Things I Thought I'd Never

Discovering the joy, humor and lessons found in everyday life

21 ways to Use Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute

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If you have read any of my adventures involving a store, you know that I am a frequent visitor of Trader Joe’s. I love that place. Next week, I will participate in a $64 challenge sponsored by Amiyrah Martin of 4hatsandfrugal.com, where I purchase groceries from Trader Joe’s for my family of 5 for a week for $64. Yes. $64.

Anyway, in preparation for the post, and because I expect people to flock to Trader Joe’s when you realize you can shop for $64 :D, I’ve decided to give you a freebie. I am slightly addicted to their Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute Blend* and use it (with just a little salt and maybe extra garlic powder) on almost everything,

So, here is my list of 21 ways to use Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute.

  • Baked or roasted chicken
  • Broiled, baked or pan fried white fish (tilapia, etc.)
  • Pan-fried/sautéed shrimp
  • Ground turkey for spaghetti or chili
  • Ground beef for spaghetti or chili
  • Lamb chops (with rosemary and garlic)
  • Burgers (turkey or beef)
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Boiled eggs
  • Black beans
  • Sauteed spinach
  • Sauteed kale
  • Salads (but not with a sweet salad dressing)
  • Steamed broccoli
  • Roasted asparagus
  • Roasted or steamed cauliflower
  • Greens (turnip, collard, and mustards)
  • Sauteed green beans
  • Guacamole
  • Popcorn
  • Pretty much any meat, seafood or vegetable that would call for salt and pepper

You are welcome.

Happy experimenting!!!
If you are a fan of 21 Seasoning Salute, what are ways that you use it?

*I provided the link above for those of you who do not have access to Trader Joe’s. You too, are welcome.

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Five Minute Guacamole

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My family loves guacamole. Loves it.

However, my sweet baby girls have no concept of “preparation time”. So, from the moment I slice open an avocado, I have about 3 minutes before they cry mutiny –staring, pointing, crying, melting.

I quickly learned that if I want to maximize my moments of tranquility, I do not need to take time to chop onions, mince garlic, and slice tomatoes. I mean, guacamole is snack food anyway, a condiment. And at this stage of my life, when I put that much effort into preparing something we need to be able to eat it for at least two meals. But, I digress…

Anyway, I needed an option, a shortcut guacamole, and decided to experiment with some of the spices that I had in my pantry. My friend Tiffany (www.thepsalmstresscorner.com) introduced me to smoked paprika. Y’all. This worked. Delicious. Simple. Addictive (I’m eating a bowl of it now). And quick. I can put it together with a few flicks of the wrist and shakes of the hand (I literally use about 10 shakes of each seasoning).

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

2 Avocados

1/2 teaspoon (about 10 shakes) of each of the following:

Garlic powder

Smoked paprika

Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute (specific to Trader Joe’s, although I read that Costco’s Kirkland brand carries a similar no-salt seasoning. You can also experiment with any no salt seasoning blend )

Salt (to taste)

Preparation:

Slice and scoop the avocadoes.

Mash with a fork

Add all the seasonings. Salt to taste

Stir

Eat.

See? Simple.

So don’t despair if you are preparing for a party (I think there’s something pretty “super” going on this weekend), and you look over at the bowl of avocados with 5 minutes before your guests arrive. You have time.

Oh. And as a freebie, when you are selecting those avocadoes, here are a couple of tips I came across to determine if they are ripe and how to ripen and store them.

 

 

 

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