Book Review: *The Cooking with Trader Joe's Cookbook: Dinner's Done!* by Deana Gunn and Wona Miniati

• The Cooking with Trader Joe’s Cookbook: Dinner’s Done! by Deana Gunn and Wona Miniati
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Brown Bag Publishers; 1 edition (October 20, 2010)
• ISBN-13: 978-0979938436

Back-of-the-book-blurb: On the heels of their bestselling Trader Joe’s cookbooks, the cult classic Cooking with All Things Trader Joe’s and the portable The Trader Joe’s Companion, Gunn and Miniati are back, this time with all-new recipes that will appeal to everyone who loves Trader Joe’s, including busy parents strapped for time, overworked professionals tired of fast food, and young people allergic to cooking.

The authors introduce a large new collection of brand-new mouth-watering recipes, using favorite Trader Joe’s ingredients and clever shortcuts.

She Is Too Fond of Books’ review: I came across this book when I went to say “goodbye” to our local Borders.  I was out that way a few weeks ago (before the prices were slashed), and figured I’d take one last look around.  Truth be told, I hadn’t shopped there much in the past few years – the store was cavernous with lots of empty shelves; the writing was on the wall, I suppose.

The cover caught my eye – aside from calling out “Trader Joe’s” in the title, it has the iconic look of the sketches in their “Fearless Flyer” circular.  I took a peek inside, and liked what I saw!

The book is designed to offer “smart, time-saving ways to assemble easy, delicious, and healthy meals in minutes.”  That means they often cite ingredients that can purchased as “convenience foods” at Trader Joe’s (pre-cooked chicken, pre-cut onions, etc.).  But, the real beauty of the cookbook is that you don’t have to use these shortcuts if there’s not a Trader Joe’s near you (I cry for you, but you can still enjoy this cookbook!).  In other words, the ingredients are not so specific to Trader Joe’s that you must use their “convenience foods.”  In fact, in most cases, a non-TJ’s equivalent is also listed.

The cookbook covers all types of meals – from appetizers, soups and salads to main courses, side dishes, and desserts.  Each recipe includes a full-color photo and nutritional information.  Ingredients for each recipe can be purchased entirely at Trader Joe’s, making easy one-stop shopping (but not exclusively at TJ’s, as noted above).

A short section in the front of the book tells a bit about the Trader Joe’s stores and philosophy (no preservatives, no artificial flavors or colors, and no genetically modified foods).  ”Kitchen Staples” lists handy items to keep at home, including “frozen boxed appetizers for unexpected guests” – yes, I loved the Raspberry Brie Phyllo Pastries, but didn’t see them when I was shopping yesterday!  There are also tips for making mealtimes less hectic, and a handy conversion chart.  For those with special diets, the index listing highlights gluten-free and vegetarian recipes.

I plan to make this Winter Caprese.  Rather than using heirloom/beefsteak tomatoes, like a traditional Caprese Salad, it calls for steamed and peeled beets.  The suggested ingredient is the Trader Joe’s refrigerated package, but you could, of course, steam and peel these yourself (or use those you sliced, steamed and froze during the abundant CSA season, if you’re an over-achiever!):

Winter Caprese

• Ingredients:
• 1 (8-oz) pkg refrigerated Steamed and Peeled Baby Beets, sliced
• 8 oz Mozzarella Medallions (about 2/3 of the 12-oz pkg), or slice your own fresh mozzarella
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp fresh basil, julienned or chopped
• Salt and black pepper

• Directions:
• Arrange beets and mozzarella slices in alternating pattern on serving dish.  Be careful with the beets – the juice will stain.
• Whisk together olive oil and lemon juice.  Pour evenly over beets and mozzarella.
• Sprinkle basil liberally over entire dish.  Sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Serves: 8
• Nutrition Snapshot:  Per serving: 109 calories, 8 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 6 g protein, 3 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 122 mg sodium
• Gluten0-free and vegetarian

Sounds yummy and easy … and a nice presentation on a platter!  I suspect that many of the recipes in the cookbook are served at the sample station in the back of the store.  I’m a sucker for that sample station (and the cup of hot coffee!), and usually purchase whatever is being demonstrated — smart marketing, Trader Joe’s!

Browse the extensive excerpt at Cooking With Trader Joe’s, which includes ten recipes.  This is a .pdf of actual book pages, so you’ll see more of the layout and drool-worthy photos.

Do you shop at Trader Joe’s?  What are your favorite products? My staples are cereals, oatmeal, Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup, maple syrup, spices, Mandarin Orange Chicken (a treat for the kids when J travels), breakfast blend ground coffee (for weekdays, we grind beans on the weekend), cornbread mix, cheeses … the list goes on ….

For more food-related posts, head over to Beth Fish Reads’ round-up of cooking-related posts at Weekend Cooking. You may find a cookbook review, recipe, kitchen tip, or baking adventure over there.  As she says, “if your post is vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend.”