Trader Joe's Products (2012–2015)

[Shel_B]

TJ's just opened where I live, so I can once again participate in this thread instead of reading it enviously. Best recent find: Aloo Chaat Kati Pouches. They're sort of like Hot Pockets, except they're filled with delicious spicy potatoes and chick peas, instead of processed cheese and despair.

 

Well, I tried one of these a few minutes ago, and it was terrible.  Following the directions resulted in a soggy, not crisp, crust, and the interior was also mushy.  The package goes back for a refund on my next visit to TJ's.

Edited May 25, 2014 by Shel_B (log)

[munchymom]

To each his own, I guess, but I think your expectations might have been a bit unusual. I expected the outside to have more-or-less the texture of warmed pita, which it did, and if a mixture of curried potatoes and chick peas weren't mushy, I'd think something might have gone wrong with it.

[rotuts]

"""   To each his own, I guess """

 

just so.  someone suggested some sort of Masala patty or something like that a while back

 

put them in some sort of toaster thing

 

I tried them ....

 

never tried warm vomit, but these might have been worse.

 

took them back.

 

just so.

[Shel_B]

"""   To each his own, I guess """

 

just so.  someone suggested some sort of Masala patty or something like that a while back

 

put them in some sort of toaster thing

 

I tried them ....

 

never tried warm vomit, but these might have been worse.

 

took them back.

 

just so.

 

Ain't that a kick <LOL>.  I believe I recommended the masala burgers (if we're talking about the same thing  - http://forums.egullet.org/topic/144746-trader-joes-products-2012–/page-6?hl=%2Bmasala+%2Bburgers#entry1928679 ) ... love 'em, as do some of my friends and Toots.

Edited May 26, 2014 by Shel_B (log)

[powerdog]

Vermont's first TJ's has finally opened and I love it. When I go in, I'm reminded of the feeling I got in toy stores as a kid. It's also doing very well...I never see more than 10 empty parking spaces in their lot.

 

One item I must rave about: the bagged chocolate chip cookies ("soft, chewy with rich chocolate chips and a hint of molasses") stocked near the fresh cakes and pies. They are the best CCC's I've ever had, including my own and pricey ones from bakeries.

[rotuts]

powerdog

 

excellent

 

after a bit of time the folks there will help you pic the stuff that suits your

 

but remember  and i see this as important

 

You Can Take It Back

 

just so

 

ask them if you could take a few pic of the store for Us ?

[rotuts]

Im trying this soon, ie right now:

 

 

sorry,  I didn't get close enough:

 

it says:

 

Lodi

 

Zinfandel

 

2012

 

its decent at a cool temp.  'fruity' but no cherries (   ) Raspberries (   ) etc

 

at room temp  ( 68 ) its a bit rough

 

at 60 or even a bit cooler its nice.

 

not ultra dry, but smooth.

 

best of all :   in my area ( graft etc ) its 5.99.

 

Ill pick up a few cases before its all gone.

 

should you find it and try it  Im interested in your thoughts

 

as long as they are close to mine.

 

sorry, forgot the most important thing:  this wine has no 'off' chemical taste that I can detect:

 

you know, something from the Chemical Plant : a bit of benzine, a whiff of toluene, perhaps 

 

some Acetone ?

 

many wines < 15 USD or so  ( tj's prices ) suffer from what Ill call 'chemical defects'

 

although to be fair, these tend to pass w the third or so glass.

Edited June 6, 2014 by rotuts (log)

[tim]

Has anyone tried the Trader Joe's South African Smoked Seasoning?  The base is not smoked peppercorns but paprika peppers which have been slow smoked for 48 hours over acacia wood and flaked, The flaked paprika is blended with sea salt (30%), garlic (17%), dried basil (6.5% and packaged in a grinder.  The result is wonderful on almost anything.

 

$2.30 for 1.76 ounces.  http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=1223

 

Tim

[Anna N]

Has anyone tried the Trader Joe's South African Smoked Seasoning?  The base is not smoked peppercorns but paprika peppers which have been slow smoked for 48 hours over acacia wood and flaked, The flaked paprika is blended with sea salt (30%), garlic (17%), dried basil (6.5% and packaged in a grinder.  The result is wonderful on almost anything.

 

$2.30 for 1.76 ounces.  http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=1223

 

Tim

Had it on my list the last time we headed south of the 49 th. Forgot it anyway!

[MelissaH]

Has anyone tried the Trader Joe's South African Smoked Seasoning?  The base is not smoked peppercorns but paprika peppers which have been slow smoked for 48 hours over acacia wood and flaked, The flaked paprika is blended with sea salt (30%), garlic (17%), dried basil (6.5% and packaged in a grinder.  The result is wonderful on almost anything.

