RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesAs a recently retired man on a budget, my favorite Trader Joe's items include the frozen pastas and desserts. Michael Maupin
I'm recently retired and on a budget, so I rely on Trader Joe's for meals that last weeks.
For quick dinners, I love the store's kung pao chicken and cheese-filled fiocchetti.
I always stock up on easy breakfast options like the spicy spuds or baingan bharta.
Cooking used to be one of my favorite activities. However, now that I'm newly retired, single, and living on my own , making intricate and time-consuming dishes is too much for me to do every day.
Lucky, shopping at Trader Joe's is the best hack for newly retired seniors like me, and is a great way to have delicious meals in a flash — without breaking the bank.
With a little planning and strategy before hitting the store, I'm able to squeeze out multiple meals from any of Trader Joe's frozen items. Here are the products I always grab from the store.
Prices may vary depending on location.
I think Trader Joe's kung pao chicken is better than takeout.
Michael Maupin
A bag of Trader Joe's kung pao chicken costs roughly $5.50 and is one of my go-to weeknight meals .
The chicken comes with an enclosed packet of chiles and peanuts, but I also love adding some garlic, cilantro, peppers, and green onions to create a delicious stir-fry.
I typically serve it with Trader Joe's organic brown rice, resulting in a filling meal that lasts for days.
Trader Joe's Mandarin orange chicken is easy to make.
Michael Maupin
Trader Joe's Mandarin orange chicken, which costs just under $6, is another one of my favorite quick meals that tastes amazing.
All I do is bake the chicken in the oven, stir-fry some vegetables on the stovetop, and add some frozen ginger, fresh garlic, and green onions on top before serving.
I love pairing it with Trader Joe's brown or jasmine rice, both of which can be heated up in the microwave.
Dinners are easy when I have Trader Joe's frozen bagged pasta on hand.
Michael Maupin
Whenever I heat up one of Trader Joe's frozen pastas , I know I'll have leftovers for the rest of the week.
Right now, I love the cheese-filled fiocchetti, which is only $4.80. I like to cook it with some fresh shallots and Trader Joe's organic baby spinach to add some color to the dish.
When I need an effortless breakfast, I reach for Trader Joe's spicy spuds.
Michael Maupin
Trader Joe's spicy spuds, priced at $4.50 a bag, are always in my freezer for quick weekday breakfasts at home.
To elevate these potatoes even more, I like to add some green onions or top them with Trader Joe's cheddar Gruyère melange.
I also love Trader Joe's baingan bharta in the morning.
Michael Maupin
Another one of my go-to breakfast items is Trader Joe's baingan bharta.
This roasted eggplant curry, which only costs $3.50, heats up quickly in the microwave and tastes great poured over some toasted bread and a fried egg .
I love Trader Joe's take on an ice-cream sandwich.
Michael Maupin
Trader Joe's brownie-crisp coffee-ice-cream sandwiches are so delicious and always end up in my cart.
In my opinion, the flavors of the espresso grounds in the ice cream and the crispy texture of the brownies pair so well together.
Plus, each box of these sandwiches only costs $4.80, satisfying both my wallet and my sweet tooth.
Want to know what other shoppers purchased? Keep reading our Trader Joe's diaries here.
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