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Trader Joe's Advent of the Cocktail Hour

So if you are at Trader Joe's there are a plethora of advent calendars to choose from. First, you have the traditional chocolate one that still sells for under $1. Then you have the cat advent calendar and the dog advent calendar. Heck, there even used to be an adult advent calendar sold a few years back that had tastes that an adult would appreciate. But since 2020 is being so very 2020, maybe Trader Joe's knew the adults needed something a little harder hitting.

So Spoiler Alert if you wish to be surprised then don't keep scrolling.

If you don't care then carry on.

The taste

The chocolates in the box are about the same size as Trader Joe's Boozy Chocolate Truffles but are in different flavors. Plus there are a few more truffles in the box. Here there are 24 truffles.

So the flavors are as follows:

Liqueur de Cafe- This one tastes just like Kahlua. It played really well with the chocolate flavor here.

Honey Caramel- This was my least favorite of the group. Tastes more like the spice cabinet fell into the caramel than boozy chocolate.

Peach Bellini- I tried this first because I was the most excited about it. Unfortunately, it didn't taste much like peaches. The wine taste is very subtle too.

Eggnog- Like chocolate egg nog. It tastes like there is a mix of alcohols but with the portion, it is hard to pull them apart. This one was pretty good.

Coffee Martini- This tastes like an espresso martini. Strong coffee and subtle vodka in this.

Pink Champagne- Not a show stopper in size nor in flavor. But it was a surprise to find only 1 of these flavors in this. This reminded me of the since discontinued strawberry champagne truffles with far less strawberry flavor. It only mildly reminded me of champagne.

For $6.99 this was a fun set. I wouldn't mind buying this every year.

Overall

Would I buy this again? For me, Trader Joe's Advent of the Cocktail Hour is worthy of an annual purchase.

But depending on where you live and the local liquor laws will dictate whether or not you can get this near you.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The visual rundown

The box of Trader Joe's Advent of the Cocktail Hour:

The nutritional information and the ingredients

Nutritional facts, ingredients and flavor key on the back of the box of Trader Joe's Advent of the Cocktail Hour

Out of the package you get (spoiler alert):

An opened package of Trader Joe's Advent of the Cocktail Hour

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

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.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Trader Joe's Beef en Croute

This won't be my usual introduction but here goes: I hope you are reading this review of Trader Joe's Beef en Croute before you make this. Or at least before baking this fully according to the directions. A while back I reviewed the turkey en croute. But there is a key difference: the turkey is cooked, but this isn't.

Cooking directions

Should you go by the directions alone and you are a real fan of red meat, you will be in trouble. Unless you enjoyed well-done beef. Again, I hope this review reaches you in time before potential holiday-related disasters ensue. If not, then I'm sure you'll be sharing your thoughts in the comments section which is always appreciated.

So let's go over this product before I (hopefully) help you with the way the directions should be written.

Here is a frozen item that needs to be defrosted before being popped into the oven.

The premise is pretty simple: it's puff pastry, a layer of mushrooms, and some well-seasoned beef. Basically, this is the dish better known as Beef Wellington.

It's a beautiful and impressive holiday dish. But again, cooking this to perfection is more challenging than the turkey en croute which is sold right next to this dish.

But here is the problem: the directions. The package makes reminds you that the goal temperature is 145. However, if you cook beef regularly please follow these guidelines:

Rare- 120F

Medium Rare- 130F

Medium- 140F

Medium Well- 150F

Well done- 160F (or throw away...but that's me).

Keep in mind for the most part the meat will continue to cook after it is out of the oven, so if you remove it from the oven it will reach another 5 degrees in doneness.

So why am I getting bent out of shape over the directions? The directions suggested removing this at about 35 minutes.

I pulled mine out of the oven at 30 minutes because the exterior pastry was getting quite brown. The ends when I cut into it (after giving it the required rest) were well done.

The dead center was medium at best. Now, normally I'd use my thermometer, but let's be honest, most people will follow the directions on the box. If you do this will be the most well-done roast.

