I’m a former line cook who loves to shop at Trader Joe’s. Here are 7 items I always buy for my partner and me.

As a former line cook, it’s probably no surprise that I enjoy cooking. Now that I’ve entered the corporate world, though, it’s more important than ever to keep my fridge stocked with meals that keep me fueled and focused.

That’s why I love shopping at Trader Joe’s for fresh, flavorful, and affordable products. Here are seven of my favorite things to get there.

I always like to keep baby broccoli in my fridge.

When I shop at Trader Joe’s, I always go for the vegetables first, and baby broccoli is one of the many staples I grab.

My partner and I enjoy it roasted with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. It’s one of those vegetables that always does its job with minimal fuss.

Sugar snap peas make the perfect snack.

Snap peas make a great afternoon snack and are a fun vehicle for hummus. I even like to cut them up and scatter them atop a warm bed of couscous.

Trader Joe’s organic chives make the perfect garnish.

Cooking in a restaurant taught me that a plate is never complete without a garnish. So, I always grab a package of Trader Joe’s organic chives to liven up my meals.

I love Trader Joe’s Greek yogurt.

Trader Joe’s Greek yogurt makes a creamy, sweet, and satisfying breakfast. Before indulging, I like to stir chia seeds into my container, allowing them to plump up in the yogurt’s richness.

I always keep a few boxes of Trader Joe’s mini vegetable samosas in my freezer.

Trader Joe’s vegetable samosas are my kryptonite, with their crispy exterior and spicy, savory filling. I aim to keep two to three boxes in my freezer at all times.

Whenever Trader Joe’s has cauliflower gnocchi in stock, I grab a bag.

Last year, my nearest Trader Joe’s store chronically sold out of cauliflower gnocchi. So, I’m always happy to find them now.

I like to lightly fry the gnocchi with Trader Joe’s chile-lime seasoning, making them reminiscent of bang-bang cauliflower.

Trader Joe’s pancake bread tastes like Sunday brunch.

As the sign on the display suggests, I think Trader Joe’s pancake bread is best served warm with butter on top. Whenever I eat it, I feel as though I’m transported to Sunday brunch at my favorite diner.

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