Several semi-homemade side-dish saviors at Trader Joe’s have piqued my interest. I might just stock up to reduce stress while hitting all the traditional fall flavors. In case you want to join me for a halfway-homemade holiday…
Instead of Candied Sweet Potatoes, Try…
Trader Joe’s Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Roasted Pecans
This refrigerated side dish gets steamy and ready to serve after about three minutes in the microwave. There’s melted butter and a pinch of cinnamon in the mash. The box includes a packet of maple-roasted pecans for garnish. Any of these sweet potato recipes will look and taste as if you sweated over it for hours.
Instead of DIY Dressing, Try…
Trader Joe’s Corn Bread Stuffing Mix
Expect a taste of classic Southern comfort with this corn bread stuffing mix that can be cooked in a casserole pan for family-style serving or baked in a muffin tin for single-serving stuffing cups. I plan to jazz this up with a splash of broth and a ladle of pan drippings to enhance the savory flavors—and make it seem 100 percent handcrafted.
Or Instead of Traditional Bread Stuffing, Try…
Trader Joe’s Riced Cauliflower Stuffing
While my family has no food allergies or dietary restrictions, many relatives try to eat cleaner and consume fewer carbs. This 60-calorie-per-cup creation features cauliflower rice in place of all the bread. It’s prepared in vegetable broth instead of chicken or turkey broth to keep it vegan to please the masses. This stuffing substitute is table-ready after a quick saute session.
Instead of Potatoes au Gratin, Try…
Trader Joe’s Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin
In other lower-carb news, this freezer find is loaded with cruciferous vegetables. A full 50 percent of the casserole is broccoli and cauliflower, while the rest is mainly butter sauce and a mix of mozzarella and Grana Padano cheeses. I’m taking this trade at just 130 calories per cup as permission to slice a bigger piece of pie for dessert.
Instead of Made-From-Scratch Bread, Try…
Trader Joe’s Holiday Herb Rolls
Now, this can’t be bad: Tender, buttery dough kneaded with the same herbs stirred into traditional stuffing recipes (parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram). Skipping the flour shower that often comes with preparing homemade bread is well worth the (still low) cost, in my opinion.
Instead of Green Bean Casserole, Try…
Trader Joe’s Green Bean Saute Kit
After giving the can label a look recently, I’m okay with skipping the condensed soup in my green beans this year. Instead, this speedy skillet side dish makes fresh green beans the star of the show. For a nod to grandma’s green bean casserole, it comes with a bit of mushroom sauce made with actual cream and red wine. I have a feeling we’ll all be fighting over the scoops with the most toasted almonds and fried onion pieces!
Instead of DIY Pie, Try…
Trader Joe’s Apple Cranberry Tart
Cranberry sauce and apple pie combine in this two-for-one dessert that looks rustic (AKA like I made it myself). If I’m feeling lazy, I’ll serve as-is with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but I think I might warm the fruit tarts quickly in the oven and deck them out in fresh whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. (I may or may not snag another box for Black Friday brunch, too.)
