does oregano, but save money and use whatever you have on hand to spice this up. Roast for 30-45 minutes til tender, place in a bowl, and top with the walnuts and blue cheese to taste--some people will obviously prefer more or less of these things, so it's really up to you. Add a little more spice at this stage if you like, and enjoy!
These keep great in the fridge, and taste stellar as a vegetarian taco filling. You can also toss them in between some flour tortillas with cheese for an interesting quesadilla rendition, or into pasta with a little cream sauce.
Dessert
Greek Yogurt with Honey & Berries
1 container Plain Greek Yogurt--$1.69
1 honey bear--$2.79
1 container strawberries--$2.99
1 container blueberries--$2.99
This one can double up as a breakfast, but serves as a nice and light ending to a heavy winter meal, too. It also looks very impressive to guests while taking all of 5 minutes to prepare.
Put a handful of your favorite berries into parfait dishes. Scoop a few spoonfuls of yogurt out on top of the berries, add another handful of fruit, then drizzle the whole production with honey. You're done! Seriously. Does it get any easier than that?
I listed plain Greek yogurt in the ingredients because I like the tangy tartness it provides, but if you like something a little sweeter, you can also purchase honey and mango flavored Greek yogurt at T.J., available for the same price as the plain option.
Enter Trader Joe's, semi-prepared food capital of the U.S., or at least its home state, California. The prices brought to you by the Hawaiian shirt crew coupled with their freshness and quality make this a college foodie's dream, which explains why I spent the past three years getting very closely acquainted with the ways of their Outside link: Fearless Flyer.
It's taken years of perusing the T.J. aisles, but I now consider myself somewhat of an expert in cheap meal preparation. Not wanting to unfairly horde this knowledge, I've decided to spread it to the masses. So many college freshmen only know Trader Joe's because of Two Buck Chuck, but the recipes I provide here will change that. These recipes will use all Trader Joe's ingredients, and will be easy for even a complete kitchen novice. And best of all--they'll be cheap. If you have a favorite T.J. product, Email: tell us! We will make an effort to include it in the next recipe.
Breakfast
Coconut Steel Cut Oats with Dried Fruits & Nuts
1 can coconut milk--$0.99
1 carton steel cut oats--$2.29
1 bag ABC Trail Mix (almonds, blueberries, cranberries, golden raisins)--$2.99
No one wants to eat Quaker instant oats every morning, but some mornings are just begging for a hot bowl of cereal. When that craving hits, you can indulge it in style with this rich recipe that doesn't even require sugar like most plain oats do--not only does the coconut milk make it smooth and creamy, but it serves as a natural sweetener, too.
Follow the directions on the back of the oatmeal container, subbing the coconut milk in for water. For super creamy cereal, use all milk. If you want it a little lighter or are pinching pennies, use a mix of tap water and milk. Bring to a boil and add the oats; cook on medium, stirring occasionally, until the oats have absorbed most but not all of the liquid. They can then be eaten or stored for future mornings in the fridge or freezer. If you're pressed for time, try this simple method: bring the liquids to a bowl, add the oats, secure a lid tightly on the pot and turn the heat off. Leave on the burner and go to bed. When you come back in the morning, voila! The oats will have absorbed the liquid and all you'll need is a 1-minute nuke to get these back to gourmet standards. Add additional coconut milk if it's gotten dry and stir in your favorite trail mix for more texture. Bananas, berries, or granola are also nice in this.
Lunch
Black Truffle Pizza Panini with Fresh Basil
1 Black Truffle Flatbread pizza--$4.69
1 carton fresh basil--$2.19
1 Roma tomatoe--$1.99/lb
This recipe was discovered purely by accident. A friend and I made Trader Joe's Black Truffle Flatbread pizza the morning of a long road trip and folded it in half to wrap in foil for a road snack. When we opened it later, the two halves had fused together, creating a panini-like sandwich we couldn't get enough of. The strong truffle and mushroom flavors remained, cold or hot, and we decided this had to be made into a full-on Italian panini.
Prepare your pizza as directed on the box. While it bakes, thinly slice 1 Roma tomato. After removing the pizza (but before letting it cool) place the tomato slices and pieces of fresh basil on one side of it and fold the other half over the toppings to create a sandwich. Cut into however many pieces you like-either 2-3 large "sandwiches" or 7-8 minis. You can also dust the pies with oregano or other spices before folding them over.
These are very lunch-bag friendly, so take one to school, work, or wherever you enjoy your mid-day meals!
