Today I’d like to welcome Andrea Lynn to Imp3rfect Mom. She has written a fun cookbook for college kids and/or anyone who loves Trader Joes. Here’s her interview:
Why did you write the book?
When you work in the cooking field as I do, so many people feel the need to bare their culinary souls, mainly to give me the many excuses on why they don’t cook (I don’t ask, I swear!). But here’s the thing… cooking can be simple. The idea behind this cookbook is that anyone, primarily a college student, can create delicious meals with minimal effort…and some Trader Joe’s ingredients, of course. 
Why do college kids need a cookbook?
The earlier you can get someone to start cooking for themselves, the better off they will be in the long run. Sure, college is about junk food, pizza, etc., but why can’t that also be combined with experimentation in the kitchen? This has a huge impact on someone’s life. Once they see how easy it can be and learn a few staple recipes, this skill will continue throughout their life.
I’ve cooked since I was a child, but a majority of the people I know weren’t encouraged in the kitchen. To this day, they still don’t cook. People don’t just wake up deciding to cook—they need to be nudged in that direction at a young age.
What surprising thing did you discover while writing the cookbook?
I’m not so much of a microwave person, so I think one of the most surprising things I discovered from this cookbook was the amount of low-effort, good-quality meals you can make, only equipped with a microwave and a Trader Joe’s nearby.
What recipes do you recommend a beginner to try?
Start with pastas. By just boiling some spaghetti and adding in marinara sauce and Trader Joe’s meatballs, there’s a meal equivalent to a dish mama would make. But pasta, in general, is fabulous for a beginner cook to start with. Angel hair pasta plus butter and Parmesan cheese is simple yet delightful to eat. From there, as a cook advances, add to to the dish sautéed broccoli, shrimp and lemon zest. Make it whatever you desire. Also, start with hot sandwiches. They’re a good bridge to start cooking without being so overwhelming. Examples are the Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Blue Cheese and Carrots and the Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Slaw 
What are your favorite recipes in the cookbook?
Sloppy Joe’s have always been one of my favorite foods. For an appetizer, I took Trader Joe’s Bolognese sauce, and added a few ingredients to transform it into Sloppy Joe’s. This is poured over chips and topped with cheese for Sloppy Joe Nachos¸ a creation I can never stop eating.
Also, I’m a sucker for deviled eggs, and the Thai Red Curry Deviled Eggs are fabulous. And Trader Joe’s has hard-boiled eggs ready to go, so it couldn’t be simpler. Another favorite is flopping down pizza dough into a dish and adding tapenade to create a quick and simple focaccia. And the French toast/ sausage sandwich is something I eat a few times each week (speaking of another super simple hot sandwich!).
What’s your favorite part of the book?
One chapter I enjoy (and think is rather unique) is the Brain-Boosters Quick and Hearty Brain Food For Finals. I’ve done several articles on brain foods—foods that have been scientifically proven to boost brain power after eaten. The meals in this chapter all revolve around these ingredients like blueberries, eggs and spinach to create meals that are both easy and good for a stressed brain. (I love this chapter, too. Jan)
What do like about Trader Joes?
First, it’s such a friendly store with a wonderful vibe. Secondly, it’s so affordable. I can stock my cart with whole grains, meat and nuts—luxuries at other stores—and not faint away at the cash register when it’s tallied up. Last, Trader Joe’s is stocked with unique items that you won’t find at the typical grocery stores—one example would be the chocolate-covered edamame, which I am addicted to because I love that salty-sweet combo.
What is your next book and when will it be out?
My next cookbook, The I Love Whole Foods Market Cookbook, will be out in the fall. The concept behind the cookbook is how to incorporate Whole Foods’ ingredients into your recipe repertoire without spending a fortune.
Doesn’t this cookbook sound yummy? So once again, you can have four entries to win a copy of The I Love Trader Joe’s College Cookbook:
1. What was one of your first recipes that you made as a college student or young adult?
2. Tweet about this post and COME back and leave me a comment.
3. Like I Love Trader Joes College Cookbook fan page and come back and leave a comment.
4. Share this post on your FB and leave me a comment that you did. 😀
The cookbook winner will be announced after Wednesday, 5 PM, PST.
