On 2007-08-03, Sky wrote:

Yeah, I feel very, very, very deprived! I've never been to a TJs (major
whine!). In fact, I never heard of TJs until I started reading RFC.

Don't feel too deprived. They have some good things and some good
prices on average things (milk prods), but they aren't all that. A
lot of it is yuppie/healthnut hype hiding a few exceptional items. We
finally got a store in our town and I can only think of about half a
dozen things I buy there with any regularity. Their pre-made salads
are iffy, while some of the frozen foods approach inedible. Breads
are good, but produce is a max-pac rip. In short, it's a crap shoot
and alternative shopping option rather than a replacement for a good
supermarket.

nb

notbob wrote:

On 2007-08-03, Sky wrote:

Yeah, I feel very, very, very deprived! I've never been to a TJs (major
whine!). In fact, I never heard of TJs until I started reading RFC.

Don't feel too deprived. They have some good things and some good
prices on average things (milk prods), but they aren't all that. A
lot of it is yuppie/healthnut hype hiding a few exceptional items. We
finally got a store in our town and I can only think of about half a
dozen things I buy there with any regularity. Their pre-made salads
are iffy, while some of the frozen foods approach inedible. Breads
are good, but produce is a max-pac rip. In short, it's a crap shoot
and alternative shopping option rather than a replacement for a good
supermarket.

nb

Thanks for the description, nb. Since I've never been to a TJs, I'm
rather curious to see for myself first-hand what all the hype is about
it. Considering your words, it sounds like a store I'd rarely shop but
might to buy a few select products, perhaps.

Sky

--
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On Aug 3, 10:12 am, notbob wrote:
On 2007-08-03, Sky wrote:

Yeah, I feel very, very, very deprived! I've never been to a TJs (major
whine!). In fact, I never heard of TJs until I started reading RFC.

Don't feel too deprived. They have some good things and some good
prices on average things (milk prods), but they aren't all that. A
lot of it is yuppie/healthnut hype hiding a few exceptional items. We
finally got a store in our town and I can only think of about half a
dozen things I buy there with any regularity. Their pre-made salads
are iffy, while some of the frozen foods approach inedible. Breads
are good, but produce is a max-pac rip. In short, it's a crap shoot
and alternative shopping option rather than a replacement for a good
supermarket.

Yeah, as he said, "Don't feel too deprived." We have one about 2
miles away, and almost never go there. Now, not having a close
Penzey's is a different matter

nb

--Bryan

Bobo Bonobo® wrote:

On Aug 3, 10:12 am, notbob wrote:
On 2007-08-03, Sky wrote:

Yeah, I feel very, very, very deprived! I've never been to a TJs (major
whine!). In fact, I never heard of TJs until I started reading RFC.

Don't feel too deprived. They have some good things and some good
prices on average things (milk prods), but they aren't all that. A
lot of it is yuppie/healthnut hype hiding a few exceptional items. We
finally got a store in our town and I can only think of about half a
dozen things I buy there with any regularity. Their pre-made salads
are iffy, while some of the frozen foods approach inedible. Breads
are good, but produce is a max-pac rip. In short, it's a crap shoot
and alternative shopping option rather than a replacement for a good
supermarket.

Yeah, as he said, "Don't feel too deprived." We have one about 2
miles away, and almost never go there. Now, not having a close
Penzey's is a different matter

nb

--Bryan

Oh man! This is pure torture G. I never heard of Penzey's either
until I started reading RFC. I just want to say I've been there, if
only once (with regard to TJs). I'm sure I'd love to shop frequently at
Penzey's In a way, it's a good thing there isn't one in my neck of
the woods - I'd be tempted to spend more $$ than I should!

Sky

--
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Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

"cybercat" wrote in message
...

"Paul M. Cook" wrote

So of all the millions of these things available, which is worth it? I
am
willing to experiment. I also got a couple of Di Giorno thin crust
pizzas. 2 for 10 bucks. They seem to actually have real ingredients on
them


Di Giorno thin crust is my favorite. The seasoning is good, to me. I like
the whole wheat best. Unlike
pasta, pizza is something I can stand in whole wheat. That said, I only
buy them when they are on sale.

I got hungry later last night so I popped the Di Giorno into the oven.
Gotta admit it was satisfying. I tossed some parmesan cheese onto it while
it cooled but otherwise left it as is. The sauce was good, crust was crispy
on the outside and tender on the inside - and it actually tasted like bread.
The pepperoni was thick cut and actually had a nice flavor. For a mass
produced product it was OK.

Paul

Sky wrote:
Bobo Bonobo® wrote:

On Aug 3, 10:12 am, notbob wrote:
On 2007-08-03, Sky wrote:

Yeah, I feel very, very, very deprived! I've never been to a TJs
(major whine!). In fact, I never heard of TJs until I started
reading RFC.

