YumSugar

Simply Delicious Garlic Bread From Trader Joe's

Yum Community — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:38:05 PDT

We're not the only ones who love Trader Joe's products! Here, Lauren praises their scrumptious bread.
My new favorite product at Trader Joe's is an organic white cheddar roasted garlic bread. It is a small loaf, but it is full garlic cloves that roast as the bread cooked, so it is nice and mild in flavor. The hint of cheddar cheese is barely detectable, but adds a nice crunchy crust on the top. I sliced it thin, topped it with basil olive oil, and baked it until it was golden! I served the bread alongside a tomato pasta dish and it was divine. I even tried the same technique on the bbq with great results as well. So if you have a Trader Joe's close by, pick up a loaf and I might even try to make my own roasted garlic bread!
Do you have a favorite Trader Joe's item? Tell us about it in the YumSugar Community.

Thai Green Curry Chickpea Burritos

Yum Community — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 04:17:46 PST

We know you're huge fans of Trader Joe's. Here, resident vegan girla shares her recipe for Thai green curry chickpea burritos. All of the ingredients can be found at your local Trader Joe's.

When we were visiting my sister in Northern California recently, she made us these fabulous burritos. The ingredients are from Trader Joe’s, so I was sure to pick the items up before returning to Trader Joe’s-less Colorado. Taste of Thai makes a green curry paste that could be substituted in with some coconut milk. However, a sub for the Cumin and Chickpea mix also required for the recipe was hard to locate. So if you’re lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe’s, or have a generous relative to send you TJ loot, this recipe is for you. Are you listening, sis?

Keep reading for the uncomplicated and delicious-sounding recipe.

Yummy Links: From Chicken Breasts to Mac and Cheese

YumSugar — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:37:25 PST

How to cook moist and tender chicken breasts. - The Kitchn
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign. - Obama Foodorama
An update on Grant Achatz's upcoming eateries Next and Aviary. - Eater Chicago
A backstage look at Martha's appearance on Letterman. - The Martha Blog
Four things you should not buy at Trader Joe's. - CBS MoneyWatch
A brownie mix that's worthy of its steep price tag. - Chow
Jimmy Fallon will be the guest judge on tomorrow's episode of Top Chef All-Stars. - The Feast
Must make: granqueso and serrano ham macaroni and cheese. - 30 Days 30 Ways With Macaroni and Cheese

You Say Tomato, I Say Kumato

Susannah Chen — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:11:29 PST

Meet the Kumato: it's my new favorite food item from Trader Joe's. I know it's not exactly tomato season, but I discovered them while I was shopping for tomatoes to put into my beloved roast beef sandwich.

Brown tomatoes? I wondered as I inspected the label. They had an intriguing greenish-reddish tinge to them, and at less than $4 for five, I couldn't resist taking a few home. They turned out incredibly succulent, with an herbaceous aroma and a rich, sweet, earthy flavor.

The odd-looking variety was developed by Syngenta several years ago. It's got a higher sugar content than most tomatoes and a durable, thick skin that doesn't bruise easily and gives the tomatoes a longer shelf life. It's now grown across Europe, as well as in Canada and Mexico. While I try not to eat tomatoes outside of the Summer season, I have a new go-to when it's unavoidable, and that's the Kumato tomato. It'd be delicious (and beautiful) in a Caprese salad or bruschetta with other red and yellow oranges. Have you ever tried a brown tomato?

Let's Dish: What's Your Favorite Food Item at Trader Joe's?

Susannah Chen — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 04:17:26 PST

For more than three years, Trader Joe's has been YumSugar readers' favored grocery chain, and I'm just as big of a fan. In particular, I'm in love with the products unique to their stores, from lentil chips to fleur de sel caramel sauce. My preferred proprietary item, the Cilantro & Chive Yogurt Dip, even has a recipe for roast beef and arugula sandwiches to go along with it. That said, I'm sure I've missed more than a few good items in the aisles of my local Trader Joe's. What are your favorite food products to buy from TJ's? Do share with the rest of us.

