Dommy’s Dinners: The Return… Dinner A’la TJs - Zucchini Feta Patties

[Dommy]

A quick recap… my last report found Dommy and P. about to leave on their long summer vacation and using up what was left in her fridge to make a final meal at home. Well they have return… exhausted… and to an empty fridge…

Trader Joes to the rescue!!!

Coming home from vacation… you don’t want to go out again (afterall, you just spent $$$$) and you also don’t want to cook something extravagant (You just ate yourself silly). You want something simple, easy, different and comforting. So when I looked through my Epicurious file looking for inspiration… Zucchini Patties With Feta just jumped out at me.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/238266

Even better… I knew EXACTLY where to go to make this a great dinner… Trader Joes…

First, they have lots of organic Zucchini, for CHEAP! Second, they have lots of ready made ingredients to make this all come together… Like…

The feta for the patties!

http://flickr.com/photos/71363164@N00/645644320/

I had never tried this version of their Feta, but it sounded like it would be similar to the fetas I’ve fallen in love with at Middle Eastern markets. Sadly, it wasn’t quite there… still a bit too firm and not as sharp tasting. Nevertheless, it made a good addition to the Zucchini batter because it held its shape and added much needed saltiness…

http://flickr.com/photos/71363164@N00/645644364/

To go with the patties, I had to pick up my favorite store bought Hummus… Their Mediterrean version. Basically it’s Sabra… but in a MUCH bigger tub and cheaper than what Sabra is selling for here in L.A.!

http://flickr.com/photos/71363164@N00/645644330/

I typically like to have meat with my meals, so I defrosted the left over sausage from the goodbye dinner… and then of course we can’t have a middle easternish dinner without some flat breads… so I also picked up some TJ’s plain frozen Naan….. one of my TOP TJ’s products EVER!!

http://flickr.com/photos/71363164@N00/645644348/

And so I was ready to make my patties. As you saw from the recipe and batter, it was very simple. Just Zuchinni, feta, Parsley (I excluded the dill) and green onions mixed with a simple batter…

I tend to fry with less oil than the recipes call for as well on a non-stick surface….

http://flickr.com/photos/71363164@N00/645644372/

Just a few minutes on each side and the patties were nice and golden!!

http://flickr.com/photos/71363164@N00/645644388/

P. just oooed… and ahhed at the smells of the kitchen and could not wait for the final plating of all these things… In the end, I think I impressed him…

http://flickr.com/photos/71363164@N00...

And myself actually! It was so easy! And homey! And comforting! For the first time since our return, I was so glad to be home again! :

)

--Dommy!

[Carb Lover]

Looks great, Dommy! Sometimes there's nothing like a simple home-cooked meal after days of eating out. I need to make Nigella's zucchini fritters soon. That is the same hummus that I buy from TJ's. Is it really made by Sabra but in different packaging?!

[Dommy]

I am inclined to believe so, I did a side by side compare and taste... and they were IDENTICAL...

--Dommy!