Let’s get to it! These elote chips and dip aren’t going to discuss themselves.

Elote Chips + Everything But the Elote Dip

This is, in my humble opinion, the greatest thing Trade Joe’s has ever created. Sometimes I wonder if a dip is really worth $4, especially when I tend to make it last just one day, but this, THIS! I will buy two tubs of it next time without question. It reminds me of a dip my friend and I used to make that is kind of a pain (not really but like it requires me to have sour cream on hand and I NEVER have that) and this is just… tops. Just absolutely tops.

Do yourself a favor, do not, do NOT eat this dip with anything but the elote chips. Don’t even think about it. No.
Your dip deserves the best chip. You deserve it.

Mini Baguettes

Okay so it’s exactly as it sounds. Imagine six perfectly tiny, yet somehow not too tiny baguettes, ready for you to devour. They are pre-baked so just a few minutes in the oven and they are toasted perfection. I even cheated once and used my cast iron skilled to “bake” it. (Only do this in a pinch.) They are a single person’s dream and perfect for entertaining.

As a bread enthusiast and single person I have to tell you this is the best solution to those scenarios where you want just a little side of garlic or toasted bread but don’t want to walk home with a baguette for 10.

Mexican-Style Riced Cauliflower

What a delight. Let me tell you, cauliflower deserves this dish and I am here for it. I don’t like rice at home (don’t even try to break that down and study it) and for once I feel like cauliflower is the RIGHT thing to go with. This blend is a little spicy and as I said before, a delight.

I add some corn to it and typically eat it as a side. It’s great with some melted cheese as well as adding in some egg for protein. I’ve eaten this for breakfast, lunch or dinner and I can tell you this goes the distance as far as versatility.

Cheesy Seasoning Blend

Did I buy this just to review it? Yes. Mostly because I find it hard to believe a cheesy seasoning blend can be anything other than the classic parmesan you get from a packet or green round plastic container.

I am wrong.

I get why they called it cheesy, but it’s like more than that.

I put it on said mini baguettes for a perfect pasta garlic bread moment. It also had a moment when I was making Grossy Pelosi’s vodka sauce. It deserves all the spotlights.

Salad Kits

I would say Trader Joe’s salads are basically just Aldi salads that went to study abroad but I tried the Mediterranean one this month. It’s really good. I like the subtle differences between the Aldi and Trader Joe’s items typically, but in this instance I’m happy to pay $1 more for better dressing and some different textures.

My favorite is the southwestern salad kit followed by the mediterranean.

Naan Crackers + Green Goddess Cheese

I bought these two together and I fell asleep thinking about them. Imagine a zesty gouda cheese with a buttery cracker. Okay, I thought that was going to be more evocative, but trust me on this one. It’s a great pairing and put some wine with it. I don’t know what wine, I just know it works really well with wine.

Shelled Frozen Edamame

I have added this to my favorite Trader Joe’s frozen Japanese-style rice for extra protein as well as heated and seasoned with Everything But the Bagel seasoning or whatever hits. (Yes, I also hit it with the cheesy seasoning.) It’s really good and sorry not sorry, I really hate dealing with the shells and this is really affordable so it’s not like a pistachio situation where just the meats cost $4 more.

Standard Monthly Buys

Of course it’s not all new fun and games, I had to buy staple items like I outlined here, here and here. I have noticed that the beloved mango has been out for several months which makes me sad and I refuse to think about a world without their dried mango.

Check out last month’s favorite purchases!

The post What I Bought at Trader Joe’s This Month appeared first on Honestly Relatable.

Let’s see what I got this month!

Atlantic Smoked Salmon

I hate the texture of lox which is unfortunately what most smoked salmon is. This is fully cooked, you can SMELL the smoke and is perfectly sliced for your morning breakfast sandwich. Put this on an everything bagel and thank me later. I don’t get this every trip but I had a little extra money in the budget so I found a package for ~$11. I typically eat it pretty fast, especially over the weekend as I throw it on bagel sandwiches, salads, toast, etc.

Cheddar & Gruyere Cheese

One of my neighbors turned me onto this and got me HOOKED when she layered it with a super tart apple. Seriously, one of the best cheese and apple parings I’ve ever had. It’s a medium-soft cheese that melts well, is incredible on anything and just is silky. I can’t wait for fall when I pair it with a grilled cheese, apple and caramelized onion sandwich. I am already dreaming of it.

Cacio E Pepe Sauce

Trader Joe’s knows they have a market on lazy people who are too lazy to make literally the easiest sauces in the world. Hence, they created cacio e pepe sauce in a jar. Honestly though I can’t hate it. My only compliant is that you really should make this sauce from scratch but that’s a different situation. That and you are supposed to use the entire jar up within three days of opening it up. But I just put in the fridge and I’ll make it last a little longer.

