Shopping Guide
Learn more about Timaree's favorite ingredients used in her recipes!Legumes (Beans/Peas/Lentils)
Beans, canned – TJ
Trader Joe's sells a variety of canned beans and has several organic options.
Edamame – Ready to eat- TJ
Trader Joe's sells edamame in the produce area, ready-to-eat, as well as in the freezer section, (need to be cooked).
Sausage, store-bought, plant-based options – TJ
There are several plant-based sausages available in the refrigerated area in the produce aisle at many grocery stores. While I don't typically eat them (since they include oil), they are a "sometimes food" for my husband and kids, with one link flavoring dinner for...
Beans – aseptic bag/box
Cooked beans are now being packaged in bags and boxes to as an alternative to cans liner with BPA.
Chili Beans
Although the sodium is a bit high on this product, it is an occasional (treat) - and makes a yummy topping for our Southwestern Loaded Potato when we don't have any of my Seasoned Black Beans on hand (recipes in The Foodie Bar Way). Look for the 50% Less Sodium...
Beans – Dry
My favorite dry beans are grown right here in Northern California by Chip and Bobbie Morris (Elegant Beans and Beyond). These heirloom beans are available at our Raley's, Bel Air and Nob Hill stores, as well as online.
Edamame – Ready to Eat
We buy Organic Edamame (ready-to-eat) in the refrigerated area at Costco. I always look for packages with the date furthest in the future. When I get home, I divide up the pods into 3 quart zip-top bags and put two in the freezer, because I know we won't eat them all...
Tofu – Organic (sprouted if possible)
My favorite water-packed tofu is Trader Joe's Organic Sprouted Tofu. I comes in a 2-pk so that you only need to open 1/2 of the package if you are making a small amount of a recipe (from the book: Scrambled Taco or Sofritas). Store in the fridge or put it straight...
Tofu – silken
Silken tofu is sold in water or in shelf-stable aseptic boxes (like a juice box), typically in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle. Check the label to ensure that the tofu is made from organic soybeans and the company is not adding any protein isolates. Do...
Tempeh
Trader Joe's Organic 3 Grain Tempeh is my favorite - an 8 oz package provides 40 grams of protein, is ~$1.99 and it freezes perfectly. We make a batch of Austin's Seasoned Tempeh every other week and enjoy it on sandwiches and in our Crazy Salad Foodie Bar. Many...
Noodles – Shirataki
Shirataki noodles are extremely low in calories and made from either soybeans/tofu or Japanese konjac yam. They are usually sold in a bag filled with water, in the refrigerated area of the produce aisle (with the tofu, wonton wrappers, miso, etc.) and will last...
Pasta – You have options!
My Pasta Foodie Bar includes many different noodle options - some of which are pictured below: Whole Grain (durum wheat), Edamame & Mung Bean, Edamame, Quinoa & Corn. Also look for noodles made from black beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and lentil. The...
Lentils – Red Split
Red split lentils are great in the Seasoned Lentils recipe, or in a marinara sauce, as they get very soft and completely lose their shape. Do not use these red split lentils in the Cauliflower Lentil Filling recipe (Nacho Foodie Bar), as the texture (very soft) will...
Lentils – green – whole
While there are a variety of lentils, these green whole lentils are perfect for the Cauliflower Lentil Filling in The Foodie Bar Way's Nacho Foodie Bar, because they hold their shape. Do not substitute red split lentils, as the texture (very soft) will disappoint you....
Edamame – frozen – ready to cook
I buy organic edamame (soy beans) out of their shells for our Un-Fried Rice Foodie Bar. They are ready after being cooked in boiling water for 4-5 minutes.
Peas – frozen
Peas are a great source of protein and an extremely tasty addition to any salad (you've might have been missing out all of this time)! I keep several bags of organic peas in the freezer, so I can add them to any recipe on the fly.