THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GUIDE + TONS OF NEW TRADER JOE'S ITEMS HAUL

[@marygrott8095]

Nice to see that the olive hummus contains olive oil instead of vegetable or canola oil!

[@KatieHespe]

Yay! We will take that win.

[@kirahastings9900]

I would check out those carrots as there was a big recall this week involving TJs, including organic.

[@KatieHespe]

I saw that…thanks for the heads up! Trader Joe’s is pretty good about pulling the recalled products.

[@OmnipresentOneness]

That soft gingerbread cookie is making me drooooool haha

[@pameladepaul1073]

If you (or anyone else) makes holiday batches of Chex mix, those pretzels would be fun substitute for the pretzel sticks! 🙂

[@leighims]

I love the standup bags!

[@KatieHespe]

Me too! So convenient and helps with bags spilling over in the car.

[@sonjacroft3016]

Thanks, Katie! Hey you could make a quick and easy sweet and salty treat with the holiday shaped pretzels… all you need is a bag of rolls and pecans. I’m sure you’ve seen this. You just put the pretzels out on a parchment lined cookie sheet, place a rolo on top, put the sheet in the oven for a few minutes to make it a little melted and then take it out and press the roll down with a pecan. I know there’s a recipe somewhere that tells how long, but that’s pretty much the gist of it.

[@KatieHespe]

Yes! Such an easy and delicious recipe. Thank you for the reminder :)

[@karebeareats]

You should do cooking videos. It would be fun to watch since you talk about making yummy recipes.

[@marygrott8095]

I grew shisito peppers last year, amd they were delicious! The way you cook them is to blister thrm on oil. I'm lookimg forward to hearing how you amd Tim like them. I'm excited to see them as a snack!

[@KatieHespe]

Interesting…it doesn’t sound hard to prepare. I may buy some fresh and try it myself.

[@annsharp9034]

Calvados is a world-famous historical apple brandy, product of Normandy.

[@JulieButterworth-o2u]

made from apple or pears.

[@wbee6381]

And TJs usually brings in a Calvados seasonally in November for the holidays. I ask after it every November but it hadn’t come in when I last checked about 10 days ago. Highly recommend to use to flambee mushrooms for extra deliciousness!

[@lose999]

We, here in Texas, love our Shiner beer. They come out with seasonal flavors every year. Shiner Bock is the normal brew. I highly recommend it.

[@KatieHespe]

Love this info! Thank you. We tried it today in our taste test and it did not disappoint!

[@debbuller1492]

Love the video my shopping list just got bigger. I can't wait to see the taste test

[@katymcgee4254]

The Shiner is good! I didn’t expect the peach part when I bought it. Tastes more like a summer beer, but still good.

[@CarrieLemieux]

Calvados is an apple and pear brandy. My very Italian grandmother makes us that nougat, homemade, every year. We all fight over it!

[@diananawrocki738]

Thank you Katie! I appreciate you and your content 💖

[@wilmamesiano1461]

I was able to get one of the pink gift bags...so pretty!!

[@KatieHespe]

Ooo I want to see the pink one!

[@isagoldfield7393]

Looking forward to the taste test🪅🥙☀️

[@nilemaiden1]

Hi Katie! Love your hauls and appreciate your effort to bring us the latest and greatest from TJ’s. Just an FYI, “petit fours” is pronounced “peti four”. Drop the t and the s. Have a blessed thanksgiving!

[@kittybreath]

After your recommendation i went Immediately to my Trader Joe's and bought 4 of the collapsible grocery tote bags. No limitations. My checkout person said they had been sold out but just got a new shipment in. I also looked for the Unibroue and Hazy IPA beers but they don't have them yet, if they will even get them.

[@Chompchompyerded]

