The 'So Easy' Chili Crisp Rice I Could Eat Every Single Day (It's THAT Good!)
For as much as I love to cook, sometimes I just need to be able to put together a meal quickly and without much effort. Usually, this means I'm turning to Trader Joe's frozen aisle or relying on packs of rice that I can pop in the microwave. I'll admit, though, that I have had a hard time finding ready-to-heat rice that I actually like to eat. My favorite one — or what used to be my favorite one — comes in frozen packs from Trader Joe's, but given that my freezer space is super limited, I've been looking for an alternative that I can keep in my pantry.
At long last I've finally found one that's so flavorful, I could eat it every night of the week. Fly by Jing — a brand our team loves for its delicious chili crisp and instant noodles — has collaborated with rice brand Lundberg to create its new Chili Crisp Rice. It's so easy to make, but it doesn't taste like it — it beats every other microwaveable rice pack that I've ever tried by a mile.
Fly by Jing
$23.94
Buy Now
Fly by Jing x Lundberg's Chili Crisp Rice has become my weeknight hero when I need a tasty, fast, and easy side for dinner or a base for a bowl. My issue with other microwaveable rice pouches and cups is that I've found that they can end up tasting like plastic at worst, and too bland at best. I'm happy to report that that is absolutely not the case here. It's packed with flavor, thanks to the inclusion of Fly by Jing's beloved Sichuan Chili Crisp. The spicy and savory topping can be used on everything — including ice cream! — so it comes as no surprise that it takes rice to the next level.
However, the rice is also excellent in its own right. The rice Lundberg uses is both Fair Trade Certified and Regenerative Organic Certified, so you can feel good about the fact that it's not just delicious, but also that the brand looks out for the environment and its workers. And to top it all off, you can have the rice ready for your next meal in less than two minutes. The end result is gluten-free and packed with five grams of protein per serving.
When I tell you I would eat Fly by Jing x Lundberg's Chili Crisp Rice straight out of the bag for dinner — no meat, veggies, or anything else added — I'm so serious. This is easily the most flavorful rice I've ever had, and I'm including rice that I've eaten at restaurants in that statement. Once cooked, the jasmine rice is nice and tender, and it has a little chew to it. And the Sichuan Chili Crisp adds some umami with notes of sesame, garlic, and, of course, chilies.
One thing I was curious about before trying this rice was how spicy it would be. I can handle a good amount of heat, but because I wanted to pair it with other foods, I didn't want the rice's spiciness to overshadow everything else. Thankfully it didn't end up being a problem. The rice definitely has a kick to it, but I felt like it was a nice complement to my (not spiced) stir-fried shrimp and veggies.
Taking all of that into account, I can confidently confirm that Fly by Jing x Lundberg's Chili Crisp Rice is easily the best rice pouch I've ever pulled out of my pantry. It checks all the boxes for me: It cooks up quickly, has great texture, and is packed with flavor. Plus, even though it's already flavored for you, it's really versatile with other foods. I love it as a base for different types of bowls and as a side for my stir-fries. I'm going to make a crispy rice salad with my next pack! Buy: , $23.94
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Business Insider
18 hours ago
- Business Insider
I'm 81 and work at Trader Joe's to help pay off $70,000 in debt and launch a business. I don't want to be treated like I'm an old person.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dianne Michels, 81, who works at Trader Joe's in the Chicago area while developing a consulting and coaching business. She works to pay down her $70,000 in debt and fund the business, which she hopes will live on beyond her. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Part of me never wants anybody to know how old I am because I don't want them to treat me like I'm an old person. The way people in retirement are treated is like they're no longer relevant. I started my career at a telephone company in Fargo when I was 19. I went to college but dropped out because I didn't want to be a nurse or a teacher, and it seemed like those were the only options for women back then. They trained us for six weeks as service representatives. I got married at 20, and we had two children. I supported my husband financially through his last two years of college, which was a common thing in those days. We didn't know what we were doing at such a young age, and we got divorced when I was 25. I had a series of relationships for the next 10 to 15 years, and I was engaged at one point, but I never remarried. Business Insider's '80 over 80' series draws on interviews with more than 80 people who are part of the growing group working past their 80th