A Season to Taste with Tracy Holleran
Posted by Deana Gunn at 10/23/2008 
Categories: Vegetarian and Vegan ,Food Recipes,Announcements Fun and Contests
Categories: Vegetarian and Vegan ,Food Recipes,Announcements Fun and Contests
I recently had a chance to chat with Tracy Holleran: food writer, owner
of the Secret Ingredient Cooking School, and Trader Joe's fan! I
first got to know Tracy through her blog, Season to Taste,
and I just love her down-to-earth cooking style and usage of seasonal
ingredients. She really shows that amazing food doesn't have to be
complicated or time-consuming, and that's right up our alley. Deana: Tracy, tell us about your favorite finds at Trader Joe's. What can't you live without?
Tracy: I do about 90% of my food shopping at TJ's. I love that they have so many organic, nitrate-free, antibiotic-free, and hormone-free foods. I have small kids, so I want to be sure I'm giving them the healthiest food available. I have a lot of favorites—-but among my personal favorites are the candy-cane Jo-Jo's O's that come out around Christmastime and the mint-chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches. YUM. (I have a major sweet tooth!) However, I couldn't live without their organic PB & J selections, and the nitrate-free deli meats, because those are what my kids want in their lunchboxes most of the time. Oh, and the Alsace Pizza. I cut it up into pieces and serve it whenever I have people over.
Deana: What's
the question people ask most often in your cooking classes? What are
the cooking issues they're interested in?
Tracy: People are always asking me where I find my ingredients, and the answer, more often than not, is Trader Joe's! I find that most people who take my classes really enjoy cooking, but have trouble finding time to do it. So, I talk a lot about using "short-cut" items, like the pre-cut mirepoix at TJ's, the great jarred sauces, etc. If you can spend less time doing the busy-work part of the meal-prep, I think you are more likely to cook instead of ordering out!
Deana: What's the single best tip you give people too busy to cook?
Deana: What's the single best tip you give people too busy to cook?
Tracy: Don't feel bad about using short-cuts! If you want to make sweet potato fries, why not get the pre-cut ones? It saves TONS of time. I think a lot of people think if they are not doing everything from scratch, that they aren't really "cooking." I don't believe in that! I love to cook and I still always look for ways to save time, because like everyone else, life is busy!
Deana: Is there a favorite TJ product that you introduce people to in your classes?
Deana: Is there a favorite TJ product that you introduce people to in your classes?
Tracy:
Hands-down, the frozen garlic in the mini-ice cube trays!! Cutting
garlic is difficult for a lot of people, and this is a perfect way to
entirely eliminate that from your prep-work. I always have a few
packages stashed in my freezer and use it ALL the time in sauces,
stews, sautes, and even salad dressings (in which case I thaw it first).
Deana: I love the frozen garlic too! How about three ingredients you'd take with you to a desert
island?Tracy: Hmmm, well, it depends on how long I'd be there! If it was for a very long time, I'd bring LOTS of fruit (I love the pre-cut mango and sliced apples), the Italian sparkling water with lemon, and some dry-roasted almonds for protein. If it was for a shorter period of time and I didn't need to worry about nutrition, I'd bring a bunch of snacks—-like the Cranberry Circle Cookies, the Chocolate Covered Ice Cream bon-bons, and maybe some really good cheese (I love the Goat Gouda) and crackers.
Here is one of Tracy's recipes. The shredded cabbage and carrots are available in the produce section at Trader Joe's and make this recipe a snap to prepare. Thanks Tracy!
Here is one of Tracy's recipes. The shredded cabbage and carrots are available in the produce section at Trader Joe's and make this recipe a snap to prepare. Thanks Tracy!
Purple Coleslaw with Orange Supremes
Serves 4-6
10 oz pre-shredded purple cabbage (about 4 cups)
10 oz pre-shredded carrots (about 2 cups)
½ cup almonds
1 orange, supremed ( Watch video: How to Supreme an Orange)
½ cup Trader Joe's Raspberry Salad Dressing
1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)
Salt & pepper
Toast the almonds in a 375 degree oven for approximately 7-10 minutes (watch them carefully so they do not burn!). Alternatively, you may toast them on the stovetop in a dry pan over medium heat until golden. Remove from pan and roughly chop. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, and almonds, and toss with the dressing to evenly coat.
Add the orange supreme pieces and the poppy seeds, and gently mix to combine.
Serve at room temperature.
Now that's who I need to take a class from! I love the tip about cutting the pizza into little appetizers - Why didn't I think of that?!
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I enjoyed reading this very interesting
interview. Lots of really great tips from Tracy, and I loved her guilt-free shortcut endorsements!
Thank you!
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Thanks Tracy and Deana - that was really inspiring! Lots of good tips that reset my perspective on cooking. I love the shredded cabbages at TJs - saves lots of time. The video on orange supremes was really hypnotic; I could watch that all day!
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Great interview. And I'm on my way to get some of those frozen garlic cubes. I love garlic and I'm sure these will be so convenient.
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Hey,
I recently made paella at home (the stovetop to oven method). Many recipes I consulted used Arborio rice typically used in risotto...
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