Cooking Class with Trader Joe’s

I usually do not talk about my Cooking classes but I had to talk about this new and great Class: Cooking Class with Trader Joe’s!

Thursday April 30, was a fun  evening in Murrieta !! Since I started conducting my Cooking Classes I always met wonderful people, fun, great Cooking mates, who become good friends. This evening was not an exception: Kim, Sonia, Anita, Nancy, Gina, Regina, Cheryl, and Patti joined me for 2 hours of hands-on cooking, a lot of fun, laugh and a lot of talking too. It was almost a Girl’s Night Out. Some came on their own, others came with friends or co-workers! So when Gregg ( our great Temecula -Winchester Trader Joe’s new Manager) showed up with its new TJ’s Juices ( Pomegrate Limeade and Orange Mango Breeze) and Free coupons for everyone, he saw nine ladies gathering together as old friends. But it did not frightened him at all, he say we will come back for the next Cooking with Trader Joe’s Class.

Why Trader Joe’s? First of all when I shop at TJ’s I always have some people or cashiers asking me what I will cook or do with “this
” or “that”, I started giving some explanation to customers! So I thought they will need some ” Hands-on” and I decided to start this new class.


Then we have such a busy life with our life, our job, our family, kids activities that most people end- up ordering pizza and Fast Food notalways healthy. With the actual economy, and with the Obesity problem the country is encountering it is time to go back to your kitchen, cook and save money ! Only 30 minutes to throw a diner and not in the mood to cook long meal? Get the right ingredients, fill up your pantry, freezer and fridge with the best things TJ’s offers and tada you have a great meal! I promise!

 We cook and had: Mache/endive Citrus Salad served with Tarte d’Alsace, Lentils- quinoa dish with gar;icky Langostinos, then Brioche French toasts with cherry compote and Canneles de Bordeaux with 2 sauces. 

Every ingredients, spices, broth, vegetable were from Trader Joe’s Temecula. After talking and discussing to everyone I know that everyone learned something new they will add in their cooking routines, some tricks, tips and cooking shortcuts.

You may not be a complete TJ-aholic, but here are 20 good reasons to convert and become a TJ’s Fan:
1) Value and quality.At Trader Joe’s, you’ll find everything from the very basics ( Tomato sauce, Crème Fraiche, Artisan Bread…) to high-end gourmet food ( Mushroom-Truffle flat-bread, Alsatian tart…) at prices you won’t believe. All the food is high quality and delicious, with organic and natural food options.
2) Unique products. Trader Joe’s buyers travel the world for new foods and beverages. Among them: Basque cheese, Canneles de Bordeaux…. So many things from my hometown! Only the ones that pass Trader Joe’s employee taste tests make it to stores.
3) Just food, no preservatives. When you compare the labels on Trader Joe’s products to items found at other stores, you’ll notice there is no the long list of chemicals, fillers, artificial flavors, and preservatives you find at other supermarket.
4) Nothing genetically engineered. Trader Joe’s was among the first national grocers to remove genetically modified food from its private label products. I like that!
5) Actively “green”. Trader Joe’s has made all kinds of environmental “green lists” for its commitment to responsible sourcing of food. Trader Joe’s brand eggs are all cage-free, no seafood is obtained from suppliers that are involved in seal hunts, hormone-free dairy is the norm, and all the tuna is from “dolphin-safe” water .
6) Shopping bags – They have a weekly raffle as further incentive to bring your own . I never won but hey you never know!
7) Wine and beer. In addition to great food, Trader Joe’s brings a wide and ever-evolving assortment of value-priced wines from all over the globe, including the famous “Two Buck Chuck.”
8) Fun shopping experience.hand-written chalkboard signs, lively music, and cheerful crew members in Hawaiian shirts create a fun, friendly, casual atmosphere.
9) For kids: For kids all ages, they offer contests for coloring themes ( Easter, Halloween….) and they carry natural candies, and organic Popsicles and balloon and stickers. My kids love Trader Joe’s too!
10) Food tasting: Always delicious. Every day Paula makes delicious food tasting she is really sweet and nice, she knows every costumers’ names!
11) Free Coffee tasting:Everyday they display free coffee that you can taste with Food Tasting.This is how I discovered an amazing Frair Trade Organic Coffee.
12) Fun Shopping bags:First I bought the TJ’s fabric Tote shopping bag now I have the insolated ones ( the black and red and the blue, white and black so spacious and cute!)
13) Basics and best Pantry There’s no other place to get basic like nuts and dry fruits, salads, cheeses, etc. You want to shop at the place where food is flying off the shelves and the staff can barely keep everything in stock.
14) Their Fun Comic style Flyers….the one and the only one… very informative and fun to read. Do you keep them?
15 Flowers. I like flowers in my home… they have the most amazing variety of flowers at a great prices and they last long. I am so happy to see every Spring their Lily of the Valley pots….it is like to be in France where in other Flower shops can’t you get them!
16) Home and beauty products. They have natural, organic soaps, body lotion , hand soap and they even carry Dried lavender bags for your laundry it ‘s like a trip to Provence !
17) The staff at TJ’s. Unlike at most other stores, the staff knows what they are talking about. They know the products, have tried everything, and can make good recommendations. They are friendly and helpful, and seem very happy to be working .
18) “short-cut” items,like pre-chopped mirepoix (trio of onion, celery, and carrot), pre-sliced mango, Organic Brocoli Slaw…..
19 . Having fun in the kitchen and be adventurous. Try and buy something new every time you go there.
20. Desserts selection.TJ’s has the best Desserts selection you can find anywhere else, with Domestic and Overseas flavor…Clafoutis, NY style Cheesecake, Canneles de Bordeaux et now Chocolate Canneles de Bordeaux, Strawberry cake…

Stay tuned coming up soon an Interview with Gregg and his team!

A BIG Thank you to Joey ( Murrieta Community Center ) who was taking the pictures all night!

Next Cooking Class with Trader Joe’s will be : Thursday May 28, 2009 5-7 pm… We will cook something different!
For registration click on the link:
Murrieta Community Center Park and Recreation

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