Trader Joes Tuesday- Pancakes!

I usually make my pancakes from scratch. But since going Gluten/Dairy free that is no longer fun for me. So a few months ago James brought home the Buttermilk Pancake Mix from Trader Joes. I whipped some up the next morning and my kids chowed them down. So I snuck a piece. Sure enough it tastes exactly like my homemade from scratch ones.

They are super easy to make. You just need a griddle, some Pam, an egg (I made a double batch), water, mixing bowl, whisk and spatula.

Add water and eggs to the mix and whisk.

This batter is too thick. For great pancakes your batter should be the consistancy of a yummy milkshake.

Just right! Now time to get them on the griddle.

Here's a tip for when to turn them. See those little bubbles. When they start popping lift up the edge and peek at the bottom. They should be ready to turn.

When they are done put them on a plate and add peanut butter and syrup! (Trust me, it's good.)

My most favorite pancake tip of all (especially if you have to cut up a lot) is to use a pizza cutter. I also use the pizza cutter to cut up sandwhiches. (I have more than one kid. LOL.)

Now, if I was smart I would have had my husband bring home some a frozen fruit medley so I could make a yummy fruit compote for the top. Maybe next time!

Trader Joes Tuesday- VIDEO TUTORIAL- Candy Cane Joe Joe Truffles

Candy Cane Joe Joe Truffles are AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!

And now for my first video tutorial! I'm not sure why we didn't think of this sooner. My husband did go to film school after all. Forgive the quality of the footage. We obviously need a new camera. Or at least one with more than 8mb of memory on it.



So, what do you guys think? Should we do more videos?

Trader Joes Tuesday- Chicken, quinoa and black beans!

This week I picked up some Organic Red Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa for those of you who were wondering just HOW do you say that word), Organic Sweet Yellow Corn, Kidney Beans, and some onions from TJ's. (Ok, so my husband grabbed them before he left for the day but you get the picture.)

On hand I had the  black beans, crushed garlic, sea salt, cumin, black pepper, chicken, chicken broth and canola oil. I wish I had some cilantro but you know, it tasted pretty darn yummy without it.

In my rice cooker I made up a batch of the red quinoa. For this recipe I used 3/4 cup quinoa and 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth. I also put in the cumin and salt and pepper. Although this could be added at any step.

While that was going I chopped and browned the onions and garlic. I also cubed the chicken.

Don't forget to drain and RINSE your beans. You want to do this because it actually cuts down on how... well musical you will be later in the evening. :)

Remove the onions from your pan and add the chicken and cook until done. About 5 minutes or so. Add the beans and the corn and cook until they are warm. Mix the corn/bean/chicken in with the quinoa. I just added it all to the rice cookers pot so I didn't have to dirty yet another dish.

Plate it up!

And that my friends is another yummy, delicious, and best of all healthy and hearty gluten and dairy free dinner using mostly Trader Joe ingredients.

Trader Joes Tuesday

As some of you may or may not know my dh is a manager at Trader Joes. It's really a great job. I just wish his store was closer! I love TJ's like nothing else and I especially love all the yummy things I can get just by making a simple phone call to my husband while he's at work!

This week I bring to your table a quick, easy and best of all Gluten and Dairy free dinner. My 10 month old especially loves it. All of these ingredients you can find at your local Trader Joes.

Fried Polenta w/ Marinara Sauce

Start with your basic marinara sauce...

Simmer it on your stove. Add whatever goodness you like to it (it's really delicious as it comes though).

Next slice up your polenta in half inch slices and fry (don't forget to spray your pan) over medium heat until it's nice and golden on both sides.

Place the fried polenta on your plate and top with the marinara.

Serve with some Sugar Peas and Roasted Garlic Hummus

And enjoy!