Trader Joe’s Rants & Raves (mostly raves, a few rants)

I gathered that people seemed to love the fact that Trader Joe’s added lentils to their line of canned beans. Some people saying this 99 cents can of lentils is a game changer.

As a big fan of lentils, I got a can to try out and review. Yes. These canned lentils are good and certainly couldn’t be easier as all you have to do is open a can and only cost 99 cents!

Still, just to compare I made my own lentils to compare these canned lentils to lentils I cooked myself using TJ’s dried green lentils ($1.99/lb).

The ones I cooked myself using dried lentils were a tad better than these canned ones, especially in texture, as the ones I cooked were a little less mushy then the canned ones. I’m sure you know that lentils cook fast, unlike most dried beans. Lentils can be ready in only about 18 minutes. Compared to say dried beans which could take easily 2 hours (after soaking overnight).

Not to mention “Bean Economics” of using dried beans or lentils. Dried lentils and beans cost way cheaper than canned. For example a one pound bag of dried green lentils sold at Trader Joe’s are $1.99. That one pound of dried lentils will probably end up making the equivalent amount of perhaps 6 (15 oz) cans worth once they are cooked (they expand cooked).

Still, if you don’t want to make your own lentils than these canned lentils are the next best thing.

Trader Joe’s lentils cost 99 cents for a 15 oz can. The can says “Product of Australia, packed in Egypt”

The ingredients are nice and short: Lentils, water, salt.

How to use these? As they say on the can, you can use cooked lentils in soups, stews, or salads, or combine them with other grains. These will go well for example mixed with the HARVEST BLEND of grains and legumes for a very healthy dish of grains and legumes.

Now right out of the can lentils can taste a little boring. But they are easily jazzed up with some seasonings. Lentils love garlic, olive oil, lemon, cumin and other spices.

EASY LENTIL SALAD – You could just open the can, drain off most of the liquid and dump these lentils in a bowl. Mash up a fat clove of garlic or two. Add that plus a nice pour of good olive oil, EVOO. Add the juice of a lemon, or some good Balsamic vinegar. Grind on some black pepper Toss gently together and you have a nice and quick and easy lentil salad. The lentils could be eaten as is or could go on top of some greens. Maybe add a fried egg on top? Or sliced chicken. Or just fine as is.

Here’s an idea for a quick and easy recipe with a French flavor lentil stew using these lentils plus sausages (omit if you are vegetarian, subbing a bit of Soy Chorizo perhaps)

FRENCH LENTILS WITH SAUSAGES

In a pot brown up some sausages on both sides in 1 tbl of olive oil. Trader Joe’s UNEXPECTED CHEDDAR CHICKEN SAUSAGES or their UNCURED BAVARIAN BRATWURST will work great.

When the sausages are golden brown, remove them from the pan and set them aside. (Tip: i like to score my sausages with 3-4 shallow slashes on both sides before cooking. They open up when cooked)

In the same pot, add another tablespoon of olive oil and toss in a medium onion (sliced) and 4-6 cloves of garlic (sliced). Cook the garlic and onions until the onions are translucent or golden which will take maybe 5-8 minutes. (optional) Adding a tablespoon or two of tomato paste now will add lots of flavor. Cook the tomato paste stirring constantly for 1 minute or so.

Next pour in two cans of Trader Joe’s CANNED LENTILS. If you want it a very soupy stew add all the liquid of both cans. If not drain the lentils first (reserving the juice). Add about 1/4-1/2 cup liquid to the pot. You can add more later, as you see fit to get the right amount of liquid you want for your lentil stew.

Add your seasonings (ground black pepper, dried rosemary, oregano, basil, a pinch of cumin, a pinch of red pepper, if desired)

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes. Add in your browned sausages. Simmer on low for about 5 minutes more.

Serve drizzled with more olive oil and some a squeeze of lemon. Combine with some Jasmine rice on the side or just eat with some crusty bread and French Butter!

Want to make French lentil soup instead? Just add all the liquid from the can plus another can of water or stock. Add more chopped garlic. Simmer about a 1/2 hr. You can slice up the sausages, or eat them on the side.

Here’s a more detailed recipe

https://www.seriouseats.com/french-lentils-with-sausage-wilted-arugula-and-dijon-mustard-recipe