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Inspired combo: Cheddar and horseradish in a chip

I’m pushing outside my safe zone today. Chips and me, we’re joined at the hip. In my case, both hips. If I’m choosing between a plate of dessert and a bowl of salted, crunchy tortillas, the salt always wins.

That places the favored evil in the danger zone. Lately, I’ve only indulged in healthier options. So, to pick up a bag of flavor-coated, not-baked, not-popped chips sends the red lights flashing. “Warning, Will Robinson” blasts from my internal speakers.

But the will of this bag of taste-filled wrong was too strong:

not on the list of things that are healthy

Beware: Bewitching

I’m a spice wimp, too. But I like a little zing, so I often brave the heat to sample something with a little bite.

Loved these. At the check out, checker Matt said the reviews he’d heard included adoration as well as people saying they couldn’t taste the horseradish.

My take: The horseradish blazes on the tastebuds. Oh, yes. It’s definitely there! The life of the party in your mouth. The cheddar is its subdued chaperone; the straight man to horseradish’s zingers.

So, the bag was finished in three restrained sittings. I don’t know when I can buy them again because I won’t be able to stop eating them. If only I didn’t like them so much, I could have them around all the time!

*Sigh* The price of love.

Tags: appetizers, blog, cheddar, chips, delicious, horseradish, potatoes, snack, spicy, Trader Joes

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Categories Quick and easy, Salty, Snack

Delicious, demi-sized and unexpected from Trader Joe’s

5 Dec

Things happen for a reason, right? A series of fortunate events proved that point.

Last weekend included a series of impromptu gatherings, one of those rare occasions where open schedule meets spur-of-the-moment invitation. The subject of this post came together on Sunday.

In the morning, a friend called pleading me to help her out that night with an overabundance of ham-and-bean soup. I was happy to be of assistance.

Shortly after that call, another friend texted to join her for lunch and a TJ’s shopping trip. Loyal friend that I am, I obliged.

Then, while at TJ’s, there was a special mid-store temporary tasting station by the cheese section, sampling a new dairy item: Unexpected Cheddar Cheese.

Parmesan cheese is the twist to this classic. The Dickens, you say!

In the words of Monty Python: No one expects the Parmesan cheese!

What’s unexpected is the Parmesan cheese that laces the cheddar. SO delicious!

Then I walked a few steps and saw the cutest demi-baguette of olive bread ever:

Cutest little olive bread ever!

Everything came together at that moment! The cheese and bread would be my contribution to the soup dinner. And, voila, I made that happen with Trader Joe’s help.

Thanks so much, Trader Joe’s!

And thank you so much for visiting Things I Love at Trader Joe’s! If you love cheese, bread and olives, you have GOT to try these! Let us know what you think when you do.

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Related Links:

Nutrition info – olive demi-baguette

Nutrition info – Unexpected cheddar cheese

Spicy pumpkin grits with bacon and cheddar

Tags: baguette, blog, Bread, cheddar, cheese, dinner, eating, food, friends, Kansas City, loaf, meal, olive, parmesan, shopping, snack, soup, Trader Joes, weekend

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Categories Dairy, Quick and easy, Salty, Snack, Vegetarian

Best chili recipe: A good thing to do with ground turkey

28 Nov

When temperatures drop in the Midwest, the chili comes out to play. It’s on menus everywhere. Some restaurants offer it as a seasonal staple. Sometimes, it appears weekly as the soup of the day. The fumes swirl around the room until I’m almost ready to order a beefy bowl … almost.

But, beef eater, I am not. So, I order a red-meat alternative and try to convince myself that I’m satisfied.

My ultimate fix is easy, though. I get some ground turkey, chicken or meatless crumbles and prepare the best chili ever in the comfort of my home.

My chili recipe is simple because I’m all about easy in the kitchen. Beans, tomatoes and ground turkey are the heart of my mix. Onions, garlic, chili powder and cumin are the notes that make it sing. Cilantro is a staple, too. A staple singer.

To make a week’s worth of chili-for-one, I use:

1 lb. ground turkey (not pictured)
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 sweet onion
1 can organic black beans
5 cloves garlic
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro (not available for the batch described in this post)
Plus, olive oil, cumin, chili powder and sea salt.

Chili ingredients for a delicious recipe

Trader Joe’s helps populate my chili recipe with tomatoes, black beans, onion and garlic.

Chili powder and cumin: The spice duo that makes chili chili.

I chop the garlic and saute it in a little olive oil, then I brown the ground turkey in the skillet with the garlic.

Meanwhile, the other ingredients are simmering on the next eye, waiting for meaty company.

Put it all together, heat for a little while longer, if you can wait. Then dish into a bowl and eat as is, or top with cheese, raw onion or cilantro. I also like to add a little vinegar (white, red wine, balsamic or malt) for extra zing.