Trader Joe's Product Reviews

Things have been quiet since my last post.   Eric’s work, like most people around here, has been sporadic, but rumblings of the ramp-up of spring are beginning to be heard in the distance.  If  I were home, I would be thrilled with the spare time, because I could find so many things to fill it up with, but here, I just feel unsettled.

  The best cure for that mopey feeling is exercise, so we have been running more, including a virtual run for Sherry Arnold.  Sherry was a math teacher in nearby Sydney, MT who was abducted while on her pre-dawn run.  Her cousin organized a run where people all over the world could run in her honor.   We ran 4 miles around Watford City on a clear Saturday that was 5 below zero when we started.  It was a little tough to start out, but felt just fine after we warmed up.  Photos and comments can be seen on Facebook Virtual run/walk for Sherry Arnold.  The turnout was huge and raised money for her two children.

The next day we headed out from the camper to a high point that turned out to be over five miles away over hill and dale.  There is so much more topography here than I expected, and the beauty of the grasslands is really growing on me.  It will never replace North Idaho, but I do appreciate it.

All that fresh air and exercise builds a mighty appetite and we are usually thinking of our next meal even as finish the current one.  I just finished using the last of the Trader Joe’s products that I brought to the camper, so here’s a review for all you TJ fans out there:

Marinated Lamb Tips—These were meant for the grill, which I don’t have, so I seared them in a hot skillet then pulled them at medium rare.  Served with the well-boiled, then thickened winey marinade and toasted polenta discs, they were tender and delicious.

Reduced Guilt Multigrain Pita Chips—With 40% less fat and 45% less sodium, you might think these would be tasteless, but they were positively addictive.  Eric and I mowed through the 6 oz bag in no time.

Peanut-filled Pretzels with No Salt Outside—The perfect snack to take along on a hike.  They still have enough salt baked in, but not on, the pretzel to be tasty, with the bonus of peanut-y protein.  Yum.

Condensed Cream of Portabella Soup—I expected this to be a step up from Campbell’s, and it was, but it still had that weird condensed soup taste.  Acceptable as a sauce fixer-upper, and the ingredients look a lot friendlier than the ones on the red can.  The 11 oz aseptic box is darn cute and camper-friendly, too.

Egg Pappardelle Pasta—If  you were served this pasta in a homey Italian restaurant with checkered tablecloths and a Chianti bottle candle holder, you would swear Noni was in the kitchen rolling it out with her grandmother’s rolling pin.  I served it with heart-healthy Shrimp Alfredo on Valentine’s Day (get the play on the theme?).  I know it is basically double wide fettuccini, but I love it so much more.

 

California Sun-Dried Tomatoes Julienne Cut—These are so handy to have in the pantry for jazzing up just about anything.  The other day I tucked them into grilled cheese sandwiches and Eric gave me that “you’re a goddess” look.  TJ’s product is tender and sweet, and I aspire to dry my tomatoes to be like theirs.

Peanut Satay Sauce—I browned some bone-in chicken thighs (no grill for satay) and glazed them with this sauce.  I know that satay sauce should have a little vinegar bite, but this was a bit sour for my taste, so I doctored it with a little agave syrup.  That did the trick, but I like homemade better.  Not bad, though, and I liked the texture of the peanuts.

General Tsao Stir Fry Sauce—This turned bargain boneless pork chops and some sliced veggies into a scrumptious one –pan dinner served over steaming brown rice.  Sure, the first ingredient is sugar, but that’s why it’s so good! Like all TJ labeled products, it has basically all normal stuff.

Mango Ginger Chutney—OK, I’m a big chutney fan, so I had big expectations from world-wise Trader Joe’s.  Well, I wasn’t disappointed.  Big chunks of tender mango, bits of red bell pepper, raisins and ginger with just enough vinegary syrup to hold it all together…oh, my.  Blows Major Gray’s out of the water.  Mixed with caramelized onions and served over seared pork tenderloin medallions, it was heaven!

Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix—My friends and family know me as a pumpkin nut…I grow pumpkins, collect pumpkin tchotchkes, carve pumpkins, and, best of all, I cook pumpkins.  Making pumpkin pancakes easily in the camper sounded great.  These are simple to make with a few fresh ingredients.  I sprinkled them with chopped walnuts while they were on the grill and served them with pure maple syrup and ham steaks.  They are sooo good! I still have enough for two more breakfasts…maybe this Sunday!

Well, there you have it.  Trader Joe’s rocks, and now they are in Spokane, less than an hour from my house in Hayden.  I’ll be home soon, and ready for another pilgrimage to my favorite store.  Three and a half weeks and counting!