Spring at Trader Joe’s brings the cutest plants and lemon everything
Warmer weather, beautiful blooms, tasty treats—that’s right, spring is almost springing! In typical fashion, there are tons of new Trader Joe’s items for the season that will have you more than ready to make a grocery run. With all the lemon products hitting the shelves, we can tell that TJ’s is all in. There are even a few products perfect for school lunches on the list.
Assorted Foliage in a Bunny
These cuties are a top pick for spring every year, and you’ll want to grab one before your store sells out for the season. They come with a variety of plant options so you might have to get yourself a colony.
Candy Coated Dark Chocolate Almonds
These babies are cute enough for Easter baskets but tasty enough to keep for yourself. They tend to sell out well before the holiday, so snag now before they hop away.
Gourmet Jelly Beans
Just in time for Easter basket stuffing, these big bags of gourmet jelly beans have hit the shelves. You’ll love that they have no artificial colors or flavors. The kids will just love them, period.
Peas & Carrots Sour Gummy Candies
You’ll definitely be able to get the kids to eat their peas and carrots when they come in gummy form. The peas are like sour Skittles and the carrots are a traditional sour gummy candy. Yes, we tried them so that we could report back (that’s the official story, at least).
Pastel Hyacinths
If you’re heading to a spring party this weekend, bring along one of these colorful hyacinths. They’ll dress up any doorstep!
Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers
We’ve never seen these cuties on the shelves before and we know that the kids will go wild to find them in their lunchbox this spring.
Raspberry Kringle
Either you love Kringles or you LOVE Kringles. There’s no in-between. The spring flavor is raspberry and it tops our list for sure. Perfect for breakfast or to share as an after-school snack.
Lemon Mini Sheet Cake
We don’t blame you if this is one of those treats that you don’t share with the kids. You can always find the vanilla version of this cake at Trader Joe’s but the lemon sheet cake is our favorite. It packs just the right amount of sour/sweet punch.
The spring version of this holiday snack mix is cute to have in a bowl for the next party you are planning. It is a mix of yogurt-coated pretzels, butter toffee peanuts, milk and dark chocolate peanut butter cups, broken pieces of dark chocolate Joe-Joe’s, and nonpareils.
Scented Candle Trio
We’re a sucker for all the candles at Trader Joe’s and this one instantly made its way into our cart. You’ll get tiny tins of raspberry/rose, rhubarb/bamboo, and lemon verbena. The lemon is our favorite, naturally.
Mini Succulents
Is it wrong to buy a succulent every time you visit Trader Joe’s? We think not. These cuties were looking extra spring-like with tiny flowers sprouting out of them. Just what you need to get you through the last dreary months before summer comes around.
Getting to your destination can be part of the adventure when you have this handy list of car games in your back pocket
If you’re heading out on a road trip soon and want to ensure that the trip will be spent making memories with the kids (screen-free fun in the car is possible!), then we’ve got a list of car games just for you. To make your journey as enjoyable as possible, you’ll want to print out this list of easy games to play in the car. They don’t require any special gear, there are no pieces to lose, and they’re actually fun for parents and kids alike. Be sure to check out our list of road trip hacks that’ll make the drive even easier. Win, win, win!
1. The Alphabet Game: Find all the letters of the alphabet on things you pass along the highway. Variation: limit your finds to license plates or road signs to make it harder.
2. I Spy: This road trip classic has players starting with a vague clue like, “I spy something that moves” and the other players guessing from there. Only yes or no questions are allowed. Tip: put a limit to the number of questions so the rounds don’t go on for eternity.
4. Fortunately/Unfortunately: This story-creation car game for kids starts with a sentence like, “Mom came home with a chocolate cake.” The next person has to continue the story with fortunately like, “Fortunately, it had sprinkles on it.” Turn passes to the next person who uses unfortunately like, “Unfortunately, they were made of wax.” Hilarity ensues.
5. Story Volley: A similar game is story volley where you take turns creating a story back and forth between two (or more) players. This one can go on forever!
6. Open-ended Questions: Learn a little more about your car companions with this game where you can ask any question you like. Good ones to start with: What’s your favorite animal? What superpower do you wish you had? What TV character are you most like?
7. Alphabet Game (Version 2): The flow of this game is to use this phrase, “My name is ______ and I’m married to _______. We live in ______ and are shopping for ________.” All words have to start with the letter you are on like, “My name is Amy and I’m married to Al. We live in Arkansas and are shopping for apples.” Then you move on to B.
