Welcome to another edition of the Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer Matchups. This is the Thanksgiving Flyer and one of two Flyers that will be appearing this month. This one is a bit shorter than most. You might have also noticed that your local store has already started getting items in for the holiday season. Yes, the holiday cookies are already out as are a few more of my seasonal favorites...
Trader Joe's Donut Bites
Donuts. There is a food item that has such powerful food memories attached to them. Done right they can instantly make you smile. In fact, donuts instantly make me think of certain pop culture icons: Homer Simpson and Fred the Baker from the Dunkin Donuts commercials instantly come to mind. It's those cultural icons to which we have to thank for phrases like "Mmmmm....Donuts" and "Time to make the donuts."
Taste
Now, when I brought these home, I was instantly shocked looking at my receipt. These are marked seasonal.
However, I don't think I've ever been so glad to know that we are getting the shelf space back for something that is yummy.
The bar was high on this one and this product disappoints.
I rarely say donuts are disappointing. My husband and I often joke that certain foods even when they are bad they're still kinda good. Pizza comes to mind. Usually, donuts do too.
The directions were simple and straightforward. Into the toaster oven, they went. The timing was just fine.
But once I got to the part where I ate these, that is where the disappointment started.
While they were heated through, the dough was bland and tasteless and the raspberry filling was pretty basic. Nothing special was noted.
But what I'm struggling with on this one, and it is kinda unforgivable is the taste of the raw dough. If you look at the last picture you'll see it right at the top where the jelly meets the dough.
Also, the finished product bore no similarity to the picture on the box. There was no packet of sugar.
I improvised and added some melted butter and rolled it in sugar to make it look like the picture.
It added a much-needed textural contrast and covered up some of the sins of this product.
Overall
For $2.99 you can do better. My suggestion? Get some pizza dough, cut small pieces and fry it in oil at 350F for about 5 minutes until golden brown and delicious. Roll it in sugar or fill it with a jam or jelly of your choice. You'll get something less expensive and far tastier. Best of all you'll get a chance to clean out the jams or jellies that might be sitting in your refrigerator.
Would I buy this again? This is a big no. I heated up 6, I'm still debating if I even want to eat the other 6 sitting in the box. But I am 100% sure that there are other things more worthy of the calories.
Product photos
The box of Trader Joe's Donut Bites:
Calories
Ingredients
Directions
Heated up:
After being rolled in butter and sugar you get something that looks a lot more like the picture on the box:
An if you are wondering what they look like on the inside:
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Trader Joe's Cauliflower Pancakes
Every now and again, I get a chance to write a review that I'm truly excited to share. Not only is this product new, but it is also sadly labeled as seasonal. This is the time of year when Trader Joe's tends to bring out its best products along with new items I deem as Trader Nos. However, this item has returned and is now back year round.
Taste
I'm not a huge cauliflower fan. I like it, but I'm not in love with it. I thought cauliflower rice was alright after consuming it just once. I knew that it wasn't really rice and that my palate wasn't fooled one bit.
The mashed cauliflower didn't wow me.
I thought the Riced Cauliflower Stuffing tried really hard but didn't really satisfy the texture of classic bread-based stuffing.
The Cauliflower and Broccoli Patties were just too boring and plain for my palate.
I've heard lots of good things about the Cauliflower Stir Fry but have 2 bags sitting in my freezer.
It wasn't until I tried (and prepared correctly) the Cauliflower Gnocchi. The crisper that product was, the better it was. That was the first cauliflower product that made me "get" the whole cauliflower substitute thing.
But now, on to this product. Oh baby, these pancakes however are ON POINT.
I bought these and was skeptical, I took a bite and just said "WOOOOOOW" out loud.
I opted to pan-fry these, but feel like they would be fine in the oven too.
And part of me wondered why they are necessary. I mean potato pancakes seem pretty perfect on their own.
However, when crisp these are awesome. I mean seriously awesome.
With a crisp outside and a tender inside. Yes, these taste like cauliflower but not in a gym sock-smelly type of way.
Nope, this is cauliflower done right. The flavor of cheese and herbs with its tender mashed center makes this work. The flavor of leeks and parmesan cheese shine right through. There is still some texture of the riced cauliflower.
And while not 100% of the texture you would get in a potato pancake, this comes darn close. There is a touch of gumminess to these, but otherwise near perfection.