Don't feel too deprived. They have some good things and some good
prices on average things (milk prods), but they aren't all that. A
lot of it is yuppie/healthnut hype hiding a few exceptional items.
We finally got a store in our town and I can only think of about
half a dozen things I buy there with any regularity. Their
pre-made salads are iffy, while some of the frozen foods approach
inedible. Breads are good, but produce is a max-pac rip. In
short, it's a crap shoot and alternative shopping option rather
than a replacement for a good supermarket.

Yeah, as he said, "Don't feel too deprived." We have one about 2
miles away, and almost never go there. Now, not having a close
Penzey's is a different matter

nb

--Bryan

Oh man! This is pure torture G. I never heard of Penzey's either
until I started reading RFC. I just want to say I've been there, if
only once (with regard to TJs). I'm sure I'd love to shop frequently
at Penzey's In a way, it's a good thing there isn't one in my
neck of the woods - I'd be tempted to spend more $$ than I should!

Sky

Penzey's is heaven Just walking in your senses are innundated with herbs
and spices. There are samples set out everywhere for you to "taste" and
recipe cards hanging all over the place, free for taking. I have to stay
away from Penzey's otherwise I'd be buying all kinds of herbs and spices I
actually have no use for!

"jmcquown" wrote in message
...
Sky wrote:
Bobo Bonobo® wrote:

On Aug 3, 10:12 am, notbob wrote:
On 2007-08-03, Sky wrote:

Yeah, I feel very, very, very deprived! I've never been to a TJs
(major whine!). In fact, I never heard of TJs until I started
reading RFC.

Don't feel too deprived. They have some good things and some good
prices on average things (milk prods), but they aren't all that. A
lot of it is yuppie/healthnut hype hiding a few exceptional items.
We finally got a store in our town and I can only think of about
half a dozen things I buy there with any regularity. Their
pre-made salads are iffy, while some of the frozen foods approach
inedible. Breads are good, but produce is a max-pac rip. In
short, it's a crap shoot and alternative shopping option rather
than a replacement for a good supermarket.

Yeah, as he said, "Don't feel too deprived." We have one about 2
miles away, and almost never go there. Now, not having a close
Penzey's is a different matter

nb

--Bryan

Oh man! This is pure torture G. I never heard of Penzey's either
until I started reading RFC. I just want to say I've been there, if
only once (with regard to TJs). I'm sure I'd love to shop frequently
at Penzey's In a way, it's a good thing there isn't one in my
neck of the woods - I'd be tempted to spend more $$ than I should!

Sky

Penzey's is heaven Just walking in your senses are innundated with
herbs
and spices. There are samples set out everywhere for you to "taste" and
recipe cards hanging all over the place, free for taking. I have to stay
away from Penzey's otherwise I'd be buying all kinds of herbs and spices I
actually have no use for!



(sigh) Not everyone has a Penzey's within a 200-300 mile radius.
yes yes i know i know .... online ordering and all that.

Knit Chic wrote:

"jmcquown" wrote in message
...
Sky wrote:

Oh man! This is pure torture G. I never heard of Penzey's either
until I started reading RFC. I just want to say I've been there, if
only once (with regard to TJs). I'm sure I'd love to shop frequently
at Penzey's In a way, it's a good thing there isn't one in my
neck of the woods - I'd be tempted to spend more $$ than I should!

Sky

Penzey's is heaven Just walking in your senses are innundated with
herbs
and spices. There are samples set out everywhere for you to "taste" and
recipe cards hanging all over the place, free for taking. I have to stay
away from Penzey's otherwise I'd be buying all kinds of herbs and spices I
actually have no use for!



(sigh) Not everyone has a Penzey's within a 200-300 mile radius.
yes yes i know i know .... online ordering and all that.

Yeah, ordering online is just not the same thing as being there in
person!

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

"Sky" wrote

Oh man! This is pure torture G. I never heard of Penzey's either
until I started reading RFC. I just want to say I've been there, if
only once (with regard to TJs). I'm sure I'd love to shop frequently at
Penzey's In a way, it's a good thing there isn't one in my neck of
the woods - I'd be tempted to spend more $$ than I should!

That's why it was the first thing I did when I found out I was going
to Boston last fall ... looked up where Penzey's was. About time
I got to say I went to one in person.

Why they don't have one by Delicious Orchards near me, I don't
know.

nancy

Paul M. Cook wrote:
OK this is not about cooking. After a mere 30 years hiatus without frozen
pizzas I was tempted to try some tonight, California Pizza Kitchens were on
sale for 5 bucks for a thin crust whatever. I got a chicken and garlic and
a Sicilian. Heated up the C&G then sat down with a bottle of Mondavi
Chardonnay.