8. Letter, Word, or Sentence Guessing Game: For back seat players only, you have one kid draw a letter, word, or sentence (depending on age) on the other player’s back. Try to guess what was drawn.
9. License Plate Bingo: Using a little notebook to keep track, try and find all the state license plates. This game can carry over from road trip to road trip as who has ever seen a Hawaii plate outside of Hawaii? Parents should be ready to verify any rare sightings (to prevent cheating).
10. 20 Questions: This game has you thinking of an item while your opponent has to guess what it is. Limit your questions to 20 so you don’t go totally insane. This game knows how it is to travel with kids, clearly. For little kids, you can limit it even further to a category like animals.
11. The Name Game: Good for teens and tweens, this game has you name a celebrity like Oprah Winfrey and the next person has to take the first letter of that celebrity’s last name to start their turn and name another celebrity like Will Smith.
12. Hot Sauce or Chocolate: A variation on this or that, this game has you choose which item between two that you’d rather give up. Start with hot sauce or chocolate, choose one (clearly chocolate is the one to keep) and the next person has to add another to the pair like peanut butter so now you’re choosing between chocolate and peanut butter.
13. The Vacation Memory Game: This is a fun car game for kids! The first person starts with, “I’m going on a vacation and I’m going to bring . . . ” and then they choose an item like sunscreen. The second person starts, “I’m going on a vacation and I’m going to bring sunscreen and . . .” and chooses a second item like beach towels. The game continues until someone messes up the order and forgets an item. You can make it trickier by going in alphabetical order.
14. Count the Item: Choose an item like an American flag, tractor, or Starbucks sign and see how many your crew can find while on your journey.
15. Yes-No-Black-White: In this car game for kids, one player is the questioner and one the answerer. The questioner asks a question, trying to get the answerer to say the words “yes, no, black or white.” The answerer needs to answer verbally and truthfully, without using the forbidden words.
16. The Animal Name Game: The first player picks an animal like a squirrel. The second player has to pick an animal that starts with the last letter of the prior animal, like “lion.” And on and on!
17. Skittles: In this game, you are looking for the holy grail: the yellow vehicle. See one and yell, “Skittles!” and get one point. You may have to set your own rules about whether yellow farm equipment and buses count or should be excluded (as a fleet of school buses could cause an early end to your gameplay).
18. Cheers to the Governor (the kid version): This is a collaborative memory game you can play in the car to get to a certain number. So, if your goal is to get to 21, you start by counting one by one in order. You start with one rule, usually that 7 and 11 are switched (instead of saying 7 the person who is supposed to say 7 will say 11, and the person who should say 11 will say 7). If you make it through all the numbers, someone makes up a new rule (clap twice instead of saying three, make an animal noise instead of 15), and start counting back at 1 with the new rule. If someone misses a rule, you start back at one. The goal is to get to the point where all of the numbers are replaced with rules.
19. State Capitals: Good for all you geography fans, get the kids to list the state capitals. You can do it in alphabetical order or quiz style.
20. Cows and Graveyards: You get a point for every cow you spot on your side of the car. Spot a graveyard and lose all points.
21. Name That Tune: Play a snippet of a song from the radio and try and guess the song and artist.
22. Restaurant Race: Each player gets a restaurant like McDonalds, Taco Bell, or Burger King and players count how many of their restaurants they can find along the way.
23. Rock-Paper-Scissors: This is a classic hand game that’s a perfect game to play in the car. Two players shoot rock (fist), paper (flat hand), or scissors (the peace sign) on the count of 1,2,3… shoot! Paper beats rock, rock beats scissors, and scissors beats paper. Try the best of three, or just keep playing down the road.
Our All-Time Favorite Games to Play in the Car
24. Off Limits: In this game, you choose words or phrases that are “off limits” like family member’s names, “hungry” or “are we there yet?” (Brilliant!)
25. The Quiet Game: The player who is quiet the longest wins! Save this one for when you are really desperate.
You’re always looking for meals that are kid-friendly, healthy, easy to put together, and budget-friendly. We found 17 easy Trader Joe’s recipes to add to your arsenal, which we hacked together using ingredients you can find at Trader Joe’s. All these healthy dinners have been tested (and approved) by both grown-ups and kids. Need more inspo? These TikTok Trader Joe’s recipes are also pretty brilliant.
