by Caitlin
I loved reading all of your comments on last week's post! I find it so interesting to hear what other people's "normal" is (whether we're discussing Chinese food or more esoteric topics). I'm also glad to have so many of you DC folks chime in on the wretched Chinese around here. It's nice to know we're not alone.
Since we're already talking about Chinese, I'll go ahead and let you in on a little secret. If you've been around here much, you probably know I'm not a huge fan of processed food, don't eat much of it, and try to only/mostly eat meat when I know where it comes from. That said, I love a Five Guys Burger, amongst other things. Other things like Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken.
It tastes shockingly like actual Chinese food, and at about $5 a bag, it's cheap. Bake or fry the chicken, heat the sauce it comes with, toss together, serve with steamed broccoli and rice. My husband and I usually have a bag of this in the freezer, along with some TJ's frozen broc, and there's always rice in the cupboard. It's a great, cheap Friday night indulgence that doesn't break the bank.
For all of you out there who lament not having a Trader Joe's near you, then I offer both my apologies and an opening to make a joke about how I think a "great Friday night indulgence" includes a frozen, pre-fab meal and my ass planted firmly on my couch.
(I also heard that Costco offers a similar version, though I can't speak from experience. You're lucky I told you that after you mocked my hard partying Friday night ways.)
Have you tried Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken? Or do you have another favorite Friday night treat, from Trader Joe's or elsewhere?
Photos from suburban-spoon.blogspot.com
I love the orange chicken from Trader Joe's!! It's so much better than Chinese take-out. Costco does have something similar, and it is really good too!
Posted by: Airlie | January 26, 2012 at 10:02 AM
I LOVE their orange chicken! The frozen orange chicken at Costco is really good too. I usually grab a bag of frozen stir fry veggies too. Add a pot of rice in the rice cooker and I'm a dinner hero!! Even my three-year-old gets excited!
Posted by: Manda | January 26, 2012 at 12:26 PM
I do love their orange chicken (and I use brown rice so I feel slightly healthy). Do you use both sauce packets? This is the great debate in my household, my husband only uses one, but I think it's too dry.
Posted by: Moira | January 26, 2012 at 12:43 PM
Manda & Airlie, thanks for chiming in about Costco! I think they reach more people than TJs, so I hope the TJs-deprived take comfort in that.
Moira, can you see me over here WILDLY flapping my arms? USE BOTH PACKETS! One is not enough! TWO is no enough! What do you do with the other one? Don't tell me you just throw it away. I can't bear it.
I think two is juuuuust enough, barely: like extra sauce to drizzle on my broc and rice.
I think you should heat both packets and use the entire second one to drizzle on your own if your husband doesn't want it. I'm actually envious of this situation, because I think you're going to end up getting the amount of sauce that I think is correct. Can I come to your house?
Posted by: Caitlin | January 26, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Yes! I love your idea of me getting the second packet! I think I know what's for dinner tomorrow night. If my husband ever makes this when I am not around, I will instruct him to set aside the extra packet for you. (I actually think we both live in the DC area, so I could seriously give you sauce packets).
Posted by: Moira | January 26, 2012 at 01:10 PM
Aldi's brand frozen Chinese is fantastic as well. I am assuming it's probably the exact same thing with a different name because they're sister companies? In any case, I ALWAYS grab a bag on my grocery shopping trip and make it for myself for dinner and lunch the next day. I can so back up how awesome this stuff is!
Posted by: ariel | January 26, 2012 at 10:20 PM
Ariel, I totally forgot that Aldi and TJs are owned by the same company! There's one not too far from me and I haven't been yet. I should check them out. Thanks for this great tip!
Posted by: Caitlin | January 27, 2012 at 09:43 AM
New TJ in Portsmouth NH, so........I have a lot to learn, so far all Ive tried,great
Thanks for all comments,very helpful
Posted by: Fina Azouz | October 04, 2012 at 07:43 AM
TJ Apricot Almond Torte, simply super
Posted by: Fina Azouz | October 04, 2012 at 07:50 AM
The creamy polenta, a great item, filling.I
had half the bag for lunch,spinach and carrots included in the bag
will buy it again for sure.
Tank you thank you thank you for this reviews, sure helpful
Posted by: Fina Azouz | October 05, 2012 at 01:43 PM