However, I'm working on a REALLY fun list and I need some help.
I'm going to Trader Joe's next week.
I have some standard things that I always buy there, and some seasonal things I hope to pick up--peppermint Jo-Jo's, gingerbread coffee, chocolate Advent calendars, etc.
But since I don't get to shop there all the time, I don't know all of the wonderful things I need to try.
So help me out. What do you lucky ones who live-in-the-land-of-Trader-Joe's buy every time you go, or simply cannot live without?
I'll have extra room to bring stuff home this time (I may even have a cooler) so lay it on me!!! I'm all ears.
21 comments:
Oh my... there is a White Bean (w/ Basil, I think?) Hummus that is soooo good!! Also, I don't remember the "official" name of them, but there are Gorgonzola crackers that are yumm-y! They also have some Orange Chicken in the freezer section that is good and easy for a quick meal. Of course, I would also buy a case of the peppermint Jo-Jo's if I was going.:)
Have fun!
Last time I was there I bought the pumpkin pancake/waffle mix and it was really good. I know its seasonal but I don't know when the season for it is over. I also LOVE their graham crackers. Addicted! I know there are other things I can't think of right now, I'll be back if I do.
Every time I go there I must buy the peppermint bar soap for my husband and the Vanilla Almond Clusters cereal--also for him! I also stock up on the frozen fish when I'm there.
I just returned from Trader Joe's, Mer, so this is perfect timing. I'm happy to report the Peppermint Jo-Jo's are back. (This is the first week our store has stocked them.) I also love their seasonal pumpkin bread mix. It's the only bread I make from a mix, since I love to bake so mixes are counterproductive for me. But this one is so good, I can't stop myself.
Have you ever bought the Chocolate Croissants? They are in the frozen food section, come in a pack of 4. The awesome thing about them is you bake them yourself. Just take the small croissant out of the freezer the night before and they will thaw and rise overnight. You bake them in the morning into flaky, chocolate-filled deliciousness. Awesome to have some stocked for morning coffee get-togethers.
I also love their frozen edemame (since my kids eat it like candy, and the fresh stuff spoils so fast). They also have fresh, brined turkeys in stock right now. I'm excited to try one this year.
Did I whet your appetite? :-)
Where are you going, by the way? Isn't Santa Fe the closest location to you?
Since we just got one here, I don't have a lot of experience, but I like their frozen green beans (I cook them in a little EVOO & minced garlic in a skillet until just tender.. definitely not the cooked all day until they are limp type). I also love their fresh edamame beans (the shelled & unshelled come in the same type package in the produce, so you get more if they are unshelled, but watch the date as they do NOT hold up long.) Everyone I've talked to says their frozen orange Mandarin chicken is like going to a restaurant, so I have some in my freezer but haven't tried it yet. Their bananas are ALWAYS $.19/lb., the price they were when they first opened. Good prices on walnuts, pecans, etc.
Enjoy!
If you like hot tea their Earl Grey is wonderful! A blog friend sent me 5 boxes for my birthday, bless her heart.
Of course you know that there's no Trader Joe's anywhere near Jonesboro, and according to their website, even Memphis and Little Rock don't have one either. Boo!
AN ABSOLUTE MUST is the Wintery Blend Coffee. My brother has to buy it at his TJ's in Minneapolis and MAIL it to me. It's seasonal so stock up!
You have to try the chocolate-covered edamame. Delish!!
Don't throw stones but there is a Trader Joe's about 5 minutes from my house and I've never been inside. I hear they are super expensive. Instead I shop across the street at Price Rite. It's cheap. Can we still be friends?
OK, so I bought a new treat today, and I just ate one and OH MY WORD AT THE DELCIOUSNESS! So I had to come back and tell you to pick up a box of Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels. Cute box too, so it would also make a great gift.
(And please tell Stephanie's Mommy Brain that TJ's is cheap! I have no idea how it got the reputation of being expensive, but I describe Trader Joe's as Whole Foods only super inexpensive. Some of their stuff can't be beat, even by the major grocery stores, at least in our area.)
You know I love this question! I loved everything we got when we visited one in St. Louis last month. The trail mixes are pricey, but we all love them. My kids have enjoyed the pita chips and sesame sticks. I've enjoyed the body washes and shampoos I bought for cheap. The tea tree tingle is my favorite!
I wish the seasonal stuff had been out last month. It sounds so good! If you want to drop me a little care package after your trip, feel free:)
I don't go that often even though we have one pretty close---don't hate! I do love their thin ginger cookies (don't remember the name) and their whole wheat pizza dough. Love homemade pizza!
1. Pizza dough (wheat is my favorite) in the refrig. section for .99
2. Frozen green beans a ton for 1.99
3. Hummus
4. Pita chips (for the hummus)
5. Spicy Chai mix
Come by and join my giveaway today!
Chocolate covered cherries hands down...then again, anything chocolate covered!
I agree with Megan O. The graham crackers, especially the cinnamon.
I miss TJ's.
I didn't think they're expensive at all compared to many other popular healthier stores.
I like their packaging like calling their salsa Trader Jose' and a couple of other ones I can't think of at the moment.
Have fun shopping there!
I definitely agree with the two others who mentioned the orange chicken in the frozen section. The sauce is on the side so if someone doesn't like orange you can still serve it separately.
When I was there the other day they had these amazing dark chocolate cookies with chocolate chips and peppermint pieces inside. They are TO.DIE.FOR.
Dark Chocolate covered almonds with sea salt and turbinado sugar. Yum. I don't even like almonds. I think it's the chocolate/salt/sugar combo I like.
Gingerbread coffee is back! Someone above suggested Wintry blend which is also good, but I love the gingerbread.
Sipping chocolate. Comes in a tin by the hot chocolate. Needs some sugar or marshmallow cream, but thick and deacdent.
Trader Joe's brand "Rice and Bean Chips" with Azuki Beans. So good you don't even need salsa.
This sounds gross, but is really good. They sell this roast beef in a can. I think the label has red and pink stripes. It's a wide can, but not as tall as a soup can. Anyway, one day at the sample station they had mixed a can of that with some mashed potatoes and were serving it as a sandwich. It's like a big fistful of comfort food. Probably not the healthiest but yummy and quick and can feed the whole family.
Now I'm hungry. :-)
Fruit Floes popsicles...Caribbean.
Hands-down best popsicles in the world.
You could always come to my TJs...
Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup is divine.
I also buy the Cuban black beans (perfectly seasoned) and the beer bread mix.
Oooh have fun! I've only been there a handful of times when we go to CA so I don't have any suggestions, though!
Laurie
I say just buy everything in the store. It is my ALL TIME FAVORITE place to shop. I have never bought anything I don't love there. HUMMUS of all kinds is great. They have wonderful bagels. Oh my I could just go on forever. I buy their frozen salmon patties/burgers and grill them and melt yogurt cheese on top, put pesto sauce on the toasted bun with lettuce and tomato. Sooooooo Good. My son just loves these.
Have fun!!
oh and not to be forgotten...the wine!
I hardly ever get to go to TJ's... but one time my friend sent me a bag of candy from there. They were chocolate kiss-like candies with white sprinkles on them. Maybe they were called UFOs? I don't know. I just know I stuck them in my freezer and they were sooooooooooooo good.
Have fun Trader Joe-ing!
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