Yay: Fig Butter

Recently, TJ's has rolled out a line of various fruit butters, but the best of them all is the fig butter. It's not too sweet, and really thick (good fruit butter should be thick, not runny). It's wonderful on just about anything. I've been eating it on bread with soft cheese.

The only problem is that it doesn't seem to be available in all of the stores. The West LA store near me almost always has it, but the store in West Hollywood never does.

If you have it near you, I recommend giving it a try.

Yay: Honey Nut O's

Cereal is great.  I can eat it at all times of the day.
But dang, is it expensive...

  

Enter Trader Joe's Honey Nut O's.

At $2.99, these were pretty much a steal.

The ingredients list is identical to Honey Nut Cheerios and the taste is about the same too.

Here's the most amazing thing about this TJ's product.  When I got to the bottom of the bag, there were virtually no crumbs.  Usually, finishing off a bag of cereal is a precarious business, in trying to let just the full pieces out of the bag, while filtering out the silt of crushed oats and wheat.

In this bag, there was no silt and I was able to enjoy every last morsel of cereal.

I'll definitely be getting more of this.

Does anyone have any other Trader Joe's cereals to recommend?

Yay: Dark Chocolate Mint Creams

I stumbled across these little delights the other day and couldn't be happier to have found them.

They're like Junior Mints, but I almost like them better because they're a little sturdier and are less likely to turn into a jumbled mess of sugar.  

These have a nice thick chocolate outer, and a creamy mint center (hence the name of the product).
I've been keeping mine in the fridge and they're really refreshing to snack on during these hot summer nights.

They're also Gluten Free and Vegetarian which is nice for people who have dietary restrictions.

So next time you head to the movies, instead of buying some overpriced box of melted Junior Mints at the theater, stop off at Trader Joe's first and grab a container of Mint Creams.

Yay: Trader Joe's Smoked Paprika

I love smoked paprika, but it's a love that came late in life. When I was growing up, the paprika we usually used was an anemic product which was 'just for color', but I never understood why because the color wasn't very appetizing. Why couldn't the deviled eggs just be yellow?

Then, I discovered the smoked version of paprika, which has a wonderful deep flavor (and, of course a gorgeous color) that's fantastic in stews, soups, marinades, over mild cheese, roasted pumpkin, etc... There's not much you can't do with it.

This is the brand I usually buy:

It's imported from Spain (although many folks consider Hungarian paprika to be far superior) and purchased at the local gourmet restaurant supply store.  I love the flavor and the stunning red color.

Recently, Trader Joe's introduced their own brand of smoked paprika: 

The Trader Joe's product also has a really beautiful deep red color, and when opened gives off a very nice smoky aroma.

It's got a bit of a coarser texture than the Spanish brand, though.

The initial test of putting a bit on some soft cheese. I can taste the nice smoky flavor and a sort of earthy aftertaste, which isn't too great on cheese, but is good in soups and stews.

Although I've got to do a bit more testing, initially, it's a 'yay', in particular because of the $1.99 price. I'm also glad to see TJs expanding their spice racks - which has always been one of the chain's weaknesses, in my opinion.

I don't think I'm going to give up my Spanish stuff anytime soon, but I think this is a very good product for the money, and would recommend it.

Nay: Organic Kosher Pickles

Pickles are good. I like almost them in almost any shape, size or flavor. I especially like a vinegary, sour pickle. These Trader Joe's Organic Kosher Sandwich Pickles are okay, but ultimately left me a little disappointed.

Since there are none left, I can't totally toss these off.  They do give you that trademark stinging jolt of vinegar upfront, and then the crisp snap of cucumber.  But then the aftertaste turns a bit odd.  I'm not sure if that is due to it being organic or what, but the flavoring just wasn't there for me.  I think I will be sticking to the RGC in the pickle department while continuing explorations for a homemade recipe.

These notes are based on eating them plain, by themselves.  I also tried them on a sandwich, since they are pre-sliced with the intention of going there, and the odd aftertaste was much less noticeable.  They cost $2.99 for a jar, so if you're in a pickle (HA!), pick up the TJ's Koshers, but if you have the time and want a real, classic pickle taste, I'd say nay.

