Trader Joe's Favorites...My Pantry Must Haves!

Trader Joe’s is one of my favorite stores to food shop. I make a least one trip a week to my Trader Joe’s, and usually purchase the same things, with a few change ups every now and then. What can I say, I am a creature of habit. I always get fresh flowers, usually lilies, tulips, hydrageas, or mums.

I love fresh flowers, but they are most certainly not the only reason I am going to Trader Joe’s every week. Trader Joe’s has fresh meats and veggies, a nice freezer section, and also a great beer and wine selection. Whenever I am entertaining, I get my goodies from TJs. I honestly could go on and on, but this blog is about my pantry must haves.

Here are my Trader Joe’s pantry and fridge staples...

Tomato and Basil Marinara Sauce - This simple marinara sauce is my go to sauce for a quick meal. The sauce is tasty as is, but I usually zhuzh (juje) it up by sauteing fresh chopped garlic in olive oil and adding it to the sauce and tossing with gluten free pasta.

Harissa Paste - Harissa paste is very spicy African paste that is bursting with flavor. I will caution that this paste, a little goes a long way. I like to marinade chicken and shrimp in the harissa paste, and then grill and serve with rice and veggies.

Pesto Sauce - Trader Joe’s pesto sauce packs a lot of flavor in a small jar. Pesto sauce is primarily a basil, garlic, and olive oil sauce. Pesto sauce is great tossed with your favorite pasta, and works as a great marinade for a baked chicken dish.

Soy Chorizo - Trader Joe's soy chorizo is by far my favorite chorizo around. It is a little spicy and perfect for a breakfast of chorizo and eggs. The price is right, the serving size is perfect, and the taste is amazing.

Chicken Stock - I think it is important to always have chicken stock or broth on hand in the pantry to quickly whip up a soup or a sauce. If you make your own awesome. But on those occasions when you need stock, and do not have any of the homemade kind in your fridge or freezer, the TJ chicken stock should be in your pantry.

Frozen Brown Rice - I love Trader Joe's frozen brown, and literally have multiple boxes of it at all times in my deep freezer. Three bags of rice comes in each box, and you just pop it in the microwave for three minutes and voila you have perfectly cooked brown rice.

Chopped Onions - I love by bag of chopped onion. Sure I could chop onions myself, but when you are pressed for time and trying to get a meal on the table for your family on a busy week night, pre chopped onions come in handy. Trust me, they are so worth it.

Garlic Cloves - When I first spotted Trader Joe’s peeled garlic cloves in their produce section I was so excited. I cook with a lot of garlic, and this product is convenient and of good quality. The fresh, peeled, and vacuum sealed garlic cloves makes adding fresh garlic to your meal easy.

Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is a staple in my pantry because of its many uses. I use it for cooking, and making granola. I also pour a bit into a separate container in keep in my bathroom for use as a beauty product.

Lemonade Tea - I keep Trader Joe’s lemonade tea because it is perfect for just sipping while sitting outside on a nice day, and to serve when having guests over. For a nice cocktail, add a splash of rum and garnish with a lemon slice and fresh mint.

Are you a Trader Joe’s shopper? If you are what’s on your must have list? If you are not currently a shopper, then maybe you will be soon. Hopefully you have a close Trader Joe’s by so you can enjoy their products too. Let me know your thoughts on my pantry must have. Please share yours!

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