The Granny Smith apple spread is essentially a fancy apple butter, and is really good buttered toast, though putting it on other things like saltines, matzoh, or any other bread, leavened or unleavened is good too, though it's probably best if the bread doesn't have too much flavour of its own. If you have a bread machine, either a plain white loaf or a whole grain loaf will be really good too. Dinner rolls are another good option. Mixing in a little cinnamon will make it all that much more yum!. Calvados is an apple brandy most commonly made in Europe, and originating in France, though you can find it all over Europe, and made all over Europe. It is occasionally made in the United States, but usually in very small quantities at micro breweries. As you may know, Granny Smith apples are among the most tart apples around, being outdone only by crab apples. It takes a lot of sugar to tame them down, and I'll bet that the brandy will help with that, as will the apple juice, which most likely taken from a very sugary non tart variety. Apples have a lot of natural pectin, and the fact that there's more added suggests to me that there is a lot of added liquid added. It probably needs that for the brandy and the apple juice, and for how every much lemon juice they added in. I'm not so sure it will pair with any kind of cheese, and it may end up being an alternative to a spreadable cheese such as brae or Camembert. Actually, it might be good on a cracker with triple cream brae. I can see that working really well, and if not there, put brae on a bagel and broiling it until just starting to melt (not bubbly) then pull it out and put the apple calvados spread on top o that, and you should have a super good treat. It would really need to be that kind of cheese. Anything else will probably not pair as well with it. The thing I'd put those cherry tomatoes into would be my mouth. I'm insane over cherry and grape tomatoes, except it seems that the growers in California do everything they can to remove all hints of flavour from any tomatoes they grow. I hope that it is different with these. Since they are on the vine, and the vines don't look dried out, I have hopes. I would do the same thing with some of the blueberries. One other thing I do with blueberries is add a few of them into my peanut maple syrup oatmeal in the morning. I use the all natural peanut butter (the kind where you have to stir the oil in before you use it), and I put roughly a tablespoon of maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon into a bowel of oatmeal, and stir it all up. Even without the blueberries it's addictive, but putting blueberries just kicks it up a notch. For a change, you can sub in almond butter. Somehow, almond butter and blueberries just taste like they were made for each other. If you're not allergic to nuts, any sort of nut butter with blueberries will make an outstanding oatmeal breakfast. Of course you can always have them all by themselves. If the blueberries are good, sweet ones you can be certain none will ever go to waste. I always make my own hummus. It's so easy and it doesn't have all the chemicals in it, and therefore it doesn't have the bitterness that you sometimes taste in commercially made hummus. There are a ton of hummus recipes on the web, and as long as you have a decent blender or food processer, you should have no problem grinding up the chickpeas and adding in the sesame paste. Be careful what sesame paste you use, because there are a lot of bad ones out there which can add a bitter flavour to your hummus. I prefer to use dried chickpeas (aka garbanzos), rehydrating them overnight, then changing the water once or twice. If you can rehydrate them in a plastic or Corningware or glass bowl, it will be better. Somehow, chickpeas will often take on a metallic taste if soaked in a stainless steel or tin pot. Another advantage to making your own is that you can control the amount of salt which you put in, and can really dial that in to your own personal tastes, and also, you can use a really great olive oil if you can get a hold of some, and you can make your own toppings out of fresh ingredients or whatever you want, and you can do it at the last minute so that you aren't stuck with whatever you happened to buy. If you're not feeling one thing, you can make another. Not feeling the olives? Try some peppers, some eggplant, or any mix that hits your fancy, including some wilted spinach and vinegar, or even nothing but the hummus alone. It doesn't take long to grind them up, and you can make as much or as little as you want. I always make enough so that I have a little around for an emergency meal.

[@poketographyyy]

Hahaha, looks like you got the Bag and got the Bag-LITERALLY. Trader Joe’s is opening up its own version of a parcel economy. In bag form, of course. 🛍️ Thanks for the great haul! Can’t wait to see the taste test tomorrow.

[@KatieHespe]

Oh man you are right on the money with that one. They are making $$$ on all these reusable bags.

[@lisatowan4536]

I really, really needed a Katie video today! I'm excited for the big taste test. I just went to Trader Joe's, but you've got me wanting to go back and ask about the bags.

[@KatieHespe]

Ahh yes, the bags are pretty cool!

[@lose999]

Katie, my store has the diamond cabernet sauvignon for $19.99 and since my birthday is 12/11 I gifted myself a bottle.

[@KatieHespe]

Wow that is amazing!! I’ll be looking out for it in my store. Thanks for the heads up and happy early birthday!

[@connych4796]

17:18 Cashel is pronounced with the emphasis on the “cash”. The “el” sounds like the “le” at the end of castle. Cashel Blue cheese is one of my favorite cheeses.

[@kathymillier5936]

I’m feeling like the baguette with some Brie and fruit spread wound be a good pairing.

[@kristenahubbard3338]

I tried the blue cheese potato chips. TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING. I like me some bleu cheese but I ate two and thru the rest out. Not a win for me. Hope you like them.😊

[@KatieHespe]

Oh no :( we tried them today in the taste test and they were flavorful to say the least. I had 2 and really liked it but I can see what you mean.

[@sr9802]

Thank you for the heads up on the bags! I ran out this morning and got them. Looking forward to the taste test and I also bought the shrimp popsicle things so looking forward to seeing your review. 😊

[@KatieHespe]

Woohoo!

[@laurawilliams1991]

Katie, you weren’t kidding about the collapsible bag being ssshhhhh super secret! Thank you so much for giving us the news!!! The manager saw me looking lost and asked me if I wanted a bag and I scored one! Thanks to you of course! I feel like I won the lottery. I always miss out on the bags!

[@KatieHespe]

Haha it’s so funny how low key they are being about these bags. I guess the crazy lines have made them adapt and hold them in the back.

