Yay: Nonpareille Capers

Capers add an element of surprise flavor to many dishes. Do not be fooled by their tiny nonpareille size -- these little flower buds from the caper bush are pickled to add a salty, vinegary punch. They are a great topping for a variety of fish and pasta dishes, adding a gourmet flair to your every day cooking. The best part about these carpers is that even though they are traditionally a gourmet food, TJs sells them at non-gourmet prices (pricing varies by store location).

Yay: 10 Minute Farro

I never cooked farro before trying TJs 10 Minute Farro. I had tasted it many times before this and always assumed it was a difficult grain to cook, much like rice. I assure you that if I can cook this stuff without messing it up, you can too (I am the world's worst at cooking rice, therefore my entire culinary life changed when I found TJs Frozen Brown Rice). Farro can be quite bland alone, so I recommend finding a recipe; I used this one from Whole Foods found here, making it into a cold salad as a side dish. I am curious how to use it in a hot dish. Do you have any other farro recipes to share?

Yay: Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake Mix

This Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake mix is delicious! Although I typically do all my baking from scratch, I've also never seen crumb cake in box mix form. It is very easy to make -- you just need milk, butter or vegetable oil, some more butter, a bowl, a spoon, a cake pan, and about 60-75 minutes. It takes a very long time to bake -- 40-60 minutes depending on the cake pan size and your oven -- but it is worth the wait because of the taste and simplicity. The cake comes out moist and fluffy, and the crumb topping bakes to crispy perfection. Bring this to a holiday party and you will hear rave reviews about your baking skills!

Yay: Creamy Fresh Goat Cheese with Herbs

Goat cheese is a must have for anyone who wants to add a gourmet flair to their dishes, and this Goat Cheese with Herbs is an excellent tool to have in the kitchen. The herbs in this cheese are a useful touch because they add a subtle flavor to a variety of dishes. Serve on crackers with a plate of fruit, mix in with red sauce to get a creamy style sauce, or add to salad for that extra gourmet flair. It complements the Candied Pecans in a spinach salad, and will impress whomever you prepare meals for!

Nay: Turkish Smyrna Figs

Dried figs leave much to be desired, and are much tastier served fresh. This "nay" is most likely a result of personal taste and not necessarily reflective of TJs dried fruit selection, which is typically of a superior quality and flavor. These dried figs are tough, with grainy seeds inside. Unless you already love dried figs or have a specific recipe in mind, they are not worth it.

Yay: Organic Corn Chip Dippers

This hearty, crunchy chip is a great addition to any party with dips! I recommend using it with heartier, chunkier dips as opposed to thinner ones (i.e., do not recommend it with the Mild Salsa, even though the salsa is delicious). These will work well with chunky guacamole and taco dips because they are very thick and sturdy, and therefore less prone to breaking. They will not leave you with a mess on your hands. Do beware though -- they are just as addicting and filled with fats as standard brand chips!

Yay: Vanilla Flavored Whey Protein Powder

This is a tasty and simple way to add more protein to your diet. Mix some in a smoothie or shake, or add some to baked goods such as pancakes or homemade granola bars. The vanilla flavoring is subtle and not sugary tasting. The serving size is 2 scoops, but I find this makes shakes a bit too thick and gelatinous in texture, so I typically use one scoop. How many different protein shake combinations can you make?

Yay: Shelled Soy Beans Edamame

These are found in the refrigerated produce section of Trader Joe's. They are slightly salted and must remain chilled. While I prefer shelled edamame because a mouthful of soybeans all at once is just too much and I like the act of getting them out of the shells, these are easy to pack in lunches and take on the go because they do not require thawing (frozen shelled edamame require thawing/microwaving). They come in a small, resealable plastic package to keep them fresh.

Yay: Mild Salsa

This is a very tasty salsa, particularly since it lacks all the preservatives of standard brand jarred salsas. You actually find this in the refrigerated section of TJs, compared to typical groceries stores where you find room temperature salsa in the chip aisle. This item is a bit on the thinner, runnier side, therefore I recommend it more as a topping for your Mexican inspired dishes or as a cooking ingredient, as opposed to dipping with a hearty chip. Or you could just find a thinner chip too!

