Its soothing and refreshing. In the last few years, there’s been one surprising addition to this list: kombucha. ALDIs version is inexpensive and comes in two great flavors. Simply Recipes / Aldi The fermented tea boasts a zingy carbonation and vinegary tartness that can take some getting used to. Most store-bought kombuchas are sweet from added fruit juices and come in different flavors that suit different palates. I typically drink a bottle of kombucha a day when Im sick....

It adds Italian flavor to my dishes all year long. Mr. and Mrs. Silvestri had immigrated from Italy, and I was friends with their oldest daughter, Anna. I fell in love with Mrs. Silvestris cooking. Simply Recipes / Getty Images She made the absolute best pasta sauces Id ever tasted. Inspired by Mrs. Silvestri, I went to culinary school to learn how to make pasta from scratch. The biggest compliment about my cooking came from Mrs....

Its for baking, but also so very tasty to snack on. You could say I have a problem with chocolate. Or, you could say I have good taste. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock In any case, I really like chocolate, and I appreciate the finer versions. But for my baking needs, semi-sweet is what I need. If you just taste it, its sweet and smooth, but not too sweet. Simply Recipes / Aldi...

“A fantastic combination of sweet and savory.” This was a long time ago, and I have never forgotten the incredible flavor of that ice cream. And despite being an accomplished recipe developer, my attempts to recreate it have never measured up. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock I recently noticed on ADLI’sReddit threadthat it’s finally back! This thread is dedicated to singing this popcorn’s praises, so you know ithasto be good....

Crisp-on-the-outside, pillowy-the-inside, garlicky perfection that also makes my whole kitchen smell incredible. ALDI has done it again:Mama Cozzis newHand-Tied Garlic Knotsare a total hit in my household. The garlic knots are delicious, yes, but they cost $1.50 for a single knot. Simply Recipes / Getty Images The price is nice, but the taste…If you like garlic, youll love these knots. Even before you bake them, they smell rich and garlicky....

My tween cannot get enough, and she can make them all by herself! And a product that helps a tween feed themself? I keep it in bulk so I never run out. Simply Recipes / Getty Images To my surprise, my tween daughter fell in love with these crusts. Weve even made them a family meal on really busy weeknights. These shelf-stable pizzas are affordablejust $2.49 for threeand come in both original and thin....

Just add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock Apple desserts rank high on my list of favorites. I grew up enjoying my grandmothersapple cake, my moms baked cinnamon apples, and my aunts deliciousapple pie. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock They reheat nicely in the oven or air fryer and can easily pass as a homemade dessert. What Are Trader Joes Apple Blossoms? Apple Blossoms are nestled among the many delicious items in the Trader Joe’s freezer aisle....

It’s great on eggs, roasted vegetables, pizza, and so much more. This means lots of cooking between breakfast, lunch, dinner, and recipe development for work. I just… cant. Simply Recipes / Getty Images That might be why I gravitated toward Trader Joes latest spice mix during a recent grocery shopping trip. Now I cant stop putting theirAglio e Olio Seasoningon everything. Okay fine,almosteverything. Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph I am not, for example, sprinkling it on my cereal....

It’s the smartest cooking shortcut I know. Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe Peeling garlic is achore. Sure, there are tools invented specifically for peeling garlic, but single-purpose items clutter my kitchen. Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe If I were using one clove of garlic, itd be less of an issue. That is until I found this shortcut: crushed frozen garlic fromDorot Gardens. Some stores carry containers with 16 cubes. Simply Recipes / Wanda Abraham...

Its a big hit with adults and kids alike. It’s a cant-miss section of the popular grocery store for me. The selection, quality, and prices cant be beat. Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Getty Images I’ve tried almost all of them, yet somehow Ive been missing out on TJs apple chips. I promptly inhaled them and bought three bags on my next trip. The rest is snacking history....

The name brand costs twice as much. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Trading snacks at lunchtime is a big thing with my son and his friends. Thats how he was introduced to Little Bites, which his friend Simon traded him for some cookies. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Little Bites are perfect little packages of perfect little muffins. Sure enough, I discoveredBakers Treat Mini Muffinsat my favorite grocery store. Bakers Treat Mini Muffinscome in three flavors: blueberry muffins, confetti cake, and chocolate chip....

I love the texture and flavor. These shells are made with minimal ingredients and cost less than $3 for a box of twelve. They hold up nicely for traditional tacos, but Ill also break them up for nachos in a pinch. Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock Why I Love Trader Joes Hard Taco Shells Trader Joes taco shells have never let me down. I also enjoy usingshredded chickenor pork. And if Im craving seafood, shrimp with agood slawon top is always the move....

Its become my new seasoning staple. The cooked fish tasted so, so good. The brown sugar and paprika brought out the natural sweet and savory flavors of the salmon. Simply Recipes / Getty Images Ive also gone beyond dinner, adding the spice blend toomelets. It gave the eggs a little extra oomph, so Ill probably add it to abreakfast casserolesometime. Speaking of breakfast, I think it would be ideal to add tocandied bacon....