I have a special Trader Joe’s list of favorite items that I stock up on once a month or so -- hot dogs, frozen potatoes with peppers and onions, mediterranean hummus, salted and roasted almonds, and soup dumplings, among other things. They also carry good wine.
I like a special list! Very organised. And you are right about the wine! I had forgotten to mention that. The original 'Two-buck chuck' was the name for the value wines that TJs carried back in their early days.
I love 'good food' stores. We have one on the island called Hill Street - jaw-dropping fresh produce, beautiful shelf lines. Food extraordinaire. Shops in many locations and they even deliver up the coast.
As for the kale coleslaw, it's wonderful. Only I take out the provided mayo and use homemade.
But I saw Jamie Oliver make a delish red cabbage coleslaw on TV and so easy to make. Will have a go. Tom Ryan Author often makes comment of the beautiful balsamic glazes he uses in food prep and we have nothing like it here. I envy your access to those sorts of extra flavours.
So sad about the beach erosion - it's a global problem with climate change, higher sea levels and huge storms. We're having a strange summer thanks to El Nino. Gale-force winds from strange directions, cool days, boiling hot days, and we haven't reached fire-season yet. Our first fire warning day tomorrow. Hate fire season.
And you stay safe too, Prue. Fire season is terrifying. It has accelerated so much in the 13+ years I've been living away from California, in part due to a prolonged drought. Visits, particularly in autumn, always have that fraught feeling. Thankfully the past few years have been very wet ones. Not that the worry is gone, because of course with rain comes additional plant growth, so more fuel if/when it dries out later in the year. Unpredictable is right, with all the extremes in each season. Good luck and calm moments to you.
When one of goes to the coast (WA) we have with us a shopping list for TJ's and a cooler with dry ice. It is after all a 2 day drive back to MT. At time we wish there was a TJ's and Panera closer but we like it the way it is here in MT. We've got a Whole Foods now, and that's enough.
Re: climate change. Feb. 1 and it's 50 degrees with very little snow on the ground. This Winter has been dismal and I've put my skis aside. Bike trainer in the basement and planning on an outside ride tomorrow. It shouldn't be this way and I fear for what will happen this summer. Fires? Likely. The winter wheat crop may be poor. River temps will put the fish into stress mode thus causing fishing restrictions. Welcome to the new norm? I hope not.
Clever of you to stock up with dry ice to bring back your TJs bounty!
And yes, climate change is with us all every day. I'm so sorry to hear about your lack of snow. Not a good sign at all, as snow is lovely for winter activities and more importantly, it's our water for the future. And like you say, with all the other cascading effects on food supplies, fish habitat and of course fires. Fingers crossed for some belated winter storms (after we fly home over the Northern Rockies, please!). Thanks for your thoughts!
I love Trader Joe's but don't go as often as I could. My favorite time of year to shop there is during pumpkin season - we buy all the pumpkin things. :)
When you come to Madrid, we'll make Aldi's the first stop! It's two blocks away. Don't get too excited though. The only TJs products I've seen there are nuts and dried fruits. We'll have to score a few packages of the fried, salted marcona almonds. They are to die over. Even the the TJs products are not fresh or too interesting, Fabio and I practically jumped up and down when we saw them. A little bit of home.
I hope I don't get anyone into trouble saying this but when visiting Beth in Tacoma we each had a bag of the avocado ranch salad for lunch. It was delicious. We each ate another full bag the next day.
I always feel a bit odd, as you probably do too, relishing the sun and soaking up the warmth when it's supposed to be cold and wet. The temperature here has risen to the upper 60s this week. It's been glorious. Spaniards are back at the terrazas eating and drinking at all hours. Such a conflict with my profound worries about climate change. And in southern California experiencing fires and earthquakes, the threats are all the more real.
Now I'm heading out to Aldi's. Thanks for another great post.
Mmmm, marcona almonds ARE to die for! I used to get those at TJs all the time. I wasn't very clear in my writing: we have both Aldis and Lidl in the UK, I've just never seen TJs products there. Lidl's is walking distance, but I don't get to Aldi's as often, since one has to drive there; maybe I need to go more often! And I absolutely agree: I could easily eat a whole salad bag myself!
Yes, we do worry about enjoying the warmth when it shouldn't be there, just like you. My son just sent me a warning about the atmospheric river (high rains) coming to southern California the next few days where, thankfully, we are no longer. But we worry for our friends there.
And I can't wait to come visit Madrid and Aldi-what a treat that will be! Thanks for commenting!
