Last year, I shared my 10 favorite things about Trader Joe’s. I’m still a devoted fan of many of those items (beans in tomato sauce are still a weekly dinner staple in my apartment), but I have a few new (or new-to-me) favorites that I wanted to share. So, here are 10 things I’m loving these days at Trader Joe’s…
Frozen Sliced Shiitake Mushrooms. I never leave TJ’s without at least two bags. I love shiitake mushrooms, but it’s strangely difficult to find them alone (not as part of a mix or a pre-made stir-fry, for example). TJ’s are always earthy and buttery, and the texture holds up perfectly after thawing. My favorite way to use them is in this vegetarian shepherd’s pie recipewhich I’ve made no less than seven times in the last three months, and these mushrooms really top it.
PB&J Oatmeal Bites. As small as they are, these things are dense, chewy, and decidedly not muffins. They’re all oatmeal and flourless (they’re actually gluten-free) and are surprisingly filling. I keep one in my backpack for mornings when I’m in too much of a hurry to eat breakfast before I leave. My only wish is that the mysterious powers that make product decisions at TJ’s would consider a nut-free version, so I can put them in my daughter’s school bag too!
freeze dried fruit. Stock changes a lot with this item, so you never know what kind of freeze dried fruit they will have on the shelves. strawberries, raspberriesblueberries and mangoes are common choices (last week I also saw apricots!) — but what they have, I buy. They are delicious on their own, but I also use strawberries to make. this strawberry milkand blueberries are great for adding color and flavor to yogurt or overnight oats.
Coconut and lemongrass body oil. I bought this last summer, in a fit of rage and desperation, after a particularly bad mosquito attack on the playground (they went straight for my ankles, y’all). It felt and smelled so good. The oil is rich, so a little goes a long way. Now I leave it in the shower and put it on right before I go out. If you enjoy a bright, green fragrance that doesn’t smell like perfume, this one is for you.
Quinoa-Infused Black Bean Tortilla Chips. These chips don’t get enough praise among the Trader Joe’s fandom, and while I don’t want them to become too popular and go out of stock, I think it’s time they received proper recognition. In my opinion, this is the platonic ideal of a dip chip. They are sturdy and thick and will hold up to any chunky guacamole or salsa you have. But personally I prefer them alone. They’re super tasty, but unlike other flavored tortilla chips, they’re not so coated in citrus salt that they leave your mouth sore (I love you, lime twist tortilla chips, but we both know that’s not a “clue” to anything).
Chicken and gyoza dumplings + Soyaki + Thai Style Red Curry Sauce. Another recipe I’ve made a surprising number of times lately? He Trader Joe’s Viral Baked Dumpling. I don’t know who first decided to put these three TJ’s products together and bake them on a bed of spinach, but I’d like to shake their hand. It’s one of those magical meals that everyone in the family loves, but what makes it even better is that the cleanup is even easier than the preparation. You mix all the sauces right in the saucepan, so there are no extra bowls or surfaces to clean. It’s the little things!
Fried Rice. My husband often stops by TJ’s on the way home just to see what’s new in the frozen fried rice section, and we have yet to find a variety we don’t like. Our usual method is to sauté it with the vegetables or proteins we have in the fridge, or simply throw an egg on top. Boom! Dinner.
Norwegian crispy bread. Man, I love these seedy, sturdy things – truly the unsung hero of the pantry aisle. As simple as a cookie, but much more. They hold up under heavy things, like tuna salad or a thick layer of nut butter, and they also don’t crumble in moisture, so add to sauces. As for the flavor, they are so mild that they go with almost anything, but they provide so much texture that they are not boring at all. I love them with TJ’s Garlic Creambut my favorite way to use them is to make a simple, open-ended PB&J for a snack.
Now it’s your turn! What’s on your must-try list?
PS: Three Trader Joe’s food hacks and 10 TJ’s products that will revolutionize breakfast.
