Wednesday, November 7, 2007

LOOKING FOR EASY ENTREES

Because I enjoy cooking, and because the search for "springtime" temperatures often coincides with fresh local foods, we are what I call Spoiled Eaters - we eat well 99% of the time. I like browsing in new-to-me grocery stores, picking up local specialities, and trying new recipes I find on the internet.

Cooking gets old, though, at the end of a busy day or a long drive... those days when we end up hungry and tired, wishing dinner would get itself together and serve us. So, I am ALWAYS on the lookout for good (or even better, GREAT) prepared food, something to have on hand to lighten the load of cooking. For Spoiled Eaters, it has to be REALLY good to earn a place in the freezer.

Here is a new find from Trader Joe's that definitely made the cut: Chicken Serenada. The package serves two, a big, moist chicken breast for each, along with a DELICIOUS, slightly sweet, slighty spicy, sauce and sauteed peppers (290 calories per serving).

We ate this "unadorned", straight out of the microwave after finishing a new miso soup recipe I had tried. Next time, we'll have it on brown rice or quinoa, or mashed sweet potatos. Add a side of vegies... let's see, that's one pot of grain on the stovetop (or I could nuke a bag of TJ's delicious cooked, frozen brown rice during the "resting time" after the chicken comes out of the microwave) and a pan of sauteed or steamed vegies.

Quick, delicious, not much cleanup required afterwards... we're gonna' stock up on this one. Price: $6.99.

4 comments:

  1. I saw that at TJ and wondered if it was any good. I will give it a try next time. Have you tried the teriyaki chicken its just chicken and we get 4 servings to a package, its also very good over brown rice and microwave easy.

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  2. Guess I should have read your blog before we went shopping to Trader Joes today!

    Jo

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  3. Hey Laurie, thanks for the Chicken Serenada recommendation. Bought it yesterday, made it last night and absolutely loved it. Put it over the TJ's frozen brown rice (which I would never have bought had you not mentioned it). Neither the chicken nor the rice tasted in any way like a prepared pre-packaged food. Thanks a bunch!

    Jo

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  4. Just had this again tonight as it is our favorite meal! We don't go to restaurants too much right now, and are pleased to enjoy this restaurant-quality meal at frugalista prices. I cooked veggies along with the angel hair pasta, drained it and drizzled a little olive oil with cracked pepper and basil. It was DEEELISH!!!

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