Note: It has been reported that the Sarasota, Florida Trader Joe's store will open September 7, 2012. (How about adding a Tampa Bay store, Trader Joe's?)
Now that Trader Joe's has finally come to Florida (open in Naples, will be opening in Sarasota supposedly sometime this year), I wanted to write a blog post on some of my favorite Trader Joe's products. Stay tuned to Lily On The Lam in the future for blog posts on my NOT so favorite Trader Joe's products!
Drum roll please ...
Number One: Most addictive item I picked up at the Naples Trader Joe's ... Sesame Honey Almonds. I could eat these darn things every single day. Thank goodness Naples is 3 hours away from me, otherwise I would! They are slightly sweet and the sesame adds an even nuttier delicious flavor.
Number Two: Second most addictive item I picked up at the Naples Trader Joe's - incredibly rich tasting English Toffee. This stuff is so delicious it is dangerous. I need a restraining order to keep me away from this delicious candy! It is rich, buttery and coated in large nut pieces. I could eat this whole container in one setting. It needs to be kept under lock and key!
Number Three: I am a starchy carbs addict, so I try not to have too many starches in the house. However when I went to Naples Trader Joe's, it was OPEN SEASON on starchy carbs. Trader Joe's has so many great baked products. I luckily stayed away from the very delicious inside out carrot cake (which is like carrot cake whoopee pies). However I could NOT stay away from the San Francisco Style Sourdough Boule in Asiago Peppercorn flavor. The bread is hearty with a very tart sourdough flavor. I toasted it for sandwiches. Excellent!
Number Four: Speaking of calorie splurges, try the refrigerated (not the freezer section product) Trader Joe's Chicken Pot Pie. The chicken was very fresh and flavorful. The vegetables were hearty and the gravy was delicious. My only comment is that the crispy, flaky crust was bland. I would have liked maybe some herbs or something to pep it up. I added a sprinkle of Trader Joe's smoked sea salt, which helped.
Number Six: Trader Joe's Channa Masala. I usually buy a brand from Whole Foods, but I found this version to have a more savory and flavorful blend. This does not taste like your average frozen dinner. It definitely tastes closer to what I would have at an Indian restaurant. Not as good, but darn close.
Feel free to leave comments on what your favorite Trader Joe's products are - I'd love to hear from you!
P.S. Don't forget to VOTE in the latest Lily On The Lam poll in the left hand column! Exercise your right to vote for something on the web!
Now that Trader Joe's has finally come to Florida (open in Naples, will be opening in Sarasota supposedly sometime this year), I wanted to write a blog post on some of my favorite Trader Joe's products. Stay tuned to Lily On The Lam in the future for blog posts on my NOT so favorite Trader Joe's products!
Drum roll please ...
Number One: Most addictive item I picked up at the Naples Trader Joe's ... Sesame Honey Almonds. I could eat these darn things every single day. Thank goodness Naples is 3 hours away from me, otherwise I would! They are slightly sweet and the sesame adds an even nuttier delicious flavor.
Number Two: Second most addictive item I picked up at the Naples Trader Joe's - incredibly rich tasting English Toffee. This stuff is so delicious it is dangerous. I need a restraining order to keep me away from this delicious candy! It is rich, buttery and coated in large nut pieces. I could eat this whole container in one setting. It needs to be kept under lock and key!
Number Three: I am a starchy carbs addict, so I try not to have too many starches in the house. However when I went to Naples Trader Joe's, it was OPEN SEASON on starchy carbs. Trader Joe's has so many great baked products. I luckily stayed away from the very delicious inside out carrot cake (which is like carrot cake whoopee pies). However I could NOT stay away from the San Francisco Style Sourdough Boule in Asiago Peppercorn flavor. The bread is hearty with a very tart sourdough flavor. I toasted it for sandwiches. Excellent!
Number Four: Speaking of calorie splurges, try the refrigerated (not the freezer section product) Trader Joe's Chicken Pot Pie. The chicken was very fresh and flavorful. The vegetables were hearty and the gravy was delicious. My only comment is that the crispy, flaky crust was bland. I would have liked maybe some herbs or something to pep it up. I added a sprinkle of Trader Joe's smoked sea salt, which helped.
Number Five: Crust that does NOT disappoint is in the Trader Joe's Tarte Aux Champignons. For those who didn't take 5 years of French class like me- it is a flat bread with mushrooms and two types of cheese - Emmental and Parmesan cheese. This was a very nice flatbread that is capable of serving as a ritzy appetizer for a party. My only issue was that the middle of the flatbread was soggy, but I think that was more user error than product failure. The crust is amazingly buttery. The cheese is sharp with healthy-sized pieces of mushroom.
Number Six: Trader Joe's Channa Masala. I usually buy a brand from Whole Foods, but I found this version to have a more savory and flavorful blend. This does not taste like your average frozen dinner. It definitely tastes closer to what I would have at an Indian restaurant. Not as good, but darn close.
Feel free to leave comments on what your favorite Trader Joe's products are - I'd love to hear from you!
P.S. Don't forget to VOTE in the latest Lily On The Lam poll in the left hand column! Exercise your right to vote for something on the web!
Pumpkin butter!!!! I brought some back to the UK last year & made it last as long as possible. I'll be adding your suggestions to my 'want to try' list for when I return Stateside.
ReplyDeleteI bought the Speculoos cookie butter but have not opened it yet!
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