Wona Miniati is a fellow Bay Area mom and we’re connected through one of my many new mom support groups. She doesn’t work for Trader Joe’s but she could definitely be called a fangirl of their stores and products. Together with her friend Deana Gunn they created the fabulous Cooking With All Things Trader Joe’s cookbook and cookingwithtraderjoes.com.
Whitney and I can identify with a pair of friends who’ve known each other for years only to find that life becomes more complicated when trying to juggle families and jobs while still trying to get good meals on the table. Give these ladies your support!
Rookie Moms TJ Gift Basket
Wona was amazing enough to offer us a copy of her book to give away (both Whitney and I have this book and love it!!) as well as a full-on custom-made new mom survival kit she made just for rookie moms. She says:
We’ve been there, and we know what a demanding job you have, raising a newborn. Sneak in little moments of relaxation with these pampering products from Trader Joe’s our favorite grocer:
- Sip soothing chamomile and mint teas
- munch on nutritious 5-seed almond bars
- soothe your body and mind with relaxing lavender scented soaps, bath scrubs, and oils
whip up good meals fast with our cookbook, Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s, full of easy gourmet recipes you can make in a snap, even with baby in tow!
She’s also given us permission to share one of Whitney’s go-to recipes from the cookbook:
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This warm, flavorful soup is sure to cure the common cold and the common soup. The best part is the contrast of fresh cilantro, fresh avocado, cheese, and crispy chips added at the last minute to this aromatic, spicy soup. It’s delicioso – make extra!
4 boneless chicken thighs
3 cups Organic Free Range Chicken Broth
2 cups water
1 yellow onion, quartered
1 tsp ground cumin
3/4 cup Chunky Salsa
2 Tbsp lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro [hgf note: OPTIONAL]
Toppings for each bowl:
Handful of broken Organic White Corn Tortilla chips or strips
¼ cup Fancy Shredded Mexican Blend cheese
1/4 of a ripe avocado, diced [wm note: MANDATORY]
- Combine water, broth, and onion in a pot and bring to a boil. Add chicken, salsa, and cumin; boil until the chicken is poached, about 10 minutes.
- Remove large onion pieces and discard. Using two forks, coarsely shred chicken and return to pot.
- Add lime and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove pot from heat and add cilantro.
- Ladle soup into individual bowls. Add broken tortilla chips, cheese, and avocado chunks to each bowl.
- Serve immediately.
Prep and cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves 4-6
Win it. Comment on this post your favorite Trader Joe’s convenience food and win the new mama relaxation kit.
Comment before Sunday, December 7, 2008. Winner will be selected on Monday, December 8th and have 7 days to reply before a new winner is selected.
{ 37 comments }
I am so sad that Utah does NOT have Trader Joes, it is a store I know I would just love. Would love to win the basket!!!
I have to pick just one? How about a few of the frozen convenience foods from TJ’s that I feed to my kids, like the mini chicken tacos, the turkey meatballs, the miniature pizzas, frozen peas, corn and broccoli…
I’d love to win this cookbook–not least because a Trader Joe’s is opening up 1.5 miles from my house THIS FRIDAY. I’m giddy just thinking about it!
MMM..TJ’s. Love their bread mixes, unsulfered dried apricots, and beer (so many choices!); I have been known to go there just to pick up a quick sandwich, salad or fresh roll for lunch. My baby thinks their yogurt cheese is a miracle substance!
I love the pre-made pizza dough at Trader Joe’s! It’s so easy to throw on some toppings and you’ve got a delicious pizza. Thanks for the contest entry!
Trader Joes Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas! Oh my goodness- my fave, and an absolute life-saver some days!
We’re having my favorite for dinner tonight: carne asada wrapped up in the truly handmade flour tortillas. Yum!
My favorite convenience food from TJ’s is their frozen egg rolls and chicken stir fry. And…their pre-made frozen deserts…who doesn’t love that?
I love their chicken satay sauce; I just slice up chicken breasts, marinate them in sauce, and saute them. It’s not really authentic, but it is tasty!
I like their Heart Healthy items
I really enjoy their pumpkin butter….I normally use apple butter, but the pumpkin butter is really good!
