I'm always swapping product recommendations with friends (and sometimes even strangers) and one brand often comes up in our conversation - Trader Joe's. Although, I'm not too big on their bread products (they tend to go bad quickly) and their produce (I prefer the farmers' market), I love a lot of their products. What are your favorites?
Here's a few of mine:
1. Fair Trade Organic Bolivian Blend Coffee - It's a medium roast with a mild nutty, caramel-like flavor. Both Mr. S and I like this coffee and have been buying it for a few years now. It's nice to have on hand for when we're out of coffee beans from Temple or Philz.
5. Candied Pecans - These are so versatile. I chop them up and use them in my wild rice salad, stuffings and baked goods. Don't get these confused with TJ's Sweet and Spicy Pecans though...which in my opinion taste pretty gross.
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6. Canned Cannellini/White Kidney Beans - Great to have on hand for emergencies. I can grab a can or two from the cupboard and zap up some garlic-white bean dip for a potluck, BBQ or an unexpected guest.
Here's a few of mine:
1. Fair Trade Organic Bolivian Blend Coffee - It's a medium roast with a mild nutty, caramel-like flavor. Both Mr. S and I like this coffee and have been buying it for a few years now. It's nice to have on hand for when we're out of coffee beans from Temple or Philz.
2. Parisian Carrots - I just started buying these recently. I keep a bag stowed in the freezer for the nights when I'm low on fresh produce and want something healthy and easy to roast. The short, squat carrots are the size of a radish...super cute and taste a bit on the sweet side.
3. Korean Scallion Pancakes (Pa jeon) - These are great for a snack or for a light dinner on nights when you're too wiped out to cook. The pancakes are egg-batter based and full of scallions, onions, leeks, carrots, and oyster mushrooms. They can be prepared in a pan on the stove or in the oven on a baking sheet. I like to cook mine in the oven and it just takes a few minutes on each side. I've even turned my parents onto these.
4. 10-Minute Farro and 10-Minute Barley - Both of these choices are cheap ($1.79, a bag!) and are great for making salads, risotto or soups with.
5. Candied Pecans - These are so versatile. I chop them up and use them in my wild rice salad, stuffings and baked goods. Don't get these confused with TJ's Sweet and Spicy Pecans though...which in my opinion taste pretty gross.
6. Canned Cannellini/White Kidney Beans - Great to have on hand for emergencies. I can grab a can or two from the cupboard and zap up some garlic-white bean dip for a potluck, BBQ or an unexpected guest.
7. Frozen Pie Crust - (Comes in sheets, 2 to a box.) Terrific for when I'm crunched on time and don't have any homemade crust on hand. Can be used for appetizers, pies, pot pies and tarts. This is probably the best pre-made pie crust brand I've tried, much better than the stuff sold at my other local grocery stores. It has a nice buttery taste that could pass as homemade.
8. Colossal Olives Hand Stuffed with Garlic Cloves - One of my favorite snacks and terrific in dirty martinis. During my last visit to TJ's, my checker told me if I like these I should check out the ones stuffed with jalapeno peppers, that they're equally as good. I'll let you know.
9. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - A great moisturizer. I liquefy it then apply some on my legs before shaving. It makes your legs crazy-soft. (Be careful though, the oil makes the floor of your shower/tub pretty slick.)
10. Dark Chocolate Almonds with Sea Salt and Turbinado Sugar - Mr.S stocks up on these when PMS time rolls around. He knows how to keep me placated. ☺
11. Julienne Sliced Sun Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil - Mr.S uses these when he makes me my Sunday omelets. They really fancy up the omelet and taste much better then regular dehydrated tomatoes. (I use them in my mini frittatas too.)
