Remember winter? The way it just kept on going until, like, last month? I just put my sweaters away for the season, and it’s already too hot to think. And cooking? FORGET IT. It’s pantry meals and popsicles for now, and it’s got to be quick, too — nothing like being hangry in a heatwave. The other day, while lingering over the fridge, stealing a moment of blissful chill, I spied a container of ricotta cheese. Cold, creamy ricotta. Sold, I thought. Sounds like dinner to me.
And the nice thing about ricotta is that it pretty much can be dinner (or breakfast, or dessert for that matter) with very little dressing up. A hunk of bread, a little salt, and a jar of something, and you’re set. Preserved lemon, pickled peppers — really, anything with a bit of zing will play well with ricotta. That night, I found a jar of Trader Joe’s Slow-Roasted Tomatoes floating around the back of my cabinet — and a bag of their beloved Sandwich Starters — thus, a killer new TJ’s dinner was born. It’s filling, it’s super-quick, and it tastes like a meal you put time and effort into (rather than simply, the first few things you found in the kitchen). It does require the use of a toaster, but only for 90 seconds max, and I promise, it’ll be worth it. TJ’s Sandwich Starters have cult status for a reason: They’re a soft, chewy, dense-in-a-good-way hybrid of ciabatta and burger bun. And even a light toasting adds a satisfying crunch to the creamy textures in this meal.
If it helps, I find this dish is best made while standing in a bra in the kitchen, 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 is fine)
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 you have it around. I often do in the summertime, but this meal is plenty delicious without. For goodness’ sake, do not go to the store!
Split the Sandwich Starter in half, and lightly toast. Plate the toast slices and divide the ricotta between them, spreading over each slice.
Top each piece with a layer of roasted tomatoes, scooping them out of the jar with a small fork. (If you like, you can spoon out a little oil from the jar and drizzle it lightly over the toast.) Add salt and pepper to taste (the jarred tomatoes are a bit salty already, so go easy with the first pinch, you can always add more). Finish with fresh basil on top, if using, and enjoy — shirtless or not.
What are you making for dinner these days? Do you have a favorite stove-free meal?
P.S. More Trader Joe’s meal hacks and ideas:
* My 10 favorite things from Trader Joe’s these days
* Five-ingredient Trader Joe’s shrimp tacos recipe
* A delicious Trader Joe’s breakfast hack
* Taste test: Trader Joe’s knockoffs vs. original brands
* A TJ’s cheese-plate formula
* 10 Trader Joe’s products to shake up breakfast
* Four great Trader Joe’s meal hacks — and three more here!
(Photos by Yossy Arefi for Cup of Jo.)
