Lately we've been digging on Trader Joe's-inspired cuisine, but the grocery store chain may want to consider churning out a book of its own based on all those delicious samples they dole out as we leisurely cruise the aisles. Usually we regard a TJ's treat as simply a free snack, and perhaps an inspiration for a shopping list addition, however this particular sweet and savory nibble made us take pause. We immediately slinked back to sample station to steal another bite, as well as the recipe, which has been earning rave reviews at potlucks ever since (including the recent LAist holiday party). This creamy, savory appetizer is a burst of warm indulgence, as well as simple to put together and easy on the debit card. It will no doubt be a welcome addition to this weekend's holiday parties. more ›

There's no getting around it - this recipe is so NOT LA. There's a mountain of mayonnaise in it, it has an actual cheese layer...hell, this thing is crusted with potato chips. Therefore it shouldn't be too surprising that its original source is an early edition of the Three Rivers Cookbook, a collection of recipes frequently involving kielbasa, bacon, and strangely delicious Jello/pretzel combinations that hails from the Rust Belt city of Pittsburgh. Hot Chicken Salad may not be chock full of antioxidants, but hey, the temperatures dipped last weekend and we needed something cozy and comforting to warm us up. We promise that despite the calorie overload, you'll be singing the Hallelujah Chorus once you bite into this wintery, crunchy casserole. Best of all, sub in turkey and this makes for a great post-Thanksgiving feast! more ›

We find ourselves up to our ears in chicken, pork, flank steak and what-have-you entree recipes, but it seems that once we pick a protein, the side dishes are always an issue. A good side really makes the meal, but if your hands are already dirty in marinades and gourmet sauces, something simple with a few ingredients but still knock-your-socks-off tasty is what's called for. Below is a recipe that fits the bill, and best of all, goes well with just about any main course. (Even a calzone omelette.) Another plus, red skin potatoes are budget friendly. We bought ours at the Atwater Village Farmers' Market for a whopping $2 a pound. more ›

I bought a massive hunk of fresh mozzarella cheese one weekend with visions of homemade margarita pizza swirling in my brain. I had a simple pizza dough recipe ready to go, but every evening when I got home from work, suddenly messing with yeast seemed like more than I could handle. Sure there were premade ones I could buy, but none were in my fridge, and by Thursday I'd had my fill of caprese salad. I stood in the kitchen hungry, grouchy and really not wanting to lay down 20 bucks for delivery. more ›