Snack/Hors d'oeuvres
Vegetarian Chili Cheese Fries
1 bag frozen Potato Wedges--$1.79
1 can Vegetarian Chili--$2.19
1 bag shredded cheddar blend--$2.99
1 container sour cream--$1.49
My love affair with these Potato Wedges used to exist for them alone, without toppings, but all that changed when I tried them with Trader Joe's canned Vegetarian Chili. Ordinarily I steer clear of canned soup, and I don't even really like chili fries--I prefer my fries crispy and the chili tends to make them too soggy. But these wedges are large enough to hold their own without turning to mush, and the chili doesn't have that tinny taste of most canned soups. It even has some soy meat in there, so you aren't just eating plain beans!
Bake the wedges according to the package directions and try not to eat more than half off the cookie sheet before you start adding toppings. You can sprinkle them to taste with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite spices before placing them in the oven, but it's not necessary since they come pre-seasoned. While they cook, heat the chili on the stove or in the microwave. Remove the wedges and place on small plates or bowls, pour the chili over them, and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. You can add other chili-themed toppings like sour cream or scallions if you like, and you're good to go!
Dinner
 Media Credit: Linni Kral Artichoke Ravioli with Garlic Sauce and Balsamic Butter Roasted Vegetables |
Ravioli with Balsamic Butter Roasted Vegetables
1 package ravioli (available in Four Cheese, Chicken Sausage, Lobster, and Artichoke varieties, ranging from $2.49-$3.50)
1 jar pasta sauce (available in Rustico, Pomodoro, Vodka, and Roasted Garlic varieties, ranging from $2.50-$2.99)
1 bag frozen Balsamic Butter Fire Roasted Vegetables--$3.29
1 package vegetarian or chicken sausage--$3.50 for vegetarian, $3.99 for chicken (optional)
The possibilities are endless with this dinner, but the sauce and ravioli won't much matter when you taste how amazing these veggies are. Maybe it's the butter, maybe it's the balsamic, but I never knew frozen vegetables could taste so fresh! These little green beans, pearl onions and peppers certainly changed my mind.
Prepare the ravioli by package directions. While the water boils, prepare the vegetables by their package directions and heat the sauce on a backburner in a saucepan. When you put the ravioli in, set the veggies aside and use the same frying pan to grill up a sausage or two--this part is totally optional. To serve, either put some strained ravioli on a plate and top with veggies, sausage slices, and sauce, or put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix together. I think it's more enjoyable the first way--and my favorite combo is the lobster ravioli with vodka sauce and veggie sausage.
Side
Butternut Squash with Walnuts & Blue Cheese
 Media Credit: Linni Kral Roasted Butternut Squash with Blue Cheese and Walnuts |
1 container blue cheese crumbles--$3.50
1 bag broken walnut halves & pieces--$3.99
1 butternut squash--$1.49
Three cheers for squash! From pumpkin to acorn to butternut, I could eat this stuff every day of winter and not get sick of it. The only downside is that it does take a little time to prepare, so you have to know you want it a little while before you satisfy the craving. This isn't hard when you walk around craving it every day, which you will once you taste this recipe.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and halve the squash, leaving the skin but scooping out the seeds. Cut it into 1-inch cubes and spread out on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with whatever spices you like--thyme goes really well with this recipe,
 Media Credit: Linni Kral Leftover Squash Tacos |
These keep great in the fridge, and taste stellar as a vegetarian taco filling. You can also toss them in between some flour tortillas with cheese for an interesting quesadilla rendition, or into pasta with a little cream sauce.
Dessert
Greek Yogurt with Honey & Berries
1 container Plain Greek Yogurt--$1.69
1 honey bear--$2.79
1 container strawberries--$2.99
1 container blueberries--$2.99
This one can double up as a breakfast, but serves as a nice and light ending to a heavy winter meal, too. It also looks very impressive to guests while taking all of 5 minutes to prepare.
Put a handful of your favorite berries into parfait dishes. Scoop a few spoonfuls of yogurt out on top of the berries, add another handful of fruit, then drizzle the whole production with honey. You're done! Seriously. Does it get any easier than that?
I listed plain Greek yogurt in the ingredients because I like the tangy tartness it provides, but if you like something a little sweeter, you can also purchase honey and mango flavored Greek yogurt at T.J., available for the same price as the plain option.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Unable to Cook
posted 11/12/09 @ 3:14 PM PST
Is there a way to do a simple, cheap BBQ chicken pizza??
Paper Writers
posted 12/09/09 @ 4:17 AM PST
I think that these prices are suitable to have good food.
professional resume
posted 12/15/09 @ 4:08 AM PST
All these food is very delicious.
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