If you’re a Richmond native, you know we have an abundance of grocery options. From boutique grocers like Libbie Market to mega-supermarkets like Wegman’s, we’ve got the most comprehensive store selection of any city in America. One of my favorite spots for natural foods and great deals is Trader Joe’s. It’s got a bare-bones layout that helps account for its low prices but may take a little getting used to if you’re not a regular visitor. To streamline your visit, hone in on a few of my favorite items… these treats are easy to find and ready to serve, so you can spend your time sharing them with friends rather than waiting in the checkout line or working in the kitchen. Bon appetit!
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Vegetarian Fried Rice: It’s perfect to have in the freezer since it’s versatile, cooks up in five minutes and it’s a great base for a stir fry or delicious on its own. The Japanese-style fried Rice is also a treat.
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Mandarin Orange Chicken: Pair it with the Vegetarian Rice and you have a complete meal. Juicy chicken in a crispy breading with a spicy orange sauce. Consistently rated as the top-selling item by Trader Joe’s.
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Goat Milk Brie: if you love goat cheese and brie, this is a cheese lover’s dream come true. Dress it up with a little puff pastry and fig spread, and in eight minutes you’ve got yourself a classy appetizer.
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Scallion Pancakes (Pa jeon) are egg-batter-based cakes loaded with scallions, onions, leeks, carrots, and oyster mushrooms. Pre-cooked, they fry to a delicious crisp in just a few minutes and add a wonderful twist to a meal. I love them for breakfast, topped with a soft cooked fresh egg and Benedict sauce. Yum.
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Chocolate-covered dunkers. A cookie, but designed for dipping into coffee or tea. I treat myself to these with coffee on the weekend, and they are always nice to have around when friends drop in.
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Everything but the bagel seasoning: I was skeptical when I heard rave reviews about this one, but it won me over. It’s awesome in dips, on eggs, or as a topping for avocado toast. Click the link to see how one committed blogger came up with 100 uses for this delicious seasoning.
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Reduced Guilt Chunky Guacamole: A girls’ night favorite, this guacamole is made extra delicious with Greek yogurt. Try it with TJ’s sweet potato tortilla chips.
