Trader Joe’s is like a celebrity around here. Whenever anyone mentions anything to do with food or groceries, inevitably, Trader Joe’s comes up. Their selection of specialty products, combined with reasonable prices makes them a big hit with most families.
There are always some interesting products at Trader Joe’s to try, including seasonal products. Sometimes I’ll look at something such as a unique sauce and think that while it looks good, I would have no idea how to use it. That is what this cookbook is all about. It takes advantage of all of those ingredients, especially the pre-prepped items, such as chopped vegetables, to make quick gourmet meals.
The gourmet is the key. You won’t find the Sunday night casseroles that you might make to feed a house full of kids. In fact, there is a section full of “bachelor quickies.” Because of this focus, this cookbook probably won’t be my go to book. Instead, I might try a dish here and there for a special occasion when a more gourmet meal or appetizer is called for. The recipes are quick and easy, though, so there really is no reason not to have upscale meals every day.
The large, colorful photos are what one of my friend’s calls “food porn.” The fact that many of the dishes glisten unnaturally contributes to that label. If you are into that sort of thing, it might be worth it to get the book (or take it out of the library as I did) just to look at the pictures.
Another problem with the recipes has to do with the nature of Trader Joe’s. You don’t always find the same things there in the store. The buyers are constantly negotiating and making deals for new items, while other items become discontinued. It is this changing of the stock that makes many of the recipes no longer valid.
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