Now that the afterglow of the holidays has faded, I can look forward to months of cold, dark evenings with lots of hungry faces looking up at me to inquire, “what’s for dinner?” And if you too are dreading coming up with anything more complicated than cereal, stick with me as I turn to my frequent stop, Trader Joe’s, for some easy-to-throw-together recipes to get me through the month.
In fact, this month’s Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer is dedicated to exactly that: Easy (and mostly healthy) meal ideas for the new year. It may not be entirely “homemade”, but with school activities kicking back into full gear, I am thrilled to be able to throw together some delicious dishes my teens will eat in the time I have to spend in the kitchen.
So here are six of my favorite picks for dinner, snack time, or even entertaining from this month’s Fearless Flyer:
They may be called Breakfast Tacos, but I would love to eat the deliciousness (shown in the top photo) for dinner as well. And maybe lunch. Don’t be turned off by the Soy Chorizio, shown above: It’s yummy and meat-eater approved in our house. Need more convincing? It was a Customer Choice Award Winner in 2019 for Best Vegan/Vegetarian Product!
Instead of Taco Tuesday, mix things up with Fajita Friday which is made even easier with Trader Joe’s Sheet Pan Fajitas recipe. Using their Pollo Asado Auténtico, or their Carne Asada if you’d prefer beef, and colorful, precut peppers, this healthy meal will come together muy rapido.
Related: 5 easy sheet pan breakfast recipes to cook for a crowd — even if that crowd is just your family.
The protein-packed, gluten-free, and vegetarian Cowboy Quinoa Bake is perfect for a cold winter night when your little cowpokes need some good ol’ stick-to-the-ribs grub. Any leftovers would also make a great hot lunch the next day. My mouth is watering just looking at the photo!
Related: How to cook quinoa so that it’s fluffy, mild, and delicious — even kid friendly.
If you’re having one of those days, you’ll love this One-Minute Lentil Salad which, really!, comes together in one minute. Just dump three Trader Joe’s prepared ingredients into a bowl, mix, and serve. Great for a late night bite, quick lunch, or when you just want to eat something yummy that is actually good for you too.
Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, attending one, or just need an easy appetizer anytime, this is my tried-and-true, bring-everywhere appetizer. Trader Joe’s Sweet Balls of Fire is so easy to put together, I always feel a bit sheepish when someone asks for the recipe. And you can make it with TJ’s turkey, beef, or even meatless meatball depending on who will be eating them.
Check out Trader Joe’s January 2020 Fearless Flyer for even more easy-to-make recipes, including beverages, desserts, and more meals.
