in Appetizers 0

Trader Joes Appetizer taste test

Our Book Club 2015 party went off last night and I had 20 taste testers helping me find the best (and worst) Trader Joes appetizers for you and your holiday events. Here you go! Shrimp & Grits Bites : B- Pretty bland, top with sharp cheese for extra flavor. Vegetable Birds Nests: A So good, and that sauce! Scallion pancakes: A Everyone’s favorite. Serve with sweet chili sauce and soy sauce, cut into quarters Steamed Mussels : A- Surprisingly good though not a huge portion. Another downside is you have to eat them right away. Not very good after sitting out. I would eat this for dinner with a big piece of crusty bread to dip in the sauce! Scallops wrapped in Bacon: A Very good though I would broil them at the end to crisp and maybe add cayenne or brown sugar. Shrimp Toast: C very average Crab and Longostino Rangoon: D Fishy tasting and not great at all Southwest Style Chicken Poppers: A Everyone loved these! Spinach and Artichoke Dip: C Very average to not great. Lack of…

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in Appetizers, From the Sea 0

Smoked Ceviche

Back from a fun filled snowboarding trip and prepping for a dinner party for 12 tonight. This Traeger smoked ceviche has the perfect combination of smoke, citrus, and spice! INGREDIENTS 1 lb. Sea Scallops 1 lb. Shrimp Juice from: 1 lime, 1 lemon, and 1 orange Zest from 1 lime 1 tsp. Garlic Powder 1 tsp. Onion Powder 2 tsp. Salt ½ tsp Pepper 1 Avocado, diced ½ Red Onion, minced 1 Tbsp. Cilantro, chopped Pinch of Crushed Red Pepper 1 Tbsp. Canola Oil PREPARATION In a bowl combine the shrimp, scallops and canola oil. When ready to cook, start Traeger on 180 degrees. Arrange the shrimp and scallops on the grill and smoke them for 45 minutes. While they are smoking, prepare all the other ingredients, and place in a large mixing bowl. When the shrimp and scallops are finished smoking, turn the grill up to 325 degrees and cook an additional 5 minutes, to make sure they are fully cooked. Let scallops and shrimp cool, then cut in half width-wise, and combine them with the ingredients in the…

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