Trader Joe's Products (2017–)

[Margaret Pilgrim]

In stuffed celery?   Or too loose?

[blue_dolphin]

2 hours ago, Margaret Pilgrim said:

In stuffed celery?   Or too loose?

It's easily spreadable right from the fridge and softens further when warmed to room temp - spoonable but not quite runny. You could stuff celery but I suspect it would look rather sorry if you left the platter out in the sun on a very warm day. 

[palo]

A view:

 

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/08/business/trader-joes-delivery/index.html

 

p

[weinoo]

In addition to a bag of NY State "Snap Dragon" apples, I picked this up:

 

 

Its actual weight is 500+ grams. It makes enough cole slaw so that we're not eating cole slaw every day for a week.

 

I pretty much stick to a few produce items at our local TJ.  This store has nice mushrooms, Haas avocados (which have come "down" to $1.29 a piece), haricots verts, Tuscan-style melons (when they are in season). I do like that almost every item in produce has a packed on or harvest date stamped on it.

[palo]

ATK reviewed Cheese @ Trader Joes:

 

https://www.americastestkitchen.com/articles/6293-trader-joes-cheese-review?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_term=WEC&utm_content=SlowCookers&utm_campaign=221019&j=81131&sfmc_sub=1877516&l=26_HTML&u=37620863&mid=7211371&jb=16018&sk=37A031CAFD4FFA0707144510D76CCF8A&extcode=LE22K3QAA&sourcekey=BF22103AA&cds_response_key=&cds_tracking_code=&tag=buyingguideepromo1-20&atc=wecA&Survey_id=&mi_ecmp=&couponcode=

 

Not sure if it's paywalled

 

p

[rotuts]

the Campari tomatoes are good 

 

( relatively speaking , but Good is Good )

 

right now @ my Tj's :

 

 

I haven't been getting these for a full calendar year , I think

 

so I don't know if what's sold goes through more than one season.

 

Tj's are from Mexico

[Dr. Teeth]

On 7/26/2022 at 11:11 AM, blue_dolphin said:

Yes, they're a pantry staple for me and I think they are quite good.  Here's a link to a post with a photo of them in the swiss chard & smoked trout bruschetta that's one of my favorite uses. 

Had a chance to try the smoked trout.  Wow.   Best bang for the buck I’ve had in canned fish.

[blue_dolphin]

A few new-to-me TJ's items:

The TJ's label barrel proof bourbon is $29.99.  I'm not a bourbon expert but thought it was very nice.  Surprisingly smooth for something with that proof. No age statement.  It's a limited release.  I heard about it last year but didn't manage to snag any.  Went back this AM to get another bottle. 

The Caramel Coffee Almonds aren't a new item but I noticed them for the first on this shopping trip when I was looking for the Maple Almonds that are now gone. These are nice nibble with a little caffeine buzz.  They put a little silica gel packet in the bag so the coating stays crisp rather than sticky.  

The Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese Spread & Dip is a limited time item.  Unlike the Unexpected Cheddar Spread, which is like that cheese converted into a Modernist Cheez Whiz, this one has cream cheese, garlic and parsley added so it's not as luxuriously smooth.  Seems more like a Boursin-type mixture made with shreds of Toscano cheese mixed in.

 

I will add my annual reminder that the TJ's Reserve Brut North Coast Sparkling Wines, are back for their annual appearance in regular and rosé versions at the usual $9.99/bottle.  I always stock up on the rosé for celebrations throughout the year. It generally disappears by Christmas or a day or so after.  The wine guy at my store said the rosé is especially good this year.

 

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by blue_dolphin
clarification (log)

[weinoo]

A bag of Satsumas I bought today (either from FL or GA) was 2 lb. for $3.99. 

 

The first two I've eaten have been excellent.

[lemniscate]

6 hours ago, blue_dolphin said:

Unexpected Cheddar Spread, which is like that cheese converted into a Modernist Cheez Whiz

 

Glad I saw you mention this again.  I want some of that.  I bought quite a few bottles of the TJ's Vintage Ale, a spiced Belgian dark (Unibroue).    That dip looks like it was made for paring with it.

[rotuts]

picked these two up this A.M. :

 

 

new to me .

 

' Authentic '

 

they are from Thailand 

[blue_dolphin]

Used that Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese Spread & Dip to make a toastie for breakfast.  Tastes way better warmed up like this than cold on crackers. 

The apple is one of those Lucy Glo apples that I also purchased at TJ's. This one has the barest tinge of pink in the flesh.  Still a very tasty apple. 

[rotuts]

Well, Cookies ?

 

Ive had many cookes fromTJ's

 

in their  plasticbins

 

ice 

 

but its been a whiw

 

and I tried the shortbread in the red tartan 

 

from Scotland 

 

I can work with them

 

once I don't inhale them.

 

 

 

pretty nice 

 

the pecan somewhere above 

 

good for me 

 

they dont make just that .

 

 

[Maison Rustique]

23 hours ago, rotuts said:

picked these two up this A.M. :

 

 

new to me .

 

' Authentic '

 

they are from Thailand 

Please report back when you've tried them. Especially on how spicy hot they are. Good lunch fodder for me if they aren't too spicy for me.

[rotuts]

BTW :

 

the Campari tomat's 

 

@ TJ's

 

are in their Hint of Orange phase .

 

Ill get them next time .

 

for me , still the best tomat 

 

redly available .

[weinoo]

22 minutes ago, rotuts said:

BTW :

 

the Campari tomat's 

 

@ TJ's

 

are in their Hint of Orange phase .

 

Ill get them next time .

 

for me , still the best tomat 

 

redly available .

I’ve switched to the Kumato tomatoes.  I think they may be better than the others. Try ‘em and let me know what you think.

[rotuts]

@weinoo 

 

thank you for your tip.

