The I Love Trader Joe’s College Cookbook!
As you might imagine, I have a cookbook fetish. In fact, I should probably have stock in Amazon since I order so many cookbooks from them each week. What can I say, I love to cook and read cookbooks from cover to cover learning whatever new techniques and recipes that I can.
So when a foodie friend of mine, Andrea Lynn, asked me if I would review her new cookbook, “The I Love Trader Joe’s College Cookbook” I said yes!
Most of what intrigued me about the book was the fact that my daughter who will be a college senior this coming fall, loves Trader Joe’s. In fact, she gets upset if the weather outdoors is bad and she can’t get to Trader Joe’s to do her weekly grocery shopping.
She enjoys getting their prepared foods, marinated and vacuumed packed fish such as their salmon, which apparently comes in a variety of marinades along with other healthy food items. Since she lives in an apartment I’m thrilled that she can purchase foods that are healthy and require only a microwave, grill pan like the “Griddler” which she has, a pot or oven. All the items are easy to prepare. However, there’s just one thing – she can cook these but can she be creative in how she prepares them?
This is where Andrea Lynn comes in with her book, The I Love Trader Joe’s College Cookbook! Andrea can help your college student transform Trader Joe’s ingredients into a mouth-watering array of nibbles and meals. Dishes that will wow not only them but their roommates and friends too!
What do you think? Are your kids just buying junk food for their meals? Are they tired of eating cafeteria food? Do you think they would throw a meal together if it only required a microwave or one pot?
I literally went through each and every page of this book and was so excited, I ordered one to send to my daughter. For the person that loves Trader Joe’s and let’s face it, who doesn’t, this is a masterpiece. Your child will feel like a seasoned cook and with the step-by-step instructions from Andrea they will be. Your college student won’t be overwhelmed with a long list of ingredients but will learn to prepare outstanding dishes with the limited time they have.
Andrea’s cookbook covers:
Snacks & Nibbles
Sandwiches & Salads
Soups
Pastas
Main Meals
Vegetarian Main Meals
Microwave Main Meals
Simple Sides
Quick & Hearty Brain Food for Finals (who doesn’t need this)
Special Occasions
Desserts & Drinks
Tips & Techniques
Plus in her introduction she explains how to use the cookbook, discussing substitutions and even has Recipe Icons listed for each recipe, so you know whether the recipe uses a microwave, one pot, meals in 5 minutes or less, meals that require no cooking, meals to go, and even vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Andrea doesn’t miss a trick. All 150 recipes come with special notes in addition to Servings, Prep Time and Cooking Time, leaving nothing to the imagination of the cook.
If your child will be going off to college in the fall, whether they’ll be a freshman in a dorm or a senior in their own apartment, I highly recommend purchasing this for them. If you have friends whose children are going off to school this will be a great gift to give. At just $12.21 on Amazon, I Love Trader Joe’s College Cookbook: 150 Cheap and Easy Gourmet Recipes
Here are just a few of the recipes that I can’t wait to try but go ahead and browse the cookbook for yourself:
Snacks & Nibbles: Stuffed Mushrooms, Sloppy Joe Nachos and Sweet Chili Wings
Soups: Mexican Tortilla Soup with Avocado and Tortilla Chips, Gazpacho
Pastas: Portabella Mushroom Ravioli
Main Meals: Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa, Chicken Masala with Sweet Potatoes
Vegetarian Main Meals: Teriyaki Tofu with Baby Broccoli, Brie and Butternut Squash Quesadillas
Microwave Main Meals: Pad Thai, Beef Fajita with Guacamole and Pico De Gallo
The list is endless. There are so many great recipes from appetizers to desserts. My daughter’s cookbook should arrive at her apartment today. I wonder which recipe she’ll try first.
It will be nice to know that now, when my daughter goes to Trader Joe’s she’ll have some fun, creative and delicious meals to put together with the items she purchases.
This is my 2-cents worth. What do you think?
Hi, I’m Vicki Bensinger! I have been teaching culinary classes throughout Missouri since 1992. I offer personalized private culinary classes for individuals and small groups in the comfort of your home or organization.
I may have to pick this book up for myself! I LOVE Trader Joe’s! I’m there several times a week.
I think it’s a great cookbook for college students, those just living on their own or anyone for that matter. It has some fantastic recipes that the whole family will love and great party recipes too!
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Vicki. What a perfect gift for those college bound. Love their bruschetta and pita chips. Plus they are the best place for flowers on-the-run. I’m sure the kids would love their frozen foods.
Andrea has created recipes using all of their products. She actually sampled every ingredient the company makes: from packaged snacks to fresh veggies to frozen meals to create fun meals to put together for any time of the year or occasion.
This sounds awesome! I love Traders Joes and this recipe books sounds great for just about anyone!!
Alicia, it is a great cookbook with a wide variety of recipes all with items you can purchase at Trader Joe’s.
My mom just sent this cookbook to me. I’m in college and I love food shopping at Trader Joe’s. I’m really excited to use this. I’m most excited to make the Frito Pie, pulled pork sandwich, eggplant parm lasagna, stuffed peppers with chicken and orzo and the raspberry brownies for dessert!
I knew you’d love the Trader Joe’s cookbook. I have my eye on the eggplant lasagna too. Well I can’t wait to hear how your first dish turns out. I hope you and your roommates enjoy the book.
Worth to explore more this Trader Joe’s cookbook with those wonderful recipes!
Cheers,
Gera
Gera, I definitely think so!
I just moved, and there is a Trader Joe’s less than a mile from my apartment! I never thought I would be going there so much, but I just love it and those recipes you listed look good. Might have to pick up a copy of this! 🙂
@}—-Rosie