Umami in a tube, and more Trader Joe's impulse buys
I don't often go to Trader Joe's. This is not because I don't like it there, but actually because I like it too much and always want to bring home all the things. Do you guys have stores of impulse buy like this too? For instance, on this trip to Trader Joe's I absolutely had to buy Umami Paste. Just for the idea of umami in a tube, right? For $1.99, it was worth seeing what this is all about -- but it basically looks like they took all the umami things they could find and crammed them all together in one condiment. This little tube of umami contains tomato paste, and red wine vinegar, and Parmesan cheese, and olives, and anchovy paste, and mushroom powder, and balsamic vinegar... but it looks like it doesn't contain MSG itself, for those of you who are sensitive to that. Read the ingredients and see what you think.
But now what do I do with my umami paste first, is the real question. I'm thinking of making a batch of pasta sauce and adding a little umami-in-a-tube to see what happens. Anyone else tried it yet?
Trader Joe's also got me with this Hatch chile salsa ($2.79). Because: Obviously. This, I'm quite looking forward to trying tomorrow when I'm feeling more like myself.
Picked up one bottle of Trader Joe's sparkling lime water ($.79) to see how it compares to Ice Mountain. Tried it today and it's not bad, but more reminiscent of the ALDI flavored sparkling water than the name brand.
High School Guy and I both enjoyed these chicken chile verde burritos -- they were quite good paired with a little spicy salsa and diced avocado, with a nice flavor and generous chunks of chicken. At $2.99 for the pair, I'd get these again for a quick lunch.
Trader Joe's was giving away jars of pumpkin spice cookie butter with purchase at all the registers, so this one wasn't an impulse buy per se. I'm not trying it, because: 1) sugar, and 2) pumpkin -- Mr. 9 made a face at the very idea and High School Guy is also not a big pumpkin fan, so will be giving this away to a friend. But free is free, right?
What did you last impulse buy at Trader Joe's?
Tell me it's not just me...
mmmmmm that pumpkin cookie butter sounds good.
Many times I chose to go to walmart instead of Target knowing that I will spend too much at Target...
I only go to Trader Joe's maybe twice a year. I think people either love it, or don't care for it. I love to cook, and I think it is more geared to people that aren't into cooking. The only thing I buy there on a regular basis is Trader Joe's Greek olive oil, and a bottle of that lasts me six months. A lot of imported olive oil is supposed to be adulterated, and Trader Joe's Greek olive oil is not. It sells for $8.99 for a 33.9 ounce bottle. I think the last time I went there I bought a bottle of sesame oil too. I should check and see if their free range chicken is any cheaper than Whole Food's, but I don't go through a lot of chicken. I almost bought some free range chicken Whole Food's had on sale for $1.69 a pound for whole or cut up a few weeks ago, but they were out of it, and they don't issue rain checks.
BTW- I love pumpkin, and I just picked up 8 cans of canned pumpkin at Aldi's last month, because it is only $.79 a can. I use it in bread, muffins, soup and pancakes. I just made a batch of pumpkin pancakes a few days ago, and I am going to make a batch of pumpkin cranberry muffins. I think I will pass on the pumpkin cookie butter though. I looked up the ingredients, and it is just ground up cookie with pumpkin and a few other ingredients mixed in. It is loaded with sugar and saturated fat.
I am the opposite. I leave Trader Joe's and get home and wish I had gotten more! There are so many items I like there, but I try to be careful and not overbuy... I also love shopping at Target because there are so many beautiful housewares to look at, but then I just go and buy the groceries I came for. I'm pretty good at sticking to my list, but sometimes wish I had bought something that I resisted.
I am a huge fan of Trader Joe's. I go once a week.
I haven't shopped at Trader Joe since summer 2016. I used to be a fan of TJ 10 years ago when we lived in CA. Since I discovered couponing and shopping at ALDI, I shop at TJ a few times a year.
I can't get out of there (with Ms. 9 and Ms. 13) without frozen mac & cheese bites along with the marinara sauce to dip. They also love love love the Cheddar rockets - best cheese crackers ever! Their saffron is really reasonably priced, as are their other spices.
I shop at TJ's every few months. I'm not claustrophobic that I know of, but, TJ's in Glen Ellyn and the old Whole Foods in Wheaton make me want to run screaming from the building. I buy the CA EVOO and their Honey as I read somewhere a few years ago that they were both what they say they are and not adulterated. Of course, since I'm now reading (Snore!), Real Food Fake Food, I'm not so sure. I guess it goes back to buy real whole food in it's original form from a source you trust, and make your own. I have no intention of pressing olives anytime soon, and I'm terrified of bees, so, I guess I will have to trust someone, so, TJ's it is
Tom Mueller's website the truth in olive oil lists reasonably priced olive oil that is available in supermarkets, that he thinks is authentic. He likes three of Trader Joe's olive oil, as well as Whole Foods 365 California blend, as well as one of the blends at costco. Here is a link to his site. http://truthinoliveoil.com/2012/09/toms-supermarket-picks-quality-oils-good-prices