The Trader Joe's Product Discussion Thread (S/D)

I could get everything I need at TJ's for the week for about $40 (spinach, broccoli, avocado, hummus, guac/yogurt, one random cheese, brown rice pasta, tapanede, fresh ravioli, eggs, chicken, low carb tortillas, a couple of frozen things) and then all the extras that needed to be bought less regularly spanish olive oil, olive oil spray, siracha, coffee. I had this down to a science.

The Aloo Chaat Kati pouches are pretty A+ for a snack or quick meal. I call them my Indian hot pockets.

They used to carry tasty mache, another thing that was great that disappeared.

wine and beer now that they have those cheap fancy beers

If you have an Indian grocer nearby, you can taste the other flavors of DeepFood's "pizza pockets", sold under the Babu's Pocket Sandwich sub-brand, with the very same microwave crisping sleeves as TJs Aloo Chaat packages. The Aloo Chaat ranks above the Palak Paneer, but below the Pau Bhaji.

aloo chat ❤️

it's "Potato" "Snack". If you want ❤️, find your local Chaat stand.

No local Chaat stand where I am right now (South America), but I have been doing super good making tikka, dhansak and masala recently. At some point I have to try to make naan or roti, the flour here is terrible though.

oops i posted this in the wrong thread

I guess Dried Baby Bananas are TJ's Weird Banana Product of the year and they're great. Tiny whole bananas with a kind of vague caramel-y note to them.

Zhoug Sauce is VG. It's a cilantro/oil/green pepper/garlic/cumin/cardamom spicy pesto.

It's on the spicy side, but I imagine mixing with equal parts diced avocado and tomato would be a stellar party dip.

As I have an inexpensive Mexican grocer nearby, I think I'll try this recipe to make zhoug at home, subbing all cilantro, and using mustard oil rather than EVOO.

As good as TJ Zhoug: blend the hell out of 2 bunches cilantro (rinse and cut the excess stems), 8 jalapeños (remove stems), 4 cloves garlic, 2 tsp ea. cumin, coriander, 1 tsp ea. green cardamon, salt, juice of 2 limes, 1/3 cup any veg oil (you won't taste yer artisan EVOO under this green power drill).

I've come close to (re)inventing zhoug sauce on several occasions while making guacamole (before adding the avocados) or adding cilantro and peppers to hummus bi tahini. The TJ product just gave me the courage to go all out Indian Ocean pesto and add the coriander seed, cardamon, and oil.

that sounds delicious, also dangerously enticing to the invading hordes

the sumatra coffee brownies are not *inedible* but they do taste like something that your neighbor made from Allrecipes and brought to a church potluck. Like, it's just brownies covered in some sort of stale-tasting coffee powder that makes a mess everywhere. Not worth $3 for 4.

good to know. that does not sound enjoyable at all

many thanks to this thread for alerting ppl to the existence of Everything But The Bagel

The next time I am near a Trader Joes I am loading up on it to bring back. It's not quite the same when I try to make the blend.

For a while I didn't see it at my local TJs and asked about it. The employee said that one guy came in and bought them all up. I'm guessing perhaps dude was from a Pirate Joe's-type of operation.

Bought some zhoug on the way home tonight. Ate half of it with Triskets.

Me too! I recognize it now from falafel — they serve it at the Maoz chain

i like the norwegian crispbreads
ate them every day for breakfast with avocado and now that is my favorite breakfast
they're sturdy, tasty, & nutritious

and gluten-free if you care about such things

I miss Trader Joes so much that I am just looking at pics on their website.

I'm considering making a list of every product mentioned on this thread, whether the consensus was positive or negative, and the current production status as a shopping reference

not really, but it comes to mind every time I see someone have a solid opinion

They show the sumatra coffee brownies with a scoop of ice cream on top.

that sounds like a damn cheat to me

I am going to look at the TJ What's New tab every time I feel any sense of ennui creep in.

i love the fearless flyer, it's a good read

it is! I haven't gotten one in the mail for a while, so they must be distributing fewer of them further away from the stores (my local one is in a suburb) or I've fallen off a mailing list

I like the coffee brownies but you've gotta microwave them.

Zhoug is so good, thanks thread.

Since posting, the details of this item may have changed due to fluctuating market prices, federal regulations, currency rates, drought, pestilence, bandits, rush hour traffic, filibusters, clowns, zombie apocalypse, punctilious product developers

Okay hipster wing of Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Compagnie, oHG, take my wallet.

Kinda stole Sanpaku's idea and made guacamole with zhoug in it (delicious) and ate it as a side with the zucchini fritters or whatever they're called that come with pickled beets and tzatziki. Solid meal.

I had some of the zhoug with sweet potato fries (not TJs) and that's a good combo.

made taco with zhoug + fajita meat + mac&cheese + soft-boiled egg. thank you, zhoug.

Oh zhoug, is there nothing you can't improve?

^^^

Lol I had zhoug in a sandwich today

Those of you who don't like spicy hot should head to your nearest Indian grocer and seek out coriander chutney. Its fairly similar, and is evidently the expected sandwich condiment in Mumbai.

Sanpaku, when you made the zhoug yourself did you use coriander seed or coriander powder? Did you think the cardamom pods were necessary (I may only have powder)? I think I will try to make that this weekend. Did you only use cilantro leaves or some of the stem?

I will ask my coworker friend which grocery to go to, and expect a long nuanced explanation of the pros and cons of chutney sourcing

(good chutney tip, thanks!)

Yerac: I used coriander powder, and freshly ground cumin and green cardamon. I noticed coriander seed is actually not part of the TJs product recipe, so I'll omit it next time (just cumin/green cardamon/salt in a ~2:1:1 ratio). I trimmed the cilantro/coriander stems just below the first leaf, discarding the stem. The stems themselves are similarly flavorful, but as they're not cooked here, I've found in the past they mostly contribute a fibrous (like pureed celery) texture that isn't in the TJs product.

Evidently Yemeni zhoug is freshly ground with mortar and pestle and contains no oil. But American restaurant zhougs are invariably made in blenders with added oil.

That's the way I usually use coriander in general too. Thanks.

Anyone fucking with the coffee syrup? Wondering if I need to buy it and what it would be good for other than pouring in cold brew and making coffee³

I got some zhoug & made zhougamole per Sanpaku’s suggestion. Super good.

And Everything But The Bagel seasoning is great on grilled chicken. Bagel Chicken yum!

"Banh Mi Inspired Noodle Bowl" is kinda like a Thai slaw with the dressing. I like it a lot, predict I will buy it four more times but only eat it three of those times.

I liked it, but I didn't $4.99 like it. There weren't enough noodles.

Shit was it $4.99? OK yeah that's definitely $2 more than it should be.

Shawarma chicken thighs. Has anyone tried yet? I have not had very good results from their premarinated meats but I am also not meat savvy.

I'm liking the Belles Vignes Suavignon Blanc, Great value for $5.

How is the TJs podcast?

fridge tamales >> frozen tamales

there are TOO MANY frozen pizzas!! Is there any consensus on which ones are the best and worst?