Trader Joe’s has become a favorite shopping stop for me lately.
On occasion, I still run across people who have never shopped at Trader Joe’s. I know — shocking! If you are one of those people, or if you haven’t been in a while, you really should make a trip to see what’s up. I shop there on the regular each month, and often discover great foodie finds. Besides the cult favorites on the list,
like the Speculoos Cookie Butter,
Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, and Hatch Chili Mac and Cheese, there are other unique items just waiting to be discovered.
Honestly, there are so many great and unique finds, it’s easy to miss some. Below are a few new favorites to look for next time you shop in Fort Worth, Southlake or Dallas, which are the only locations currently in the area.
The first must-try I want to lead you to is the roasted corn. It has a burst of sweetness, with that roasted flavor from the grill. It tastes great without butter, but even better with butter. It is quick to prepare and is restaurant quality. You can warm a small amount in a bowl, or heat the whole bag. I toss it in a salad, add it to tacos, or serve it as a side dish. I often add it to soups in the winter. It is also great with lemon pepper sprinkled on it, chili powder and cotija cheese. #streetcornstyle
Next, the Turkey Bolognese is a great addition to our menu. You can spoon this over pasta or spaghetti squash to keep it low carb. It has a rich tomato base, with just the right amount of spice. It has the flavors of a slow-cooked, authentic home-made bolognese, with only 6 grams of fat per serving. Whether you serve it with spaghetti or spaghetti squash, this dish is a delicious, quick and easy meal for any night of the week. A sprinkle of parmesan will finish the dish. I cook this stove top, but you can microwave the Bolognese to save time if you’re in a major hurry.
The Cowboy Caviar is a good addition to the menu as well. This can be served with corn chips as salsa, or mixed in with ground beef for tacos or taco salad. Just brown your seasoned ground beef, drain, then add the Cowboy Caviar. Cowboy Caviar has black beans, peppers and corn in a salsa base. It is a combination of spicy, with the sweetness of corn in every bite. It is high in fiber with zero fat, keeping it on the healthy menu in our house. If you want to keep it low carb, serve it with cauliflower rice and a little guacamole (see below). We often eat this on a bed of lettuce with additional salsa for a quick taco salad. Either way is a win-win.
Another great foodie find is this salad mix. It is hearty and stays crisp for days. It’s crunchy goodness includes kale, shaved brussel sprouts, shredded broccoli, and red cabbage. It is loaded with nutrients and fiber, and tastes great with any kind of salad dressing. My most favorite way to eat it is with chopped celery, feta cheese, walnuts and poppy seed dressing. I shared this salad in my previous posts on salads.
Lastly, the newest protein bar stocked in our pantry is the Rx Bar. These are not found in most grocery stores yet, as they are new. They aren’t well known yet, but are sure to be a popular favorite once the word gets out. The protein is from egg whites, and they are sweetened with fruit only. Rx bars come in several flavors, including blueberry, mint chocolate, chocolate sea salt, maple sea salt, peanut butter, and coconut. The calorie count is barely over 200 calories, which isn’t bad for breakfast or a snack and the bars are a great source of protein. They have no gluten, no soy and no dairy. They have very few ingredients, and no added sugar. Just the good stuff.
There are many more great finds at Trader Joe’s. These are just a few of the healthier options we keep stocked at our house. Trader Joe’s prices are reasonable, and they have a wide selection of unique items you can’t find at other local grocery stores. They also have a great selection of organic foods, as well as many gluten free and vegan if you are into those foods. Give Trader Joe’s a try the next time you need a few groceries, or different ideas on what to feed the family. But beware — you may think you’re just going in to look around, buy some milk and bread and apples. However, you will probably end up with a lot more in the basket when you reach the check out stand.
