Best products from r/traderjoes

It's LEGIT easy to make your own with just stuff TJs has.

• Fresh dough from TJ's refrigerator section ($1.29 - makes 2 pizzas, about 12 inches each)
  
• Sliced Fresh Mozz ($4.99/lb - enough for at least 3 pizzas and probably 4)
  
• Sliced Provolone ($4.49/12 oz - 12 slices, enough for 6 pizzas)
  
• Monterey Jack - you have to slice this one yourself (Get this cheese knife - it's amazing!!) ($3.99/lb - enough for 4 pizzas)
  
• Vidalia onions (79 cents each - you can probably get 6 pizzas from one of these huge onions??)
  
• Garlic crystals (Not the right name - those garlic things that aren't garlic powder or garlic salt - little dried garlic chunks. I'm pretty sure TJs sells them, I buy mine in quantity because I use so much)
  
• I use Rao's Arrabiata Sauce, but TJs has a couple of good Marinaro sauces and their Arrabiata isn't bad, just too salty for me (which dulls the taste, IMHO) (I think the TJs Sauces are $2.99???)
  
  So, spread the dough out on parchment paper or on a peel, but I just use one of those copper infused silicon mats. You don't have to wait for it to rise or anything, just spread it out in something like a circle.
  
  Turn your oven on to its highest temperature. A pizza stone is almost a necessity, they're only $10-15, and you will be making a LOT of pizza once you taste these.
  
  Now you've got time to create the pizza while the oven warms up.
  
  Slice about 3-4 oz of Monterrey Jack and spread it out directly on the dough. If, when you pulled the dough to make the circle, you created some weak spots, put the Jack on the spot - seals it.
  
  Now put the onions and garlic on top of that - amount is up to you - I like a lot of garlic and a sprinkling of onion.
  
  Then put 2 or 3 slices of the Provolone on top of that. I like to quarter them so they spread out more. I just fold them 2 times and bang, they're quartered.
  
  Now put the sauce on top of that. You will need less sauce than you think. I use about 6 tablespoons and spread it out to within an inch or so from the edge.
  
  Next, take about 5 or 6 Fresh Mozz slices and spread them out, but not too close to the edge. This cheese is very melty and it will run A LOT. Put down some parchment paper or one of those oven protector liners in your oven. Seriously, this stuff is runny.
  
  Put some oregano on top and some fresh basil (Which up until 2 weeks ago, I had never used, but yeah, it really adds to it)
  
  Then bake it - it takes about 10-12 minutes at a pre-heated 525 degrees.
  
  You're not done, tho. After its done baking, the key step is to LET IT REST on the your counter (not in the oven) for 5-6 minutes. I'm not kidding. It's unbelievable the change that comes about - everything becomes gooey, the taste is enhanced. It's just great.
  
  I've been making pizzas for 30 years, making my own dough, making my own sauce, put all kinds of toppings on, sausage, hot dogs, pepperoni, potatoes, mushrooms, peppers, everything, but I doubt I'll ever use another recipe than this one again. You don't need any of that other stuff. (I might throw mushrooms on there, maybe. I don't see how that would hurt)
  
  This is first one I tried with this new method - it needed another 3 minutes in the oven, so it was a little soggy and the cheese wasn't browned enough. Since I made that one, I've been eating pizza 3-4 times a week, and I haven't done that in YEARS. That first one also had a little too much sauce.
  
  I highly recommend the Rao's Arrabiata Sauce - it's like $8 at Target for a 24 oz jar, you can sometimes get it on sale at the grocery store for $7 and even $6 (rarely) - it's worth it, IMHO.
  
  One more thing. This is MESSY pizza - get a couple towels, protect your clothing (or don't eat like an animal like I do - I guess that would be an option, too). I cut it in 2.5 inch squares for easy handling. You could also eat it NYC style with the folding, I guess.
  
  Off the cuff guess for the cost?? $5 in ingredients, maybe $6, for a 12 inch homemade pizza.
  
  Time to make?? Less time that it takes a pizza joint to deliver, that's for sure.

I love this too! I actually make curry all the time and it's super easy. I recommend Amazon or your local Asian grocery store for curry paste. If you really like curry, get a big container of it because it goes a LONG way. Just keep it in the fridge and use a clean spoon when you use it so it doesn't get moldy. This is the one I use, and this will make probably at least 20 curries if not many more. https://www.amazon.com/Thai-Kitchen-Paste-35-oz/dp/B00K4PQC3A/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/134-9352649-4831740?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00K4PQC3A&pd_rd_r=83af4f7e-61da-11e9-921f-93d945d215dc&pd_rd_w=dUaOP&pd_rd_wg=qmIbu&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=K3W8949M8DHT87WPMG0R&psc=1&refRID=K3W8949M8DHT87WPMG0R

​

Make sure you use good coconut milk! Whole Foods and Trader Joes have good ones, and then there's a Thai Kitchen brand that's good and another thai brand in a brown can that's good.

https://cookieandkate.com/thai-red-curry-recipe

This recipe is really good, and to make it yellow curry, just add ground turmeric! I use different vegetables depending on what I have, or you could use the TJ Jackfruit in the can! My favorite combo is probably broccoli, green beans, bell pepper, chickpeas, and mango (I buy frozen from TJ and throw it in).

have you tried the lavender body lotion? it has a lovely scent and i think i like it better than Midsummer Night's Creme as far as moisturizing goes!