Nay: Roasted Seaweed Snack

Some people love seaweed as as snack; if you do, then ignore this review because it probably doesn't apply to you. For those who are unfamiliar with seaweed as a snack, this stuff isn't so great. While it has the earthy, salty, healthy taste found in seaweed salad or around the edge of a sushi roll, once you eat a piece of this it becomes a texture nightmare. Its gooey, slimy consistency and bizarre lightness (it is sliced paper thin and dissolves in a few seconds) leaves little to be desired.

Yay: Veggie Chips

These are a light, airy snack that satisfies a craving for crunch, salt and carbs. Don't be fooled by the packaging: these are made with vegetables but are potato based. Thus, they have similar fats and calories as regular potato chips. However, they are much tastier than regular potato chips! They are ridged, but cut thicker than standard brand chips, allowing them to hold up well to dips (such as Hummus Dip). They are have a fluffy feel to them while leaving little grease on your hands. Serve them at your next party or keep the whole bag to yourself!

Yay: Baby Spinach

I have yet to purchase a "bad" bag of baby spinach from Trader Joe's. It is always fresh, not wilted, crispy and delicious. Many times I've tried to purchase spinach from a different grocery store with standard packaged brands, and the bottom 1/3 of the bag is nearly useless because the spinach is wet and wilted. At $1.99 a bag the price is comparable too (although your store's pricing may vary). Top with some Candied Pecans and a delicious cheese, and you've got yourself one yummy salad!

Yay: Broccoli Florets

TJs makes cooking easy because they package fresh vegetables that are ready to go. Sure, you'll pay extra for these beautiful florets because they are cut and ready to use, however each floret is perfectly fresh, giving you about the same amount as two full heads of fresh broccoli. These can be microwaved in the bag, however I have not cooked them this way because microwaved broccoli is mushy. Toss them into stir-fry, add to salad, eat as a healthy raw snack, or steam and season as a delicious side dish.

Yay: Vegetable Gyoza

Frozen gyoza found in standard grocery stores is typically disgusting because they are easy to overcook, filled with preservatives, and generally end up mushy or rubbery. These vegetable gyoza are super easy to cook on the stove top, using a few teaspoons of an oil of your choice (such as peanut or canola), browning them for a few minutes, adding a few teaspoons of water, and covering them for steaming. Outside of a restaurant or homemade, these preservative-free bites make a quick and easy accompaniment to any stir-fry dish or as a snack by themselves.

Yay: Candied Pecans

This little golden nuggets of tasty goodness are super pricey for the small amount, but are worth it for adding that extra "YUMMY" to a dish. The front of the package says it all: they are crunchy with just the right amount of sweet. I used them in a spinach salad, and these are not nearly as sugary as pecans found in restaurant salads. The front of the package says great for snacking, but beware because they will not last long!

Yay: Fire Roasted Red Peppers

Another staple for any culinary pantry, these fire roasted red peppers are a quick alternative to roasting your own red peppers. The lack of sodium is remarkable compared to standard grocery store brands, giving these peppers a fresh and sweet taste to complement many different dishes. Use them in pasta primavera, use as a topping for making your own pizza, add to pasta salad, or impress your friends by adding them to an antipasto plate.

Yay: Baked Cheese Crunchies

It is a challenge to find a snack at TJs that I do not like. That probably says more about my love of snacks than anything! These Baked Cheese Crunchies are extraordinary! They have 50% less fat than big brand cheesy puffs, and taste better too because they don't have the standard chemical preservatives. They are less greasy too, although the cheese powder still gets on your hands. The cheese flavor has a less saturated, more natural taste than big brand cheesy puffs. Be careful, these tiny bites might seem harmless but they are very addictive. The bag will be gone before you know it!

Yay: Extra Lean Angus Ground Beef 96% Lean/4% Fat

This lean ground beef always looks fresh and natural, and it claims right on the package that the cattle were raised with no hormones or antibiotics. Be aware that this beef is much pricier than what you'll find in your standard grocery store, however if you need meat quickly and are close to a TJs, it is worth the extra few dollars because it always tastes good and freezes very well for later use.

