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Jodi Moreno wants you to stop overthinking food. The blogger behind What’s Cooking Good Looking is also a James Beard–nominated chef (for her cookbook More with Less), but she’s not subsisting solely on salads and bean sprouts. Hers is a world of garlicky spaghetti made with fresh tomato sauce and dense chocolate cakes slathered with cocoa buttercream. “Ingredients taste best when they are in their purest form,” she writes on her site. Most days, she plucks ingredients directly from her garden or the nearest farmers market. However, Moreno does indulge in the occasional Trader Joe’s run. Naturally, we had to ask for her recommendations. Eating simply never looked so good. 

The Shopping List

  1. Goat Milk Brie
  2. Avocado Tzatziki Dip
  3. Cauliflower Pizza Crust
  4. Turmeric Ginger Coconut Beverage
  5. Mochi 
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Imagery by Andie Diemer

The Dishes

Cheese Board Superstars

Technically, Moreno chose more than one cheese—she’s obsessed with the Trader Joe’s selection (who could blame her?). Along with the goat milk brie, she’s a fan of the manchego and the 1000-day gouda. “It’s the best place to get a variety of cheeses at a fraction of the cost,” she says. Can’t argue with that logic. 

A Refreshing Dip

Moreno recommends spreading the avocado tzatziki on any sandwich or burger in lieu of your regular mayo. Looking for a no-fuss appetizer? “It also makes a great snack with some cucumber or carrot sticks, as an addition to that cheese board,” she adds. 

A Weeknight Mainstay

A box of the cauliflower pizza crust is always stocked in Moreno’s freezer for emergencies. Follow suit and skip the delivery on busy evenings for this customizable gluten-free option. It’s all about the art of healthy-ish. 

A Comforting Drink

No, it’s not red wine. It’s the turmeric-ginger beverage, which Moreno uses year-round: “In the colder months, I like to keep it stocked for a quick warm turmeric latte pick-me-up,” she shares. In the summer, she sips it chilled over ice. 

A Nostalgic Sweet 

“My mom used to buy them for me as a snack when I was a kid,” says Moreno of TJ’s mochi. “Now, they’re a guilty pleasure that I’ll sometimes buy as a treat for myself, or if I’m doing a dinner party and want an easy dessert.” The green tea variety is especially delicious.

See more Trader Joe’s shopping lists: What a Gluten-Free Cookbook Author Buys at Trader Joe’s 5 Products a Foodie Buys at Trader Joe’s to Speed Up Meal Prep Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking Shares Her Trader Joe’s Essentials