Natural Grocers - Grand Opening in Dallas

Natural Grocers

is opening tomorrow

in Dallas

at the

Casa Linda Shopping Center

(my neighborhood)!

I was very excited when I drove by

yesterday and saw they had their signs up!

Trader Joe's Road Trip

So, I posted this last Fall.

In response to the news that Trader Joe's

is coming to Dallas,

I have to say

I am so ecstatic!

No more 600 mile road trips!

_________________________________

(Repost from Nov 2010)

Remember about a month ago,

when I went with

my friends

Misty & Melissa

to

eat Paella

 @ San Martino Winery?

Here's how the conversation went:

(melissa) - have you tried Almond Champagne?

(me) - no

(misty) - oh my gah, it is soooo good! You have to try it

(me)  - where do you get it?

(melissa) - it's from Trader Joe's. I'm sure you can find something locally that is similar, but this stuff is really good, and it's only $5 or $6

(me) - oh, I love Trader Joe's. I wish we had one here in Texas

I have emailed them, but there are no plans anytime soon to come here

dangit!

(misty) -  I have never been to Trader Joe's

(me) - You would love it. I have once or twice - I love 2 buck chuck

(melissa) - it's great. it's 2.99 outside of california, but it's still cheap and good

 oh we should go sometime. The closest one is in St Louis

(me and misty) -road trip.. that would be so fun

(melissa) - we should plan it

(misty and me) - we should!!!

(melissa, misty and me) - blah blah blah yadda yadda

somebody said - i'm available halloween weekend,  then somebody else said - me too, and then another -  me too

Road Trip to Trader Joe's was on

Melissa would drive - she and I would share the gas

Misty would get the hotel for one night

We'd only pack one bag each to save room

for our champagne and wine

By the time I got home that night,

Melissa had already emailed the address

to the closest Trader Joe's to us in Dallas, TX

Only 600 miles away in Chesterfield, Missouri

Saturday morning we met at Misty's at 6ish

After a stop at Sonic for tea

&

Starbucks for coffee and snacks

We were on the road by 6:45AM

..and after a couple stops

 (one in Oklahoma

 by Police officer Doogie Howser

only giving us a "warning"

 thank goodness to not go 67 in a 55)

we arrived at our destination

Trader Joe's in Chesterfield

approximately 6:45 pm



 2 hours later...

 5 cases of almond champagne

too many cases of wine to count

a couple groceries

we were the happiest girls in the world

Shout out to Dave, Sue, Jean Marie and R. Chris

@ Trader Joe's

They ROCKED!!!

We left early Sunday morning - again 6ish
We got home about 5pm
Here's the SUV filled with our food and wine

 Here's just the wine and 1 box of champagne

 Here are the other 4 boxes of champagne

 Here are my groceries

I think I bought the most food
omg
The prices were unbelievable

brie, gouda, lobster ravioli,
chicken meatballs,
peppercorn garlic pork tenderloin

Doritos - Taco Flavor

Look what's making a comeback!

I haven't seen these in years!

Just the packaging brings back memories...

In honor of Cinco de Mayo week,

I just had to post them!

I believe it's the chip

that is supposed to be used

in our

Mexican Chicken recipe 

Poblano & Cheese Enchiladas

Marcela Valladolid

from the show, Mexican Made Easy

on the Food Network

totally inspired me

to make these enchiladas

using her creamy poblano strips (rajas)  recipe

( I first made these for a Glee Watching Party)

Poblano & Cheese Enchiladas

Ingredients

1 pkg tortillas (corn or flour)

2 cans green chile enchilada sauce

1 8oz Mexican sour cream (divided)

6 fresh poblano chiles (or canned, peeled)

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large white onion, chopped

3 ears corn, kernels removed

1/3 cup heavy cream

2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese

sliced pickled jalapeno peppers for garnish

Directions

Char the poblano chiles directly over gas flame on the stove or under the broiler until blackened on all sides (you can also do this on your grill). Enclose in a plastic bag and let steam for about 15 minutes or a little longer.

In a heavy large skillet, add the oil over medium heat.  When the oil is hot, add the onion (leave some for garnish). Saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the corn and cook for another 3 minutes. Set aside.

Peel and seed the poblano chiles.  Cut the chiles into 1/4 to 1/2 inch strips.  Add the strips to the onion and corn mixture. Saute until the corn is tender, another 5 minutes.  Add the heavy cream and 1/3 cup mexican sour cream; cook until bubbling, about 8 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of monterey jack cheese. Stir until melted and smooth.  Season with salt and pepper.

Place tortillas in foil.  Place in preheated oven 350 for about 10 minutes or until warm and soft.  Do not over cook these.  You can also try softening them up in the microwave.

Whisk remaining mexican sour cream with 2 cans of green chile enchilada sauce. Pour some in the bottom of a 13x9 pan to coat. 

Put some of the poblano/cheese mixture on a tortilla & sprinkle with a little more jack cheese.  Fold, and place seam down into pan. Continue until done.  Top the enchiladas with the green chile/sour cream sauce.  Top with remaining jack cheese.  Garnish with chopped onions and pickled jalapenos.

Bake at 375 for 35-45 minutes.  Let it set for about 15 minutes before serving.

Tips  - Next time I will use corn tortillas.  I really want to try them with blue corn tortilllas.  I attempted to make my own, but that's an entirely different story.  Also, I think these will be awesome with some chicken added.  I might even use incorporate some pepper jack cheese. 

Wine Pairing - I tried it with a Sauvignon Blanc - it went well.  I also tried it with a Gewurtraminer, but it was too sweet.  I thought the dish would be spicier which would complement the Gewurtraminer, but it really wasn't.