Meatless Monday: Macaroni & Cheese

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We spotted this bright orange box of Trader Joe’s Macaroni & Cheese on the end of an aisle when we were last shopping at Trader Joe’s. We both said something like YUM! “We should get that” in a sorta joking way… but then said why not? It is fast, easy to make, and we hoped (having not tried it before, but trusting in Trader Joe’s) fantastic!

Trader Joe's Macaroni & Cheese

Trader Joe's Macaroni & Cheese

So this week, we are taking a trip back to childhood (or at least early adulthood when we would make Mac & Cheese for a quick dinner) by serving Trader Joe’s Macaroni & Cheese for our Meatless Monday Meal.

How did it go? It was really just delish! I can’t tell you the last time that we ate Macaroni & Cheese. The pasta was firm and the cheese sauce was tasty without being overly salty or somehow “oily” (my big issue with blue box mac & cheese).

We served it up plain with some veggies on the side (sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and some baby carrots.  But as I am sure you know, there are countless ways to jazz up Mac & Cheese, right? Some of our favorites are (meatless and no- so meatless ) : A can of tuna & frozen peas, chopped up bacon, green chilies, green onions, cooked broccoli,  olives, leftover cooked chicken , leftover cooked ham…  just to name a few. I am sure you have your favorite additions  too.

So a great, quick meal for a Meatless Monday Menu  (that might make you think back to the days when you ate Macaroni & Cheese a little more often) try serving Trader Joe’s Macaroni & Cheese.

Meatless Monday: Mac & Cheese

Meatless Monday: Mac & Cheese

Having said that, I was thinking (hey just like in those older days) this product, Trader Joe’s Macaroni & Cheese was so tasty that it would be worth it to have on hand for those quick meals when your original plan fell through for some reason….  Or any busy night when you’re short on time and energy. So pick up a box today to have on hand for the zillion reasons to make it, and the many ways to serve it up.

Trader Joe’s Marinated Grilled Eggplant & Zucchini

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After the sweet and easy success of our Meatless Monday Meal of Mock Eggplant Parmesan, we went back to Trader Joe’s and picked up another package! (I almost hesitate to admit this to you!)  We thought that the mock Eggplant Parmesan was just delicious and we made, yes, another one today for lunch. OK just to be super clear, the product that I am raving about is Trader Joe’s Misto alla Grigoia Marinated Grilled Eggplant & Zucchini.

Trader Joe's Grilled Veg

Trader Joe's Grilled Veg

The pieces of grilled vegetables are tender, but not overcooked and mushy. They also have a slight smoky/grilled flavor that we really enjoyed.

But while I was creating this yummy meal, I started to read the package and think about other ways that these wonderful grilled vegetables could be used….

1. First I was thinking of slicing up the veggies and tossing them with hot pasta and sauce.  I could even do this with the cold leftovers of the mock Eggplant Parmesan.

2. Then I was like Mock, Noodle-Free Lasagna could also be made with these grilled veggies. Next time I will pick up a container of ricotta cheese (or use crumbled soft tofu) and add spoonfuls as I layer the pasta sauce and grilled veggies.

3. I also thought these veggies would be good with some grilled meats (I was thinking of fish or chicken here, but lamb would also be great). A sorta “cheaters” way to serve grilled vegetables.

4. Finally what about slicing them up into thin strips and adding them to a cold pasta salad? I was thinking of that one I made earlier in the month with the Olive Tapanade? I bet the marinade and the “grilled” flavor would really add to a pasta salad.

However you serve them, they truly would make a wonderful addition to your meal.

Have you tried this product? What did you think?

Trader Joe’s Wine: Mionetto Prosecco D.o.c Treviso- Brut

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Hello Everyone;

It is time for another wine moment with Delaina.

I had a need for celebration gift this week,  and as the beautiful blue bottled Villa Carlotti Prosecco was not in stock at Trader Joes (or anywhere else that I called) I had to try another Prosecco.  I needed a Prosecco that would impress and show my gratitude,  so I spent a little more than I do normally. The Prosecco I chose was Mionetto Prosecco D.o.c. Treviso – Brut. Click to check out the Mionetto Website.

Mionetto Prosecco D.o.c. Treviso- Brut

Mionetto Prosecco D.o.c. Treviso- Brut

This sparkling Italian wine cost $9.99 at Trader Joe’s and offers a sophisticated apple essence. The tag that comes on the bottle implies a hint of “golden apple.” The Mionetto is dry in comparison to the Villa Carlotti; yet offers a soft-smooth finish that has the taste buds longing for more.

As I have said, I prefer Proseccos to other highly charged and overly sweet sparkling wines. I would say that this Mionetto Prosecco would be in competition with the much higher price Champagnes. Mionetto’s light, dry, and sophisticated flavors and balance would pair nicely with cheese and of course Italian dishes, like Kris’s Meatless Monday Meal Go Italian. I would recommend the Mionetto Prosecco for a nice gift or for your own celebratory events.

Cheers!

Meatless Monday: Go Italian This Week

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This Meatless Monday we found a great new-to -us product at Trader Joe’s and thought it would be just fantastic for an Easy, Yummy  Meatless Monday Main dish, with a little Italian flair.  The product? Trader Joe’s Misto Alla Griglia Marinated Grilled Eggplant & Zucchini (ready to go in the freezer section of the store).

When we were planning this meal, we remembered that we had a half- used jar of spaghetti sauce as well as a tub of Parmesan cheese so we thought we would construct a mock- Eggplant Parmesan dish of sorts. The best part? we only used 3 ingredients for this dish!!!

Meatless Monday This Week

Meatless Monday This Week

First, we thawed the package overnight in the refrigerator, (but there are also microwave thawing directions printed on the label). Next we layered the grilled eggplant and zucchini in the dish and with the pasta sauce. (We placed half of the grilled veggies in the bottom of a 8×8 baking dish and then spread a thick layer of sauce over the top. Then the second layer of vegetables was placed on top of the sauce.) We then added a final layer of sauce to finish the dish.

The First Layers

The First Layers

Ready For The Oven

Ready For The Oven

We baked the dish at 350 for 15 minutes in the over, covered with a piece of foil. We then took it out and sprinkled the dish with parmesan cheese, and placed it back in the oven for another 15 minutes.  That was it!

Meatless Monday- Ready to Serve

Meatless Monday- Ready to Serve

We served this rich sauce Meatless Monday entrée with a green salad. But I also wanted to mention that garlic bread might be a nice addition to this meal.

Meatless Monday Dinner

Meatless Monday Dinner

This Meatless Monday Meal was so easy to put together and it smelled just WONDERFUL as it baked. We were really impressed with the Trader Joe’s Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini product as well. The vegetables were all the same thickness, and had nice grill marks but the best part was that they were not overcooked (or super soft from the freezer). They cut very easily but were not all “mush” when we served up our dinner.

How is Meatless Monday going for you? What exciting new dishes are you serving up?