Beef Bulgogi with Cabbage over Rice
Trader Joe's
If you haven't tried Trader Joe's beef bulgogi we suggest you change that immediately. You'll find it in the frozen section and we like that you just need to saute it with some water for a few minutes and it is done. Add in the garlicky cabbage or broccoli for some extra veg and serve it over rice. TJs has frozen rice packets that make this whole transaction done in less than 10 minutes.
Cheesy Beef Birria Tacos
Trader Joe's
Beef birria is having a moment (consommé, anyone?) and we love this easy shortcut from Trader Joe's. You just have to heat up the meat, warm the tortilla, add a little cheese and top with onion and cilantro. Dinner is ready in 15 minutes.
Pesto Pasta with Shrimp
Anna Doogan
Pesto is the star of this easy Trader Joe's recipe that will definitely earn a spot in the summer dinner rotation. Mix your favorite cooked pasta with shrimp and garlicky pesto. Add chopped fresh basil and tomato with a sprinkling of grated parmesan for an extra blast of favorite summery flavors.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Karly Wood
Perfect for both hot summer days or crisp nights, this simple and delicious Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup comes together in just ten minutes. Shred Trader Joe's pre-cooked Lemon Chicken and add to a large stockpot. Toss in two tubs of Mediterranean Orzo Salad and two cartons of chicken broth, bring to a boil and then enjoy with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Penne Arrabiata with Sausage & Spinach
Add some extra protein and greens to your pasta routine with this simple recipe incorporating tasty spices. Remove the casing from your fave Trader Joe's Sausage and cook through before adding to a prepared skillet of Penne Arrabiata (or any other frozen pasta if this is too spicy for your fam). Serve on a bed of spinach, or toss in the spinach right before serving to wilt (and camouflage).
Forgot to take out your dinner ingredients from the freezer (again)? When it comes to enjoying this pot sticker stir fry it's a non-issue! Just pour a bag of Trader Joe's Chicken Gyoza Potstickers and Stir-Fry Frozen Vegetables into a large skillet (add salt and pepper, if desired) and cook until warmed through. Pour in one up of Trader Joe's Gyoza Dipping Sauce and then enjoy a veggie-packed dinner in ten minutes flat.
Easy Gyros & Mediterranean Salad
Karly Wood
Keep it cool and refreshing during the warmer months by whipping up easy gyros. Grab a box of fully cooked Trader Joe's Gyro Slices, naan bread, tomatoes and creamy prepared Tzatziki sauce and pair with a simple Greek salad made with greens, cucumber and balsamic vinegar.
Green Curry Chicken & Fried Rice
Karly Wood
Add a little spice to your dinner routine, and in less than 15 minutes! All it takes is two jars of Trader Joe's Thai Green Curry Simmer Sauce. Prepare a package of Just Grilled Chicken Strips and frozen Vegetable Fried Rice separately. Once the rice is cooked, add both jars of the simmer sauce and chicken to the same skillet and heat until warmed.
Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers
Anna Doogan
For a delicious veggie-centric dinner, stuffed peppers with quinoa and feta are hard to beat. Stuff a variety of peppers with a pre-made quinoa salad, sprinkle with feta and bake until warmed through. You’ll get a bright pop of color, a big boost of vitamins and a whole lot of yumminess with this Trader Joe's recipe.
Expose your kids to a taste of Thai with this easy recipe. Mix a can of coconut cream (also available in a low-fat version) with a bottle of Trader Joe's Thai Red Curry Sauce and simmer. Cube some of Trader Joe's pre-cooked all-natural chicken breast to throw in the pot, and serve over their three-minute rice. You can also add steamed spinach!
Next-Level Ravioli
Sara Olsher
Trader Joe's has a great selection of ravioli, but topping it with marinara can get old. By adding steamed spinach, peas and melted Boursin cheese, this pumpkin ravioli now has three veggies (and they all taste like cheese!).
Carnitas Salad
The cilantro salad dressing at Trader Joe's is no joke, and it's delicious on more than just salads. Create a filling dinner salad or a tasty lunch by adding their pre-cooked carnitas, Mexican cheese, avocado, salsa, cilantro salad dressing and a small amount of sour cream to a bag of romaine lettuce.
Steak Tacos
Anna Doogan
Can’t decide what to have for dinner? A DIY taco bar is a fun and simple crowd-pleaser. While the meat’s cooking, set out tortillas, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, olives and any other toppings you can think of. Then let everyone go to town making their own creation!