Taste

The meat is well seasoned and has a bit of kick to it. The puff pastry is good but a tad soggy on the bottom. The mushrooms are good, well seasoned but were wishing for a bit more of them.

In the real world, this might serve closer to 4 portions as the ends aren't quite as meaty as the pastry has done its thing and puffed out.

And I know there are those of you who would set a timer and forget it. If you are one of those people, I hope this review reaches you in time.

If you cook this to temperature and not to time, this is a solid holiday dish. This item was clearly labeled on my receipt as being a holiday item so you might way to buy an extra or two if you really love it.

If not, then you can always consider getting one of these thermometers which have prevented me from overcooking a number of roasts. So in the long run it's paid for itself. Best of all it gets paired to my phone which is pretty much always next to me.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about this product:

Does Trader Joe's have beef wellington?

Trader Joe's sells Beef en Croute or Beef Wellington during the winter holiday months. It is a seasonal item

How do you make Trader Joe's Beef en Croute?

Defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat your oven to 425F. Be sure to start checking the temperature as early as 20 minutes if you are looking for a roast that isn't overcooked.

What's the difference between Beef Wellington and Beef en Croute?

These terms refer to the same thing. En Croute is the French term for anything in baked in puff pastry.

Overall

For $14.99 it isn't badly priced either.

Would I buy this again? I would actually buy Trader Joe's Beef en Croute again, but I would be more careful to cook by temperature and not the time listed on the box.

This is a seasonal item so if you fall in love with this you should stock up before they disappear.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product Photos

The box of Trader Joe's Beef en Croute:

The nutritional information, the ingredients, and instructions

Nutritional facts, calories, ingredients and directions in Trader Joe's Beef en Croute

Out of the package you get:

After 30 minutes of cooking

A fully cooked Trader Joe's Beef en Croute

And sliced down the middle:

A Trader Joe's Beef en Croute cut in the middle revealing the light pink center.

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

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.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Trader Joe's Jicama Wraps

One of my long-standing complaints about new products at Trader Joe's is that they tend to be carb-heavy. But there is a substantial enough audience for good-tasting low-carb alternatives that have been all but ignore up until recently.

The taste

Now, there are two new low-carb items hitting shelves: Trader Joe's Jicama Wraps and Trader Joe's Hearts of Palm Pasta.

Now, low-carb diets aren't the easiest. It seems that there just aren't the same number of options available as there are for the vegan and gluten-free crowd (but for the record, this fits into those categories too).

In fact, this is one of the few products that proudly announces how few carbs it has: 3g total. However, on some diets, the net carb count is actually closer to 1g per serving when you subtract out the fiber.

But with many low-carb items, there are some that taste good and others you wish you never tasted, to begin with.

At first, I hated how these felt just out of the package. They were wet which made me wonder if they could ever be a good replacement for taco night.

And despite my own hesitation on the dampness, I loaded each one up, in the same way, I would a tortilla and found it actually was a really good replacement.

Each wrap is slightly thicker than rice paper on a spring roll. So imagine a double layer of rice paper.

In terms of flavor, it doesn't lend much flavor at all. At most, it reminded me of water chestnut in terms of taste. I've had some Jicama that was sweet, but this batch just didn't seem to lend much sweetness at all.

Overall, if you are looking for a low calorie, low carb, vegan, and/or a gluten-free way to enjoy taco night this is very much worth a try.

Originally, this product was released to the west coast only, however, it has since worked its way to the east coast too.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about this product.

Do you cook Trader Joe's jicama wraps?

No, Trader Joe's jicama wraps are meant to be consumed raw as they are packaged. However, they can be gently warmed if you prefer a warmer wrap.

Is Trader Joe's jicama wraps slimy?

These should feel damp and not slimy. If they feel slimy then they should probably be disposed of.

Overall

For $4.49 for about a dozen wraps isn't a bad deal.

