Trader Joe's Top 10

Parent Cafe
41

<p>Simmer sauces = jarred sauces in a variety of flavors, from Indian (korma) to Thai (yellow curry) to Chinese (General Tso’s) and beyond. They are a lifesaver for quick, tasty meals. The other night, I used a jar of korma simmer sauce, a can of chick peas, cubed tofu (we have a vegetarian household), and frozen peas, served over quinoa. All from TJ’s, and dinner was ready in less than 20 minutes.</p>

<p>This year, I plan on stocking up on holiday Jo-Jos (like Oreos, but with a crushed peppermint-stick filling) as soon as I see them, as they always run out quickly. Has anyone ever tried to freeze them? I would love to have them on hand beyond December.</p>

42

<p>I have frozen the peppermint Jo Jo’s and they come out just fine! They are really peppermint-y. I also love the vanilla Jo Jo’s.</p>

43

<p>Thanks, cat119 - I will make plenty of room in my freezer this winter!</p>

44

<p>Oh my gosh! Everything sounds so good! Now I’m famished. I wonder how many hundreds of miles I’d have to drive to find a Trader Jo’s…</p>

45

<p>The handmade tortillas!</p>

<p>We used to take an empty suitcase when we traveled from East Coast to California… fill it up totally with tortillas on the last day of our trip and cart it back home. Freeze and try to make them last for a full year until our next trip.</p>

46

<p>Wow, I had no idea they’ve got a cult following. Instead of a cooler, I think I’ll bring a footlocker next time I go.</p>

47

<p>flatlander, the seasonal items are not available past the season. My kids love the pumpkin ice cream, and it disappears after the holidays.</p>

<p>I hope no one minds if I list a few more things.</p>

<ol>
<li> wasabi mustard</li>
<li> grass-fed beef from New Zealand</li>
<li> TJ barbecue sauce (in plastic bottle)</li>
<li> frozen crabcakes (sold in pairs in shrink-wrap; large ones, not the appetizer size, not fried)</li>
<li> hummus - garlic or red pepper</li>
<li> frozen turkey stromboli</li>
<li> fresh watercress</li>
<li> salsas</li>
<li> frozen potato pancakes</li>
</ol>

<p>I do think TJ’s prepared foods are better than most. I normally don’t buy any prepared foods, but I will at TJ’s.</p>

48

<p>Let’s see…
Key lime pie…tart and NOT expensive
Korean beef
lamb roast w/rosemary
cinnamoned almonds
low-fat Gouda cheese
buffalo burgers
Sharon’s Sorbet (dairy-free, fabulous full-fruit taste)
maple syrup</p>

<p>DH does at least half of our shopping at TJ’s! The prices are better than the local grocery stores. Quality is great.</p>

49

<p>Doeas anyone know if the gravenstein apple stuff is seasonal? Am I too late?</p>

50

<p>Trader Joe’s monthly mail flier(sp) is informative and also a good read. You have to sign up for it. </p>

<p>PS
It’s 3-Buck-Chuck here in the east.</p>

51

<p>You can add that wasabi mustard to my list. So good with a steak sandwich! I’m not that big on prepared foods, so I don’t use TJ’s as much as some here. Back when dh was at Caltech we used to only go to TJ’s for the wine. Our local ones aren’t allowed to sell wine. I believe one store in Manhattan got some sort of special dispensation though.</p>

<p>They also carry lower grade maple syrup which I like better.</p>

52

<p>Shrink - I saw the Gravenstein apple stuff in a TJ’s over Labor Day, I have gotten it at various times during the year, so you should be fine…</p>

53

<p>Reeds Ginger Beer—the ONLY way to make a Moscow Mule!</p>

54

<p>frozen chocolate chip cookie dough and frozen precooked organic brown rice- both made the top ratings in Consumer Reports. I also buy the Spa Salad, Lemon artichoke pesto sauce, Turkey Chile, Turkey meat loaf, and I just tried the new Chicken Marsala dinner- yum! Oh and the Soyaki teriyaki sauce.</p>

55

<p>Eggplant Garlic spread (YUMMO - just put some in a Moroccan stew I made)
I want the recipe :)</p>

<p>& I have to say- I am all about taste good- fast food.
I like to cook- but not every day! :wink:
I won’t stock up my freezer with Stouffers or even Annie’s but I will from Trader Joes.</p>

56

<p>So jealous, TJ’s sounds wonderful. Don’t have one here in the hinterlands</p>

57

<p>Any of their indian frozen dinners. Biryani, basmati rice. TJ is so ahead of the curve, constantly bringing in new concepts. </p>

<p>Charles Shaw cabernet and chardonay are fantastic for the price ($2.99). Also good is German bock beers, and sometimes Grolsch and tsingtao original label are available.</p>

<p>Wife loves the canned red salmon, so do I. She likes the organics nuts the most. Our only problem is closest TJ is 80 mi away !! We make it a day trip just to go there.</p>

<p>Their special seasonals are a treat.</p>

<p>Only things that fall down a bit are the breads. They are not that good.</p>

58

<p>Trader Jose…the southwest chicken quesadilla (frozen foods)…this is so yummy for a snack or a meal. Can’t get enough!</p>

59

<p>So many items I haven’t tried.
Some of our favorites in no particular order:
Frozen Chocolate Lava Cakes- these are so goood. Also inexpensive. They can be served at a party they are so good.
Frozen Cranberry oatmeal cookies
Fresh naan bread- the frozen is also good
The fresh hummus with the olive oil and paprika and pinenuts on top
Dried apricots
Fresh pizza dough
Santa Maria style tri tip
Frozen pineapple- use on pizza or in smoothies
Fresh grapefruit juice
Super C juice blend
Lemonade
Guacamole
Chocolate- I like the dark chocolate caramels
milk chocolate peanut butter maltballs
The simmer sauces
French country hand soap</p>

<p>I also find they have the best prices on eggs, milk, emergen C, altoids, greek yogurt and butter. They also often have great prices on cut flowers and orchids.
Plus the helpful staff and the chalk drawings.</p>

60

<p>I don’t shop there often, but when I do, I love the
frozen vegetarian dumplings,
mochi (only place I can find it)
chocolate chip cookies (my personal favorite place to get them)
dog treats.</p>