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Not Running => Food => Topic started by: moroccangirl on June 11, 2019, 03:24:07 PM

Title: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: moroccangirl on June 11, 2019, 03:24:07 PM
I’ll be home soon and DH is not coming. My kids don’t eat real food. I don’t want to eat out all the time, I’ll be going to the gym and want to still stay on some kind of eating plan. What are your favorite things from Trader Joe’s? Maybe preprepared Foods? My mom lives close to one so I can go there easily.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: BonitaApplebum on June 11, 2019, 04:23:37 PM
“My kids don’t eat real food” is cracking me up. Even though I know the struggle is REAL!
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: moroccangirl on June 12, 2019, 04:59:33 AM
“My kids don’t eat real food” is cracking me up. Even though I know the struggle is REAL!

 :D

I don’t even take them into consideration when planning meals. As long as I can get fries or pb&j or pancakes then we’re good.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: diablita on June 12, 2019, 07:17:25 AM
 :d

So here are some faves that might work for you (thinking through in the order of the store by us):
They have tasty bagged salads with good combinations
If you like brussels sprouts and want to cook, the shredded sprouts are so good roasted with some olive oil. They get really crispy
favorite thing in the cheese area: brie with mushrooms
In the rice aisle, the canned green olives are fantastic.  Kids fight over them at Friday night dinner
We love the cashews with sesame seeds and honey

In the freezer area, DD loves gorgonzola gnocchi and fettucini alfredo with chicken
I love the convenience of cauliflower rice and the frozen fruit slices for smoothies

I'm sure there's more.  Be back later
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: moroccangirl on June 12, 2019, 09:32:24 AM
Ohhhh I forgot about the cauliflower rice and Brussels sprouts. Thanks!
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: JBM on June 12, 2019, 11:31:09 AM
Individual packets of mixed nuts
clif bars are cheap
they have fig newton types of bars
oatmeal in the red box
mini pizzas - I forget what they're called
chicken nuggets - freezer section
chicken tenders - freezer section
microwave rice
risotto
chicken sausage
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Run Amok on June 12, 2019, 11:49:01 AM
I think you just have to go wander the aisles and see what appeals. It's not a huge store and the inventory varies all the time.

I like some of their cauliflower stuff: the cauliflower fried rice & gnocchi are both decent. They have mini ice cream cones that are popular w/ my husband and step-daughter. If you like things like dried or freeze dried fruit, nuts, or trail mix-- they are my favorite place for those things. Although, they have cut down the varieties. They have a great selection of bar type snacks like granola bars, protein bars, and what not. Cheese. Wine, beer, booze. If you like greek yogurt they have good prices on fage and just milk & dairy products in general (although I prefer to buy local dairy & eggs so I usually don't buy them there).

I personally skip over their produce & baked good for the most part. Their "fresh" bread is warehoused and its probably made by a local bakery so it's day old by the time TJ's gets it. I find their produce is just not as fresh as other places. Fine for something like citrus or avocados though.

In general their prepared items are where it's at.  They have some good frozen meal type options too.

Now that we are having this convo I'm realizing I do not shop there nearly as much as I used to.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: diablita on June 12, 2019, 01:52:36 PM
I love the cauliflower gnocchi.  good call on that one.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Chasing Amy on June 12, 2019, 02:23:57 PM
I love the cauliflower gnocchi.  good call on that one.

I wanted to like those, but they tasted like...watery cauliflower masquerading as gnocchi. :(

I like their frozen salmon fillets and the asparagus risotto.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Run Amok on June 12, 2019, 03:17:02 PM
I wanted to like those, but they tasted like...water cauliflower masquerading as gnocchi. :(

I don't hate them-- but they aren't gnocchi.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Chasing Amy on June 12, 2019, 05:38:15 PM
I don't hate them-- but they aren't gnocchi.

They are unloved cauliflower.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: diablita on June 12, 2019, 07:56:15 PM
ha!  They certainly aren't delicious toothsome gnocchi.  But I really enjoy them...they must be cooked as recommended though, butter and all.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Ice Cream on June 12, 2019, 08:07:29 PM
I lik their turkey balls, their frozen seafood medley, and theur gyoza.  Good to have when you want a quick meal.
Their lower sugar jams are good.
capers.
tuna fish is a good quality and price
I like their sponges (I know, not food)
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: diablita on June 12, 2019, 08:35:30 PM
love the capers.  and the yellowfin tuna.  and the smoked trout is delicious.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: CheryG on June 12, 2019, 10:50:44 PM
I keep coming back to this thread because at some point in time I remember hearing about some utterly fabulous thing that could only be purchased at Trader Joe's.  I can't remember what it was. :(  I'm sure I'll remember if I see it, lol, but I must not have seen it when I was there last.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: radial on June 12, 2019, 11:40:55 PM
The nearest TJs to me is farther away than the nearest Wegmans or Whole Foods or regular grocery store.  So I basically never get there.  I read their quirky ads just for fun, but I never see anything I want/need that I can't get from other vendors closer to where I live.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: merigayle on June 13, 2019, 12:43:40 PM
I wanted to like those, but they tasted like...watery cauliflower masquerading as gnocchi. :(

I like their frozen salmon fillets and the asparagus risotto.
put them in the air fryer.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: BonitaApplebum on June 13, 2019, 02:04:18 PM
I keep coming back to this thread because at some point in time I remember hearing about some utterly fabulous thing that could only be purchased at Trader Joe's.  I can't remember what it was. :(  I'm sure I'll remember if I see it, lol, but I must not have seen it when I was there last.
I bet it’s that cookie butter stuff. People go nuts for it.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: diablita on June 13, 2019, 02:05:36 PM
not my jam
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Chasing Amy on June 13, 2019, 02:34:16 PM
put them in the air fryer.

