I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook: More Than 150 Delicious Recipes Using Only Foods from the World's Greatest Grocery Store

I have great affection for Trader Joe's (TJ's) grocery stores but unfortunately there are none in Colorado. Trips for business and pleasure usually include a stop at any local shops so my pantry can be restocked. Knowing my appreciation of TJ's wonderful products this book was a well thought out gift that I received this past Christmas. The author deserves recognition for including over 150 recipes when the trend of cookbooks I've recently looked at is around 60 to 70. Granted, some of the recipes are quite brief - like Cherry Crostini with Pecorino Romano which only has four ingredients - one of which is a loaf of bread -- but most have a range of complexity from easy to somewhat advanced. Recipes I've tested include Chile Crab Chowder, Roasted Mushroom Polenta Stacks, Turkey with Green Chile Sauce and Roasted Asparagus with Hazelnuts and Clementines. Without fail, the results were delicious and all are dishes I will definitely prepare again. The author is clearly quite accomplished. She succeeds at taking a basic idea and adding a unique slant taking the dish to a new level. Other reviewers spoke of taking a cooking class from her, and given what I've tested from her cookbook, I'd welcome the opportunity. Most of the recipes do not require an exact match of a TJ's product in order to prepare the dish, but some do, or at least will require some manipulation of several products to reach an acceptable substitute -- for example the Roasted Red Pepper and Artichoke Tapenade or Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar. The structure of the book is clear and logical -The inclusion of the amount of time required to prepare the recipe is very helpful and often left out of cookbooks. There is no nutritional information given, but that is usually the case. The pages are a reasonably slick paper that should permit any small spills and splashes to be quickly wiped up. A cookbook holder is necessary because, except for the middle section of the book, the binding doesn't stay open when laid on a countertop. The font size is overall quite readable and although I prefer all black for ease of use, the dark brown used for the recipe ingredients is still easy to see. There is a definite lack of pictures of the dishes. I counted less than 30 photographs representing the more than 150 recipes contained in the book, and an annoying number of those pictures are of a single ingredient - like an avocado or a group of three tomatoes. Most of us know what tomatoes and avocados looks like, and would prefer to see a picture of a prepared dish. If each photo page was simply divided in quadrants, four different dishes (with captions) would permit the majority of the recipes to be illustrated with little additional expense to the publisher and significant benefit to the user. Cookbooks are tools used in the kitchen and should be designed as such. Usually the author has no control over the design decisions and publisher's budget -- but she does control the recipes - and they

I love this new cookbook! It has all the great recipes to use the wdonderful Trader Joe Products. I have purchased many for stocking stuffers for the holiday season! It is such a fun read also, I find myself laughing aloud at many of Cherie's commentaries and her chapter introductions. The book is a treasure and I'm so glad to see it published. Congratulations, Cherie!

I am a frequent shopper of Trader Joe's; and this gem of a cooking book has enticed me to explore deep into the crevasses of my "local Joe". Not only have the recipes encouraged me to try more TJ's products, Cherie Mercer Twohy has inspired me to try new flavors and combination's of foods with her wisdom from her "years" of shopping at Trader Joe's and as a professionally trained chef. You will want to read this cook book from cover to cover. The introduction is FILLED with how to get the best from your Trader Joe's, and most of the recipes include tips and/or a personal comment and sometimes a bit of humor, "Dental floss works great for cutting the goat cheese--just make sure to use the plain version, not the minty-fresh." If you shop at Trader Joe's, you are probably concerned with the quality of food you eat. With this book you get the quality of TJ's products included in recipes that will put smiles on the faces of your family and friends and build your confidence as a cook. Oh! And most of the recipes, from starters to entrée's and dessert, can be prepared and served in 45 minutes or less. Cherie has also included recipes that are vegetarian and gluten free. I especially appreciate the Hoardables and Pantry Staples List at the end of the book, because I was one of the victims of TJ's amazing frozen Pie Crust becoming a seasonal item. Take my word, you won't be disappointed.

Rarely has a cookbook engaged me so much that I couldn't put it down and had to read it in one sitting. "The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook" is just such a book. With its hip layout, and page after page of mouth-watering photos and 'must taste immediately' recipes, this book will make you run -- not walk -- to your nearest Trader Joe's to snatch up these ingredients and get cooking! Who knew it was this simple to whip up such tantalizing creations as "Roasted Pear, Prosciutto and Goat Cheese Parcels" or "Pumpkin Cranberry Cake with Pumpkin Butter-Mascarpone Slather"? Cherie Mercer Twohy spells it out for you in the style of a fun friend in your kitchen, sharing her professional culinary expertise and insider tips on how to navigate your local Joe's (with an eye toward those precious 'hoardable' commodities)..... Convenience has never tasted so good. In fact, it's gone gourmet!