“1. What was one of your first recipes that you made as a college student or young adult?” I used to make a lot of fried rice when I was in college — delicious and very inexpensive! Great post and I would love to win this book because I have a daughter in college and she loves to cook!
Entry #2 just tweeted the blog post! “Great giveaway on @janudlock’s blog.. “The I Love Trader Joe’s College Cookbook Giveaway” http://t.co/sDZbKyf > I entered & you should too!”
Love this! Looking forward to giving this a whirl! Thanks for sharing.
LOVE THIS!!! As a busy mom, a quick meal is a must, and I love Trader Joe’s for so many reasons…this cookbook looks fun!
One of my favorite things to make as a college student was a baked chicken, it looked hard (impressed many a friend) but was so easy and reminded us of home!
What a great idea! Thankfully I was in a dorm when I first went away to college or I would have had real troubles! As a senior when I lived in an apartment, my roomie and I were big fans of twice baked potatoes.
What a fun giveaway!!
The first thing I remember making was Banana Nut bread from my Grandma’s recipe.
We ate a lot of the Appian Way pizza in the box. Sounds really gross now, but it was cheap and filling.
I made breakfast, lunch and dinner for myself everyday as a college student. One of my favorite dishes was to make a huge pot of beef stew that would last all week long. It’s full of vegetables and very economical. Plus it can be eaten as is or over noodles, potatoes or rice to stretch it even more.
Tweeted about your giveaway. http://twitter.com/#!/teslaca/status/100689064923107329
Does any college recipe involving Ramen noodles count? I’m so excited by this cookbook and the idea of baby steps. Not only do I need to start simple and grow, my family needs me to sneak it in on them gently.
Thanks Jan for sharing this with us! (I’ve liked the FB page and Tweeted)
And best of luck to Andrea!
Well, my dad taught me to cook when I was very young, so finding recipes was not a problem in college. Finding money for food WAS !
I love the idea of a college cookbook!! So cool. I have never lived anywhere near a Trader Joe’s so I am not familiar with it personally, although I have numerous friends who love it!!
Tweeted about this for entry #2.
Posted on FB and challenged my friends to take EVERY entry opportunity and try and beat out MY chances to win! ;-D
Liked the I Love Trader Joe’s College Cookbook FB page for entry #4.
Oh goodness! This book looks amazing, and so does your site BTW. Will have to be a new spot for me to frequent along with my “auntie Kate” above…lol Just liked it on FB….now moving onto my other chances. BRB…lol
Just posted it on FB also…LOVE Trader Joes. Esp the wine…lol We are tighter than we’d like in the money field (isn’t everyone nowadays) since the hubby is in the military and I stay home with 2 small kids so I’ve learned very quickly how to stretch the food we have in the pantry. However I am NOT a good cook at all. So my experimentation doesn’t always go so well…lol 🙂
First thing I made by myself when I was a college student was sheppards pie! That and American chopped suey were GREAT reheated so I’d make a huge casserole dish full and it would last me a good 4 days! 😉
What a great idea! I shared this on my facebook wall for entry #4!
I don’t tweet, but I posted an extra something on FB for good measure. 🙂
Tweeted, which bounces to my FB automatically, and Liked! Hmm, probably lasagna. 5 ingredients and very easy to make, lots to share. Great giveaway!
I was a cooking novice until I moved out on my own after college, I’m afraid. What I loved cooking early on was eggs over easy, as well as baked chicken. This is such a great idea for a book!
One of the first recipes I ever made in college was spaghetti. I used a jar of sauce. I can remember how difficult it was to make it. That was a long time ago. Now, I cook every day. I’d love to give this cookbook to my niece who is in college.
I tweeted this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/Westwardd/status/101139248027148289
I Like the Trader Joe fan page on Facebook.
I shared this giveaway on my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=580122157
In college we used to make grilled cheese sandwiches by wrapping the bread and cheese in foil and ironing the resulting little package on both sides. You’ve definitely come a long way, baby!
Liked it!