First, the items I want to discuss are more like refrigerator staples and not pantry staples, because that is where these things are stored. But “refrigerator staples” does not roll off one’s tongue in quite the same way that “pantry staples” does. What? You don’t think “pantry staples” is pure poetry? Next you’re going to say that “Mops and Brooms” is not your favorite song. It’s a rap, by the way. And it’s sweeping the nation.
There are three products I always have in my refrigerator. They are not your typical staples. Let’s discuss:
Trader Joe’s Cilantro and Chive Yogurt Dip is my go-to staple. I love it with my my favorite grilled chicken in the summertime, but I have also paired it with steak and fish and it is equally delicious.
Even served simply with some grilled flat bread and rice is yummy.
It is a greek yogurt (tzatziki type sauce) blended with herbs and it is outstanding. I do not typically care for premade sauces and dips. I much prefer making my own, but this one is perfection. It is easy. I highly recommend it. I always have a container on hand.
This brings me to my next staple. I love Stonefire’s Naan Flatbread (I have found mine at a local little grocery store and in the fresh bread section at Albertson’s). Usually you would serve pita bread with the yogurt dip, but I like naan better. It is wonderful dipped in the yogurt sauce above.
I smear melted butter on each side of the bread and toast both surfaces for a few minutes each in a hot skillet. Then I cut it with a pizza cutter and serve.
This bread freezes wonderfully. When I want to use it, I simply defrost the package for an hour and then I cook it as I previously described. It is a healthy little appetizer served with veggies and the sauce above in case company spontaneously stops by.
Which leads me to the last staple I will be writing about today. Broccoli. It has always been my favorite vegetable. My kids enjoy it, too. Two nights ago my son had two servings of broccoli before he even touched his main course. “The secret is butter.” As it always is. By the way, that’s my second favorite song. It’s creaming its competition.
I love these prewashed and chopped broccoli florets that come in their own plastic bag. You can serve them raw with the tzatziki sauce. But I usually eat them hot as a side instead of with the dip. I puncture the bag with a fork two times and then microwave the bag for three minutes on high. I let the broccoli rest in the bag for one minute then I dump the broccoli in a bowl with two tablespoons of salted butter, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper. I mix it together and serve it as a side to my family’s dinners throughout the week.
When I was taking the broccoli pictures my daughter begged me to make the broccoli even though it was almost nine o’clock at night (which explains the great lighting). I did. And we ate it up. I have heard that eating after nine is bad for you but broccoli doesn’t count right? Let’s see…
Brocolli after nine
Is perfectly fine.
Just drink some wine.
Don’t have a last line.
For this bad rhyme of mine.
What is your favorite pantry refrigerator staple? Do you use any of the ones I mentioned? What is your favorite thing to serve to unexpected company? I would not recommend poetry. They seem to leave after that. Hey, where are you going?
oh I love this dip fro TJs…but we have only eaten it as a dip, or by the spoonful! I am so going to try it with chicken next time! thanks for the ideas! I love having hummus in the fridge at all times…you never know when the mood will strike and you want some!! (of course if we are out of pita chips it’s bad news)
I love hummus. Love it, but for some reason my husband refuses to try it. So I do not buy it unless I have girlfriends over otherwise I would eat it all. I love the red pepper kind my friend gets at Walmart. I think I ate 1/2 cup by myself the other night. Mmmmmmmm. Maybe I need to sneak some to my hubby. I am craving it now. Thanks for the idea!
Sweet dreams!
Jenni
Yum. I am going to have to try that yogurt dip from Trader Joe’s. I think broccoli is fine anytime. Day or night. It’s always right. Hee hee – that’s my rhyme. I always have salsa as a refrigerator staple. Yum yum yum.
Ha! I love your rhyme! : ) that yogurt dip is so good. I think we will have some tomorrow night. Tonight was icky icky pizza from a chain that my son wanted for his sleepover party with his friends. I am hoping to get some sleep tonight. Wish me luck! : )
Have a super Sunday!
Jenni
Mmmmm, we love naan bread too. I really need to get back into a good routine of shopping/cooking. With everything going on, it has been hard. I often don’t even know what I feel like eating. Your idea to frame the fruit bowl is a great one! I will do that for sure. I am thinking of playing with the picture and seeing if I can make it look more artsy with some filters! Today’s drama is some items that came back in the inspection that the seller is being stuborn to fix or give money towards. It just seems never ending. I hope we can resolve it as I really do not want to walk away from this house!
I ordered the hair waver – can’t wait to get it!