Great to know! At least there is one within a reasonable drive so you can stock up now and again. I loved when one opened in our small community a few years before I moved. It was packed from the first day, even though the nearest one before that was only a 15 minute drive further away. It was such a treat to be able to just stop by on your way to doing almost anything else.
No TJs in Gig Harbor, but there is one reasonably close in Tacoma. I have a special TJs shopping list for things like balsamic glaze, pumpkin raviolis, orange chicken, curry sauce, etc, and have recently started following a few Facebook pages for recipe inspiration.
I think you were always one of my sources for clever TJs recipes when I lived in Lafayette, Linda! I remember seeing that TJs off the freeway when we drove to see you last year. Based on my life now, I think if you have one within an hour, you are very lucky! We will probably make one more visit to TJs before we head back to the UK...You never know what will jump into my suitcase.
As you know, the Trader Joe's on California and Hyde in San Francisco is the closest grocery store to my apartment, but I haven't really become a regular; TBH, I find the produce pretty dismal. I have, however, developed a fondness for their Truly Handmade Flour Tortillas, and for their Hatch green chili salsa (fairly mild, but delicious), though it's not available year-round.
I love Hatch green chilis—many summers and autumn trips to New Mexico convinced me that Hatch are the best. Sometimes canned green chilis find their way into my suitcase...And agree with you about the regular produce being less than great. I used to go to farmer's markets for produce and another grocery store for dry goods. But that is a long time ago now! Thanks for sharing your favourites!
Also, I forgot to mention that Sonya is a big fan of the 50% less sodium roasted and salted whole cashews; I always try to buy a bag or two for her when I'm there.
oh the flavoured nuts! Our bags used to get checked every single return flight since I packed so many bags of TJs sweet-spicy pecans, chile-lime cashews, and marcona almonds to take back!
Loved this post, Sabrina! What a brilliant exploration of the wonders of Trader Joe's!
I really enjoy reading about shops and supermarkets in other countries - when I moved to Germany I was floored by the huge differences between UK supermarkets and German ones, which made for an entirely different kind of shopping experience. Absolutely fascinating stuff!
I have a special Trader Joe’s list of favorite items that I stock up on once a month or so -- hot dogs, frozen potatoes with peppers and onions, mediterranean hummus, salted and roasted almonds, and soup dumplings, among other things. They also carry good wine.
I like a special list! Very organised. And you are right about the wine! I had forgotten to mention that. The original 'Two-buck chuck' was the name for the value wines that TJs carried back in their early days.
I love 'good food' stores. We have one on the island called Hill Street - jaw-dropping fresh produce, beautiful shelf lines. Food extraordinaire. Shops in many locations and they even deliver up the coast.
As for the kale coleslaw, it's wonderful. Only I take out the provided mayo and use homemade.
But I saw Jamie Oliver make a delish red cabbage coleslaw on TV and so easy to make. Will have a go. Tom Ryan Author often makes comment of the beautiful balsamic glazes he uses in food prep and we have nothing like it here. I envy your access to those sorts of extra flavours.
So sad about the beach erosion - it's a global problem with climate change, higher sea levels and huge storms. We're having a strange summer thanks to El Nino. Gale-force winds from strange directions, cool days, boiling hot days, and we haven't reached fire-season yet. Our first fire warning day tomorrow. Hate fire season.
Travel safe.
And you stay safe too, Prue. Fire season is terrifying. It has accelerated so much in the 13+ years I've been living away from California, in part due to a prolonged drought. Visits, particularly in autumn, always have that fraught feeling. Thankfully the past few years have been very wet ones. Not that the worry is gone, because of course with rain comes additional plant growth, so more fuel if/when it dries out later in the year. Unpredictable is right, with all the extremes in each season. Good luck and calm moments to you.
When one of goes to the coast (WA) we have with us a shopping list for TJ's and a cooler with dry ice. It is after all a 2 day drive back to MT. At time we wish there was a TJ's and Panera closer but we like it the way it is here in MT. We've got a Whole Foods now, and that's enough.
Re: climate change. Feb. 1 and it's 50 degrees with very little snow on the ground. This Winter has been dismal and I've put my skis aside. Bike trainer in the basement and planning on an outside ride tomorrow. It shouldn't be this way and I fear for what will happen this summer. Fires? Likely. The winter wheat crop may be poor. River temps will put the fish into stress mode thus causing fishing restrictions. Welcome to the new norm? I hope not.
Clever of you to stock up with dry ice to bring back your TJs bounty!