birthdays. They discussed their careers, retirement planning, living expenses, healthcare, and life lessons. Fill out this form to contribute to the series and read more here: 81 and working to survive How these 80-somethings are stitching together work, savings, and Social Security to get through the month The anti-aging secret these 80-somethings swear by: work Meet the 90-somethings with lessons to share on life, work, and money I'm 85 and don't have retirement savings — but I'm not too worried about it After my divorce, I became active in politics I worked at the State Attorney's office and volunteered for a congressional campaign. The campaign manager asked me to work for her at a company that sold office products to physicians and dentists. I became their first female vice president. I worked there from 1973 until 1990, during which the company was acquired. In 1989, we relocated the marketing function to corporate in Minnesota, and I felt the real impact of working in a corporate setting. I left because I was not cut out to be a corporate female in a male-dominated organization. I internalized that people embrace responsibility at work as a gift rather than a burden to survive. If I see one more ad on TV showing elderly people saying, "I just wanted money so I can go out to dinner and see my grandchildren." There's so much more that is possible for us in terms of making a difference in the world. In 1990, I opened a career consulting business I did career consulting, but it didn't generate the income that it needed, so I closed it after two years. I relocated to Chicago in 1993 and went to college in the evenings and weekends while working in public relations. I fell into human resources, working as a consultant and then for a few HR organizations. I launched Serendipity HR, my human resources booking business, in 1998 and kept it until 2014. After that, I became the chief possibility officer at the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. I left in 2018 to write a book. I have about $70,000 in debt I'm in debt in part because of my own lack of awareness about money. I have some personal debt of about $7,000, and the rest is credit card debt. Much of this was investing in my website, getting my book published, and supporting the startup costs of a business. I have arrangements with three of the four credit card companies, where I pay off the debt every month. I'm committed to being debt-free within 18 months. My Social Security allotment is around $2,500 monthly I took my Social Security early at 62 because I needed the money. I don't live in regret, but if I had to do it over, I'd certainly wait to take it, which would've given me about a third more. I was very short-term-financially oriented, instead of thinking beyond cash flow. I didn't know anything about financial security. I grew up in a family that was not focused on investing or financial literacy. We were more focused on getting a good job and keeping that job until retirement. I've been very irresponsible and reckless. I've always refused to be limited by financial circumstances I'm building a consulting and coaching business called Possibility Partners. The people who are going to pay me don't necessarily care whether their employees are making a difference — they care about the bottom line, growth, revenues, and productivity. I need to address their concerns, so I've shifted my business to focus more on creating standard operating practices and relationships, which will save money and increase productivity and retention. I just started a very aggressive sales program. I'm reaching out to people via email or text to ask for their help. While building my business, I'm working at Trader Joe's I needed cash flow to get out of debt and promote my business. In November, I dropped off my résumé at six Trader Joe's locations, went in for an interview at one of them, and two days later, I was working. The speed from résumé submission to hire was incredibly respectful. Working at Trader Joe's allows me to do the work and come home to focus on building my business. I do have a little snob in me — I wouldn't work for some other grocery stores. I briefly worked at Trader Joe's in 2013, so I knew it was a good fit for me. I work Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, so I have Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to devote to my business. I work the cash register, stock shelves, and do food demos. There isn't much of a hierarchy that can create discrepancies in relationships or competition. The management team has been very accommodating, especially of my schedule. Family is at the top of my list Part of working on my own business is having the flexibility to babysit if my daughter wants to go on vacation. I'm planning to move closer to my daughter in Michigan next year. Trader Joe's is temporary work, and as soon as Possibility Partners is firmly established with robust client engagement and partners, I will give up my job to devote all my time to the business.