[@juliewilburn2942]

Oh girl you have me wanting to go now but I can’t until December!!!! It’s two hours away!!!!! I hope they have some of these items when I go!!! ❤

[@KatieHespe]

I hope so too! I wish they kept the new and seasonal items on their shelf longer than a week. There are some things I would buy weekly that are seasonal.

[@juliewilburn2942]

@ agreed!!! Have a wonderful weekend!! 🎉

[@dsmith6601]

Those french onion soup crocks shown on the popcorn bag have been around for 50+ years. It’s actually the perfect way to show the flavor of the popcorn. Not odd at all!

[@kbrathwai]

BREAKING NEWS.....TODAY AT TRADER JOE'S IN HARLEM (MANHATTAN) NYC, I SAW THE REUSABLE GIFT BAG & I GOT TWO OF THEM FOR $ .79 CENTS & I ALSO SAW THE BIG BAG THAT FLATTENS FOR $ 3.99 & I GOT THE CANDY CANE BODY SCRUB AS WELL!!! I WILL DEFINITELY LOOK FORWARD TO SEE THE TRADER JOE'S HOLIDAY REVIEWS!! HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING ✨️🥦✨️🍬✨️❄️✨️🎉✨️🍎✨️☕️✨️🛍✨️

[@AlwaysHavingFun951]

I'm going to have to pay another visit to TJ. I saw a few things in your video I need to go back to get! Lol

[@lisalay162]

Put the stars and pretzels together in a bowl…sweat & salty😁

[@ashleyfarnsworth3234]

So excited for taste test!

[@catmama54]

Chips are my weakness too more so than sweets I I could never give up chips. I know they’re very bad for my stomach, but I just love chips, popcorn, pretzels. Looking forward to the taste test.

[@KatieHespe]

Yes same! Love me a good potato chip!

[@aimeeparrott9204]

I got the pink gift bags yesterday at my store! They're super cute. Great haul as always!! This one was a monster!!!

[@KatieHespe]

I want the pink one!

[@aimeeparrott9204]

@KatieHespe I hope you can find one! I wonder if it's regional or just luck of the draw?

[@zeideerskine3462]

I am also looking forward to Aldi holiday specialty taste test.

[@adoptingjoseph]

Calvados is a brandy made with apples.

[@OnyxKat12]

That was a fun haul....thank you! ❤❤❤

[@marthawatkins8977]

Thanks Katie! Shame on Trader Joe's! I don't need anymore bags, but they just keep putting out cute bags I can't say no to! 🤣 I'm heading there tomorrow to pick up soup (I love their soups), and goodies to make platters and give as gifts. Thanks to you I have my list ready.

[@bonnielemmon8493]

Katie, we do appreciate your effort and time for your videos. Another week that my list will be longer. Great items are coming in now. I have a question. I thought they recalled a bunch of carrots? They were saying Kroger, Whole Foods, Walmart brand Trader Joe’s and more stores I’ve never heard of. Did you hear anything about this? The taste test will be a fun one I can tell.

[@KatieHespe]

Yes they did recall carrots. Trader Joe’s is really good about pulling the bad lots off the shelves. They wouldn’t put the old ones out. We were all fine eating the ones I bought thankfully. Thank you for looking out for us though!

[@bonnielemmon8493]

@ Thank you for the information. I always trust your opinion

[@kbrathwai]

MS. KATIE THE PINK REUSABLE BAG IS CALLED."EAT DRINK & BE MERRY WITH TRADER JOE'S ". ✨️🎉✨️🛍✨️☕️✨️🍎✨️❄️✨️🛍

[@mslulu17]

The almond cringle is one of the best desserts I have ever tasted! My son and daughter in law agree. The blue cheese dip with the pecans..though the was plenty of blue cheese and it was very tasty to me and my daught in law, no pecans flavor at all..a little disappointed

[@irener1111]

Katie, do you ever eat the Harvest Blend? It makes such a good side dish and has so many good grains and fun textures in it. The asparagus would be a great addition to it. I cook mine in veggie stock.

[@jenniferwellman5311]

I see, melting a Rollo candy on those pretzel shapes.

[@alexandrahe4125]

Yes we still have gingerbread oat creamer down here in Florida! And the expiration is end of January so I’ll def be stocking up on a couple extra.

[@KatieHespe]

Woohoo! Lucky!

[@Abcdlmnop-w4n]

So many yummy things! 😋

[@sherrieshatzen3801]

Calvados is made in Normandy (in France). It is a hard apple cider.

[@KatieHespe]

Oh that sounds great!

[@wbee6381]

No actually it’s a brandy made from apples rather than grapes

[@Patsay9053]

My Trader Joe’s (in Southern California) still had the gingerbread creamer in stock 😊

[@KatieHespe]

Hmmm maybe my store just ran out. I’m in southern ca as well.

