Trader Joe's Top Ten

I have been waiting for this day for most of my life. Okay, maybe that is a slight exaggeration. But I am hardly joking when I say I have been in honest anticipation for quite some time. Our city is finally, yes finally, getting a Trader Joes. Grand opening date? FRIDAY!

No, I will not be in town to wait in line and be the first customer in the door. And I'm not exactly sure I'd choose to be, even if I were in town. In fact, I'll probably strategize about the best day/hour to frequent the place since it's likely to be crazy for a long time. But I will be there and often because I just love it. LOVE it. I could go on and on, but that might detract from my purpose in this post: to highlight just ten of my favorite items (or combinations - slightly cheating, I know).

In no particular order, here are just TEN of my favorite things from Trader Joes:

1. Trail Mix. They just have the best combinations. My favorite ones have changed throughout the years but two that have remained at the top: Salty Sweet & Nutty Trek Mix and Tempting Trail Mix.

2. Some basics: olive oil & coconut milk.

You just can't beat TJs prices when it comes to EVOO and coconut milk. We go through massive amounts, mostly because of green smoothies and curries.

3. Vino. I am no wine connoisseur, I just know that TJs has awesome, cheap wine. Two buck chuck is not bad at all ($3 chuck is more like it since it's 2.99), and they have a great variety of wines and brews too.

4. Roasted red peppers + Tuscan Italian dressing = easiest "go to" meal of all time.

Place chicken breasts (4 or how ever many) in a baking dish. Dice roasted peppers and sprinkle generously on chicken. Pour over dressing (and half a bottle). Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 35 min or until chicken is done. Serve over couscous. Yum. One of our favorite meals! And almost embarrassingly easy.

5. Curries and other sauces.

Some favorites include: Thai yellow curry, Marsala sauce & Soyaki. I have four bottles of the Soyaki because it is the BEST with stir fried veggies. The marsala is great - we often have it with chicken and Na'an and sometimes another fun Indian side. And the Thai yellow curry is the base in one of my favorite recipes from my cousin's wife...

Yellow Curry Chicken (feeds 8-10)

*1/4 c. olive oil

*3 large skinless chicken breasts, chopped

*3 small white onions, diced

*4 lg. cloves garlic, minced

*1/3 c. brown sugar

*2 cans coconut milk

*3 medium potatoes, chopped

*2 c. frozen peas

* 1 1/2 c. carrots, diced

*3 pinches garlic salt

*1 T. curry powder

*1 t. chili powder

*2 Thai Yellow Curry Jars (from Trader Joes)

*Fresh basil to taste

*Salt & pepper to taste

1. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic. Allow to cook until onions are soft.

2. Add chicken and cook for 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through

3. Add all other ingredients and allow to cook for at least 30 minutes (the longer the better) for flavors to mix. Stir occasionally so the bottom doesn't burn.

4. Serve over warm basmati rice. Enjoy :).

6. Chocolaty treats.

Good luck trying to find the very best TJs treat. It's just too hard. They have chocolate covered EVERYTHING. Dark or milk chocolate. You choose. My current favorite: dark chocolate covered pretzels. But then again the almonds are amazing. And I just tried these fantastic chocolate covered soft peanut butter peanut brittle bites. Trouble.

7. Gorgonzola crackers/Flaxseed Chips.

There are so many great crackers and chips. My two favs = these gorgonzola ones and the flax seed chips. Yum.

8. Hummus. They have SO many different kinds of delicious hummus. You could try a different one each week and never have the same one for months. My very favorite: Tuscan white bean. Did I remember to take a picture of ours before devouring it last time? No. Sorry.

9. Roasted seaweed snack.

This would near the top of Clara's list, at least. She devours this stuff - and it's full of vitamins (and just a touch of salt ;)). Just a bit messy, but not bad for $.99.

10. Salsas.

Need a little pineapple salsa for some fish tacos? A nice alternative to a tomato salsa to enjoy with chips? Here are just a few of TJs salsas we enjoy...

So I didn't even touch on the cold stuff (with the exception of hummus). We've actually brought a cooler along on a few road trips to try some refrigerated and frozen items, many of which are great. But alas, I have reached ten already. How great it'll be to venture into these departments without thinking about how they might all fit in the car!

And I'm really hoping that the presence of Trader Joes in the neighborhood doesn't have too adverse an effect on our grocery budget. It might at first. But hopefully I'll find some balance - and purchase some of the great deals and not just the novelties, like chocolate ;).

Happy grand opening, fellow Spokanites! Anyone have other favorites to add to the list? I don't doubt it. Do share!