My love of Trader Joe's

Goodness I know everyone blogs about Trader Joe's but you have to understand where I live. I live in the BOONIES. I have to drive 45 min to go to a nice grocery store and 15 to go to a mediocre one. Trader Joe's is in Palmdale so when I drive the 45 min I make sure I have a cooler in the car...

I always pick up the following:

• canned crabmeat (for crabcakes or crabdip in a jiffy)
• aborio rice (for risotto)
• goat cheese (for pizza or salads)
• parmigiano-reggiano (hello? if you have to ask...)
• heavy cream (this tastes better than the brand I get at Stater Bros.)
• basil (they have LARGE bunches for cheap so making pesto or bruschetta is cost effective and fresher than the crap at the other store)
• frozen shrimp (best quality I've found so far and I live in the desert so fresh shrimp is non existent)
• frozen raspberries/blueberries(again best quality I've found - used for smoothies, dessert sauces, sorbet, pancakes, muffins, etc.)
• quick frozen stir-fry meals (98% fat free but tasty and inexpensive)
• marscapone cheese and lady fingers (if I'm making tiramisu)
• raw almonds
• french baguette (for bruschetta, for heavy toast w/ eggs, for anything...)
• WINE