If I'm going to have a product substitute for an original, I still want it to taste like the original. And the closer the better.
And yes, I know it isn't the same. But these were on point. The box does not list these as being gluten-free but a quick read through the ingredients makes it seem as if it might be. And for my low-carb peeps, these still aren't very low in carbs despite the use of cauliflower.
One thing to note, these were best straight from the pan. As they cooled they did get less enjoyable. And I'm going to assume (because I ate the whole box) that if you need to reheat these, then they will be much like leftover cauliflower gnocchi (which is kinda not yummy on a reheat FYI). So heat only the ones you know are going to be enjoyed.
Overall
For $3.99, you get six in a box. They aren't huge, but I can't think of any commercially available alternative. It's a price I'd happily pay. My biggest disappointment here is the seasonal notation on my receipt.
These were hiding next to the potato pancakes which were up until recently a bit difficult to find. However, with a sharp eye, you might find that you are lucky enough to find one of these little boxes on store shelves.
Product photos
The box of Trader Joe's Cauliflower Pancakes:
Calories
Ingredients
Directions
How Trader Joe's very accurately describes these:
After being cooked you get:
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The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Turkey Cranberry Meatballs
Like Cinderella, at the stroke of midnight, all things pumpkin seems to have disappeared. The shelf space is quickly being shifted into Thanksgiving and holiday items. In fact, I got to pick up some old favorites like Brandy Beans and Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoons as stocking stuffers. With the next Fearless Flyer landing Monday, it isn't a shock to see so many new items.
Taste and review
Before I have fun enjoying all the sweets, I checked the frozen aisle for some real food. And yes, there are some real food items.
So here are some brand new but seasonal meatballs. Yes, that means these are going to go away.
So these are a miniature version of the popular Turkey Meatballs. But these are a bit different from the regular variety.
First off, these are miniature. And for those low carb people, these clearly have more carbs in them. They are flame broiled so they are already cooked.
Also, the picture shows a sauce or gravy which isn't present in these either. There are quite a few meatballs in this little bag and are the perfect size for picking up with a tooth pick to serve as an appetizer portion.
Now regardless of how they might be different, one thing remains: they are tasty little bites of Thanksgiving flavor. It is turkey, the familiar seasonings, and cranberries.
The cranberry isn't overwhelming and adds just a bit of tart flavor to these little balls of goodness. The only thing I was longing for was having these with a side of stuffing.
Overall
For $4.49 these are priced right, but they are seasonal so they won't be on shelves forever. They are worth a try if you are already a fan of the turkey meatballs and are a fun seasonal option.
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would pick up another couple bags before the season is out.
Product photos
The bag of Trader Joe's Turkey Cranberry Meatballs:
Calories
Ingredients
Directions
After being cooked you get:
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
The Bottom Line
Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.
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Trader Joe's Best Fall Items
On my most recent trip to Trader Joe's I noticed that the pumpkin display that was so prominently filled a week or two ago, has become empty and barren (or was it because I was there on a weekend?).
Here is a list of the items you should pick up before they vanish off of shelves for the season. And yes, while Trader Joe's has some items still out, the Thanksgiving items are just starting to make their way onto shelves.
Now, didn't want to make a list of just pumpkin items. Nope, here are the BEST Fall seasonal items worth picking up (if not stocking up on). I've tried and liked each and every one of these items.
I'll do a separate list for Thanksgiving once we know what is returning and what is new. If you think I missed something (or need to try something ASAP), let me know in the comments section.
Trader Joe's Rustic Apple Tarte
This apple tarte is nice balance of sweet but not too sweet. Perfect for sharing, but also has great texture. Sadly, while this item is seasonal, you can get the similar but not quite the same Apple Blossoms during the year.
Trader Joe's Frozen Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are delicious. But mashed, frozen with no ingredients other than Sweet Potatoes here is a side that is easy as anything. The only downside: this tends to disappear off of shelves. So if you try it and love it, then pick up a few bags of these Sweet Potatoes.
Trader Joe's Salted Maple Ice Cream
Who said it had to be all about the pumpkins? Maple and salt is a combination you didn't know you needed. You can read my full review here.
Trader Joe's Cinnamon Broom
Nothing edible here. Nothing you would use to clean. But here is a pretty potent air freshener which will blend right in with any Fall display you might have. With some essential oils you can also keep the aroma going much longer. You can read my review of this cinnamon broom here.
