Cookaholics Bulletin Board

All,

So TJ's has gotten some new and changed items over the last year -- quite a few, actually -- and I, of course, have comments on many of them. And one I don't know how to use! (but, of course, bought anyway)

• Trail Mix Granola: this is TJ's best granola yet, full of chewy things. It's replaced the Ginger Cashew granola for me.
• Veggie Breakfast Sausage: TJ's has changed suppliers for this. The new supplier is crap; they actually add nitrates to the veggie sausage so it'll taste more like cheap pork. Don't buy; stick to morningstar.
• Stayman Apples: strictly seasonal, possibly regional. TJ's is the only place we've seen these. A crispy, sour red apple, buy it now.
• Habanero-Lime Salsa: TJ's current "best" salsa for people who like hot things.
• Chocolate-Covered Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels: a really long name for some really small chocolates in a bag. Addictive; do not buy if you're on a diet.
• Blister Peanuts: tasty snacking peanuts. Better than regular for eating straight.

And the thing I don't know how to use ... black garlic. TJ's is carrying this, in little packs of two bulbs. I bought some, but now I have no idea what to do with it.

So, what are your new TJ's finds?

Blister peanuts have been in the Detroit area stores since forever. Geekboy loves them.

My sister just told me today that they enlarged ours, and have a much larger cheese section, as well as new things. I'll have to go and check it out.

Saw the black garlic here as well. I'll be waiting to see why I must have it.

If the Stayman Apples are the same as Stayman Winesap, I grew up with those in NJ and LOVED them! Sweet and tart,good bite, and the skin resembled Macs although not shiny.

They announced that the new Denver store ( which looks like the biggest TJ's I've ever seen), will be Valetine's Day. I don't think I have the intestinal fortitude to be there on opening day, but I cannot wait to be able go on a regular basis.

Hey Nancy,
Me too

I was hoping you guys would have ideas for the black garlic. I have no idea what to do with it.

Somebody gave me some black garlic when she bought it, about a year ago. It has the flavor of roasted garlic, with maybe a litthe caramelized sugar added - not at all potent, as I was expecting. As with roasted garlic, you need quite a bit to get the flavor. It was good, but nothing I ever ran out and bought, but then, I usually don't buy garlic!

So, more stuff:

Greek Yogurt Kale-Spinach Dip: if you want a bread/chip topping which is healthful but doesn't seem healthful, here it is. I like to put it on toast for breakfast, but I'm weird that way.

Smoked Mozzarella TJ's changed scamorza suppliers last year, and the new one is really good ... better than anything my local, much more expensive, cheesemonger has.

However, my big disappointment was the clarified butter TJ's is now selling in a jar. I've used it for Indian food, where it works great. But I tried last weekend to use it for Hollandaise, and had probably my first failed hollandaise in my life. Something TJs did with their clarified butter ... adding water or oil or something ... made it completely de-emulsify my sauce. And I didn't have enough eggs to drop back to using regular butter.