One word (or two): Trader Joe’s.
Seriously. That store’s frozen foods section is a God-send for me. The products are so tasty and easy to make (and dare I say, as healthy as frozen foods can get) that it’s not worth for me to go out to restaurants unless I’m looking for ambiance or really really amazing food.
In short, Trader Joe’s has made it possible for me to have quick, delicious meals. Let me introduce you to two products that totally make my day (or dinner):
Vegetable Melange with Seasoned Butter Sauce: It is amazing. Just add a couple tablespoons of water in a pan and heat up the veggies. The carrots, peas, cauliflowers and corn all heat up to perfection – the buttered sauce coating every tiny piece of veggie. I get it for $2.29/bag at my local TJ’s.
Teriyaki Chicken: Already cooked. All you have to do is to throw the chicken pieces in the microwave, warm up the sauce, then drizzle it on. I go the extra (but totally worthwhile) step of saute-ing the chicken in a pan and then put the sauce in so that the chicken is nicely browned and the sauce thickens and really coats the meat. $5 for a bag, and very bit as good as your local take-out.
Yummmmmmm.
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Two words: turkey meatballs. I subsist on those things. They’re really, really tasty and really, really good for you, and they can be used in a ton of different ways (salads, pasta, plain…). Mostly, I top them with some marinara sauce and grated pecorino cheese and have them for lunch at work.
Also, the chicken gyoza. And the shelled edamame.
I’m a huge fan of the yellow curry with chicken. It’s not in the frozen section. They’re in boxes near the Indian food. The Thai yellow curry is great, just heat it up in the microwave and toss it over rice (I recommend either basmati or jasmine).
Sounds delicious…. I might have to incorporate some trader joes into my budget.
TJ’s fake meatballs are also great. Even Shiner likes them, and he doesn’t ordinarily understand why anyone would eat fake meat.
Oh man, I can’t remember what they’re called but they have some southwestern chicken skewers that are delish! We have them at least once a week with some premade spanish rice. I think they’re called Chipotle something or other. I’ll have to try that Teriyaki Chicken. I’ve seen it and wondered if it was good.
roasted vegetables with balsamic glaze!
We do not have Trader Joe’s in Texas, so I have no idea what I’m missing.
However I do take advantage of various almost-prepared or pre-prepared gourmet items at Eatzi’s (though it’s certainly not cheap it’s cheaper than take-out).
Though if I’m really trying to be frugal I will mix up some wild rice and beans with a few spices, or boil some pasta and add a store-bought sauce and some veggies. Meals that cost less than $1!
i used to go to Trader Joes alllll the time when I was in College, but since moving to the east coast after graduation last summer, I haven’t been once
The closest one to me is 30 min away, and I haven’t justified the drive to myself yet just for a grocery trip. I also love how they have great flowers at low prices too!
I am a few steps below you and go the frozen teryiaki chicken bowl, hummus + lavash bread route. Thank goodness for TJ’s.
I LOVE their gnocchi in a bag w/cheese and sauce. I’m sure there’s nothing authentic about it, but it’s the easiest $3 meal for two.
AND their mojo sauce… yum.
(OH and for those cheap choco lovers — they now have mini peanut butter cups that are insanely good, but mini so you can curb the need to eat 10 at the same time. Or you can eat 10, but it’s equal to the size of one. You get the picture.)
Ironically, I just got home from Trader Joe’s. I’m currently eating a DELICIOUS salad I made out of green leaf lettuce, spinach, their pre-cooked caesar chicken, and olives!
They have the best semi-sweet chocolate chips.
LOVE TJ’s. Be careful about the sodium in the frozen foods, though.
I currently have a crush on the lemon tarts in the frozen section. I think about them constantly.
Also, their pork loin is really cheap a lot of the time, and very easy to cook (just marinate or rub it with something good and roast for a little while), and very tasty.
We just got a Fresh&Easy in Hollywood and it is neither (nor is it cheap, even with two $5 off coupons) and I will be going back to Trader Joe’s to ask for forgiveness for ever having strayed.
Meg – we just got a TJ’s in NC a year ago. The place was mobbed – people were driving in from up to 3-4 hours away. I didn’t understand that – most of what’s uniquely awesome there is perishable!
We don’t have a Trader Joe’s here in Austin
I always try buying frozen meals to save money, but I usually never like them since so many have that gross frozen taste.
I love, love, love Trader Joes! They have the best options for those cooking for one or two. They will totally help curb your eating out habit and you will love to go home and see what you have to cook, when you have done your shopping at TJ’s. Enjoy! I’m gonna have to check out the teriyaki chicken. Thanks for the tip.