Island Soyaki Rice Bowl with Meatballs
Anna Doogan
Taste the flavors of a tropical vacation no matter the time of year with this Trader Joe's recipe. Cook party-size frozen mini meatballs in Island Soyaki marinade, flavored with pineapple juice, garlic and ginger. Serve over cooked rice. Add sautéed red peppers and grilled pineapple chunks, and don’t forget to save a little sauce for drizzling on top.
These tacos can be thrown together in less than five minutes. Pictured below are Guerrero tortillas and Amy's organic refried beans, but Trader Joe's has their own version of both items. Heat the refried beans, then add Trader Joe's Double Roasted Salsa, Mexican cheese, guacamole and chopped spinach.
Scallop Rolls
Anna Doogan
Try a twist on the classic lobster roll! Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper, and saute in butter. Then tuck them into a squishy hot dog bun with some greens and a dollop of mayo or a tangy tartar sauce. You may not actually be lounging at the seashore, but with this recipe, at least you can pretend you are. Perfection.
Chicken Pasta Salad
Anna Doogan
This salad is perfect for an easy weeknight meal or a portable option for a picnic or potluck. Plus, it’s equally fantastic served warm or cold! Toss cooked pasta with a jar of Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa, black beans, chopped chicken and a bit of creamy dressing, like the tasty Cilantro. Add a handful of your favorite veggies and shredded or cubed cheese to top it off.
Delicious Pulled Pork Tacos
Sara Olsher
Trader Joe's pulled pork can be made in the microwave in three minutes and makes a super-tasty base for these tacos. Add your favorite toppings, but don't skip the Roasted Tomatillo and Mango Salsa, which adds some tang and spice.
—with additional reporting by Kate Loweth, Anna Doogan, and Karly Wood
Part sweet and part savory, this stir-fry dish is a cinch to make and will please any kid’s picky palate
Inspired by her husband’s love of chicken wings, Kari of GI 365 created this Honey Garlic Chicken stir-fry recipe that features the same sweet and savory flavors of her hubby’s favorite dish. Your kids will love the flavor combination, and you’ll love that making this healthy meal only takes 30 minutes. It’s a win-win.
Serves 4
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken:
Sauce:
⅓ cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
1 Tablespoon organic cornstarch
⅓ cup honey
Stir-Fry:
1 medium onion, diced ½”
1½ pounds broccoli, stems peeled
1 pound chicken thighs, cut into 1″ cubes
2 Tablespoons avocado oil, (or olive oil)
¼ cup water
3 cloves garlic, minced
Method:
1. Start by mixing the soy sauce and cornstarch together until the cornstarch dissolves. Add the honey to the soy sauce mixture, but you don’t need to combine them (this happens in the pan).
2. Thinly slice the peeled broccoli stems, cut the florets into 1″ pieces, and set the broccoli aside with the onion.
3. Preheat a large skillet over high heat.
4. When the pan is almost smoking, add 1 Tablespoon of avocado oil and the chicken cubes. Sauté for about 2 minutes to brown before turning the chicken cubes, and cooking until golden brown and done in the center. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of avocado oil to the pan. Add the onion and broccoli, and cook stirring every 30 seconds for 3-5 minutes or until the onions begin to soften and the broccoli turns bright green but is still crisp.
6. Add the ¼ cup of water to the pan, cover with a lid, and simmer for 3 minutes until the water has mostly evaporated and the broccoli is just tender.
7. Add the sautéed chicken, minced garlic, and the sauce into the skillet.
8. Stir to incorporate the honey, and simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken the sauce. Serve immediately.
While this recipe certainly wouldn’t satisfy chicken parm traditionalists, we can’t help but love how easy it is
Once again the crock pot comes to the rescue for this version of chicken parm. Merely throw all three (yes, it only takes three!) ingredients, cook on low for 6-8 hours and you’ve got a hearty meal. Since this Crock Pot chicken parmesan recipe doesn’t require dredging the chicken in egg and bread crumbs, the cleanup is oh-so-easy as well. Be sure to check out our other favorite crock pot recipes!
Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Ingredients:
18 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
Preparation Method:
1. Place chicken in the crock pot. If you’re using frozen chicken tenders, no need to thaw.
2. Pour the spaghetti sauce over the chicken and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Before serving sprinkle the cheese over the chicken and sauce. Re-cover to let the cheese melt.
