[su_dropcap style=”flat”]W[/su_dropcap]e’re here because we like to cook. So are you. But sometimes cooking is less about fun recipes or new techniques, and more about getting a healthyish dinner on the table quickly and with minimal effort. Here are three store-bought foods that help us do just that.
Trader Joe’s Mahi Mahi Burgers
These are a recent find for us—and a huge hit. First, they’re seriously delicious. Not “this is fine for something so quick and easy,” but actually “wow, this is so good!” They’re convenient too. They go straight from the freezer to a hot skillet, so you don’t have to decide ahead and thaw them (you can also grill or bake them). Six minutes per side in a lightly oiled skillet (watch for spatters) and they’re ready to put on a bun with whatever condiments—we like homemade sriracha mayonnaise—and eat. Add a side salad and you’ve got dinner.
And yes, they’re healthyish (thank you, Bon Appétit, for making that a thing). A patty is just 110 calories, with five grams of fat (none of it saturated or trans) and 15 grams of protein. They’re healthier for the planet too, wild-caught and responsibly harvested.
Trader Joe’s Mahi Mahi Burgers are also a deal, seven bucks for a four-pack. You’ll find them in the Trader Joe’s freezer section. And more often than not, in our freezer too.
365 Everyday Value Beer Battered Cod Fillets
Another freezer case find, this one comes from Whole Foods. This isn’t fish & chips-level decadence, but the fillets come with a satisfying crunch and taste. They go straight from the freezer to your oven for 20 minutes or so. Mash up some potatoes and add a green side, and you’ve got dinner.
A 220-calorie two-fillet serving (about four and a half ounces) delivers 13 grams of protein with six grams of fat (five saturated and zero trans). And they’re rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
365 Everyday Value Beer Battered Cod Fillets really are an everyday value—a 12-ounce package (2-1/2 servings, oddly enough) runs about seven buck. You’ll find them in the Whole Foods frozen seafood case.
Trader Joe’s Hatch Valley Salsa
And sometimes when you actually cook something—salmon fillets, chicken breasts, pork chops—you want to add a little something to change it up with minimum effort. This salsa does the trick. At the heart of Trader José’s (sigh) Hatch Valley Salsa are Hatch Valley chiles grown near Hatch, New Mexico. The authentic ones are protected by legislation that states they are only grown in Hatch Valley, flavored by the unique terroir. The ones in this salsa are authentic. Tomatillos and lime juice also add to the salsa’s flavor and green color.
This brings lively flavor and a bit of heat to anything you spoon it over. And two tablespoons bring a mere 10 calories and zero fat. It’s even low in sodium, with the peppers doing the heavy flavor lifting. You can also use it in bigger amounts as the base for an exciting sauce. Oh, and you can dip chips in it. A 12-ounce jar of Trader Joe’s Hatch Valley Salsa clocks in at under three bucks, so you can use it freely.
A quick note: This is not a sponsored post. We bought these products—and buy them regularly, in fact—because we like them.
Whole Foods has some great frozen fish products. Trader Joe’s, too, although I go to WF more frequently so I’m more familiar with their offerings. Gotta go to TJ’s, though to get those Mahi Mahi burgers — they sound sensational. Thanks!
Mmm, that Hatch Valley Salsa…
It plays a starring role when I splurge & make Sonoran Hotdogs (wrap hotdog in bacon ‘like a mummy’; fry. Place in toasted bun with spicy mustard & the salsa. Serve with homefries & refried black beans. ) (Adapted from Foods to Eat Before It’s Too Late.)
Then I use up the rest of the jar on pretty much everything.