Tag: trader joe’s

Edamame Pasta e Fagioli

Edamame Pasta e Fagioli

Edamame Pasta e Fagioli
With Bacon and Carrots

This easy, satisfying soup takes a cue from pasta e fagioli, the Italian combination of pasta and beans. Here, the beans are edamame—young soybeans—which pair surprisingly well with smoky bacon, carrots, garlic, and rosemary in a rich savory chicken broth. Small elbow macaroni completes the pasta-and-bean combination, while a finishing drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and red pepper flakes brings everything together.

I use the refrigerated, shelled edamame from Trader Joe’s. They come vacuum-packed, fully cooked, and ready to eat hot or cold, making them especially convenient for this soup. Since they only need to be heated through, they go in toward the end. Edamame are also a good source of protein and fiber, adding a nutritious boost to this simple soup.

Edamame Pasta e Fagioli Recipe

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Summer Corn Dip, Smoky Rice Paper Puffs

Summer Corn Dip, Smoky Rice Paper Puffs

Summer Corn Dip

Summer Corn Fresh-Off-The-Cob
Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, Calabrian Chili Sauce, Lime Juice
Smoky Rice Paper Puffs

Perfect for sharing around the pool or kicking off a sunny afternoon gathering, this vibrant dip features fresh-off-the-cob summer corn folded into a creamy blend of mayonnaise and sour cream. Calabrian chili sauce adds a nice kick, while lime juice brings a bright, zesty finish. Served with smoky rice paper puffs for a light, crispy crunch, it’s a snack that’s as lively and laid-back as summer itself.

Summer Corn Dip, Smoky Rice Paper Puffs

Summer Corn Dip Recipe

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Smoked Ahi Carpaccio

Smoked Ahi Carpaccio

Smoked Ahi Carpaccio

This is a beautifully balanced and refreshing dish! Smoked ahi carpaccio has a rich, savory flavor, and the combination of tamari, lime juice, sesame oil, and chili oil contribute layers of umami, acidity, nuttiness, and heat.

Thinly sliced raw vegetables provide a crisp contrast to the silky ahi, bringing layers of color and crunch, while a few leaves of arugula add a fresh peppery bite.

Smoked Ahi Carpaccio

Smoked Ahi Carpaccio Recipe

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Dayboat Scallops, Broccoli Cream, Curried Lentils

Dayboat Scallops, Broccoli Cream, Curried Lentils

Dayboat Scallops, Broccoli Cream, Curried Lentils

This dish is a lovely yet unexpected combination of ingredients and with its green and red colors, it would make a delightful holiday seafood course. All the components have an affinity for each other. Pristine seared sea scallops sit atop earthy curried lentils with toasty walnuts, over a velvety broccoli cream.

The broccoli cream sauce is a rich blend made from puréed broccoli and cream, creating a smooth and luscious texture. The flavor is savory and slightly sweet, with the essence of fresh broccoli shining through. Garlic, onion, celery, and a touch of lemon juice enhance its depth, making it perfect for pairing with the scallops and lentils.

The rich and buttery characteristics of many California Chardonnays complement the sweetness and delicate texture of scallops. The wine’s acidity also helps cut through the richness of the creamy broccoli sauce. We like Rombauer Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay paired here for its complex aromas, intense fruit flavors, and lively acidity.

Dayboat Scallops, Broccoli Cream, Curried LentilsDayboat Scallops with Broccoli Cream Recipe

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Chicken Noodle Soup with Calabrian Chili Matzoh Balls

Chicken Noodle Soup with Calabrian Chili Matzoh Balls

Chicken Noodle Soup
with
Calabrian Chili Matzoh Balls

Over the years I’ve made hundreds of matzoh balls, usually in the Traditional style, but often with a twist with different flavors or techniques such as: Saffron, Mexican, Horseradish, Fried, Vietnamese, Turkey, Edible Flowers, and more!

This time, I added Calabrian chili to the mix to make fabulously flavorful and somewhat spicy matzoh balls with a distinct Italian flair.

Trader Joe’s Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce is made with Calabrian chili peppers sourced from a trusted pepper cultivator in Calabria, Italy (the “toe” of Italy’s “boot”). Their Italian Bomba Hot Sauce is a tribute to a centuries-old culinary tradition.

Since the 1500s, Calabrian hot chili peppers have been a staple of Southern Italian cuisine, especially when crushed, fermented, and mixed into a fiery hot condiment, just like this Bomba Sauce. The natural fruity notes of the peppers are amplified by the slightly pickled flavor and texture they take on during fermentation, making it particularly suited for pasta dishes and pizzas, and who knew, matzoh balls too?

Chicken Noodle Soup with Calabrian Chili Matzoh Balls Recipe

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