Product Rave: Trader Joe's Chocolate Croissants

YOU MUST BUY THESE.
That's all.

Enjoy!

Product Rave: Trader Joe's Red Curry Simmer Sauce

If you like curry, and you have a Trader Joe's nearby, and you need a quick weeknight meal, you MUST try this sauce!

I cut chicken breasts into 1-inch chunks and sauteed them in a little canola oil until cooked through. I threw in a few handfuls of baby spinach, about a cup of frozen peas, and sauteed a couple minutes longer, added the simmer sauce, and simmered until warm. I served over rice, although you can't tell from the photo.It was absolutely delicious. My only slight complaint was that it was pretty salty. But it's otherwise as good as you'd get at any Thai restaurant.

When Tim tasted it, he looked at me and said, "This is the BEST curry sauce you've ever made!" I told him I didn't actually make it, but I don't think he heard me. He was too busy with his dinner. Then he gave the sauce the best compliment ever: "I think I love this more than tacos."

Enough said.

Tim's Rating: 10/10
Liz's Rating: 9.5/10

Tim Raves: Hennepin Beer from the Ommegang Brewery

Tim is obsessed with this beer. He was very very excited to see it at a new local restaurant, and last weekend I found it at our local liquor store just in time for March Madness.

He told me that "this is so good, you should put it on the blog!"


We're off to Vegas for the weekend! I hope everyone is enjoying March Madness and the spring weather.

Product Rave: Coriander Chutney

Please get yourself to an Indian grocery and find this. If you love cilantro, you will LOVE this coriander chutney. It's got some heat to it and is wonderful spread on naan!

Product Rave: Lindt Intense Orange Dark Chocolate

WOW.
My friend Eric brought this over when he came to our fondue party, and I am addicted. I immediately bought three more bars. So good. I've never been so happy with a $3 purchase.

Product Rave: Stonyfield Farms Organic Banilla Yogurt

Tim likes to mix this Banilla yogurt with blueberries and granola or bran flakes for breakfast every day.

I am one of those people who knows I should eat breakfast, but I am usually running out the door 5 minutes late every morning.

Since today is Saturday, and I received an immersion blender from my mom (thanks, Mom!) for Christmas, I made a smoothie for breakfast. I mixed about 1 cup of the Banilla Yogurt with some frozen mixed berries. Yum.

From Stonyfield Farms

Product Rave: Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Pappardelle Pasta

My friend H. and I went shopping at Trader Joe's, and we both picked up this pasta. She made it before I did, and recommended serving shrimp on top. So, I blackened some shrimp (toss shelled shrimp in a mixture of flour, salt, cayenne, and black pepper and then pan fry) and served it on the pasta with a little lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.

An extremely fast and tasty meal for a weeknight. If I had some fresh parsley, I would have sprinkled it on top.

Liz's Rating: 8.5/10
Tim's Rating: N/A

Product Rave: San Pellegrino Aranciata

We stopped buying Coke products for the home, and overall it's been good for us to drink more water at home. (We still drink soda when out and about.)

My friend Joann introduced me to San Pellegrino Aranciata. It's an all-natural alternative to Coke products, and it's very refreshing!

Ingredients: water, orange juice from concentrate, sugar, carbon dioxide, citric acid, natural flavors

160 calories per can

Cost: About $5 for a six-pack.

Product Rave: Frontera Habanero Lime Salsa

In an ideal world, I'd be able to make all of my own salsa. In reality, I don't.

This salsa from the Rick Bayless empire is delicious! Very spicy! I found it at my local coop for <$2; you can't beat the price.

"Created by celebrity chef Rick Bayless. Habanero is flavor's fireworks. Lime makes the spectacle more vivid. Roasted tomatoes and a touch of sweet mango provide the perfect background for the extravaganza. What are you waiting for? There's just a lid between you and the party!"

Product Rave: La Tortilla Factory

At 7g of fiber and 50 calories each, these tortillas are much better for you than traditional flour or corn varieties. We use these for Tim's favorite meal: tacos.

While these are marketed toward dieters, they are a good product for dieters and non-dieters alike.

Tim: "These don't taste like they are good for you."

"Product" Rave: Green Garlic

One of my favorite signs of spring: green garlic.

I fell in love with green garlic two years ago, with my first box of vegetables from our CSA, Hog's Back Farm. I had never heard of green garlic before but immediately found a number of ways to put it to use.

Our CSA does not start until next week, delayed due to our chilly spring, but I am sure hoping green garlic makes an appearance.

Today at our Co-op, I was thrilled to see locally-grown green garlic available for only $1.29 a bunch.

I chopped it and sprinkled it over my green salad. Use it as you would scallions-- green garlic is similar, it just has a little garlic flavor.

Good luck finding some, and if you do, enjoy!

Product Rave: Annie's Naturals Organic Ketchup

Tim and I are trying to live a trans-fat-free and high-fructose-corn-syrup (HFCS)-free lifestyle.

One HFCS-containing item that I know Tim would not give up is ketchup. I found this HFCS-free ketchup at our grocery store, and we actually like it better!

Annie's Naturals Organic Ketchup

Product Rave: Penzeys Soup Bases

I highly recommend Penzeys soup bases. They are much easier to store than canned broth, and the broth tastes much better, too!

Available flavors include Beef, Chicken, Ham, Pork, Seafood, Turkey, and Vegetable.

I prepare the broth by boiling water in my teakettle, putting the necessary amount of base into a pyrex measuring cup, and then mixing it together. Very easy!

14 ounces = 1 can of broth

Product Rave: Cilantro Lime Tortilla Triangles

Mission Foods Cilantro Lime Tortilla Triangles.
I first tried these on Super Bowl Weekend. I almost ate the entire bag myself. Then I couldn't find them again for awhile-- but today at Rainbow Foods, I saw them and bought two bags. Yum.

Product Rave: Izzy Pops

Lollipops of Izzy's coffee ice cream, dipped in dark chocolate. Pure deliciousness.

Available at Kowalski's Markets.

Product Rave: Frozen Door County Berries

These berries are super good.
They are available at Kowalski's in the frozen fruit section.
Tim has a mixture of these berries, yogurt, and granola for breakfast most mornings.