Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Trader Joe's - GOOD!

There are a few Trader Joe's stores close to me - mostly closer to where I shop.  Usually, I pick up a few items to add some pizzazz to my otherwise ho hum and frugal Weis shopping.  But on Christmas eve, I stopped there and had about 30 minutes before the store closed to get Christmas dinner purchased.  (There is nothing like the last minute to have you throw money at a situation!) 

I picked up meat, and veggies and whatever else.  I also bought pie crusts because I planned to make a strawberry pie.  Then Kim arrived with dessert so I saved the pie crusts.  Sunday I finally made the quiche I had been threatening to make for months now.  I used the pie crusts and a made up recipe and didn't even let the crusts thaw properly.  and guess what - It Was DELICIOUS!  This pie crust is flaky and crispy and lawd a mercy I was happy I hadnochoiceasthestoreswereclosingandIneededChristmasdinner.

This got me thinking about other TJ products that I have tried and liked.  Their Vodka cream sauce is delicious.  Their polenta is very good and so easy to work with.  It comes in a tube in the pasta/pasta sauce section of the store.  You slice it up and it can be baked or fried and then put a little sauce (or for my very italian readers - gravy) on it and some mozzarella - delish.  You can also mash it up, add a little EVOO and parmesean cheese (which brings me to another TJ recommendation - their hunks of fresh parmesean cheese is a great value at 5.99 per pound). 

Another cool thing I tried once was Naan.  Naan is a Indian flatbread and TJ's version is very good.  From their fresh foods you just buy and eat in the parking lot cause you are starving is the curried chicken salad - with some Naan!

Now please share with me your favorite TJ products and how you use them.  If you have never been to TJ's - is it because you have have none near where you live (or shop) or some other reason? 

4 comments:

Karen said...

Nothing like that down here. Sounds good to me especially anything made with vodka.

Nikkay said...

trader joes is awesome!

Niki said...

There are these little cookies shaped like cats that are cheap, low fat and delicious.
I heart Trader Joe's.

Lilly said...

I love Trader Joe's. They have very good pizza.