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

https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/garlic-parsley-potato-kit-084039

“Each Kit contains a pound of pre-washed, pre-oiled, and ready-to-cook gold Potatoes, along with a packet of flavorful seasonings that includes dried Parsley, Garlic, onion, and sea salt. Simply mix the contents of the seasoning packet with the Potatoes, then cook, per packaging instructions, in the oven, microwave, or air fryer.”

I saw this yesterday and I had to smile a bit. Huh? What’s a Potato “Kit”?? Is it a sign of how well Trader Joe’s knows their typical (lazy) busy hard working customers.

Anyway I looked inside the box: the “kit” contains a pound of small little potatoes, plus a bag of dried parsley and dried garlic.

I didn’t try this because I can make this type of potato dish, and frequently do. With fresh ingredients. “From scratch”. It’s not terribly harder than this “kit”. I mean you could buy small red potatoes at Trader Joe’s ($1.99/lb) and some parsley. Hopefully you have some garlic. Will fresh parsley and garlic taste better than the dried stuff in the kit? You betcha.

GARLIC PARSLEY POTATOES recipe

Boil some small red potatoes cut in half in lightly salted water for about 10-15 minutes (?). Cook until just barely cooked through (pierce with knife to test). Throw the drained potatoes into a nice heavy pan (cast iron or non-stick). Add about a tbl of oil or oil/butter mix. Cook on medium. Let them get a little color for about (6-10 minutes..) shaking or turning them until evenly browned all over. Then throw in chopped garlic (3 cloves or as you like) and cook for about a minute. Add handful chopped parsley. Toss in a tablespoon or so of butter (optional). Salt and pepper to taste. SERVE

(tip: with thin skinned potatoes like the ones pictured here you do not have to peel them)

Here’s a fancier recipe.

https://biteswithbri.com/garlic-parsley-potatoes