The fresh vegetables, especially the large portabella mushrooms
I really like their cheddar cheese curds. They also have great egg rolls . Thanks!!
I love Trader’s Joe Dairy Free Ice Cream Sandwiches. I also love their Peanut Butter Cups. My sister has celiac disease(gluten allergy) and lactose intolerance, so Trader Joe’s has been an awesome place to shop for her needs.
Thank you for the beautiful prize package!
I don’t live near a Trader Joe’s anymore, but when I did I loved their frozen fried rice, such an easy “meal” and yummy & healthy too!
I LOVE Trader Joes but alas the closest one is an hour away!!!
It would be so cool to win this!!!!
I love Trader Joes! I love the “cheap” wines and also the cheese curds from Wisconsin.
I love their honey pretzel sticks.. so good! Thanks for the giveaway!
Black bean and corn enchiladas…..too bad there’s no Trader Joe’s anywhere near me!
Love Trader Joe’s! The Larabar and Clif bars are my favorite convenience foods.
Their burritos are delish.
Their dark chocolate covered pistachios are very convenient for just grabbing a handful and stuffing them in your mouth. Great when you are in a hurry for something sweet.
My husband and I buy their chicken pot pies, so good! And we love their organic marinara, almond butter, craisin and oatmeal cookies (frozen and ready to pop in the oven), and the list goes on but the above are staples in our house!
Oh how I wish we had a Trader Joes closer than a 12 hour drive away! When I was visiting my sister in San Francisco we made a meal that included Indian food from the Tasty Bite brand that they sell. & it was very good!
Honestly, there isn’t one near us so when we do venture out that way we pick up a case of 2 buck Chuck (wine).
the fig-flavored greek yogurt is a treat for mama and the babes!
I too am devastated Utah does not have Trader Joe’s. I just moved here from SoCal and am lost without TJ’s. My mom brings TJ stuff every time she visits (once a month). My all-time fav products are their freeze-dried fruit. The strawberries and the bananas are awesome treats for my kids. No sugar added, just the fruit. They’re yummy by themselves or in applesauce or even on ice cream. My 17-month old has a banana every morning and if I’m out of the normal type, he gets the freeze-dried – which he *loves*! Yes, there is freeze-dried fruit available elsewhere, but at TJ’s, I know what I’m getting and it’s at a great price!
Let me start by saying, I live in Ecuador. Before this, however, I lived in Southern California…walking distance to a Trader Joes. I’m entering my comment in hopes to win this basket for a girlfriend (old neighbor) of mine – pregnant with her first little girl. She’s fanatic about TJ’s. This would be the most perfect gift for this new mom…that I’m so sad to be so far away from.
My favortie TJ’s creation? Pearl Tomatoes. Fresh Organic Basil (finely chopped). Perlinni Mozzarella balls. Mix them all together with a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil and VOILA! You’ve got yourselves a Caprese Salad…in bite-sized pieces! Thanks TJ’s! I promise to come home to you.
dark chocolate covered Joe Joes
We buy all sorts of frozen goodies from Trader Joe’s. The all-in-one-meals are especially a lifesaver, including the mushroom risotto, vegetable fried rice and curry chicken stix.
I love the marinated lamb chops – just pop them in the oven! Also the truffles but that is more of an indulgence food than a convenience food.
I love all their bruschettas – there are so many to choose from! Olive, sun-dried tomato, Italian, etc. I use them as toppings on appetizers, fillings for breads, or even to flavor soups and pastas. I would love to win this gift basket!!
Alas, I can’t comment on my favorite TJ’s convenience food – there is no TJ’s here! (And in a big area like Dallas/Fort Worth – that’s just sad. TJ’s, come this way!) I have friends who rave about the store, though, and I know I’d love it given a chance. The basket sounds lovely – thanks for the giveaway!
I am addicted to the black bean enchiladas…for breakfast!
The apple blossoms and the dried green beans are my fav!
When I was younger? 2 buck chuck. Now? Chicken Pot Pies!
I love their salads. I always used to pick one up for lunch when I was close to a Trader Joes.
The pizza dough!
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