Yay: 50% Less Salt Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews

These cashews are a must-have item for any pantry. Among several of TJ's "50% Less Salt" options, they are priced better and taste better than the leading name brand cashews. They truly are less salty than your average bag of nuts, and while they make a great snack, they also add distinct flavor to stir-fry and baked goods. Everyone always eats the cashews out of the nut mix first, so why not grab yourself an entire bag of cashewy goodness?

Yay: Sparkling Lemon Spring Water

I'm a self-proclaimed bubbly water aficionado, and never realized TJs had sparkling water until I found it tucked away in a corner of my store. This isn't my favorite bubbly water by any means, but the price (79 CENTS! although prices may vary by store) and overall taste is why it gets a Yay. The bubbles are much smaller than other sparkling waters (i.e., La Croix), which some people might find pleasing. I prefer a larger bubble of carbonation. The natural lemon flavor is barely noticeable, which some people may also find pleasing. How do you think it would measure up in a carbonated water taste test?

Yay: Kale for Cooking

This kale is conveniently pre-washed and cut for easy steaming and sauteing. Always fresh and crispy, TJs makes it easy to include a powerful punch of vitamins in your meal. This kale can also be used in salads, although it is highly recommended to wash it beforehand and consider ripping the leaves from the meaty stalks (it is harder to chew and digest the raw stalks).

Yay: Brown Rice

Brown rice can be difficult to cook on the stove top, especially if you're an amateur cook who only eats homemade rice a few times a month. Not to mention cleaning a pot that cooked rice is an annoying chore, thanks to the rice paste reside left behind. Have no fear, TJs frozen Brown Rice is here! Packaged in three separate 10oz. microwaveable bags, you can choose how much rice you'd like to have without having to estimate water-rice ratios used in stove top cooking. In 3 minutes or less, you'll have fluffy, delicious, healthy (well healthier than white rice) brown rice. This little miracle in a bag will cut your food preparation time down drastically!

Nay: Spinach & Kale Bites

Surprisingly, these taste much better than they look. They are small lumps of spinach, kale some cheese, and onion. The texture was decent for a frozen food; it was not mushy but it left something to be desired. Maybe a dipping sauce would help? These earn a "Nay" because it is not something I'd recommend to others or willingly serve to friends and family. Also, they are not very convenient for a frozen food: they have to bake for 15-20 minutes and cool for another 10. You're better off spending that 30 minutes making a salad with fresh spinach, kale, cheese and seasoning to achieve the same flavor.

Yay: Hummus Dip

Name brand hummus can be relatively expensive in typical grocery stores (over $5 in some stores). This hummus dip not only wins on price (about half the cost of name brands, depending on location), but flavor as well. It has only 6 six ingredients: chick peas, sunflower/olive oil blend, water, lemon juice, sea salt and garlic. Don't be fooled by the simplicity though! This all natural dip is a great accompaniment to any cracker, chip or veggie. Great for parties or any regular snacking.

Yay: Breaded Chicken Tenderloin Breasts

These frozen breaded chicken tenders are a league above any big brand frozen chicken tenders found in standard grocery stores. They are easy to cook (done in 20 minutes!), and taste crispier and less greasy than your typical frozen chicken tenders. The possibilities are endless with this product. While the tastefully plain breading may appeal to the 7-year-old picky eater in just about everyone, you can also add a variety of toppings during the last few minutes of baking to change up your meals: cheese and salsa for a southwestern inspired dish, bacon and Swiss cheese for a cordon bleu taste, or red sauce and mozzarella for classic chicken parm. Whatever your tastes are, these are sure to become a staple in your freezer.

Yay: Just Mango Slices

Just Mango Slices are a rare find in the world of dried fruit because they are unsulfered (no preservatives) and unsweetened (not coated in sugar). They are literally just dried mangoes. If you live in an area with limited access to tropical fruit, these leathery strips of tasty sweetness fulfill a void. Even if you have daily access to fresh mango, these are a great, Vitamin A rich snack for any time.