Sit back and relax with this amazingly simple recipe (it might be the easiest we’ve ever seen!), and add some kid-friendly flavor to your evening
We can’t think of much that our kids like better than chicken teriyaki! For the perfect family feast, try this Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki recipe from Kylee at Our Little Acre. If you’re looking for other amazing dinner ideas, check out our list of crock pot dinner recipes.
Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki Ingredients:
1 lb. chicken, cubed
1 cup chicken broth (optional; Kylee recommends skipping it)
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
Preparation Method:
1. Combine chicken broth, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, and garlic cloves in a large bowl.
2. Add chicken to the sauce, and mix.
3. Pour chicken mixture into crock-pot.
4. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.
5. Serve over hot cooked rice and spoon on extra sauce if desired.
These one-pot and grill meals from Trader Joe’s will definitely make your life easier
Summertime is all about ease, and meals shouldn’t be an exception! With a few favorites in your pantry, these Trader Joe’s dinner ideas come together almost effortlessly, leaving more time for you to enjoy those long days with your little ones. There’s a recipe in this list that’s guaranteed to please everyone, even the picky eaters at your table.
Mini Chicken Wonton Stir Fry
Trader Joe’s
There’s pretty much nothing easier than a stir fry, can we agree? This one is a twist as it features the mini wontons that are everyone’s favorite. Cook them up according to the package directions and then sautee the broccoli slaw and garlicky cabbage when the wontons are done. Add a bit of stir fry sauce to bring it all together.
Chicken Pasta Salad
Anna Doogan
This salad is perfect for an easy weeknight meal or a portable option for a picnic or potluck. Plus, it’s equally fantastic served warm or cold! Toss cooked pasta with a jar of Corn and Chile Tomato-Less Salsa, black beans, chopped chicken, and a bit of creamy dressing, like the tasty Cilantro. Add a handful of your favorite veggies and shredded or cubed cheese to top it off.
Shawarma Chicken Bowls
Trader Joe’s
Fire up the grill and cook up these chicken thighs that are full of flavor. The base of this dish is brown rice that cooks in the microwave. Top with grilled chicken and roasted Brussels sprouts along with a drizzle of lemon and a dollop of garlic hummus. The pita bite crackers add a bit of crunch.
Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers
Anna Doogan
For a delicious veggie-centric summer dinner, stuffed peppers with quinoa and feta are hard to beat. Stuff a variety of peppers with a pre-made quinoa salad, sprinkle with feta and bake until warmed through. You’ll get a bright pop of color, a big boost of vitamins, and a whole lot of yumminess.
Easy Gyros & Mediterranean Salad
Karly Wood
Keep it cool and refreshing during the warmer months by whipping up easy gyros. Grab a box of fully cooked Trader Joe's Gyro Slices, naan bread, tomatoes, and creamy prepared Tzatziki sauce and pair it with a simple Greek salad made with greens, cucumber, and balsamic vinegar.
Greek Bowls
Trader Joe’s
All you have to prepare is the quinoa for this easy summer lunch or dinner. It packs a punch of protein so we love it as our base topped with pre-cooked chicken breasts, tomatoes, Greek chickpeas, and diced cucumbers. The vegan tzatziki dip brings it all together.
BBQ Pork Sandwiches with Coleslaw
Anna Doogan
BBQ pork sandwiches are one of the quintessential backyard summer meals, and they're oh-so-simple with a few shortcuts. Pre-made shredded pork heats up in minutes, and the coleslaw mix can quickly be thrown together, leaving extra time for you to toss that frisbee with the kids a few more times.
Scallop Rolls
Anna Doogan
One of our favorite Trader Joe's dinner ideas? A twist on the classic lobster roll! Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper, and saute in butter. Then tuck them into a squishy hot dog bun with some greens and a dollop of mayo or a tangy tartar sauce. You may not actually be lounging at the seashore, but with this recipe, at least you can pretend you are. Perfection.
Steak Tacos
Anna Doogan
Can’t decide what to have for dinner? A DIY taco bar is a fun and simple crowd-pleaser. While the meat’s cooking, set out tortillas, avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, olives and any other toppings you can think of. Then let everyone go to town making their own creation!
Next-Level Ravioli
Sara Olsher
Trader Joe's has a great selection of ravioli, but topping it with marinara can get old. By adding steamed spinach, peas and melted Boursin cheese, this pumpkin ravioli now has three veggies (and they all taste like cheese!).
