Smoked rainbow trout and tabbouli salad are two of my favorite Trader Joe’s items. Simon Printz I used to work at Trader Joe’s and still return to the store to purchase my favorite items. As an avid chef, I always buy smoked rainbow trout and crushed ginger for easy meals. Dark reddish boiled potato chips
Simon Printz
- I used to work at Trader Joe’s and still return to the store to purchase my favorite items.
- As an avid chef, I always buy smoked rainbow trout and crushed ginger for easy meals.
- Dark reddish boiled potato chips are one of my favorite snacks.
As a former Trader Joe’s employee and food industry professional with over eight years of experience as a baker, I have a unique perspective when I walk the supermarket aisles.
I love to cook, from scratch, as often as I can, but after (or before) a long shift at the bakery, I don’t always have the energy for a great culinary adventure.
Here are some of the Trader Joe’s products I always buy, from quick snacks to ingredients I use in easy homemade meals.
Simon Printz
I can be a little picky when it comes to coffee, and as a Philadelphia resident, I’m surrounded by many small, high-quality roasters.
However, I often find myself turning to Black Acres Colombian Aponte Honey Beans, a regional coffee option offered by my local TJ’s. It is medium roasted, bright, a little fruity, well balanced and easy to prepare.
Simon Printz
This smoked rainbow trout can be used in many ways; sometimes I put it on a fresh baguette, with just a sprinkle of sour cream or labneh.
However, what I like to do most is prepare a super quick and inexpensive white fish-style salad. I’ll simply peel the skin off the fish and mix it well with mayonnaise, mascarpone, red onion, salt, pepper, and a ton of lemon juice. Then I’ll pour it on a bun.
Simon Printz
If you’re a fan of dark, crispy fries like me, you’ll love these grilled fries that have a rich, super strong flavor.
Here’s a secret tip from one of my favorite former TJ’s managers: heat up TJ’s frozen chicken wings and then toss them hot on a plate of these fries. Pile crumbled blue cheese on top. You won’t regret it.
Simon Printz
Trader Joe’s tabbouli is tasty, easy, and always tastes fresh. It looks great with some dolmas and a container of Mediterranean hummus.
However, my best option is to mix the tabouli with a can of Greek chickpeas, parsley and cumin. Boom: a delicious and healthy salad.
Simon Printz
This Pre-Crushed Ginger from Dorot Gardens is one of my favorite Trader Joe’s staples.
As someone who loves to cook, especially East Asian food, I’m always chopping fresh ginger and garlic. I’m used to it and have pretty good knife skills, but sometimes it’s nice to just reach into the freezer and put a tablespoon of crushed ginger in the pan.
Simon Printz
These chunks of squid, canned in olive oil, can really enhance a weeknight stir-fry, hot soup, or even a pasta dish. They have a great texture, not too chewy, and a delicious flavor.
I like to add them to my homemade sundubu-jjigae, a simple Korean soup with silken tofu and seafood.
Simon Printz
Trader Joe’s has amazing candy; It’s hard to choose between my many favorites. The highlight, however, is this milk chocolate bar.
Smooth, rich Belgian chocolate pairs perfectly with crunchy cornflakes; in fact, so perfectly that I usually have to hide them from my roommate so he doesn’t eat them all.
Trader Joe’s was not involved in the research or writing of this story. The opinions contained therein represent the personal opinions of the author.
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