I always must pick up a package of frozen Tandoori Nan at Trader Joe's which is made in India. I could make my own of course but I am too lazy and it intrigues me that it comes so far. (Not culturally correct I know but true.) It does not disappoint.
We love spicy meats and veg curries at our house and never are we without pantry ingredients for an Indian-inspired meal esp in the winter when it is so cold and snowy. That for us means TJ's Greek yogurt, chutneys, and spice blends or Tj's sauces. I often make up my own recipes and sauces using these parts but the bread and Lundberg Organic whole grain brown and wild rices from California are the constant. A great basic recipe is in Craig Claibourne's A Kitchen Primer.
Next, I purchased the frozen mini croissants which we have for weekend breakfasts-you just put them on a baking sheet and Voila! the next morning you don't even have to leave the house to have fresh baked croissants at breakfast. Actually that would be a theme for me...laziness and food.
Not to forget the Apple Blossoms which are great to have in the freezer to serve a la mode with hot coffee. They are better than apple pie and work well when I run out of apples for my famous apple crisp. Here in Warwick, we have wonderful food but we have logistics issues sometimes.We actually just go over and pick the apples off the trees at Ochs Orchard in Warwick.
I do not think I have ever gone to TJ's without buying their green beans from France. This time I bought the medley with carrots. Our trips to the organic farm take place on the weekends this time of year but we do not want to run out of vegetables to eat during Mon-Friday. It is great to be able to reach into the freezer and get a half cup of veg to eat without any fuss esp for one meal.
Last but not least, we just finished having the lovely and spicy Chicken New Mexico style from TJ's for lunch as a soup with a dollop of yogurt and parmesan crunch made from heating grated parmesan reggiano cheese in a non stick skillet until it melts and browns cooled into a cheesy crisp--from Jacque Pepin's cookbook Cooking With Claudine.
Well I don't eat it but I also love the Lavender bar soap they sell at Trader Joe's so I bought some of that too.
