Check out the cute box:

And for you fellow TJ lovers – you must watch this video.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Pecan Pie , originally uploaded by A Gluten-Free Guide.

Oh Whole Foods, I already loved you but now you truly have my heart. Why am I expressing such love for a grocery store? Well, aside from all of the wonderful gluten-free products that Whole Foods has carried for years, they recently added frozen gluten-free piecrusts to their Gluten-Free Bakehouse line.While in general, I prefer to make things from scratch, a flaky, gluten-free pastry crust is not that easy. I used the Gluten-Free pantry mix to make crust for a delicious gluten-free pumpkin pie last year. But when the Delphi Celiac Forums started buzzing about the Whole Foods frozen piecrusts, I knew I had to find a pie recipe to try them out. The results were incredible, the Chocolate Pecan Pie and the crust were a huge hit at my holiday soiree this year.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Pecan Pie (adapted from Karo Syrup Recipe Collection)

3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
5 ounces semisweet gluten-free chocolate
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla
1 1/2 cups raw pecans
1 (9-inch) unbaked or frozen deep-dish pie crust

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a double boiler, gently melt the chocolate and set aside to cool slightly. If you don’t have a double boiler, set up a large pyrex bowl over a saucepot with simmering water.

In medium bowl, beat eggs slightly with a fork. Add sugar, Corn Syrup, chocolate, margarine and vanilla; stir until well blended. Stir in pecans. Pour into pie crust.

Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until center of pie appears barely set. Cool on wire rack.

To use prepared frozen pie crust: Place cookie sheet in oven and preheat oven as directed. Pour filling into frozen crust and bake on preheated cookie sheet.

TIPS: Pie is done when center reaches 200°F. Tap center surface of pie lightly – it should spring back when done. For easy clean up, spray pie pan with cooking spray before placing pie crust in pan. If pie crust is overbrowning, cover edges with foil.

It will be messy when you cut into it – but that’s just part of the fun of pecan pie! And if you can’t find the frozen crusts and are too overwhelmed to make the crust yourself, you can always try Cassandra’s Easy Crustless Pecan Pie.

When stores finally started opening on the East Coast they were never within easy driving distance. During that time I would have my parents send me packages with dried mangoes, Cranberry Trail Mix, Vanilla Meringues, “The World’s Largest Almonds,” and many other great and reasonably priced products. When I went home I would fill up my suitcase with Trader Joe’s goods. I bought vitamins and salsa and cooking sauces when I visited my Grandmother in Falls Church or my friend in Westchester.Finally, after 10 years of waiting, a Trader Joe’s opened in Manhattan this year. I braved the crowds on the first day it opened. I waited in line OUTSIDE to get in to the store in the following weeks. My friend had finally arrived, and crowds and lines weren’t going to keep us apart. The first night it was open I exchanged hugs and declarations of glee, gidddyness and delight with total strangers who shared my love for Trader Joe’s. This all may sound a little ridiculous to the uninitiated, but to the true Trader Joe’s devotee, you understand.

Well, now that the Union Square store in Manhattan has been open for more than six months the lines are still long (though only the checkout line, I no longer have to wait outside just to get in the store) but definitely worth the wait.

They have every variety of nut and trail mix you could possibly want. And forget those ridiculous prices charged at regular grocery stores – $3-4 for a four oz bag of almonds – at Trader Joe’s you will pay that much for a whole pound. Trader Joe’s prices are LOW and the quality is high. They also have products you wouldn’t find other places – frozen roasted peppers, frozen tamales almost as good as home, a 10 pound chocolate bar. I don’t even like chocolate and I can appreciate this.

TJ’s (as his friends know him) also has a gluten free list that I found quite useful when I was newly diagnosed. Now I know how to navigate the store and read the labels without the list but it was a gift during those first few months.

Not all TJ’s have the same offerings. They work to provide the freshest items at each of their stores so certain items are only available regionally. The Union Square TJ’s currently has two gluten free bread options – the Food For Life pecan bread and Trader Joe’s brand French rolls. The rolls are not my favorite but I am glad to have the option.

They have a wide selection of gourmet cheeses. I plan on doing most of my shopping for my holiday party here.

They have broths, soups, and Indian and Thai meals (perfect for travel) with “gluten free” right on the label. In the past few years they have also expanded their stores to include produce, meat and fish. Get your organic apples at a fraction of the cost of most grocery stores.Try the Chicken Chile Verde next time you stop by. It’s my most recent discovery. My severe lack of Mexican food offerings in NYC has been partly remedied by having Trader Joe’s a short subway ride away. It’s has a great flavor without being too heavy or greasy.

There are so many options at Trader Joe’s you won’t get bored. I keep hoping they will open more in NYC. At least then I might not have to wait 20 minutes in line to check out on a busy night. Thankfully I can still do some shopping while I’m in line.