Thanks for sharing your experiences!!! :~)

• Invites designed like the fearless flyer or crew member passport
  
  
• Trader Joes Name Tags - you can get these at a local engraving shop or online, heres a link for some you can buy on amazon
  https://www.amazon.com/Oval-Name-Badge-Blanks-Pin/dp/B01CZ4G408?th=1
  
  
• Child size grocery cart & checkout - cut out trader joes logo on sticker paper and affix to cart etc.
  
  
• they also sell miniature shopping carts that would be great as food display or to fill with candy and stickers to put inside goody bags
  
  
• Sometimes its cheaper to buy "play" food from craft/restaurant supply stores than from toy stores and they look more realistic
  https://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/products/1302_2113_2298-59988-realistic_artificial_baked_bread.html?ccset=US&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq4im7JCS2wIVUC-BCh1ZWgqVEAYYASABEgK8rPD_BwE
  
  https://factorydirectcraft.com/catalog/categories/1302_2113_2298-fruits_and_vegetables.html
  
  
• There is also a kid sized Trader Joes that you might get some fun ideas
  http://thehealthymouse.com/trader-joes-pretend-city/

Freedom stickers.
K-cup 2.0 Freedom Stickers for Keurig 2.0 Series Brewers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1MKM20/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_oSuRwb2JCXA08

My wife and I got this one:


Philips HD9220/28 Viva Airfryer (1.8lb/2.75qt), Black Fryer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8HZLZ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3B60BbVMRXDME


If you like chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, fish sticks, anything that is normally fried and isnt quite as good in an oven, you will truly love this air fryer. Plus things like cauliflower gnocchi, wontons, anything you wish you could fry at home but don't want the mess / calories. The Phillip's is pricier than some others but I spent the money and have never regretted it due to the performance.

This hot sauce was my favorite but I can't find it on TJ's site. I sure hope it wasn't 86'd.

https://www.amazon.com/Trader-Joes-Jalapeno-Pepper-Sauce/dp/B0064HEIZ6

Oh no! My dearly departed cat lived for this stuff. It was a huge staple that helped get nutrition into him in his last year.

The BFF brand is far more expensive than the TJ cat tuna, but it's a solid substitute option. If you're really desperate -- cats are not known for being reasonable about food availability, and probably your reject your calm, patient explanations about the vagaries of capitalism and vendors going out of business -- then I recommend trying these: https://smile.amazon.com/Weruva-Feline-Friend-B-F-F-Variety/dp/B06X18FLFF/ (the 'red kind' is closest to the TJ kind).

Petco also has (or had??) Soulistic which has tuna-riffic options for a bit cheaper. Their Whole Hearted house brand also has a TJ cat tuna close-equivalent. All of these are a bit wetter/less dense than the TJ brand but still have that red meat-y tuna along with the appropriate kitty vitamins.

edit: I swear we went through almost every possible brand and type of wet cat food last year, constantly trying to find something palatable. I am now a wet cat food maven, AMA.

Yes please! Also I found on Amazon a verrrrrry similar tasting one. Basically can’t tell the difference! Ahmad Teas - Mango Black Tea 1.4oz - 20 Tea Bags https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WW14QM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_JSY7Bb5V5CWFQ

If your friends go to a Mother's or Sprouts, they can ask for a 500 mcg meltable melatonin and pick something up for you! Here's one by Solaray (not everyone likes the lemon flavor)

https://www.amazon.com/Solaray-Melatonin-Lemon-Lozenges-Count/dp/B01FMA8662/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=500+mcg+chewable+melatonin&qid=1557890730&s=gateway&sr=8-23#customerReviews

They have some soy sauce rice crackers (see ingredient label in photos) that is amazing with the jalapeno pub cheese. The spicy/umami soy flavor goes really well with the jalapeno cheese.

If you like yakisoba and you're really lazy, you might like this (Japanese) instant version called Myojo Ippei-chan Yakisoba. It might not look like much, but it's actually really good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnnk5lHQtG0

https://www.amazon.com/Myojo-Ippeichan-Yakisoba-Japanese-4-77-Ounce/dp/B0028PDFQG

It was really not great. You can do a lot better with the LGM chili crisp or my favorite this guy:

https://www.amazon.com/Chili-Oil-Crunchy-Garlic-Ounce/dp/B00BF028XQ/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2GOE2BCKMS4JU&keywords=s%26b+garlic+chili+oil&qid=1566390110&s=gateway&sprefix=s%26B+garli%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-6

chocolate cat cookies (link just to show picture)

Also check out the frozen desserts, lots of mini cakes, macaroons, and mochi. Peanut bamba (by the chips) are good and a favorite with kids, PBJ bats cut into 4 bite sized pieces, mini Brie circles wrapped in wax, pigs in a blanket (can’t remember what they are called at TJ’s), veggie samosas, and maybe fish sticks?

The reviews on Amazon might help? reviews

TJ's version was pretty gross to be honest - I tried it side-by-side with this brand on Amazon - this one is really good, the smoke is there but it's subtle.

TJ's version was just too in your face...

https://www.amazon.com/Smoked-Arbequino-Organic-Extra-Virgin/dp/B009H0MOGW/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1503133003&sr=8-5&keywords=smoked+olive+oil

I recently bought this salad container and it is so nice for a single container lunch. Since I got it I've had the same thing for lunch every day - I buy 1 bag of romaine hearts and 1 bag butter lettuce, one of those pre-cooked chicken trays, 2 bags of the oven-baked cheese bites (these are my low carb croutons), and caesar salad dressing. I get four big salad lunches out of this!

Hawaiian shirts + red oval nametags