Trader Joe's Creamy Autumnal Harvest Pasta Sauce
Most creamy sauces tend to fall short in my opinion. Not the case here. Cream is clearly a prominent ingredient and despite the veggies it eats a lot like a vodka sauce sans the vodka. I always pick up a few extra jars to get my through the season. You can read my full review of this product here.
Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Soup
New for 2018, is this soup bears similarities to the pasta sauce, but makes a hearty and rustic style soup. A great option to have with a grilled cheese. You can read my full review of Autumnal Harvest Soup here.
Trader Joe's Pepita Salsa
Pepita seeds are the pumpkin in this salsa. While I was skeptical of seeds and salsa, it completely worked. You can read my review of the Pepita Salsa here.
Trader Joe's Halloween Gummies
Yes, we are pretty close to Halloween, but my husband and I made sure that all the mini bags in this large bag were thoroughly tested and safe for trick or treaters. Sadly, no tricker or treaters will get to enjoy them because we enjoyed these so much. Sorry, not sorry. Perfect for lunches, but worth picking up if you can find it. You can read my review of these Halloween Gummies here.
Trader Joe's Brussels Sprout Ravioli
If you are willing to give Brussels Sprouts another go as an adult or you are already a fan, then you are in for a pleasant pairing of savory, sweet, and cheesy with these. They are seasonal, but they do freeze well. You can read my full review of these Brussels Sprouts & Caramelized Onion Ravioli here.
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Cream Cheese
Not something I would have everyday, but this is a real treat with toast or a bagel to break up the plain monotony of my morning routine. And for the record, cream cheese does freeze well if you think you won't get to try it online. You can read my full review of this product here.
Trader Joe's Maple Butter
The product you didn't know you needed until you tried it. Maple seems to be hot this year and this maple stands out because it isn't liquid and it doesn't have any butter in it either. It's spreadable and a gift that you need to try to appreciate. You can see my review of this Maple Butter here.
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Ravioli
You have two seasonal Joe Joe's varieties available, but Trader Joe's Pumpkin Joe Joe's are the ones to reach for. They are pumpkin flavor without going overboard. Subtle pumpkin spice and generously filled. You can read my full review of these Pumpkin Joe Joe's here.
Trader Joe's Vanilla Syrup
Vanilla and Maple. A nice and natural pairing of two terrific flavors. With the price of vanilla, the bean in this jar justifies the nearly $10 price tag for this. You can read my full review of Trader Joe's Vanilla Maple Syrup here.
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread
Well, it's not my Mom's recipe. But in a pinch with minimal effort and extra ingredients this makes for a really good pumpkin bread (or muffins). You can see the directions and full review here. You can always substitute pumpkin puree for the oil or the eggs.
Or Trader Joe's Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread
And as always, if gluten-free is a priority then this mix is on par with the regular variety. You can see the directions and my review of Trader Joe's Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread here.
Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Dunkers
If maple is the new pumpkin, then consider Hot Cocoa to be the next up and coming flavor that we might see more of as we head into the cooler months. But for now, these were pretty darn good. You can read my full review of these Hot Cocoa Dunkers here.
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pancake Mix
If pumpkin bread isn't your thing in the morning, the don't be shy about reaching for this seasonal favorite Pumpkin Pancake Mix. And yes, you can make waffles with this too. If you are gluten-free, then there is a mix for that too.
Trader Joe's Organic Cold Pressed Fuji Apple Spiced Cider
Sometimes the biggest surprises come in the smallest packages. If you can't get to a place where they offer fresh apple cider, the consider this the next best thing with the added bonus of a well-balanced spice mix. You can read my full review for this Cold Pressed Spiced Apple Cider here.
Trader Joe's Honey Roasted Ravioli
Pumpkin, spice, pasta and everything nice in these ravioli. They are also autumn in color. Orange on the top and yellow on the bottom. These Pumpkin Ravioli also freeze well if you need to make them last just a bit longer.
And if you get to the store and realize these products are gone...
Well at least this is sold year round and they are quite a prize even if everything else is gone. You can my full review of Trader Joe's Maple Leaf Cookies here.
So What Do You Think?
Did I miss anything on this Trader Joe's Best Fall Item list? Did I get anything wrong? Don't forget to comment and share your thoughts below!
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