This is a good, but not great salad, that really benefits from some creative additions. The container is deeper than most TJ’s salad containers and there is an amazing amount of salad greens packed into it. No stretch to say this could easily serve two people. Unfortunately, the amount of toppings (mozzarella, tomatoes, olives and […]
Trader Joe’s Vegetable Panang Curry (vegan)
This is a really tasty curry dish due mostly to delicious sauce. Extra points for being vegan and low cost. The rice is packaged in a separate compartment in the tray and cooks up nice and fluffy. The vegetables aren’t readily identifiable. I wouldn’t have known there are asparagus and kale in the mix unless […]
Trader Joe’s Stir Fry Vegetables (vegan)
This frozen stir fry mix has a nice selection of vegetables, but suffers the fate of all frozen stir fry mixes. The vegetables just don’t have the fresh taste and crisp texture that are the crucial characteristic of a good stir fry. Even though TJ’s wisely sliced the mushroom and carrots very thin so they […]
Trader Joe’s Asian Vegetable Stir Fry (vegan)
I love the idea of a quick, convenient and fresh stir fry mix. Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s Asian Stir Fry mix just doesn’t cut it. The first issue is that it’s almost all peppers and onions so it seems more like a Mexican fajita mix than an Asian stir fry mix. The second issue is that […]
Trader Joe’s Spinach Lasagna
I usually buy the garden vegetable or roasted vegetable lasagna, but decided to revisit this spinach lasagna for comparison. Spinach is the key word here! The filling is primarily spinach and ricotta and there isn’t a lot of sauce. Enough, but no excess sauce. This lasagna seems a little healthier and more grown-up than the […]
Trader Joe’s Baby Beets (vegan)
These steamed and peeled beets are very tasty, versatile and convenient. Added points for being a good vegan source of iron. Beets pair well with salad greens, citrus and goat cheese. However, I usually just cut the beets into quarters and toss them with a little orange vinegar, olive oil and rosemary. Note that the […]
Trader Joe’s Orange Muscat Vinegar (vegan)
I always have a bottle of this vinegar in my fridge and keep a spare bottle in my pantry since this isn’t always in stock. Not quite as versatile as balsamic, but the orange flavor enhances many salad ingredients including beets, avocado and jicama. The really great thing is that because this vinegar is relatively […]
Trader Joe’s Spinach & Kale Pie
Trader Joe’s describes this as a “modern take on spanakopita”. I guess the kale is what makes it modern. This looks and tastes like spanakopita, except that the smell and flavor of feta is stronger than what I’m used to. Not unpleasant, just different. There are no quick cooking instructions and it requires a full […]
Trader Joe’s Balela (vegan)
I’ve never heard of balela, but I love chickpeas, garbanzo beans or whatever you want to call them so this seemed like a good bet. Unfortunately, this is pretty much like eating garbanzo beans with salsa which isn’t that exciting and a bit odd. I suspect the sumac and mint are supposed to distinguish this […]
Trader Joe’s Uttapan with Coconut Chutney (vegan)
I love it when Trader Joe’s introduces a product I’ve never heard of. Even if it doesn’t become one of my favorite foods, I’ve tried a new food and often learned something. Trader Joe’s describes Uttapam as South Indian pizza without the cheese or tomato. The bread is made from rice and lentils and is […]