So when Vic and I lived briefly in Illinois a few years’ back, Trader Joe’s was all the rage. We didn’t have them in New York, or in Georgia (where we’d moved from). So we stopped by one day…went “eh.” and left without anything.
Fast-forward a few years, and now we have them in Georgia. I visit again, chat with some friends, and it becomes clear that TJ’s is a place to be EXPLORED and tested. Everyone has their favorites, and while you might not do your whole kaboodle of shopping there, there will quickly be some things you can’t live without.
I thought I’d share mine.
Carne Asada Steak. Gotta start with this, because I love it so much I always buy two and freeze one. This is perfectly marinated steak that you find in a sealed plastic pack in the fresh food section. Now, I’m a HUGE fan of the steak fajitas at Pappasitos and had tried to replicate them many times. No go. Then some friends served the TJ Carne Asada at the birthday that will go unnamed, and I was in love. It’s amazing. OH - the Pollo Asada? Not so much. Stick with the steak.
To go with the Carne Asada, pick up a bag (or three!) of the frozen tri-color peppers. NEVER pay $356 for a pound of peppers again. Never chop peppers again and then saute them for 30 minutes to find they’re STILL tough. Toss these into a pan (or on the grill!) with some sliced onions and you’re good to go. Grab some tortillas & cheese and dinner is done!
Curry Chicken. In the same section - perfectly marinated chicken tenderloins in yummy yellow curry sauce. Just toss on the grill and serve. I think these are pretty new, since I didn’t see them before. But the kids (and I) loved them. A little spicy, so I put some sour cream on theirs.
Dorot Crushed Garlic (and cilantro and basil). You’ll find this in the frozen aisle, in tiny (5″x4″ maybe)? trays that look like ice cube trays. People: This stuff rocks my world. I am a garlic FIEND (just ask Vic). In my humble opinion, 99% of the foods out there can be made better with a touch (or 10) of garlic. What I do NOT love is peeling and chopping it, because then your hands smell like it for the next two weeks. With these trays, you just pop a frozen cube (or 10) into whatever you’re making. It lasts forever - or at least a week in my house - and tastes as good as fresh. Trust me.
Trader Joe’s Diner Macaroni and Cheese. Again, you’ll find this in the frozen aisle and I don’t think I’ve ever had diner mac and cheese that’s as good as this stuff. Not that I ever eat it <ahem> since it’s so bad for you. Let’s move on, shall we?
Mandarin Orange Chicken. Again, frozen - in a bag. It’s basically little nuggets of chicken with a sauce you pour over at the end. I actually haven’t had this since it’s sinfully bad for you. But if you’re headed out for a night on the town and need something to make the kids just that much happier that the babysitter’s coming: Promise she’ll serve them this for dinner.
Trail Mix. Any and all. Large variety, all good.
Thai Yellow Curry Sauce. Sold in the sauces aisle, in bottles. We LOVE curry, but good curry is truthfully a little hard to find up here in the ‘burbs. This sauce is sooooo good. I just saute up some chicken, onions and mushrooms, drain, pour in this sauce and heat through. Maybe add some frozen peas. Serve over jasmine rice and ooooohhh…so good. Not too hot for the kiddies. I was feeling cheeky last time I went and picked up a bottle of the Thai Red Curry Sauce. Haven’t tried that one yet.
I know I’m probably forgetting something, but those are what I can think of right now. If you have any favorites that I and my lovely blog readers need to try, do share!!
And since a post is worthless without photographs, how about some storyboards from my most recent maternity session?