Yay: Mini Pearl Grape Tomatoes

I normally don't get very much produce from Trader Joe's.  The selection can be a little thin and the prices aren't all that great.  Also weighing against it is the fact that there is a great, cheap produce market not too far away.  But even that market comes up short sometimes, and I've found a few reliables at TJ's.

One of the standouts seems to be the Mini Pearl Grape Tomatoes. Even in the off-season, these tomatoes are almost always in pretty good shape.  They're bite-sized and make a great snack or addition to salads.  At $2.49/package, I think they're also a little cheaper than you'd find at a regular grocery store. (Can I abbreviate that with RGC? Let me know in "Comments")

As I write this, I do notice that this batch is oddly large.  They are typically the size of an average grape, but these are almost the size of clementines.  Still, they're pretty fresh and juicy....considering its the middle of January in Chicago.

Yay: Organic Pea Shoots

I was actually looking for alfalfa sprouts when I was informed by a TJ's employee that they aren't carried there.  In looking for a substitute, I found these Organic Pea Shoots. 

They cost $2.49 for a seemingly never-ending 4oz. package.  So far, they've proved to be on of the most versatile products I've ever purchased from TJ's.  I've mixed them in with salads, used them as a topping on a portabella mushroom burger, and garnished a plate of au gratin potatoes. 

In each case, they gave that extra little touch to turn a ho-hum meal into something a little more exciting.  And that's what this is all about....Finding those little touches that are worth buying. 

Please share any other uses you've found for Organic Pea Shoots, by posting a comment below.

Yay: Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels

These bite-sized pillows of pretzel are filled with peanut butter and are extremely addictive. 

There really isn't too much more to say about them.  If that doesn't pretzels and peanut butter doesn't get you excited, I don't think there's anything I can say to convince you. 

$3.29 is on the higher end for TJ's, but is still way cheaper than snacks at the regular store, so this is a staple in our basket. There is also an alternative in a red package, in which the pretzels are unsalted.

Nay: 2010 Vintage Ale

This pint of "Dark Ale Brewed with Spices" was featured in a precariously stacked endcap at the front of the store around the holidays. As of yesterday, the stack hadn't diminished much but had been moved towards the back. 

I myself have tried it twice now and am still somewhat on the fence.  It is fairly strong at 9% alc./vol. so the flavor is similarily strong.  I tend to like these kinds of beers, but I thought that the spices were a little heavy handed in this one.  However, that also tends to work with the scents and foods of the holidays, so this may be a nice a choice for trimming the tree on a Saturday afternoon. 

The display sign has an additional note reading "Ages Well".  Don't let it age too long though. 
Seems that it expires in just under two years. 

Final Judgement: At $4.99, its not a terrible shot to the wallet.  But if I were to go in to grab a pint at TJ's, I would probably look at the Ommengang Brewery line which runs about a dollar more.

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YAY! - French Onion Soup (Freezer)

French Onion soup is really best when its homemade, but I don't always have time to make it from scratch or head to a local bistro.  This freezer section item is a perfect, easy solution when you need to feed that craving for melted cheese and oniony, beefy, broth.  2 per package / about $5

Preparation couldn't be simpler.  Cut open the package and drop the frozen cylinder into an oven-safe soup bowl (I've used a pyrex measuring cup in a bind).  Stick it into a 400° oven for about 40-minutes, take out and cool, and enjoy.

Welcome To TJay's Yay or Nay

This blog is dedicated to the products of the grocery store chain, Trader Joe's. 
(Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Trader Joe's in any way. )

I love the store.  Certain things are fantastic from Trader Joe's, and I always find new and interesting products, but I've also come to accept that it can be hit or miss.  Sometimes items are better to get at a more standard grocery story, and some of those interesting finds leave me wanting a little more.

So, I wanted to create a a place where people could share their own opinions and hopefully we can all benefit from the shared knowledge. 

To start off, I plan to post featured individual product reviews that I either love or hate.  Please feel free to comment whether you agree or disagree, but also please keep it on-topic and avoid any personal insults, etc.
(Disclaimer:  I reserve the right to delete any comments that I find to be disruptive or )