 

Ive written it down !

 

( because the note to me says TJ's have a case of TableWineBlanc

 

for me , }

 

If I write down what I hope to remember to look for @ TJ's

 

that's not a case of tableware 

 

its going to be lost ( 60% chance )

 

my relationship w my Local Tj's WineStaff  is secure :

 

they remind me , and bring the Case(??s) to my care

 

 

[rotuts]

@ TJ's this Am

 

I picked up some Kumato's tomatoes

 

rec : @weinoo 

 

 

 

one K sur le plate 

 

 

note the dramatic lighting.  the 2d tomato from the L did not have a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

 

that a /2 TJ's premed turkey roll , which I enjoy from time to time

 

the K did have an initial burst of more tomato flavor .  it might be so much better tomato flavour

 

left to Counter Ripen a bit on the counter.  it was a bit tough 

 

its winter here   anyway

 

this is a nice tip.   due to the K's colour I don't know how to judge them 

 

i n terms of their comical ripeness .  I will definitely get this from time to time

 

esp when the Campari's are on the  orange side.

[weinoo]

Here's a question for you, @rotuts. Do you check the packed on dates of the produce you buy at TJ's?  Most of the items do show a date similar to this:

 

 

I'm often amazed at how long ago some of the stuff for sale was packed, and everything I buy I make sure is no more than a few days to a week prior (obviously, some items are not as date important as others).

 

 

[weinoo]

More info about the Kumato tomato:

 

Quote

Kumato™ tomatoes ripen from the inside out, their color changing naturally from dark brown to a golden green, and they are unique in that they are edible in all stages of ripeness. When dark brownish-red with no green in sight, the flavor is mild and is best used for cooking. When brownish in color and brushed with red, these tomatoes are at the peak of flavor, and when brownish with a slight green overcast, they are at their ideal eating stage. They are juicy with a firm texture, and they have a higher brix level, or fructose content, than that of traditional red tomatoes, resulting in their extraordinarily sweet, complex flavor, which is succulent and also slightly tart. Kumato™ tomatoes are perfectly round in shape and are about the size of a golf ball, and they grow on indeterminate or vining plants, which are often recommended for caging or staking.

 

Kumato

[Anna N]

3 minutes ago, weinoo said:

Here's a question for you, @rotuts. Do you check the packed on dates of the produce you buy at TJ's?  Most of the items do show a date similar to this:

 

 

I'm often amazed at how long ago some of the stuff for sale was packed, and everything I buy I make sure is no more than a few days to a week prior (obviously, some items are not as date important as others).

 

 

Which format is that date? August? November? Mexican?  USA? 

[rotuts]

the pack I just opened :  11/12/22  Mexico

 

so , here :  Month / date / year

 

I never checked w the Campari 

 

as color was my guide

 

produce , and refrigerated produce  dont seem to hang around

 

very long @ my TJ's

 

I do know the fresher produce 

 

is placed behind , at the very back.

 

this matters when you look at the fresh salmon , 

 

and it only a day , at most 2 difference for fish .

 

shtick matrers 

 

m told the salmon flies off the shelf.

 

I tried it a few time , getting the farthest pack in the back , that was

 

cut closest to the fish's head.

 

I can't eat the whole dose in one sitting.

 

but Ill try it after thanksgiving ,and cook the whole pack

 

and keep 1/2 , now cooked , at the very back of the refrigerator for 

 

the next day , or breakfast even.

[rotuts]

I tried the Red Curry , noted above :

 

 

 

that's a pack of ' fresh ' wheat noodles , as wheat four was the first ingredient 

 

they are not dried.  bit of a surprise .  I did not the Tub was heavy when I picked it up

 

thus non-dehydrated noodles 

 

 

noodles were loosed up w the fork 

 

 

noodles p Micro.

 

I enjoyed this !  I didn't wait the required 3 minus or so , w the cover on 

 

as they asked .  but the noodle improved w the wait.

 

as for heat :  there is some here , its not overwhelming , it increases for a bit  then recedes.

 

I like it a lot.

 

N.B.:  for some reason there are peas in this bowl.  possible freeze dried or

 

some thing or other .  they were terrible .  not many.  next time Iill remove them .

 

Over all this is a keeper for me

 

shelf stable , ' fresh ' noodles ?  very nice

 

N.B.2 :    o n the bottom of the bowl :  ' Best Used by 3 / 14 / 2024 '

 

 

[rotuts]

I tried the Peanut Satay .

 

did not take any pics , as it looks pretty much like the Red Curry.

 

but with a more peanut-brown color.

 

same noodles , same heat up technique .

 

I waited this time , even a bit longer than recommended 

 

the added 30 sec to the Nuke.

 

the flavors are on the sweet side , some heat , not very much

 

and some peanut flavor.  no peanuts per se.

 

and no peas.

 

I remember these aluminum packs of oozy flavors.

 

there were common ( and probably still are )

 

in various flavor packs :  Malaysian this and that

 

Japanese this and that  ( the Japanese seemed to come in a box )

 

Thai this and that.   I collected many of them from

 

my local Oriental supermarket .  I didn't use many

 

as I noticed the salt content .

 

perhaps mistake .  after all , I want told I had to eat the whole pack.

 

maybe just a little of the concoction would have been fine.

 

I did like the packet of noodles in these two cases

 

wonder I those are around separately .

 

 

[BeeZee]

I had the lentil soup (lentil and "ancient grains") which is in the refrigerated case, pretty good, not overly salty. Quite thick/hearty, not a "looker", it's brown and bears some resemblance to dog food when it's congealed. Some little pieces of carrot in the mix. Intended to be a couple of work lunches, wound up splitting with DH. He added some green can parm, I think I would put some sherry vinegar in mine next time. I'll buy it again.