Tried in One Five

Seems self explanatory, but... Recipies I tried making in 2015 and beyond.

[triedin2015]

https://lovelydelites.com/trader-joes-viral-dumpling-bake/

I'm old. I'm not on TikTok. But even I hear about viral food things sometimes. (Thanks, Instagram Reels! ha ha)

Anyway, I read a blog post that referenced the viral TJ dumpling bake and it sent me looking for a recipe. That's how I found this. I made it and I gotta say, it was pretty delicious!

Sure, it's putting together a bunch of stuff that's packaged, so this isn't the most healthy thing. But I appreciated how easy it was and that M and M both enjoyed it.

Outside of the dumplings (which we often have via Costco), I still have at least half a jar or each of the sauces. So all I have to do is buy some spinach and mushrooms (which I added) and I can make it again. I call that a win!

[triedin2015]

Crispy Zucchini Black Bean Tacos

These crispy zucchini black bean tacos are quick and easy to make with an irresistible avocado dipping sauce. Crispy black…

I was craving Chipotle for dinner Halloween night, but couldn't make the time work (Mike was driving Michaela's rowing carpool, I was passing out candy). I decided I'd do something at home. I've been trying to eat more fiber so this had the extra benefit of being veggie-packed.

I used two smaller zucchini but otherwise stuck with the recipe as written for the tacos. Next time, I'd maybe not do tacos and use this as stuffing for quesadillas with flour tortillas. Frying the tacos was a pain in the butt and didn't provide a particularly large payoff.

The other thing I'd do differently is only use one teaspoon of honeyin the avocado sauce. I felt like the sauce was too sweet.

Will play around with this some more but will likely make again.

[triedin2015]

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice

This Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice is flavorful and very easy to make. It turns out light and fluffy every single time.

This tasted just like Chipotle's rice and was crazy easy! I made it just like the recipe said, except with long grain white (not Basmati) rice. Zest and juice of one lime. That's about it. Will definitely make again!

[triedin2015]

Easy Blueberry Crisp

This mouthwatering Blueberry Crisp is so easy to make with fresh or frozen blueberries! Vegan and gluten free options.

Our street hosts a chili cookoff each year. It's lovely! But this year -- after coming in second for three years -- I decided we'd skip making chili and do a dessert instead. An autumnal dessert. I was thinking I'd do cookies or something cinnamon-y, but then Michaela suggested a cobbler. There's nothing easier than that, so I was in!

When I looked at cobbler recipes, I decided to keep it even simpler and do a crisp. I haven't used this recipe before but gave it a spin.

It was okay? Not the best ever. I will definitely look for a different one next time I make a cobbler/crisp/buckle.

[triedin2015]

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A post shared by Anna Lisa | Easy Trader Joe’s Recipes (@traderjoes5itemsorless)

Mike has been out of town and I was looking for some easy dinner options. I have been following this Instagrammer who does meals with Trader Joe's ingredients and decided to give a couple of their things a try.

I know I shouldn't be surprised that things like nicer online and in fancy pictures than in real life, but I am. When I made this, it ended up looking very... beige? It was easy, though, I'll give it that.

The seasoning packet for the pilaf was very salty and tasted very processed (duh, of course it did). If I were to make this again, I would only use half.

But I'm doubtful I would make it again. I could do the same thing without the processed foods and feel better about myself, ha ha.

[triedin2015]

Pumpkin Lasagna Skillet

Cozy up with this Pumpkin Lasagna Skillet—an easy one-pan fall dinner made with pasta, pumpkin, cheese, and ground turkey. High-protein, fam

This is described as "an easy one-pan fall dinner." I can confirm that's accurate! And my family really liked it, too. A win-win!

I used a whole onion and a whole point oof turkey because those things don't come in halves! Next time, I think I would add spinach, just for some more veggie goodness. But otherwise, it's great as-written and I'll make again.

[triedin2015]

Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli

Two side dishes in 1 sheet pan.

After making a sheet pan meal a couple of weeks ago, I was reminded how totally easy they are to get a well-rounded meal on the table, which is extra important on a weeknight when Michaela's coming from rowing, tired and hungry. That's how I ended up at the store last night, thinking, "well, I know we have potatoes at home, so I just need some other veggie and some sausages to throw on a pan to cook."

Michaela likes broccoli so I decided to get that. I saw some chopped butternut squash and grabbed that, too. Then I worked backwards, searching for a recipe for doing roasted potatoes and broccoli. That's where I found this.

I put the squash on with the potatoes because I knew it would take more time to cook than the broccoli. I cooked the potatoes and squash for 15 minutes, then added the broccoli and sausages and cooked for another 15. And voila, dinner was done! M and M liked it, it was filling and healthy, and there was enough for lunches today. I call that a success.

[triedin2015]

Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Grilled Vegetables

Healthy, veggie-forward Mediterranean couscous salad with grilled vegetables and a creamy basil lemon feta dressing—perfect for summer.

I love couscous. It's just so darn delicious. So I've had this recipe bookmarked for a while.

I was at the store recently and they had couscous on sale, so I decided to get some and give this a try. I knew we had frozen meantballs at home and thought this would be a great after-rowing meal because of its carbs and protein (when I added the meatballs), not to mention that it's pretty easy to make.

I didn't use poblano because they didn't have any at my store; I used an extra bell pepper. I also used a whole red onion. I cooked the veggies under the broiler, not on the grill, and I drizzled with olive oil instead of spraying; it maybe took 12 minutes?

The sauce was really tasty. I might just start making it as a salad dressing.

When it was time to eat, everyone really enjoyed it. I will definitely make this again!

