Why I Love, Love, Love Trader Joe's

I know there are those of you out there that can't get to a Trader Joe's and for that, I'm sorry for you!  But for those who can, these are my favorites...what're yours?

Let's start with the incredible selection of wine with prices that can't be beat for the quality.  I'll skip over the "Two-buck Chuck" (now $2.99 a bottle) which can be really good much of the time (well, at least the cabernet sauvignon is usually good) and just dive in to the varieties from Epicuro — the Salice Salentino, Nero D'Avola, Aglianico and now a Primitivo.  At $5.99 a bottle, these wines are luscious and incredibly affordable.  

Now that you've got the wine uncorked, treat yourself to a first-course featuring prosciutto which is available in these affordable 4 oz packages and best is that the paper-thin slices are separated by sheets of paper making it really easy to peel and wrap that prosciutto around cheese, melon or figs, serve on a bed of arugula ("rocket" for $1.99 or organic arugula for $2.49) and dress with a simple vinaigrette.  (This arugula is so good it won't last long.)

Buy the Thai Red Curry Sauce and it'll be the quickest and the easiest dinner you'll ever make.  Just get boneless chicken, cut it into cubes, turn the frying pan on medium high with a very slight bit of oil (not olive) and sear the chicken very quickly. When it's browned on all sides ( and we're talking not even ten minutes), lower the flame, pour on the sauce and when the sauce is heated through — you're done.  Now you can make jasmine rice, udon or soba noodles, steam some broccoli and dinner is complete.  Really — 30 minutes from start to finish for the entire main course.  And for the vegetarians and vegans out there — cook cubes of firm tofu instead and it'll be just as delicious.




When you need another grain for a different meal, buy a bag of Harvest Grains Blend — a combination of pearl couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans, and red quinoa.  Another quick and tasty side, it's ready to eat in 15 minutes.







When dinner's done — time for something sweet.  I suggest one of their Dark Chocolate Bars. My favorite?  Caramel with black sea salt.  Rich, dark, salty chocolate with buttery sweet caramel sandwiched in-between that oozes out when you break off a square and slide it into your mouth — you'll be licking your fingers as you work your way through the bar and at $1.99 for three ounces, you can get a bar for every person at your table.  



And while you're shopping, give yourself a treat and pick up a bag of the Ginger Chews, they're great to have in your bag or in the car.  

Better make that two.