Gosh! That sucks about the seller. That is just common house stuff. I have not heard of a seller not being cool with stuff after an inspection. Our seller for our home was really nice. Of course we did not have much. Just an electrical outlet in the kitchen, a screen door and some wall patching. Probably $500 for all of it. Gosh. What an unnecessary thing. I hope you get some sort of give from them. I do not want you to lose the house either! I will be sending good thoughts your way!
Sweet dreams!
Jenni
Mmm, naan and a yogurt dip sounds DELICIOUS. I could totally go for that right now, but no Trader Joe’s in Canada and I’ve gone gluten-free again, so no bread for me. 🙁
I had no idea there was no Trader Joe’s in Canada. Ahhhh! That means you do not get their chocolate croissants. My favorite things in the world. No bread!!! No pizza!!! I have cut out a lot this week. I gained ten pounds over the summer and it is time to get back to reality. : (
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Jenni
I have never tried these and now I need to run to Trader Joes! (I mean, I have tried broccoli…it is also a big favorite at our house) But that dip looks amazing. Have you tried Trader Joe’s naan? How does it compare?
I have not tried Trader Joe’s naan. I have not seen it there. I will check next time I am there. I find their bread section hit or miss. I love their take and bake chibatta rolls. But their tortillas and french bread are not my favorite. But I will definitely try them if I see them and let you know. : )
Sweet dreams!
Jenni
The naan is not fresh, it is in their frozen section…Just pull out a piece and warm it up in the oven frozen. I usually cook my 2-3 minutes longer…nice, warm and toasty!
Okay. I will definitely try that. I wonder if my Trader Joe’s has it. I have four within sixty miles of me and each one has slightly different frozen food. The furthest one away from me is the only one that stocks the most amazing fries. Seriously they are fantastic oven fries. I stock up when I go there. I am out right now. Time for a trip! I am going to TJs tomorrow. I will check it out.
Have a beautiful day!
Jenni
I’ll have to look for that dip! I love naan, oh so much. The way you prepare it sounds so yummy!
I wondered if you would consider sharing how you maintain your weight. I lost about 30 lbs two years ago and I’ve gained almost all of it back which totally breaks my heart! I’m working on getting it back down. I really really don’t have the maintenance thing down AT ALL!. Do you weigh each week? Every day? I totally fear the scale.
I hope these questions aren’t too nosy! Feel free to ignore them if they are! 🙂
Thank you Kristen. Weight is such a hard thing. I think it comes down to each person’s individual happiness with their bodies. All women are beautiful. So I do not discuss weight a lot on the blog because I never want anyone to feel that I think they should be a certain weight or go on a diet, because that is the exact opposite of my soul.
But I never mind discussing it with someone who asks for the information for themselves.
I have really been struggling this month. I gained ten pounds over the summer and have been feeling pretty low. Which of course makes me eat worse. This week I really kicked it in gear by tracking everything again. I weigh every single week. Every Thursday. And I fear it every time. If I did not weigh myself, then I would assume I had gained more and then keep eating. Knowing keeps me accountable. I am so hungry right now, but I am using every single bit of my self control to not eat a bag of m&ms in the pantry. It is hard.
Hummus with pretzel chips is a good snack if you follow the serving size. It is about 4 points.
I drink coffee in the morning for my breakfast.
I drink iced water all of the time. It fills me up, but I just really like it.
I have to really limit my alcohol when I am on a diet. I can have two fun size snickers or a glass of wine. Snickers usually wins.
Planning really helps. When I wake up , I plan my whole day’s worth of points so I know what I have to look forward to.
If I can kick these ten pounds then I will definitely do a separate post about the struggle and what helped. First I have to get to the finish line. You are definitely not alone! : ). I will be struggling tomorrow too. I love food! That naan is actually not bad. And that yogurt dip is a great dipping snack on a diet. I love greek yogurt because of that!
I am with you tomorrow on thoughts! : ). We can do it!
Have a great week!
Jenni
Jenni – thank you for taking the time to write this out for me! I think the first step for me is to get back on the scale, so I can see just what I’m dealing with. :{ I appreciated your tips with eating certain things. It’s always nice to get a fresh perspective and hear what works for someone else.
I made your entire chicken, rice, and pita with the TJ’s dip….sooooooo yummy! I can see why you make it often!
I want you to know you made my whole day yesterday and today! I just really appreciate you not only making the dish but telling me about it, too. You made me so happy. Thank you so much! : )
Have a wonderful weekend!
Jenni
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