 

$2.30 for 1.76 ounces.  http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=1223

 

Tim

Yes. Reminiscent of Spanish pimenton. I think it would be great to add a little bit of smoke (and spice) without using a smoked meat product.

[rotuts]

i got some pf tje SASS today.

 

its nice.  I dislike the plastic grinder it ( and other TJ's spice blends ) come it.  you can refill it, but they do not offer refills

 

 

it also doesn't really grind.  I have some inexpensive adjustable grinders from IKEA that work very well for this sort of thing:

 

I like this one, you can see what's in it and it can be washed:

 

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10152875/

 

but how to get this sort of spice blend in a plain glass jar ...

 

next time I do some vertical chickens on the Weber Ill use this via the IKEA and see.

Edited June 7, 2014 by rotuts (log)

[AnneN]

We are really enjoying TJ Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce. It's a mustard based sauce. I have used it on fish, chicken and on sandwiches. Very tasty and versatile.

[Shel_B]

We are really enjoying TJ Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce. It's a mustard based sauce. I have used it on fish, chicken and on sandwiches. Very tasty and versatile.

 

I found it to be pretty bad ... not even close to any of the sauces I had in the Carolinas, and far too sweet for my taste.

[rotuts]

well  I was eye balling this sauce yest.  it seems to have a lot of salt in it.  not really news.  next to it was another TJ's sauce, in a reddish bottle

 

it had less salt.  two good things:  these do not have HFCS

 

and you can take them back.

 

so on my next visit Ill try both.

[Franci]

How do you like TJ's pancake mix?

In July, we are leaving for the summer, back to Europe, and I'm going to buy some food presents. Some maple syrup and pancake mix is on the list.

I wanted to buy King Arthurs' pancake mix but at 9$ I find it quite expensive. Any other suggestion from TJ's products to bring back as presents that will not make the luggage too heavy?

I was also thinking some freeze dried fruit that is not very easy to find in Europe and light. What else?

Thanks

[rotuts]

i use this from time to time:

 

 

i like it.  box says 'pancakes, waffles, biscuits, coffeecake'

 

keep forgetting to try the coffeecake version  you add sugar, fz berries etc

 

id try it first.  you can take it back if you dont like it

 

the box weighs 2 lbs and is basically a multigrain grain and flour mixture + leavening.

[Franci]

Thanks Rotuts, I'll get it next time I'm at TJ and try it.

[FrogPrincesse]

The buttermilk pancake mix is decent, but I stopped buying it when I realized how easy it was to make your own pre-made mix.

[Franci]

The buttermilk pancake mix is decent, but I stopped buying it when I realized how easy it was to make your own pre-made mix.

 

FrogPrincess, I never make pancakes from mixes, I use a recipe I'm very happy with. But my friend, back in Monaco, tried it and said that her pancakes didn't come as good as mine. If I take maple syrup back I thought it would be good to take back a mix as well. Maybe I can put together a small collection of recipes for her too.

[rotuts]

Id get the Darkest MS they have.  thats just me.

[rotuts]

Franci:

 

in re-thinking your plan to bring interesting food presents to Europe ;

 

dont take Flour.  I think they have that over there.  take a few Rx's

 

unless you have a Friend chartering you a Jumbo Jets ;

 

Maple syrup  ( please take some Dark ) will work well with Scones, Crumpets, or the local equivalent.

 

Ive forgotten the FR and Italian equivalents.

 

When do you have to go ?   Ill take a look at my TJ's soon and see if I can find somthing

 

light.

 

cheers

[rotuts]

Ooooooo !

 

Ive  just figured it out !

 

no flour to EU

 

Take your Rx for pancakes.

 

But ...... that dark MS ? 

 

think crepes.

 

dark MS crepes !

 

pics would be nice !

[Franci]

Ok Rotuts, you are right, I prefer to pack children's scooters than flour. I'll get the dark MS (the one you find there it's crap and expensive). I still have 3 weeks to buy more, if something comes to mind, please, let me know. I appreciate. Thanks

[GlorifiedRice]

The frozen Chilis Relenos! I just ate two... yum

[andiesenji]

I can tell you that my Euro and Brit friends who visit here buy and either carry or ship home pancake mix - especially the blueberry pancake mix made by Krusteaz - sold at Smart & Final. 

The last visitor, from Hungary, I took to S & F bought ten of the 28 ounce boxes and bought an extra suitcase to pack them and a couple of other food products that are not common over there, a can of malted milk powder. 

Edited June 17, 2014 by andiesenji (log)