And yes, climate change is with us all every day. I'm so sorry to hear about your lack of snow. Not a good sign at all, as snow is lovely for winter activities and more importantly, it's our water for the future. And like you say, with all the other cascading effects on food supplies, fish habitat and of course fires. Fingers crossed for some belated winter storms (after we fly home over the Northern Rockies, please!). Thanks for your thoughts!
I love Trader Joe's but don't go as often as I could. My favorite time of year to shop there is during pumpkin season - we buy all the pumpkin things. :)
Ohhhh: I agree! I miss all their pumpkin things too! So creative and tasty. and colourful to have around the house as decor 🍁🎃 !
When you come to Madrid, we'll make Aldi's the first stop! It's two blocks away. Don't get too excited though. The only TJs products I've seen there are nuts and dried fruits. We'll have to score a few packages of the fried, salted marcona almonds. They are to die over. Even the the TJs products are not fresh or too interesting, Fabio and I practically jumped up and down when we saw them. A little bit of home.
I hope I don't get anyone into trouble saying this but when visiting Beth in Tacoma we each had a bag of the avocado ranch salad for lunch. It was delicious. We each ate another full bag the next day.
I always feel a bit odd, as you probably do too, relishing the sun and soaking up the warmth when it's supposed to be cold and wet. The temperature here has risen to the upper 60s this week. It's been glorious. Spaniards are back at the terrazas eating and drinking at all hours. Such a conflict with my profound worries about climate change. And in southern California experiencing fires and earthquakes, the threats are all the more real.
Now I'm heading out to Aldi's. Thanks for another great post.
Mmmm, marcona almonds ARE to die for! I used to get those at TJs all the time. I wasn't very clear in my writing: we have both Aldis and Lidl in the UK, I've just never seen TJs products there. Lidl's is walking distance, but I don't get to Aldi's as often, since one has to drive there; maybe I need to go more often! And I absolutely agree: I could easily eat a whole salad bag myself!
Yes, we do worry about enjoying the warmth when it shouldn't be there, just like you. My son just sent me a warning about the atmospheric river (high rains) coming to southern California the next few days where, thankfully, we are no longer. But we worry for our friends there.
And I can't wait to come visit Madrid and Aldi-what a treat that will be! Thanks for commenting!
The closest TJ's to me is 35 minutes away in Athens, GA. It is such a treat to go. I'd be there everyday if I could. I've been a fan for years.
Great to know! At least there is one within a reasonable drive so you can stock up now and again. I loved when one opened in our small community a few years before I moved. It was packed from the first day, even though the nearest one before that was only a 15 minute drive further away. It was such a treat to be able to just stop by on your way to doing almost anything else.
No TJs in Gig Harbor, but there is one reasonably close in Tacoma. I have a special TJs shopping list for things like balsamic glaze, pumpkin raviolis, orange chicken, curry sauce, etc, and have recently started following a few Facebook pages for recipe inspiration.
I think you were always one of my sources for clever TJs recipes when I lived in Lafayette, Linda! I remember seeing that TJs off the freeway when we drove to see you last year. Based on my life now, I think if you have one within an hour, you are very lucky! We will probably make one more visit to TJs before we head back to the UK...You never know what will jump into my suitcase.
As you know, the Trader Joe's on California and Hyde in San Francisco is the closest grocery store to my apartment, but I haven't really become a regular; TBH, I find the produce pretty dismal. I have, however, developed a fondness for their Truly Handmade Flour Tortillas, and for their Hatch green chili salsa (fairly mild, but delicious), though it's not available year-round.
I love Hatch green chilis—many summers and autumn trips to New Mexico convinced me that Hatch are the best. Sometimes canned green chilis find their way into my suitcase...And agree with you about the regular produce being less than great. I used to go to farmer's markets for produce and another grocery store for dry goods. But that is a long time ago now! Thanks for sharing your favourites!
Also, I forgot to mention that Sonya is a big fan of the 50% less sodium roasted and salted whole cashews; I always try to buy a bag or two for her when I'm there.
oh the flavoured nuts! Our bags used to get checked every single return flight since I packed so many bags of TJs sweet-spicy pecans, chile-lime cashews, and marcona almonds to take back!
Loved this post, Sabrina! What a brilliant exploration of the wonders of Trader Joe's!
I really enjoy reading about shops and supermarkets in other countries - when I moved to Germany I was floored by the huge differences between UK supermarkets and German ones, which made for an entirely different kind of shopping experience. Absolutely fascinating stuff!