I'm a professional baker and former Trader Joe's employee. I still head back to the store for these 7 products.

Smoked rainbow trout and tabbouli salad. — The smoked rainbow trout and tabbouli salad are two of my favorite Trader Joe's products. Simon Printz

As a former Trader Joe's employee and a food-industry professional with over eight years of experience as a bread baker, I have a unique perspective when walking the grocery store aisles.

I love to cook — from scratch, as often as I can — but after (or before) a long shift working at the bakery, I don't always have the energy for a grandiose culinary adventure.

Here are some of the Trader Joe's products that I always buy, from quick snacks to ingredients I use in easy, home-cooked meals.

For me, it's imperative to start the day off with a cup of Black Acres Colombia Aponte Honey coffee.

A bag of Black Acres Roastery Colombia Aponte Honey coffee. — I'm picky about my coffee, but I love Black Acres Roastery. Simon Printz

I can be a bit picky when it comes to coffee, and as a Philadelphia resident, I am surrounded by many small, high-quality roasters.

However, I often find myself turning to Black Acres' Colombia Aponte Honey beans — a regional coffee option that my local TJ's carries. It's medium-roast, bright, a little fruity, well-balanced, and easy to brew.

I use smoked rainbow trout fillets to make my go-to breakfast.

I get a lot of use out of Trader Joe's smoked rainbow trout. Simon Printz

This smoked rainbow trout can be used in so many ways — sometimes, I'll throw it on a fresh baguette, with just a schmear of sour cream or labneh.

My favorite thing to do, though, is make a super quick and inexpensive whitefish-style salad. I'll simply take the skin off the fish and mix thoroughly with mayo, mascarpone, red onion, salt, pepper, and a ton of lemon juice. Then, I'll throw it on a bagel.

Trader Joe's dark russet potato chips are my favorite snack.

Trader Joe's dark russet kettle-cooked potato chips. — These kettle-cooked chips are crispy and flavorful. Simon Printz

If you're a fan of crispy, dark french fries like I am, you'll love these deep-roasted potato chips that have a super strong and rich flavor.

Here's a secret tip from one of my favorite former TJ's managers: Heat up TJ's frozen chicken wings, then throw the hot wings onto a plate of these chips. Pile crumbled blue cheese on top of the whole thing. You will not regret it.

Tabbouli salad is one of my must-buys.

The writer holding a container of Trader Joe's tabbouli salad. — I love eating tabbouli with chickpeas, parsley, and cumin. Simon Printz

Trader Joe's tabbouli is tasty, simple, and always tastes fresh. It's great with some dolmas and a container of the Mediterranean hummus.

My go-to move, though, is to mix the tabbouli with a can of Greek chickpeas, parsley, and cumin. Boom: a delicious, healthy salad.

Crushed ginger goes a long way in my house.

Dorot Gardens crushed ginger from Trader Joe's. — Crushed ginger cubes make it easy to cook so many of my favorite dinners. Simon Printz

This Dorot Gardens pre-crushed ginger is one of my favorite Trader Joe's staples.

As someone who loves to cook, especially East Asian food, I'm always chopping fresh ginger and garlic. I'm used to it, and I have pretty good knife skills, but sometimes it's nice to just reach into the freezer and pop a tablespoon or so of crushed ginger into the frying pan.

I love buying calamari pieces to add to soups and pastas.

Trader Joe's calamari pieces in olive oil. — I'll add calamari pieces to stir-fries, soups, and pastas. Simon Printz

These calamari pieces, tinned in olive oil, can really improve a weeknight stir-fry, a warm soup, or even a pasta dish. They have a great, not-too-chewy texture and delicious flavor.

I like to add these to my homemade sundubu-jjigae, a simple Korean soup featuring silken tofu and seafood.

One of my favorite sweet treats is the milk-chocolate bar with corn flakes.

Trader Joe's milk-chocolate bar with corn flakes. — It's hard to choose a favorite sweet treat, but I love this milk-chocolate bar. Simon Printz

Trader Joe's has incredible sweets; it's difficult to choose between my many favorites. One standout, though, is this milk-chocolate bar.

The soft, rich Belgian chocolate pairs perfectly with crunchy cornflakes — so perfectly, in fact, that I usually have to hide these from my roommate so he doesn't eat them all.

Trader Joe's was not involved in the sourcing or writing of this story. The views contained within represent the author's personal views.

Keep reading our Trader Joe's Diaries to see what other shoppers like to buy at the chain.