chompy's Profile
Faux Meat - Recommendations
I would love to know the recipes you use! The purchased fake meats just seem so processed.
I think it would be best to post as a new discussion on home cooking, then post a link to that thread here.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
I have gotten those at TJ's in the past, and I think they still carry them.
They go by the name of Almondina. ;-)
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
Organic cultivated frozen blueberries. Big, fat, juicy, slightly tart berries, perfect for pancakes or muffins. To me they are so much tastier than the tiny, grainy, nearly flavorless wild frozen blueberries that TJ's carries. They don't always seem to be in stock, but I've been finding them sporadically over the last several months.
For vegans missing cheese...
Sounds good! Do you find it in local stores or mail-order it?
I tried to Google it and couldn't find it at first. Turns out it's really "Nacho Mom's". Might want to edit your post so people can find it more easily.
Your disappointing purchases from Costco
Parthenon pitted Kalamata olives. For some reason, they tasted like dog food.
Please suggest fresh frozen wild alaskan salmon at TJs, Costco, or New Seasons
I like the wild Alaskan salmon burgers that are sold frozen at Costco. Great on toast with mayo and sriracha, or mayo and kimchi, or just by themselves.
I have never had great luck with frozen fish at TJ's. Seems like the vacuum-sealed packages are often not sealed very well.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 1st quarter 2012 [old]
I can taste it too, although usually it doesn't bother me as much as it does Thursday.
What is the one item you always leave Costco with?
Frozen wild salmon patties. We always run out of these before the next trip to Costco.
A decent piece of chocolate cake
Don't know about Emeryville, but I haven't ever seen chocolate cake at the Lakeshore Arizmendi.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 1st quarter 2012 [old]
The Vintage Orange Cream soda is really, really good too.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 1st quarter 2012 [old]
YEA - Coconut cookie thins. Thin, crisp and very coconutty. I thought they would be bland but I was pleasantly surprised.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 1st quarter 2012 [old]
I wasn't crazy about the falafel chips. Despite a long list of herbs and spices in the ingredients, they just didn't seem to have much flavor, and had a slightly cardboard-like texture. My kids loved 'em though, and they're not *too* junky. Maybe that's why I didn't like 'em ;-)
Chicken Parmesan Oakland/East Bay
Were you trying to go to the Berkeley location? From the Places link above, it appears that the Oakland location has closed, and Uncle Dougie's website isn't working. So maybe both shops have closed. Did you try calling?
Discontinued at Trader Joe's (started 6/19/2011) [old]
I just got the wontons at my store in Oakland, CA two days ago, so perhaps all is not lost.
Butternut squash soup
That's a good idea! I do this with summer squash soup, but didn't think of trying it with winter squash. I love that velvety texture too, so I'll have to try it.
Butternut squash soup
I've been making a very similar squash soup lately, but adding a bit of Thai red curry paste instead of curry powder. I think the spiciness is really nice with the sweetness of the squash. Also, a squeeze of lime doesn't hurt either.
Trader Joe's Holiday Items - 2011
Thanks folks, I'll have to try some of your suggestions. Sounds like it's best on something warm. The ingredient list is a little scary so I''ll try not to look at it any more. Lots of palm oil, some kind of margarine, various emulsifiers and something called "butterflavor (non-dairy)".
I did have some on some Granny Smith apple slices and it was tasty, and *almost* seemed healthy.
Trader Joe's Holiday Items - 2011
I'm curious, how do you all like to eat this spread? I've been sampling it from a spoon, but I have to admit I'm not blown away. It is sort of a strange experience, since the mouthfeel is exactly like creamy peanut butter, but the flavor is not. Perhaps it needs to be combined with something else?
Although maybe it's better if I'm not blown away, considering how much fat is in the stuff.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 4th quarter 2011 [OLD]
Yea to the fig butter. Not too seedy, nice fig flavor. Was really good on a toasted baguette that had fennel seeds on it.
BOO! Trader joe's organic peanut butter change
I think the non-organic Valencia PB is pretty good. To me it's roughly comparable to the Organic Valencia PB that's been discontinued. But of course, not organic.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 4th quarter 2011 [OLD]
Got a bag of organic red pears - can't remember the exact name - they are fantastic. Juicy, delicious, not grainy at all.
Dave's Killer Bread at Safeway in San Francisco
Has anyone seen it at local Costco stores? Sounds great.
Alternatives To East End Pizza, Alameda
I had some pretty terrible pizza from that branch of Lanesplitter about two weeks ago. In the past I've liked their pies, but this time just about killed the place for me.
Best ice cream 2011
Tried it once over a year ago and thought the soft serve was really tasty. I think I had blackberry ice cream with a chocolate dip.
They were parking the truck next to Lake Merritt occasionally but I haven't seen them there in a long long time, and last I checked their website said they have a permanent spot in GG Park.I don't know whether I would travel to SF from the East Bay for their ice cream, but it was really good. Maybe if you have a soft-serve obsession...
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 3rd quarter 2011 [Old]
I must dissent on the mini cones. I thought they were a bit soggy and that the chocolate coating had a strange flavor, as did the chocolate ice cream. The vanilla was a bit better. (Of course, I did have to try both of them, strictly for research purposes!) Overall, I would actually prefer a mini-Drumstick cone.
I agree wholeheartedly about those chocolate bars. They are both dangerously good.
Discontinued at Trader Joe's (started 6/19/2011) [old]
Yep, creamy, crunchy, salted, unsalted, all history.
Discontinued at Trader Joe's (started 6/19/2011) [old]
Yeah, it's true. My brother works for TJ's and said that the supplier for Valencia peanuts switched to growing soybeans, and they couldn't find another supplier at the same price.
It really was the best peanut butter. But when it comes to groceries - good, cheap, or consistent - just pick 2.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 3rd quarter 2011 [Old]
Are they in the frozen section? They sound good.
Food trucks: which ones are really good and which ones are just fads
Based on just one visit, I would say that the soft serve ice cream from the Twirl and Dip truck is really good. They were parked on my regular route next to Lake Merritt one day last summer and I haven't seen them since. That may be for the best, because I'm sure it would be hard to resist getting ice cream every day if they were there. And like many of the fancy trucks, it ain't cheap. But it is organic and handmade and all that. Looks like they now have a permanent spot in GG Park.
I still remember that the two flavor choices were chocolate and blackberry, and I got a swirl of both and was very happy.
www.twirlanddip.com
Bay Area Food Festivals - 2011
St. Vartan's Armenian Apostolic Church in Oakland, Annual Bazaar & Food Festival
October 7th & 8th
http://www.stvartanoakland.org/
Highly recommended!