[@julieeskue2235]

I was at Trader Joe’s today and my store had the Gingerbread creamer. I’m in Texas.

[@kmansf1]

We had the pink little gift bags they are super cute

[@KatieHespe]

I need to see the pink!

[@quorrakai]

Our store had a ton of the gingerbread creamer last weekend. I bought one to try! Bummed that I haven’t seen the ground gingerbread coffee yet. Wondering if they discontinued it. I hope not!

[@stephaniebarker472]

"Boule" is a french word. It's pronounced like "Bool" and basically means "ball" (huh, huh, Tim... I said "ball"). Bon Apetit!

[@KatieHespe]

😂😂😂

[@radtech71]

Yay for a BIG taste test!!!!

[@kellyphelps2739]

My store had the gingerbread oat creamer. I bought 3 of them! 😳

[@KatieHespe]

Oooo lucky!

[@kbrathwai]

GREETINGS MS. KATIE....I ALREADY SAW YOUR OPINION ON THE MINI CANVAS TOTE BAG DATED 8 MONTHS AGO& I ALREADY BOUGHT IT ON 9/18/24. IN FOREST HILLS QUEENS, NYC. THANK YOU & I WILL SUPPORT TRADER JOE'S & I PREFER THE BAG FOR $2.99.

[@kdee2596]

Apple butter is great on biscuits or toast so I'm hoping the spread will be the same😊

[@JulieButterworth-o2u]

Does Tim eat the chichen ranch dip as is or does he heat it up? Great haul. Thanks

[@KatieHespe]

He tired it heated up and wasn’t a big fan. He will spread it over bread, with pepperonis and Swiss cheese on top and toast it. It doesn’t hear the dip too much but just enough to make it warm and it’s his favorite!

[@TheTerakitty]

How are the mini mushroom Tartes??

[@CRG_]

That moon bag 😭

[@kbrathwai]

GREETINGS MS. KATIE....WONDERFUL HAUL & DID YOU EVER DID A REVIEW OF THE TRADER JOE'S MINI CANVAS BAGS & DID YOU HAVE ONE IN YOUR SHOPPING COLLECTION? THANK YOU & HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING ✨️🛍✨️🎉🛍✨️☕️✨️❄️✨️🍎✨️🍞✨️🥦✨️

[@KatieHespe]

Yes I did, when they first came out! Glad you got some of your own!

[@kbrathwai]

​@KatieHespe THANK YOU. KATIE & AS ALWAYS I WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOU & THE TRADER JOE'S PRODUCTS!!! HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING!!! ✨️🛍✨️☕️✨️🍎✨️🎉✨️❄️✨️🍬✨️🥦✨️

[@jamieflint2550]

My trader Joe's said they have been getting only two boxes per day of the new collapsable bags in their nightly shipments - so the have had them every day since they came out, but will run out in morning. (Instead of getting one huge shipment like the mini bags). I went at 10am today and they had only three left! I think a busier store will run out earlier though

[@KatieHespe]

Ya that makes sense. The store I shop at still had some and it was 2pm so that’s a good sign!

[@TheTerakitty]

Easter 🐣 is holiday 😅

[@helenjackson2971]

Trio of chocolate “Bool”. French for balls, usually bocce ball sort of thing.

[@KatieHespe]

They were so good!

[@likemoto1872]

I’m curious about the Amaretti cookies because one of the ingredients is apricot kernels. I had to google it

[@moniquehernandez97]

When do you think is the BEST day to get the new items and bags?? I seem to always miss it 😢

[@KatieHespe]

So new items typically drop Wednesday evening so I would say Thursday morning is the best day. Now for the bags that really depends. They have been releasing them on random days but I think you will be lucky to get one on Wednesday or Thursday

[@moniquehernandez97]

@ Thank you so much. 😊 I really appreciate it. That makes sense I usually go on Monday mornings. I have now two Trader Joe’s close to my area so I hope I can find some great items. Again thank you 😊

[@sigihood3932]

Love the chicken ranch I buy 2 when I go to t g love love ❤️♥️🧸

[@KATHLEEN-i2g]

Calvados is a french brandy made from apples and pears

[@stephanieschmidt3987]

Does TJs have a gingerbread house this year?

[@KatieHespe]

I haven’t seen it yet

[@Truthseeker351]

Petee fours

[@KatieHespe]

Haha that sounds like a birds name Petey.

[@Truthseeker351]

@KatieHespe pronounced Pet ee

[@TheTerakitty]

@@KatieHespe 🤦🏻‍♀️ noooo

[@helenjackson2971]

CAL va dos

[@TheTerakitty]

How hard is it, to see how things are pronounced before you do these videos?? 😅😬🤦🏻‍♀️

[@KatieHespe]

I DON’T CARE 🤷🏼‍♀️