Love Trader Joe's? Then You've Got to Make This Recipe

Susannah Chen — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:55:11 PST

Since you've crowned Trader Joe's your favorite grocery store three years in a row, I've decided I'm long overdue to share something with you: my top TJ's product, and the definitive recipe to go with it.

I've always loved the half-healthy, half-indulgent quality of the chain's Cilantro & Chive Yogurt Dip. It's wonderful spooned atop silvers of smoked salmon and thick-cut chips, blended with buttermilk for a unique dressing, or as a dip for carrots and celery. But I can't take credit for the hands-down best way to enjoy this: in a sourdough bread and roast beef sandwich. That brilliant idea goes to my best friend, who came up with this simple yet amazing combo when she didn't have any condiments in her refrigerator.

This sandwich, which contains items that can be found at all Trader Joe's stores, may not sound like anything special, but make no mistake - it's amazing. I've had it for lunch every day this week. Want the recipe? Then read more.

Your Favorite Grocery Store of 2010

YumSugar — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 09:00:52 PST

We know every tasty meal starts with its ingredients, so we wanted to know: where did you get yours this year? With 34 percent of your votes, one grocer came out on top! Congrats Trader Joe's, our 2010 readers' choice for best grocery store.

We can't get enough of TJ's, and apparently great minds think alike - you also crowned the affordable grocer top pick in 2007 and 2008. This year the store adopted sustainable seafood standards, and it was our go-to spot for everything from cheese to chips to Sauvignon Blanc. Whether you're a fan of the store's self-branded goodies (like my personal faves the Thai Vegetable Gyoza and the Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches) or you like to stock up on two-buck Chuck, TJ's carries a unique selection of foods that's easy on the wallet.

Let's also raise a glass of Chuck to Whole Foods, who came in second with 26 percent of the votes. And be sure to check out all our other Best of 2010 polls and winners as we close out another delicious year.

Yummy Links: From Bacon Soda to Four Loko

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:30:56 PST

Bacon-flavored soda taste-tested: see the results! - The Epi-Log
The first-ever Michelin Guide Chicago awards Alinea, L20 three stars. - Eater CHI
Tips for cooking your turkey in parts. - Serious Eats
The French Culinary Institute is opening a California location. - Grub Street NY
Who really makes Trader Joe's branded products? - Chow
From seafood pie to pumpkin risotto: unconventional Thanksgiving recipes. - Salon Food
Texas firm recalls ready-to-eat turkey products. - CNN
The FDA is likely to ban sales of alcoholic caffeinated beverage Four Loko. - Time

Source: Flickr User theimpulsivebuy

Trader Joe's to Adopt Sustainable Seafood Standards

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:15:14 PDT

Trader Joe's is following in the footsteps of stores like Target and Safeway, announcing plans to sell only sustainably sourced seafood by the end of 2012. The phase-out, which applies to all fresh, frozen, and canned seafood in the chain's stores, comes after pressure from environmental groups, and was first posted on the Trader Joe's website.

There, the grocer revealed that, in addition to the mandatory country of origin and wild/farm raised labeling, they also plan to include information on species' Latin names, origin, and catch or production method.

It's a big move for Trader Joe's, which has historically been ranked the lowest of any national grocery chain in the sustainable seafood department. Still, with a number of stores - like Costco, H.E.B., and Meijer - yet to take action, there's a lot of room for improvement. Where do you shop when seeking out eco-friendly seafood choices?

Source: Flickr User arnold | inuyaki

Fig Pizza Pie Piled High With Arugula: That's Amore

YumSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:15:40 PDT

A while back I maintained that I didn't like pizzas topped with salad, but I couldn't resist trying Bon Appetit's recipe for a Gorgonzola, prosciutto, and fig pizza topped with arugula salad. To make it even easier, I purchased a bag of premade dough from my local Trader Joe's. I hate to admit it, but the simple preparation of the dish meant that I had a scrumptious Summer meal in less than half an hour. The sweet figs and peppery arugula are a perfect match to the salty prosciutto and flavorful Gorgonzola. There is no sauce on the pizza, but the creamy balsamic dressing on the salad makes up for it. While I still love keeping my salad and pizza separate, combining the two can also be a fantastic option. If you want to eat your pizza and salad without ever lifting a fork, keep reading.