OK, not entirely bad. Tasty, crust was flavorful and residual moisture was
good, a good garlic flavor - not bad. Perhaps I have been too hard on these
latter day frozen pizzas. When I was a kid we ate them out of sheer
desperation. They were terrible. So dry as I recall that it took a quart
of water to get one of those bitches down.

I've never had a bad KPK frozen. The first one I had was a Thai, and
that may still be my favorite version.

So of all the millions of these things available, which is worth it? I am
willing to experiment. I also got a couple of Di Giorno thin crust pizzas.
2 for 10 bucks. They seem to actually have real ingredients on them

If you're near a Trader Joe's, they have a brand called Primerro that
I enjoy.


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hahabogus wrote:
Andy q wrote in :

You could add some extra toppings to it before, during or after
baking
I
suppose.

I paid $4/ea. iirc. 12" pizzas.

Enjoy,

Andy



If you are going to add stuff to frozen...why not make one from
scratch?

There's quite a difference between perhaps spending one minute cutting
up and tossing some extra sausage and peppers on a frozen pizza and
making a pizza from scratch.


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notbob wrote:
On 2007-08-03, Sky wrote:

Yeah, I feel very, very, very deprived! I've never been to a TJs (major
whine!). In fact, I never heard of TJs until I started reading RFC.

Don't feel too deprived. They have some good things and some good
prices on average things (milk prods), but they aren't all that. A
lot of it is yuppie/healthnut hype hiding a few exceptional items. We
finally got a store in our town and I can only think of about half a
dozen things I buy there with any regularity. Their pre-made salads
are iffy, while some of the frozen foods approach inedible. Breads
are good, but produce is a max-pac rip. In short, it's a crap shoot
and alternative shopping option rather than a replacement for a good
supermarket.

Not mentioned is that you can actually walk out of TJ's having paid
*less* for same-or-better-quality stuff than from the mainstream
grocery. I thought it was just an upscale-new-age-yuppie joint, myself,
until I started shopping there.


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Sky wrote:

Yeah, ordering online is just not the same thing as being there in
person!

No samples.

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Paul M. Cook wrote:

I got hungry later last night so I popped the Di Giorno into the oven.
Gotta admit it was satisfying. I tossed some parmesan cheese onto it while
it cooled but otherwise left it as is. The sauce was good, crust was crispy
on the outside and tender on the inside - and it actually tasted like bread.
The pepperoni was thick cut and actually had a nice flavor. For a mass
produced product it was OK.

Seconded. Not special; but good value for the effort spent.


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Peter A wrote:
In article b%Bsi.27275$Ya1.3138@trnddc06, says...
OK this is not about cooking. After a mere 30 years hiatus without
frozen pizzas I was tempted to try some tonight, California Pizza
Kitchens were on sale for 5 bucks for a thin crust whatever. I got a
chicken and garlic and a Sicilian. Heated up the C&G then sat down
with a bottle of Mondavi Chardonnay.

OK, not entirely bad. Tasty, crust was flavorful and residual
moisture was good, a good garlic flavor - not bad. Perhaps I have
been too hard on these latter day frozen pizzas. When I was a kid
we ate them out of sheer desperation. They were terrible. So dry as
I recall that it took a quart of water to get one of those bitches
down.

So of all the millions of these things available, which is worth it?
I am willing to experiment. I also got a couple of Di Giorno thin
crust pizzas. 2 for 10 bucks. They seem to actually have real
ingredients on them

I agree that frozen pizza have improved greatly over the past few
years. They still don't rival a good fresh made one, of course, but
the better ones can be quite tasty and they are certainly convenient.
I find that California Pizza Kitchen is one of the best brands. I also
like Amy's a lot. For more traditional styles, DiGiorno is OK but
tends to be a bit too salty. I like Red Baron's deep dish supreme
pizza. Cooking on a preheated pizza stone makes for a crisper crust.

I just looked up my ZIP at Amy's website's location finder, wondering
where they were sold, as I didn't recognize the name. I figured they
were regional. Heck, they're all around me, including the mainstream
super where I do most of my shopping. I have to stop napping in the
freezer aisles.

But my main reason for posting is that Amy's makes a "Margherita Pizza".
I've seen that name tossed around regarding Trader Joe's, and I thought
it was a brand name. Guess it's a style. Can't be the ones from TJ's,
because these aren't promoted as being imported and the ones form TJ's
seeem to be Italian.

http://www.amys.com/products/images/400/00199.jpg

As long as I'm at the site, here are Amy's pizza 18 pizza offerings:

http://www.amys.com/products/categor...rod_category=3


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