What I Get at Trader Joe's

I have a confession, recently I have made grocery shopping a social activity and used it as an opportunity to hang oout with friends. Yes, I am wild. I've pretty much turned in tequila shots for tasty samples from the deli. It was during one of these hangouts with my friend Jane that she suggested I write a post sharing all of my faorite Trader Joe's finds.

For those of you who aren't familiar withTJ's, it is an affordable grocery store chain that sells packaged goods and specialty items. What do I mean by packaged goods? This isn't a place where you can go to a butcher or produce is purchased by weight. Everything has a set price. The shelves are often stocked with fun or unique items. Hence a post sharing my favorite Trader Joe's finds.

1. 10-Minute Farro: I love this grain due to the set portion, nutty flavor and quick cook time. I go rogue and don't follow the directions, instead toasting the farro in butter then adding broth. Try it in Farro + Tuna Salad.

2. Burrata: Until recent years burrata was an extremely hard to find specialty cheese item only found at high-end Italian restaurants and gourmet markets. Now, the cream filled mozzarella cheese can be picked up at the grocery store for salads, pizza or an epic cheese plate. Burrata over Kale, Shitake, Corn and Tomato.

3. Cruciferous Crunch Salad: A blend of sprouts, cabbage and kale is the perfect base for a salad, slaw or tossed with freshly roasted chicken. I love to add fresh berries, nuts and poppyseed dressing for a salad that holds up throughout the week.

4. Chocolate Chunks: Forget expensive, artisan chocolate chips. Thse chocolate chunks carry a lot of weight, flavor and substance for just $1.99. I always have at least two bags on hand and use them in my favorite Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Brownies.

5. Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels: This is pretty self-explanatory. I keep these in a glass jar in the kitchen and they are always a crowd favorite. Especially when it comes to #AthenaGram!

6. Dark Chocolate Almonds with Sea Salt and Turbinado Sugar: I actually call these crack almonds. Why? Because they are SO addictive. Approximately 55% Almond, 48% Dark Chocolate and 7% Sugar + Salt. Yes, the formula for salty-sweet crack! Perfect for heartache, entertaining or mixed in popcorn, always have this on-hand!

7. Vegetable Masala Burgers: These are a relatively new addition to the Trader Joe's family, but have quickly become one of my favorites! The potato base patty is mixed with corn, carrots peas and plenty of masala spice. I love to bake these and eat them with a dollap of Greek yogurt.

8. Tandoori Naan: Crispy naan bread filled with buttery cheese and garlic. This is perfect alongside the masala burger, with veggies or alone. Be sure to follow the instructions for best results.

9. Shishito Peppers: Slightly spicy. Crunchy. Filling. A perfect side, appetizer or meal, I love these tiny peppers for an easy dinner or as a snack when having people over for appetizers. I like them blistered with miso butter or cooked with bacon, tomato, peaches and mozzarella in a juicy broth.

10. Pastrami-Style Salmon: A smoke salmon crusted in peppercorns and pastrami seasonings makes for a hearty addition to any bagel sandwich, pasta dish or snack-platter. 

One Photo + No Plan = Roasted Carrot Curry And Coconut Soup

Ladies and Gents {Because Google Analytics tells me 52% of my readers are men},

I am so excited to tell you about the magic that happened in my kitchen last night!  Fair warning, this post has one grainy, dark photo.  This picture is not Pinterest-worthy and barely made the cut to be shared on Instagram.  You see, I have been craving a warm bowl of Spring soup for awhile now.  I wanted something to match this gorgeous weather we have been having.  Plenty of showers with streams of sunlight against the bright foliage and glistening leaves.  A dish cozy enough to enjoy while listening to the evening wind howl at cars splashing through puddles on the pavement.  Yet, nothing so rich or heavy that requires a blanket of snow and a crackling fire.  It also needed to be easy and use basic ingredients I always have on hand.  Ta-Da!!!!  Roasted Carrot Curry and Coconut Soup that will certainly be craved, repeated and bragged about!!

Roasted Carrot Curry and Coconut Soup 

1.5 Pounds Rainbow Blend Carrots
1 Yellow Onion
5 Cloves Garlic
1.5 Cups Water
1 TBS Yellow Curry Powder
3 Springs Rosemary
1 TBS Olive Oil
1 Quart Chicken Stock
2 TBS Brown Sugar
2 TSP Cinnamon
1 Can Low-Fat Coconut Milk
Salt & Pepper

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Clean, peel and roughly chop the carrots, onion and garlic.
2.  In a large, oven-proof pot, mix together the carrots, onion, garlic, water, curry powder, rosemary and olive oil.  Cover with a lid.  Roast for 60 minutes.
3.  Add chicken stock and cook for 30 additional minutes.
4. Remove from oven, remove rosemary stems. Add brown sugar and cinnamon.  Using an immersion blender {or traditional blender in small batches} blend until completely smooth.
5.  Add coconut milk and salt & pepper to taste.

Trying Something New + Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

I have to admit the Super Bowl isn't exactly my thing.  In fact, I'm not a huge fan of professional sports.  I much prefer collegiate programs.  But, as I previously mentioned, I was excited for this game.  I was invited to a party and needed to bring a tasty treat.  We all have our go-to appetizers.  The ones we can make with our eyes closed.  The tasty bites that everyone requests.  Time and time again. For me, that would most likely be my shrimp cocktail.  In fact, that is what I had planned on bringing. I had even told my sister it was going to be my contribution.  I was committed.

I went to the store, armed with a very long list, and hit up the butcher/fish monger area first.  Yay! Shrimp was on sale!!  Fancy bacon was also on sale!!!  The wheels started to turn.  I had had a very long, stressful week.  My weekend was also jam packed.  The idea of hitting 10 more aisles, and, battling with fellow shoppers for condiments, candies and crackers did not seem appealing.  I decided to throw caution to the wind and change my dish.  Instead of picking up 15 items, I picked up 2, knowing I had enough staples in my pantry and fridge to turn this into something wonderful.

Bacon.  Shrimp.  Not exactly a Hail Mary!

I decided to up the level of magic with some brown sugar and a hint of spice. Well the results were absolutely wonderful!  

2 Pounds Medium Shrimp: raw, peeled & deveined {25-30 Count}

1.5 Pounds Quality Bacon

3 Tsp Siracha {Amount can be adjusted based on your desired heat level}

1 Tbs Teriyaki Sauce 

1 Tbs Minced Garlic

1.5 Tsp Cinnamon

2 Tbs Brown Sugar

Toothpicks

In a large bowl, mix the shrimp, siracha, teriyaki sauce, garlic and cinnamon together.  Let marinade for at least 30 minutes.  No longer than 1 hour.

Cut bacon into wrap-able strips.  The approach may vary based on the thickness and size of the strips. 

Spoiler Alert: This is the final product.  I didn't get a good shot of the uncooked wrap job.  Its hard to get shots like that solo.

Wrap shrimp and secure with toothpicks

Place in a large baking dish. {This can sit over night}  Sprinkle brown sugar over shrimp.

Bake at 400 for 30-40 minutes.  Every ten minutes, shake the pan and make sure the shrimp are being basted in the cooking liquid.  Until the bacon is golden brown and crispy on the edges.  {The shrimp will cook completely early on.  Don't worry about them drying out.  The fat from the bacon will prevent that.  As will the basting.}