I have to admit it. I'm late for the Trader Joe's bandwagon. Yeah, I've shopped there before and found some nice products, but it took me awhile to fall in love with Joe. What took me so long, I have no idea. He certainly has some good stuff to offer.
This past weekend I found myself passing by Trader Joe's and figured I'd stop to visit. I was having a hard time finding tangerines, so I figured it would be worth stopping to see if they had any. And as luck would have it, they did. So, I picked up a bag and some green tea. For what, you ask?
I needed these two ingredients to make this, which we will talk about in more detail another day.
I was already euphoric about my tangerines, and it's all I really needed, but I strolled the aisles to see if there was anything else that struck my fancy. And I did find several things that are worthy of dedicating blog posts to, but for today I really just want to focus on this fantastic spread. Red pepper spread with eggplant and garlic.
This spread is a little smoky, a little sweet, with a touch of garlic. It has a rich taste which is pretty incredible considering it has only 15 calories per tablespoon. So, if you are looking for a way to cut down on mayo, this may very well be an option for you.
It comes in a twelve ounce jar which contains about 23 servings. And the cost? $2.29!!! Such a little bit of money for so much flavor.
I see so many ways to use this. Of course I started with a panini because that just made sense. But I can also see tossing this with some pasta topped with grilled chicken. Or maybe slathered on a cracker with my homemade mozzarella. I could even go crazy and spread this over a pizza crust instead of my usual pizza sauce. Seriously, the possibilities are endless. Endless, I tell you.
I'm going to leave you with this last picture because it's the right thing to do. Stay tuned for other awesome flavor packed, affordable goodies from Trader Joe's. There's good stuff to come.
Posts
20 comments:
Thank you for this post, I might have missed that little jar on the shelf. It looks delicious as I love red peppers, eggplant and garlic. We are getting a Trader Joe's!
Eager to hear how you like the tea! Let me know what you think. Thanks for the link.
Yay! A fellow TJ's fan:) Can't wait to hear what else you cook up with their items. Have fun!
Oh don't you love TJ? There is also an awesome Olive tapenade that will knock your socks off and it's also reasonably priced.
So, so, so, so good! I have FOUR jars in the pantry right now. Fantastic on turkey sandwiches, compliments ANY cheese - and I love to dip it with chips and guacamole. And get this... I HATE red peppers, but this spread is sooo good, I cannot stop eating it. One jar is a one jar experience - once it's opened, the lid goes into the trash! You know I have to drive nearly 3 hours to get to a TJ's... But I do it and do it happily!
I do most of my grocery shopping at on the military base- but I do love to go to trader joes. Just walking into that store makes me happy.
Love TJs and I love this post Melanie! I must try the red pepper spread! I hate mayo and I am always looking for a low calorie, high flavor alternative. Your panini looks yummy!
My mom & grandma make the Red Bell Pepper spread from scratch....it is Amazing. :)
I loved watching them make it growing up....
@Anonymous, would LOVE that recipe!
They have hierloom oranges at the moment. 2.99 a bag. I have been eating 4 every night they are so orangy! I bought 4 bags tonight.
Hi Mel,
I love Trader Joe's, but the nearest one I know of is in Hanover, MA. Is there a closer one that you go to?
Patricia
I love Trader Joes. I go there every time we go to NJ to see family. That red pepper spread is one of my favorites. You should try their Fat Free Spicy Black Bean Dip. It's delicious and also low cal.
I love that spread too! I use it for Bruschetta on French Bread any time of year. I also love buying their wild-caught salmon (in the freezer case) when I have a hankering.
That looks amazing. Ya know, another good mayo substitute is this amazing spread at Costco. It's a chipotle yogurt spread. Simply amazing!
I have to second the Olive Tapenade it is amazing! We use it all the time. makesa great alternative to sauce (or along with) on pizza, good on crackers or toast. yummy spread for sandwiches.
i think your sandwich looks mouth-watering! yummy!
Were did you get the drinking cups from????
Carrie form Canada
Oh TJ. Got to love the cheese sectoin there! I'm also obsessed with this maple yogurt they usually have in the fall, I haven't been able to find it here in the midwest TJ, but when I lived on the west coast it was my favorite item to pick up!
The roasted red pepper and artichoke tapenade is to die for. I cut up cucumbers, place a dollop of it on and pop it in my mouth. Sometimes I even eat it with a spoon.
We don't have Trader's Joes yet (though one is coming about half an hour away) and my Kroger has stopped doubling coupons, but I'm still looking forward to your posts!
Post a Comment