Remember winter? The way it lingered until just recently? I finally put away my sweaters, and now it’s already unbearably hot. And cooking? NO WAY. It’s all about pantry meals and popsicles for now, and it has to be quick — nothing worse than being hangry during a heatwave. The other day, while loitering by the fridge, enjoying a moment of cool relief, I noticed a container of ricotta cheese. Cold, creamy ricotta. Sold, I thought. That’s dinner for me.
The beauty of ricotta is that it can nearly always be a meal (or breakfast, or dessert) with minimal fuss. A chunk of bread, a sprinkle of salt, and a jar of something, and you’re good to go. Preserved lemon, pickled peppers — truly, anything with a bit of tang complements ricotta well. That evening, I discovered a jar of Trader Joe’s Slow-Roasted Tomatoes in the back of my cabinet — along with a bag of their famed Sandwich Starters — and thus, an amazing new TJ’s dinner was born. It’s filling, it’s super-quick, and it tastes as if you spent time and effort on it (rather than using what you stumbled upon in the kitchen). It does involve a toaster, but only for a max of 90 seconds, and I assure you, it’s worth it. TJ’s Sandwich Starters have earned their cult status for a reason: They’re a soft, chewy, perfect blend of ciabatta and burger bun. Even a light toasting adds a delightful crunch to the creamy textures of this meal.
For what it’s worth, I find this dish best prepared while standing in the kitchen in a bra, with an ice-cold Diet Coke on the counter. But that part’s optional. Here’s the recipe…
Summery Dinner Toasts
Serves 1
1 Trader Joe’s Sandwich Starter
1 cup ricotta cheese (I use TJ’s whole-milk ricotta, but any brand works)
1/2 a jar of TJ’s Slow Roasted Tomatoes
Salt and pepper, to taste
A few leaves of fresh basil, washed and torn, for topping*
*If it’s available. I often have it in the summer, but this meal is plenty delicious without. Please, do not go to the store!
Split the Sandwich Starter in half, and lightly toast. Arrange the toast slices and distribute the ricotta between them, spreading evenly on each slice.
Top each piece with a layer of roasted tomatoes, fishing them out of the jar with a small fork. (If you wish, you can spoon a little oil from the jar and drizzle it lightly over the toast.) Add salt and pepper to taste (the jarred tomatoes are somewhat salty already, so use the first pinch sparingly, you can always add more). Finish with fresh basil on top, if using, and enjoy — whether you’re shirtless or not.
What are you preparing for dinner these days? Do you have a go-to no-cook meal?
P.S. More Trader Joe’s meal hacks and ideas:
* My 10 beloved items from Trader Joe’s recently
* Five-ingredient Trader Joe’s shrimp tacos recipe
* A tasty Trader Joe’s breakfast trick
* Taste test: Trader Joe’s imitations vs. original brands
* A TJ’s cheese-plate formula
* 10 Trader Joe’s products to refresh breakfast
* Four great Trader Joe’s meal hacks — and three more here!
(Photos by Yossy Arefi for Cup of Jo.)