Hatch Chile Cheddar Popcorn

Ahhh, we are entering hatch chile season! The best time of the year! I almost forgot that it that time because in Kansas hatch chiles just like invaded everywhere and we had a festival dedicated as well. Anyway, I have yet to find that enthusiasm in Chicago. I was THRILLED to find this popcorn and will be going back to buy multiple bags of this to stock up for the next few months. This makes an amazing late-night snack. But just plan on eating a gigantic bowl, no one small handful situation.

Elote Corn Chips

If you haven’t had these, imagine Fritos but so much better and the absolute BEST thing in the world to pair with salsas and summer dips. I don’t always get these because I eat them so quickly. I’ve made corn salsas but also just been lazy and gotten some Foxtrot dips like elote guacamole or pimento cheese. I’ve also used these as chips in nachos when I’m in a bind and have no regrets.

Trek Mix – Just a handful of Simply Almonds, Cashews & Chocolate

I love these grab and go packages for a breakfast (I add in some dried mango to balance out the dark chocolate) or a snack in the afternoon. I like this one because it’s much higher in protein than other ones and actually fills me up and gives me a good protein/health fats mixture. It’s nothing exciting but I think a better alternative to boring trail mix or avoiding the candy feel of ones that can make you crash after eating.

Japanese Fried Rice

I talked about this before here. I really do try and buy it every time I go and pair it with the orange chicken. I have been making it extra crispy lately, just cooking longer in my cast iron skillet and adding in two over easy eggs. You can also add in more edamame to make it go a little further and a protein boost.

Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries

These are a total impulse buy and I regret it because they are DELICIOUS! I try to limit myself on these but I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t have to put them away so I didn’t keep reaching for them. They are a delight.

Shishito Peppers

I love grabbing these! Sometimes I blister them, throw some balsamic drizzle, pine nuts and smoked sea salt and call it a meal. Other times I use thinks like spicy mayo and toss them in it for a snack. I just love that they are so easy and fun to work with, especially in the summer when I don’t want to do a ton of cooking and heat up the condo. They are about $3 for package of them and they are perfect for 1-2 people.

Somehow all of this, Chicago tax(es) included, got me to under $48 for the month!

Feel free to persuade me to put your favorite items on my next Trader Joe’s list! I have heard the brownie coffee ice cream sandwiches should be my next buy so let me know if you have a strong opinion on them.

The post What I Got This Month for $50 at Trader Joes appeared first on Honestly Relatable.

But then, thanks to Rachel (who wrote this piece!) posted about a brownie recipe. When Rachel raves about a recipe, I know I am in for a treat. She’s a gem but also just has a joyfulness to her food. Her food tastes like a celebration of flavor and life. I decided to make them the other day after I realized I had abandoned my long-time love of baking. It’s a screen-free activity so it fit perfectly into my weekend plans.

I begged her for the recipe. I was shocked when it was so simple. This is it? This simple, humble brownie recipe is unfussy and easy? Surely this is a trap I said to myself. Oh, but it was not. In fact, the brownie recipe I’m going to share with you is two steps more fussy than the original.

What Makes These Brownies Great

Okay so the deal with these brownies are that they are thick, fudgy, NOT CAKEY but very rich. Oh, so rich. The key to adding the depth and knock-your-socks-off richness is browning the butter and my beloved smoked sea salt. (Yes, this is the same smoked sea salt I’ve been talking about in other recipes. I use it in both sweet and savory items.) I made them in a round springform pan lined with parchment paper. They are “rustic” looking (aka not perfect and I love that) when I do that. If you want a more polished look and shape, use a square pan and grease.

Oh and a note about the browned butter. You can make it without browning and it will still be great. However, if you have a little time to brown the butter, slow and on low heat for a few minutes, it’ll repay you in heaps of flavor. If browned butter makes you nervous, just melt the butter. But don’t skip the smoked sea salt flakes.

Print

The Best Brownie Recipe

The best brownie recipe I've ever had that is also one of the easiest! Thick, chewy, fudgy and rich make these sweet (and a little salty) brownies a crowd pleaser!

Ingredients

• 8 Ounces Butter, melted and browned
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 TSP Olive Oil
• 2 Tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 Cup Flour
• 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
• 1 Tsp Smoked Sea Salt (Plus more for sprinkling)
• 2/3 Cup Semi-Sweet Belgian Chocolate Chunks (I get these at Aldi)
• 2 Eggs

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a 9-inch square pan or line with parchment paper.

  Brown the butter and place to the side to cool.
• Combine the butter, sugar and olive oil in stand mixer for one minute.
• Add the eggs and vanilla, mix for 30 seconds. Add flour, cocoa and smoked sea salt and fully combine for 30 seconds.
• Once combined, add chocolate chunks and pour into a parchment-lined pan or heavily baking-sprayed pan.
• Top brownie dough with any extra chocolate chunks and a generous (to taste) sprinkle of smoked sea salt flakes.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes and allow to cool. If using parchment paper pull out of pan after cooling and peel away the paper to cut.

  Brownies are done when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs still clinging. If you see wet batter, keep baking.

The post The Perfect Brownie Recipe Does Exist (And it’s so easy!) appeared first on Honestly Relatable.