<p>worrywart, at least the peppermint Joe-Joe’s are seasonal, so as long as you don’t (ahem) buy a few packages in mid-January for the freezer, you’ll only have to contend with the kettle korn come February.</p>
<p>ST, thanks for the heads up. Perhaps someone could post here the least deadliest times of the year to shop at TJ’s?</p>
<p>Whoever originally wrote about the thumbprint butter cookies…I hate you, I hate you!!</p>
<p>I just stopped into my local bookstore on my way to Trader Joe’s. I was looking for cookbooks for my new slow cooker. Couldn’t find one, but found “Cooking With All Things Trader Joe’s”. Bliss. All my favorite ingredients from TJ. Google it. It’s on my wish list.
The recipes are easy.</p>
<p>I bought a brined turkey from Trader Joe’s this year for the first time. I usuallly brine my own, but TJ’s was cheaper and easier. It was wonderful - very moist and gave me great leftovers.</p>
<p>I agree with all the favorites listed, but I feel I need to add 2 more for a easy recipe.</p>
<p>Vanilla Bean Cake Mix
Lemon Curd (located near scones in TJ near me)</p>
<p>Make the cake in 2 8" round cake pans. Whip up 2 cups of whipping cream, fold in lemon curd. In a trifle bowl, layer cake, then cream/lemon curd mixture and add fresh berries of your choice (I use assortment of fresh blueberries/strawberries/blackberries). Repeat layers again.</p>
<p>Makes for a lovely dessert for brunch or special event such as Mother’s Day.</p>
<p>I lived between the Marlton, NJ and Wilmington, DE store and used to travel with a cooler in my car when running errands if I was going to be near either store. Since then I moved very close to DE store and do most of my shopping there. Great store!</p>
<p>MIL gave me a $20 gift card for TJ that I used today. No TJ in her area so she could not use it. Found the cutest little Christmas trees for $4.99. And treated myself to the kettle corn. Went there for their turkey meatballs which I am making for dinner tonight.</p>
<p>There is talk of a TJ opening in HI–have to wait & see if it really happens tho, especially given current economic issues. It would be VERY popular here as the Costco in HI is the #1 store in the world in terms of volume & profit.</p>
<p>I’m sure someone has mentioned the frozen steel-cut oatmeal? I have it every morning with TJ almonds and dried cherries…</p>
<p>Mmm, I just bought some Ginger Chews today. If you love the taste of fresh ginger, these candies are to die for!</p>
<p>I packaged up a “final exam” box for my freshman son - ginger chews, chocolate covered edamame, jelly bellys, beef jerky, and spiced cider mix. Most of the items I got at TJ’s.</p>
<p>Love Trader Joe’s, but there’s only one must-have: Conacado Organic Fair Trade Cocoa.</p>
<p>It’s not like Hershey’s Cocoa. It’s sweetened, but only a little bit. It’s meant to be used with hot milk for chocolate, but I’ve never used it for that. I put a rounded teaspoon in my mug of (Gevalia) coffee each morning–and that way no one with whom I come into contact gets hurt. I carry some in a plastic bag when I travel. </p>
<p>Another heavenly Trader Joe’s product are the peanut butter cups. Try just one and you’ll dump Reese’s Cups without a second thought. Unfortunately, these are far too delicious to be kept in the house.</p>
<p>SJTH, one of my coworkers eats this and refers to it as an ice-drilling core sample, because that’s what it looks like!</p>
<p>bmv, Thank you for posting this recipe. How far ahead can this be assembled (ie: an hour before, several hours before and refrigerated)? BTW, I bought their lemon curd and have mixed it into my plain Greek yogurt.</p>
<p>I too eat the steel cut frozen oatmeal - great stuff… Try it with bananas and maple syrup.</p>
<p>oregonianmom, I believe you and I have sons on the same campus. Like you, my trip to TJ’s today was for the express purpose of assembling a final exam survival kit.</p>
<p>worrywart - We’re such nice parents! :D</p>
<p>I used the TJ’s steamed lentils (from refrigerator case) tonight, emptying out partially used stuff from the refrig to add some flavor: carmelized approximately one onion plus three cloves garlic in Smart Balance margarine; stirred in the package of cooked lentils; added most of a little (6 oz?) can of tomato paste plus a little water; dumped in about a half bag of fresh baby spinach and put the lid on to wilt. Seasoned with salt and lots of pepper. Will make a great dinner tomorrow (plus leftovers for lunches) over brown rice. </p>
<p>I also cooked up another massive meal that we ate tonight. Froze a huge portion for later and still have lots for leftovers – though the potatoes will get a little mealy, my clan doesn’t mind. I used three (!) jars TJ’s simmer sauce (2 Indian Curry plus 1 Masala, since that’s what I had on hand). Dumped sauces in a pan, added one large head cauliflower cut in florets plus an equivalent amount of peeled potatoes in large chunks. Added some water (under 2 cups) and covered to simmer. After a while added one can coconut milk, two drained/rinsed cans garbanzo beans. Let it all simmer until potatoes were almost al dente. Added one bag frozen petite peas. When boiling again, added a couple Tbsp of Smart Balance for richness. Would have added fresh cilantro but didn’t have any. We had this over “peas pulao” made of basmati rice seasoned with cardamom and cinnamon, with (yet another) bag of frozen petite peas – a really quick and easy dish that nicely balances the curry.</p>
<p>Now I need some peppermint jojos!</p>
<p>I love their basil tomato sauce
canola margarine
all of their low fat sliced cheeses, muenster, cheddar and swiss.
Fresh grated package of parmesan cheese
cilantro yogurt dip with their baby carrots
frozen tempura chicken
fozen organic greenbeans…I stir fry this with the tempura chicken an serve with the already frozen packets of prepared brown rice.
Frozen Chili lime chicken burgers.
already fresh made guacomole
Organic hodgepodge medley vegetables
Yellow and orange carrots with a balsamic glaze
Frozen spanish rice with olives,
Blueberry waffles
greek yogurt
I use all of their dried fruits(cherries, blueberries,currants, raisins, cranberries, cherries) and nuts to make my own granola.
the large whole wheat flat bread(huge) for making your own pizza.
whole wheat sourdough bread.
Peanutbutter stuffed pretzel nuggets
Frozen nan bread
Organic sugar
Cake mixes
I only buy their EVOO
Free range chicken broth.
This list could go on and on.</p>
<p>I do like some of their simmer sauces. Mojito, etc.</p>
<p>
Oh yes, those steamed lentils are great! I used them earlier this week: chopped up some onion, yellow pepper, and parsley, with TJ’s balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing. It was good hot as well as cold, and I’m having the last leftovers today for lunch with chunks of chicken mixed in. Mmm.</p>
<p>
They no longer have the Mojito sauce 
I emailed them to ask why and they said it just wasn’t selling. I loved that stuff.</p>
<p>I made Calzones last night with all TJs stuff–their pizza dough, chicken sausage, cheese, sauce, onions, peppers, olives. Their pizza dough is really good. Now I’m off to have my steel cut oatmeal! Oh, they had really terrific rosemary trees and topiaries the other day–great gifts!</p>