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Trader Joe’s Roasted Tomato Salsa

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We had the hankering the other day for a Taco Salad. I just love Taco Salad because of all the different flavors and textures in each forkful.   So off to Trader Joe’s of course to get all the goodies to make a few of them and tell you about a great new salsa: Trader Joe’s Roasted Tomato Salsa.

Trader Joe's Roasted Tomato Salsa

So as we were zipping around the store and gathering up all the ingredients, we started to check out all the many different Salsa choices at Trader Joe’s… and there are a LOT!

We started out with the jars of salsas as there are a few ones that we like in that section, but then remembered…. Trader Joe’s sells FRESH salsa as well.

There were a few different salsa choices for us, but when we saw Roasted Tomato Salsa we knew we had a winner. We love items that have a little oven roasted flavor/ grill flavor to them.

This salsa is really terrific~ but on the Medium /Spicy side (or at least we think so).

Have you tried this salsa? What did you think?

Halloween Food- Haunted Pea Soup

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Here is one more example of tasty Halloween Recipes from our  EBook: Easy Halloween Recipes.  This recipe uses only 4 of Trader Joe’s ingredients that are easy to find and that you could already have in your house.

The fun and creative part of this dish is the creation of the Parmesan Ghost. These are really Parmesan Cheese croutons that we shaped into ghostly creatures and baked until they were golden. Then let them cool on the tin foil. When cool they will peel off and you can use them to garnish a soup or even a salad.

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We would suggest you make a few more than you need or practice making the ghosts ahead of time, as they tend to break easily…. and are really tasty!

Ingredients:

Trader Joe’s Organic Split Pea Soup ( consider 1 can for every 2 guests)
Artisan bread for toasting (Ciabatta bread works well)
Butter
Parmesan Cheese, Buy the container of fresh cheese that is crumbly, not in strings if possible)
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What To Do:
1. Make parmesan ghosts: Heat oven to 350 degrees and cover a baking pan with foil.
Using the parmesan cheese, create a cheesy ghost- like blob on the foil about ¼ inch thick. Try to make it small enough to fit into your serving bowls, but thick enough so you can peel it up later.
2. Bake parmesan ghost until cheese is lightly brown, about 5-10 minutes. Let cool completely and peel the ghost off the foil. Make 1 ghost per serving of soup.

3.Toast slices of the artisan bread,  and butter if you want.  Heat up the soup.

4.Place hot soup in serving bowls and float a Parmesan Ghost on top. Serve with toasted bread.

If you liked this recipe, and are looking for more Easy Halloween Recipes….

Check out our Ebook at Easy Halloween Recipes Today!

Or Order Your copy here…..
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How To Cook Spaghetti Squash

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I had a few emails on what was the best way to cook a spaghetti squash. I have seen chefs in restaurants split one and microwave each pieces until tender, but as we don no have a microwave (micro apartment)  we are going to tell you how we cook one in the oven (also micro- sized!)

Trader Joe's spaghetti squash

Trader Joe's spaghetti squash

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

1. Using a large bladed (sharp) kitchen knife… Carefully cut the squash in half the long way.

2. Scrape all the seeds out of the center of the squash (it will look kind of like a pumpkin’s center with seeds and stringy things…)

3. Cover a roasting pan with foil and lightly grease with olive oil or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

4. Lightly coat the spaghetti squash with oil and place cut side down into the foil lined pan.

5. Cook for 40-60 minutes or until a fork can easily prick the shell and the flesh. (for us this takes almost 1 full hour of cooking). Remove squash from oven.

6.  Carefully flip hot squash over and allow to cool down for a few minutes (about 10). When cooled, scrape the cooked flesh out of the squash shell and into a bowl. You may need to “pick” at the squash a little to release the strands of squash. Depending on the squash, I like to use the fork first, to gather up the strands, and then at some point I switch to a spoon to get all the squash out of the shell.

Cooked Spaghetti Squash

Cooked Spaghetti Squash

7. Toss cooked squash in your favorite spaghetti sauce or serve seasoned with salt and pepper and some butter. Here is the post with great serving suggestions just  in case you missed it:
https://www.livingtraderjoes.com/2010/10/10/meatless-monday-spaghetti-squash-delight/

Let us know if you have any questions…. THANKS!

Meatless Monday: Spaghetti Squash Delight

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Do you like Spaghetti Squash? We like how easy it is to bake and the number of ways that you can serve it up. Why not try it for Meatless Monday?.

During our last few trips to Trader Joe’s we have noticed a change at the store. It is Fall! There are cool assortments of Pumpkins and squashes both inside and outside the store. Not that you could tell from the weather at the beginning of the month (highs still in the 100’s ) But now that we are 1/3 of the way into October, Tucson finally feels like fall has arrived.

Trader Joe's spaghetti squash

Trader Joe's spaghetti squash

We jumped at the chance to grab a nice spaghetti squash to have for Meatless Monday this week. We just love how easy these squashes cook up and how many different ways that you can eat the spaghetti like threads that are created after it cooks.

Here are some ideas for you:

Go Italian– Serve spaghetti squash tossed with your favorite tomato sauce (we are using Trader Joe’s Tomato Basil Marinara) and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Italian Squash Casserole– Mix squash, pasta sauce in a bowl and pour into a well- greased casseroles type baking dish. Top with grated or sliced mozzarella or provolone cheese and heat until bubbly.

Pesto Italian– Add a few spoonfuls of olive oil and pesto to a bowl and mix together. Toss hot spaghetti squash strands around in the pesto with a fork until coated evenly. Season with salt and pepper and a few spoonfuls of parmesan cheese if you like.

Classic– Serve cooked spaghetti squash in the classic style, seasoned with salt and pepper and a pat or two of butter.

Cold- Toss cooked and cooled spaghetti squash with salad dressing and season well with salt and pepper. This is a nice and unusual element to add to a tossed salad.

3 Trader Joe's Sauces To Try

How do you like to serve spaghetti squash at your house? Leave us a comment below so we can compare recipes- THANKS!