[triedin2015]

Slow-Cooker Chicken Ragù With Herbed Ricotta Recipe

This recipe has a comforting lasagna vibe, as the spicy chicken-and-tomato sauce mingles with the rich, herby ricotta Make the sauce as hot

This is going on my list of things to make when I'm having people over for dinner. It was crazy easy and really yummy!

I don't usually like chicken thighs, but didn't mind them at all here.

No notes. Will make again!

[triedin2015]

Chicken Shawarma Sheet Pan Dinner

Easy Chicken Shawarma Sheet Pan Dinner—juicy chicken thighs with chickpeas & veggies. A high-protein, high-fiber weeknight dinner in one pan

I don't make a lot of sheetpan meals, but this left me thinking I should do it more often. It was so easy!

I expanded the recipe, which was built around 4 servings, to be 6. That made some of the measurements weird (like, 2.25 teaspoons) so I mostly eyeballed the spice mix. But basically, I cut everything up, dumped the spices on top, tossed, roasted, and voila.

I topped it with feta and served this with quinoa and pita bread. Mike and I made it as a bowl; Michaela stuffed her pita with everything.

The main change I'd make next time is to add more veggies of other colors. This ended up looking pretty beige. But I'll make again!

[triedin2015]

Easy Crustless Spinach Pie

A simple Greek inspired Easy Crustless Spinach and Feta Pie combining savory flavors such as spinach, feta, Asiago cheese, dill and scallion

This was so good!

It's hot and I thought my family would want something light for dinner, so I decided to give this a spin.

I read the comments on the recipe before I made it and the general consensus was, add more herbs and spices (which tracks with how I find Skinnytaste recipes in general), but also to add in some other veggies in addition to the spinach.

I doubled or triped the fresh herbs -- parsley and dill -- and also added chopped red onion and chopped tomatoes. I also added a little extra Parm in the liquid mix because, duh.

BAked it for 33 minutes and it came out brown and beautiful on top. I served it with sliced French bread and watermelon; honestly, it would work for a brunch that way just as easily as dinner.

Unfortunately, when the meal was done, Mike made himself a bowl of cereal and Michaela a bowl of cottage cheese. They both said they liked it so I'm not sure what the deal was, but I'll make this again.

[triedin2015]

Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Bowls

These Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Bowls with Cream Chipotle Sauce are a delicious plant based meal, also great for vegetarian meal prep.

I've been making the sauce from this recipe on repeat lately.

I served greens and grains bowls for a book club I hosted in January, using this as inspiration for cooking time for the veggies... and making the yogurt sauce. It's so good!

I use lemon juice and added lemon zest for the sauce. Everyone I've served it to has loved it and I'll definitely be keeping it up.

[triedin2015]

Instant Pot Brown Rice - Love and Lemons

Learn how to cook perfect Instant Pot brown rice! This easy recipe is almost entirely hands-off, and the rice is always tender and fluffy.

We usually make rice in our little rice cooker, but last night, we had 8 people for dinner and I needed to make a bigger batch for the greens and grains bowls I was serving. Seemed like a great time to pull out my Instant Pot!

I did a search for a recipe, to get the proportions and cooking setting/time, and found this one. It had good reviews so I decided to give it a try. And it turned out great!

I used about 2 cups of chicken broth because I had an open carton on hand and used water for the remaining 1/2 cup of liquid. And that was it! Rinse rice, add that and liquid to the IP, set the time, and leave it alone. I have no complaints!

Will definitely make again if I need a larger quantity of rice than we get from our rice cooker.

[triedin2015]

Chicken Parmesan

The best baked Chicken Parmesan recipe, made lighter by skipping the frying! These oven-baked, breaded chicken cutlets are incredibly moist,

My bestie makes chicken parm for weeknight dinner and I'm always really surprised because it seems like such a pain in the butt to do after work when you're tired and people are hungry. But tonight I said I'd make dinner and, as I looked through my bookmarked recipes, I saw this and decided to give it a try in her honor. And I have to say, it was really easy!

It's Skinnytaste so it's a relatively healthy recipe. Eggs are like a million dollars each right now and we were out of them, so it was nice this recipe doesn't require eggs.

I doubled the breadcrumb + cheese mixture (because that's the best part of chicken parm) but I didn't need to. I also doubled the butter to rub on the chicken and I'm glad I did. Future me, take note!

This came together really easily. I paired it with spaghetti (tossed with the rest of my jar of sauce) and a Caesar salad. My family seemed to like it and it made leftovers so I can have some for lunch tomorrow. A win-win!

[triedin2015]

Sirloin Steak Recipe (Perfect Every Time) - Wholesome Yum

Learn to cook sirloin steak perfectly with this easy, foolproof method & time chart. You'll love this juicy, tender top sirloin steak recipe

I don't usually cook meat if I can help it because I'm afraid of undercooking it and making people sick. But I had some steak and Mike was out of town, so I had to put on my big girl panties and cook it. I found this recipe and I gotta say -- it made it very doable! Will do this again.

[triedin2015]

broccoli, cheddar and wild rice casserole

I want to eat this crisp-broiled skillet of wild rice, broccoli and sharp cheddar cheese every night this week.

I made this for Christmas dinner, so we'd have another veggie and a non-potato carb. I liked it a lot but I seemed to be in the minority. I think I used too much rice and not enough brocooli (even though I used 2 lbs). I also should have used more cheese.

[triedin2015]

Thanksgiving Slaw

This cranberry-pecan Thanksgiving slaw recipe is so delicious! A zesty vinaigrette adds flavor to the crunchy and fresh slaw ingredients.

Made this for Christmas dinner and I loved it. I mean, I love slaw anyway - it's a great way to get veggies and it makes a ton - but this was also really delicious! I liked it so well I made it to take to a NYE potluck, where it got good reviews.