I don't have an air fryer. So I just eat roasted cauliflower and regular potato gnocchi!
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Run Amok on June 13, 2019, 03:39:37 PM
I bet it’s that cookie butter stuff. People go nuts for it.

But now you can buy it not at trader joes.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Natasha on June 16, 2019, 12:07:20 AM
Pitted Amarena cherries. $5 instead of $20 at the liquor store, and dare I say, maybe even a little better tasting.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: CheryG on June 16, 2019, 02:25:54 PM
I bet it’s that cookie butter stuff. People go nuts for it.

I've had the cookie butter, it was meh.  Idk if it was maybe a protein powder or ice cream or.....?!

If I got excited about it, it was probably kid friendly, lol.

So keep coming up with suggestions, people!
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Run Amok on June 16, 2019, 02:34:16 PM
Probably not a protein powder. They have mini ice cream cones that are delish and also bake at home French pastries that are really excellent. Maybe that was it?
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: CheryG on June 16, 2019, 05:09:40 PM
Bake at home french pastries do sound excellent.  MG, do you have access to an oven?
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: merigayle on June 17, 2019, 06:52:20 AM
Everything bagel seasoning
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: diablita on June 17, 2019, 06:54:00 AM
The bake at home pastries are delish.  Our faves are the Kouign Amman when they have them.  Their puff pastry dough is also superior to most other brands because it's made with all butter (unlike Pillsbury, etc) and less expensive than Dufour. 

Their Dipper cookies are also a kid's delight.  DD and DH like the chocolate chip ones.  And one of the most popular desserts there is the Kringle. 
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Ice Cream on June 17, 2019, 07:45:23 AM
Everything bagel seasoning

yes.  Mine was empty in no time.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Chasing Amy on June 17, 2019, 11:08:13 AM
Do they still sell the chocolate meringue cookies? I haven't seen them in awhile at my local store, but I really like those.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: merigayle on June 17, 2019, 11:11:17 AM
Do they still sell the chocolate meringue cookies? I haven't seen them in awhile at my local store, but I really like those.
YES! and I buy like 4 each time i go  :roll:
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: picote on June 18, 2019, 10:46:05 AM
Everything bagel seasoning

What do you use it on?
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Ice Cream on June 18, 2019, 11:23:09 AM
What do you use it on?

I use it on cream cheese sandwiches
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: merigayle on June 19, 2019, 09:48:59 AM
What do you use it on?
everything :D
it is great on avocados.
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: diablita on June 19, 2019, 04:14:38 PM
Everything :)
So good on eggs
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Chasing Amy on June 20, 2019, 06:59:27 PM
Oh! This cheese. I'd be very sad if TJs stopped selling this cheese:

(https://s1.r29static.com//bin/entry/aa1/600x600,85/1680686/image.jpg)
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: diablita on June 21, 2019, 06:54:29 AM
yes!  and the brie with wild mushrooms
Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: hally on June 21, 2019, 04:32:08 PM
I find their bagged salad greens last longer than ones from the regular market.
The 3 pack of chocolate bars, the 72% dark. It comes in a pound plus bar but it's too hard to break up and eat a normal portion.  :eyeroll:
I love the Argentinian Red Shrimp, always have that on hand and the Melodious Melange, Stir Fry Riced Cauliflower (either of those are good with the aforementioned shrimp)
I always have the goat cheese crumbles around, I love that with asparagus, mushrooms and shallots sauteed and in an omelet.
Most of their frozen stuff is good but too much salt for me so I stay away from it, also it says 4 servings and I could typically eat it all! The smoke salmon varieties are good.
I love their lower salt broths, the vegetable broth is a great starter for soup. If you like ginger snaps theirs are amazing.
In the winter I typically buy the frozen blueberries, cherries, raspberries but it's summer and I'd rather get fresh now.
Their Greek yogurt is decent, if I am stuck I will buy it but I do prefer Fage.
I like their veggie italian sausage too.
And all the nuts and dried fruits are great and way lower priced then say Whole Foods.


Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: diablita on June 22, 2019, 03:12:05 PM
Their veggie italian sausage is delicious!

This week I found a bag of kale that had been de-stemmed and thinly chopped.  One of the famous local restauranteurs shared his recipe for the most fantastic kale salad so I appreciated not having to do the little bit of extra work:

https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/garden-to-table/kale-salad-recipe

Title: Re: Trader Joe’s favorites??
Post by: Natasha on June 23, 2019, 01:06:15 PM
I get their dried ginger candy. DH loves their truffle oil potato chips.