Island Soyaki Rice Bowl with Meatballs
Anna Doogan
Get all the beach feels with a tropical-inspired rice bowl. Cook party-size frozen mini meatballs in Island Soyaki marinade, flavored with pineapple juice, garlic and ginger. Serve over cooked rice. Add sautéed red peppers and grilled pineapple chunks, and don’t forget to save a little sauce for drizzling on top.
Pesto Pasta with Shrimp
Anna Doogan
Pesto is the star of this easy pasta recipe that will definitely earn a spot in the summer dinner rotation. Mix your favorite cooked pasta with shrimp and garlicky pesto. Add chopped fresh basil and tomato with a sprinkling of grated parmesan for an extra blast of favorite summery flavors.
Carnitas Salad
The cilantro salad dressing at Trader Joe's is no joke, and it's delicious on more than just salads. Create a filling dinner salad or a tasty lunch by adding their pre-cooked carnitas, Mexican cheese, avocado, salsa, cilantro salad dressing and a small amount of sour cream to a bag of romaine lettuce.
Delicious Pulled Pork Tacos
Sara Olsher
Trader Joe's pulled pork can be made in the microwave in three minutes and makes a super-tasty base for these tacos. Add your favorite toppings, but don't skip the Roasted Tomatillo and Mango Salsa, which adds some tang and spice.
Take advantage of the seasonal fresh tomatoes and basil with this easy recipe from Leah’s Thoughts that encourages you to toss any ingredients you have in the fridge. We suggest adding veggies or chicken to this tomato basil pasta recipe to make it a little heartier.
Ingredients for Tomato Basil Pasta Recipe:
Olive oil, roughly 1/4 cup
Fresh tomatoes, roughly 2 cups, chopped
Fresh basil, roughly 1/2 cup, chopped
Fresh garlic, roughly 2 tablespoons, chopped
Salt and pepper
Cheese (Parmesan or fresh mozzarella if you’ve got it)
Pasta (whatever you want, though Penne works well)
Method:
1. Cook your choice of pasta according to the directions on the package and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil (roughly 1/4 a cup) in a large pan over medium heat.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes, simmer for a few minutes, then add the garlic, salt and pepper.
4. Let the sauce simmer until tasty (try it). Then add the fresh basil, and pasta and top with your choice of cheese.
Leah Singer is a freelance writer and a practicing speechwriter. She shares many family-friendly recipes, as well as stories of motherhood, craft ideas, writing, and other such topics at Leah’s Thoughts. Read more about Leah at: leahsthoughts.com.
Watermelon beverages, horchata ice cream, and a brand new Jangle have us ready for summer
Hot days and long pool stays are around the corner! When it comes to embracing the sweet sounds and tastes of summer, no one does it better than Trader Joe’s. The next time you head out to your favorite neighborhood market, make sure you pick up some of these seasonal Trader Joe’s summer items to make your sunny days all the tastier. You’ll find refreshing watermelon beverages, perfect picnic snacks, peony-scented candles, and bulk margaritas for your next party.
Enchanted Jangle
Like the holiday favorite Jingle Jangle, this version is guaranteed to be your kids’ favorite. In this mix, you’ll find lemon-yogurt-coated animal cookies; chocolate-coated pretzel nuggets; strawberry-yogurt-coated marshmallows; sweet, pink-and-orange-swirled confectionery chips; and savory, salted waffle pretzels.
Sparkling Watermelon Juice
We love this refreshing beverage for all those pool days.
Cold Brew Iced Tea
Skip the traditional cold brew coffee and go for this black tea and lemon version for a lighter summer sipper.
Donuts Forever Truffles
We love these cuties on a dessert plate for those summer soirees.
If your kids love pasta but you want to change up your dinnertime routine, try out this easy Baked Ziti. Make it ahead of time and bake it when needed. From the refrigerator, the dish usually needs an additional 15 minutes of cooking time.
Ingredients for Easy Baked Ziti:
1 pound dry ziti pasta
1 finely chopped onion
1 lb ground beef
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
8 slices of provolone cheese
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for about 8-9 minutes; drain.
2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, heat through, then remove from heat.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking oil spray.
4. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2 of the sauce, Provolone cheese, sour cream, remaining ziti, remaining sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the cheeses are melted. Cover with foil for the first 15-20 minutes of baking, then remove the foil so the cheese will melt and the top will brown.
