help me with a trader joe's shopping list

[fizzgig]

dad said he'd stop for me the next time he went to boulder and he's going this weekend.

what should i ask him to get? keep in mind he'll be in the car for close to an hour. i'll just have to wait until october to try their perishables and two buck chuck isn't an option as grocery stores can't sell anything but 3.2 here.

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Well, this is my go-to list

Pineapple (2.99 here)
Galia muskmelon (1.99 here, wonderful)
50% less salt roasted peanuts (we make our own peanut butter from it)
good sized bag of mixed raisins (go on our cereal every morning)
Cherry chocolate chip soy creamy (we like it much better than Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia!)
frozen Naan and frozen Chicken Tikka Masala and Chana Masala (their Indian entrees are great)
frozen Scallops (better than most fresh ones we've had!)
Unexpected cheddar (one of the best cheddars we've ever had)
1 lb belgian dark chocolate bar - with our without almonds (4.99 - a steal at that price!)
dark chocolate covered raisins
Prosecco in the green bottle (6.99 here)
Vino Verde in the tall green bottle (4.99 here, so refreshing!)

[Fridays Child]

3. Mmmm. Chocolate.

My favorite TJ chocolate is the little circular tin filled with 16 wedges of 73% Belgian cacao chocolate. I can eat a wedge, then pop the lid back on the tin, and the rest of the wedges stay fresh. Each wedge is only 80 calories. I call them my chocolate cigarettes because of the evidence that 70%+ dark chocolate hits the same neuro-receptors as nicotine. Not a bad price, either. I think one tin is $3.49.

[Skittles]

2. I like their licorice

and their raw pecans

[Liberal Veteran]

4. Get some Trader Joe's Everyday Seasoning blend.

It is $1.99 (with a build in grinder) and I find it is really good on things like eggs, vegetables, meats....you name it. Contains Sea salt, mustard seeds, black peppercorns, coriander, onion, garlic, paprika, chili pepper.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. Do either of you have a cooler? I use them to...

keep stuff cold for hours with a bag of ice in there. Even frozen food.

And frozen stuff it would be for me. Haven't been to a TJs in a while since the closest one is about 50 miles away, but when I did get there a lot the frozen section always had exotic and tasty goodies.

Changes with the seasons, though, so I have no idea what to suggest.

[grasswire]

6. nuts and dried fruits are a bargain at TJ

I always buy the sliced Columbus dry salame 45% less sodium

and various cheeses

frozen mango chunks

shelf stable whipping cream in box -- that's cool to have on hand

I like their cottage cheese and yogurts

So many things, fizz! You need to get a copy of the monthly flier to see what the sales are right now.

[fizzgig]

15. good idea on the flyer

just looked it over and found a few things in there. are the dried fruits and nuts bulk or prepackaged?

it's going to be a really limited shopping list, i don't expect my dad to do a whole lot since 1) it's an unfamiliar store and 2) it'll be a shitshow as he'll be going on a sunday afternoon. once we have a bit more more money, husband and i will head down there and shop a bit heavier.

[grasswire]

21. pre packaged at about six or eight ounces. DOZENS of varieties and trail mixes, etc.

I was at TJ's this afternoon.Bought cat vitamins, bagged baby power greens (that I love), toasted oatmeal flakes, sun dried tomatoes, rye bread and salami.

I resisted all the goodies!

[vanlassie]

7. Blue Cheese Pecan dip. Stone ground crackers. Fresh flowers. Cashews.

Ham and Gruyere pizza. Coffee. JoeJoes sandwich cookies Olive Oil. Rice Pudding. Greek Yogurt honey flavored.

[Sanity Claws]

8. Brown Basmati Rice

Canned wild salmon
Canned tuna
Tart Cherry Juice
Miso Soup (it's dehydrated; you add hot water)
Canned tomatoes (one variety has peppers added)
Fresh Organic Carrots (only .89)
Quinoa (my store has been out of Quinoa for about a month now)
Almond butter or peanut butter

That's my list of nonperishables. Trader Joe's has great value for the price.

[lame54]

9. salt and pepper pistachios

[vanlassie]

12. Gonna try those this weekend. Mmm.

[fizzgig]

17. those sound awesome

are they bulk or prepackaged?

[lame54]

20. one pound bag...

Which I've eaten in a single sitting
with a couple of beers of course

[Ron Obvious]

10. Grass-fed organic beef

It's the only place around here that carries it for a reasonable (though still $7/lbs) price.

ETA: I noticed you said 'no perishables', but I think it'll survive an hour out of the fridge at this time a year.

Also: low-sodium mayo, if so inclined, French Onion Soup (frozen), and Belgian chocolate.

[vanlassie]

13. Oh yeah- the French Onion soup!

[NV Whino]

11. They have excellent condiments

Ketchup, teriyaki sauce and tropical teriyaki sauce. Got some clover honey there the other day. Good price and great dispenser. Their self grinding spice containers are great, too.

Their (wet) cat food is very highly rated and a good price.

If you like beer, try Mississippi Mud.

[hibbing]

14. garlic mustard aoili

Or it may be mustard garlic aoli, stuff is less then three bucks I think and I love it. Versatile, I put it on any protein. Also I really like their balsamic sauce, I can't think of the name of it and I am not home so I can't check the fridge. Thanks for the heads up, I'll have to try the ones you mention. Defiantly chapter than the grocery store and better.


Peace

[NV Whino]

16. Ooooo, that sounds like a must try.

Next cat food trip I will check it out.

[Tom Ripley]

24. +1000 on the garlic mustard aoili

there are 4 jars in the cupboard and 1 in the refrigerator right now

[kwassa]

18. what we usually get

What makes Trader Joe's unique is some of their special prepared foods, particularly sauces.

All the fresh raviolis are excellent
Black bean dip
Eggplant and tomato dip
Flax seed tortilla chips
Various types of salsa
Golden berry blend (they have many great dried fruit combos)
Almond butter
Sesame seed butter
Mixed nuts
Almonds
Curry sauces of different types
Cilantro salad dressing
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar

[Arugula Latte]

19. I could happily buy almost everything in the store, but

I do particularly love the jars of Red Pepper & Artichoke Tapanade (good on bread, crackers, scrambled eggs, chicken, you name it)

They usually have colorful collections of plum and cherry tomatoes

and sometimes they have Macaroni-and-Cheese Bites -- DROOL!!!



and the Spinach-and-Kale bites are deeeeelish!

[WinkyDink]

22. "Credit card."

[steve2470]

23. biggest package of chocolate you can afford :) nt

[Tom Ripley]

25. Frozen chicken shu mai and cheddar and horseradish potato chips

dark chocolate peanut butter cups
kimchi