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Buzz Feed
Trader Joe's New Deli Sandwich Chips Are A Must-Try
Unfortunately for my bank account, the Snack Masters™ at Trader Joe's have done it again, and this time, they're tackling the chip aisle. In case you're not the kind of person who religiously follows every Trader Joe's account in existence (it's me; I'm that kind of person), then you might not know that TJ's has released some fan favorite chips over the past couple of years. There are the Carolina Gold Style BBQ Chips that have now gained a cult following. One redditor on the r/TraderJoes subreddit even deemed them "the greatest achievement of human culture in the 21st century." Another redditor described the flavor of these as "honey mustard with a kick." If you've never had Carolina BBQ, it's more focused on vinegar and mustard-y flavors than other styles of BBQ. Then we have the seasonal Patio Potato Chips that made a grand return after a small hiatus. According to the TJ's website, these are a combo of "Sea Salt & Vinegar, Delicious Dill, Homestyle Ketchup, and Smokin' Sweet BBQ" flavored chips. All of these chips walked so that the brand new Deli Sandwich Style Potato Chips ($2.99) could run. While the side of the bag gives a vague flavor description of "kettle cooked potato chips seasoned with flavors of the deli" (amazing, thanks!), the TJ's website explains that they have "a suite of seasonings that evoke notes of smoky ham, dilly pickle, sharp cheese, and zesty mustard." A heads up: These do contain dairy for all my vegan and/or dairy-intolerant friends out there. With that flavor combo, it's unsurprising that folks mention that they kind of taste like a Cubano (a pressed sandwich packed with sliced ham, roasted pork, melted Swiss, dill pickles, and mustard). A review by Sporked gave them an 8.5/10 and described the main flavor as "mustard seed and pickle brine." Something tells me if you're into the vinegar-y taste of the Carolina BBQ chips, you'll probably dig these. Natasha Fischer of @traderjoeslist said the flavor is similar to when you get "the works" on an Italian sub. To me, "the works" includes a heavy douse of red wine vinegar, so this checks out. If that wasn't enough to help you piece together the flavor of these, as one redditor put it, "To me, they tasted exactly like when you're served a plate with a pastrami sandwich and a big ol' pickle spear, both of which have leaked into the potato chips. Except, not soggy. Pretty good!" TL;DR: Trader Joe's knocked it out of the park again with an ~adventurous~ chip flavor, and I can't wait to see what those little snack rascals come up with next. (While we're on the subject of delis, may I suggest a bacon, egg, and cheese chip?) Have you tried the Deli Sandwich Potato Chips? Let us know what you think! For sandwiches that pair perfectly with a crunchy chip, download the free Tasty app where you can browse and save thousands of recipes — no subscription required.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Trader Joe's brings back 'popular' product early
There are a few things that make shopping at Trader Joe's different from shopping at your typical grocery store. For one thing, you'll mostly find private-label products on Trader Joe's shelves. And you also won't find nearly the same selection of products as you would at a traditional supermarket. Related: Costco jumps on viral dessert trend In fact, a lot of people can only do some of their food shopping at Trader Joe's, and require a larger supermarket to truly stock their kitchens with everything they need. That's a definite drawback. But the fact that Trader Joe's doesn't have such a wide range of inventory is something that makes it special. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter You may not find every single type of yogurt or cereal on the shelves. But what you willfind is a selection of fun, unique products at what are usually affordable prices. Plus, there's something to be said for Trader Joe's outstanding customer service. From the friendly employees to the fact that you can return any item you're not happy with for a hassle-free refund, it's nice to shop at a store that appreciates you. Image source: Shutterstock Another reason people tend to love Trader Joe's is its seasonal products. In August, you'll typically start to see apple-related items hit the shelves. But those don't get to hog the spotlight for too long. Related: Costco, Trader Joe's slammed over food items customer reject By early to mid-September, pumpkin tends to take over. And those products tend to stick around well into October. Once pumpkin season is over, it's all things winter and holidays. If you're someone who loves peppermint-flavored goodies, you're in luck, because Trader Joe's tends to stock a wide range of holiday items starting in late November. And during the spring, you'll find a host of Easter-themed sweets. The trend in retail these days seems to be to bring back seasonal items far in advance. It's not unusual, for example, to find Halloween costumes at Costco in August, or to find Christmas items at Target in October. Related: Another large grocery chain follows Kroger in closing stores For this reason, Trader Joe's customers may not be totally surprised to see that pumpkin products are starting to hit the shelves as early as late July. So far, the store's famous Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix has been spotted in multiple locations. Typically, it doesn't show up until September. And chances are, if you head to Trader Joe's in August, you'll see a bunch of additional pumpkin products show up. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is up to you. On the one hand, Trader Joe's is famous for its selection of pumpkin-flavored goods, from snacks to entrees to dog treats. So if you're someone who loves pumpkin, you may be stoked to see those products hit the shelves early. On the other hand, a lot of us associate pumpkin flavors with fall weather and don't want to dive into pumpkin until it's cold enough to at least warrant a jacket. It's hard to get excited about pumpkin spice cookies when it's 97 degrees outside and you're still walking around in your flip flops. More Retail: Walmart CEO sounds alarm on a big problem for customersTarget makes a change that might scare Walmart, CostcoTop investor takes firm stance on troubled retail brandWalmart and Costco making major change affecting all customers But either way, the return of Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix in July likely means that the pumpkin explosion will happen even earlier this year than in years past. You may want to start stocking up before some of your favorite items sell out sooner than expected. Related: Costco has another rule members may not know The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
