Would you believe I just visited my first Trader Joe's a couple of months ago? Yep, it happened on the way back to the lake from visiting my granddaughter in Atlanta. There were none near where I lived in Miami, so this is as close as I have ever gotten to one. I was so excited my knees were shaking ...
I'll have to say I was a bit disappointed, not exactly what I thought it would be; but I will tell you what did impress me... the cheese department and some of the frozen fish, such as mahi-mahi which I haven't had since I moved here from Florida. The price is terrific, $5.64 for a pound of freshly frozen mahi mahi from Peru. I made my recipe last night with a citrus soy marinade and it was better and less expensive than the frozen fish I get at the grocery store. If you can't get fresh, freshly frozen is the way to go.
One of the exciting things I also found at the store was a tin of smoked trout. I have been wanting to try this in a salad for a long time and I finally did. Try substituting goat cheese for feta and dill for chives for another day. This will be terrific this summer, so stock up!
I think Trader Joe's is great for young couples, with or without families. My son and daughter in law love it and go there all the time. They find the ready made frozen meals and the Two Buck Chuck a great buy. No comment...but I think some of the old timers like me might find it a bit... been there, done that!
(serves 2-3)
Ingredients
250-300g hot smoked ocean trout, skin removed
1 long Lebanese cucumber, peeled and cut into small chunks
2-3 ripe yellow or red tomatoes, cut in half and then sliced into half rounds
handful chives, sliced into fine rounds
Persian feta, crumbled (goat cheese would be fine also)
baby radishes, finely sliced (optional)
For the dressing:
juice of half a large lemon
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
Directions
Flake the hot smoked ocean trout. Gently toss it with the cucumber, tomatoes and chives in a large bowl. Add the fetta, pour over the dressing and toss lightly again. Arrange on serving plates.
I just found your lovely blog... wonderful stories and beautiful settings!
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog but never commented ~ thanks for the great recipes and ideas. You are a constant source of inspiration!
ReplyDeleteToo bad you couldn't have know Trader Joe's 25 years ago, when it wasn't yet nationwide and was just a small chain in California. Alas, great success probably added some benefits, but removed others . . .
lost and anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThank you, we do aim to please and provide interesting and useful content. Glad it's being recognized! Please come back soon and leave your comments, they are most appreciated.
Anonymous, I realize I am late to the party and also a different generation and type of consumer. In spite of that I did walk out with $50 worth of groceries. Love the brioche rolls and wish they had loaves so I could make french toast and bread pudding! That would get me there every week but then again, how many people think of this stuff!