Would I buy this again? For taco night, Trader Joe's Jicama Wraps get a solid thumbs up for me. I didn't feel like I was missing anything. You'll just have to get around the idea that this is a bit damper than your typical tortilla shell.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

The visual rundown

The package of Trader Joe's Jicama Wraps:

The nutritional information and the ingredients

Nutritional facts and ingredients in Trader Joe's Jicama Wraps

And with some tacos:

Two tacos next to the package of Trader Joe's Jicama Wraps

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

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.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Trader Joe's Spicy Pumpkin Curry Review: Curry On My Wayward Gourd

For far too long, I've heard many a comment (including my own written thoughts) about Trader Joe's not selling their curry sauces in a jar. Yes, I know there is a Masala sauce on shelves, but it is no where close to the sauce on the frozen entrees.

An unopened jar of Trader Joe's Spicy Pumpkin Curry

Taste

So, while we wait to see if a real jarred sauce will ever appear, now we can at least have a seasonal pumpkin curry sauce. One of the key differences with this is the absence of tomato and the prominence of pumpkin.

But is it as good as the frozen sauce or the jarred sauce?

For me, this was on the same level as what you find in the frozen aisle. It is rich, complex, but only mildly spicy. So heat junkies take note, this is mild.

There is also a mild acidity here perhaps coming from the lemongrass flavor.

I tried this straight from the jar and said "oooo...this is pretty good."

Then I heated it in a pan and yes, the flavors came more alive when it was warmed up.

So why not 5 stars across the board on this one?

Well, I did have one other problem with this: pairing this.

Because tomato goes with so many things in a way that pumpkin does not, I had a hard time pairing this well so the full flavor shined.

I had some leftover vegan chicken, but I didn't love it. I had some broccoli and I didn't love it with that. But with some naan or paratha it was awesome. Heck even over a plain bowl of rice it would be pretty good.

It has all the spices you would expect in a solid curry. It just didn't slap you with heat despite the word spicy being the first thing you see. But it is pretty assertive in the pumpkin and coconut flavors.

So if you are like me and like to sop up the sauce with some bread, then this is a pretty solid item to pick up. And if you have any pairing suggestions, please drop them in the comments section. I'd love to hear how everyone enjoyed this one.

Overall

For $2.99 it's a solid deal but because it is a pumpkin product it will only be on shelves for a limited run.

Would I buy this again? While I anxiously away a solid regular curry sauce that rivals this one, I will buy a few more of Trader Joe's Spicy Pumpkin Curry simmer sauce before it disappears at the end of the season.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product Photos

The jar of Trader Joe's Spicy Pumpkin Curry:

The nutritional information and the ingredients

Nutritional facts and ingredients in Trader Joe's Spicy Pumpkin Curry

Instructions

The cooking directions for Trader Joe's Spicy Pumpkin Curry

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

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.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Trader Joe's Cinnamon Brooklyn Babka

Babka. I'm not going to lie to anyone when I say that the Chocolate Brooklyn Babka might be a staple in my household. But it does debate whether it is meant for breakfast or dessert because I've consumed it at both times of the day. Sometimes twice a day.

Taste

Now, this is far less decadent than the chocolate variety. The chocolate variety is very in your face sweet and deeply full of chocolate flavor.

This reminds me more of a cinnamon roll made into a loaf. And not quite as moist overall.

But it is way more decadent than Trader Joe's Cinnamon Croissant loaf that is also showing up around this time as well.

I'd recommend toasting this babka for the best flavor. It was ok at room temperature, but much improved when warm (but then again what bread isn't a bit more amazing warm?)

There are plenty of swirls of cinnamon throughout which makes me believe that this would also make a pretty amazing French Toast should you not use it when it is totally fresh. In fact, French Toast is best when the bread is just a bit stale. You'll have more than enough flavor here to really make that pop.

So if you are looking for a halfway point between the croissant loaf and say the jumbo cinnamon rolls, then consider picking this one up.

Frequently asked questions

The following are common questions I get about this product:

Does Trader Joe's sell babka?

Yes! They sell two varieties: cinnamon and chocolate.

Is Trader Joe's babka good?

Both babkas are solid picks

Can you freeze Trader Joe's babka?

Yes, this product can easily be frozen and defrosted when you are ready to enjoy it.

Overall

For $4.99 it isn't bad. But if you are a Seinfeld fan then you might remember this quote: "Cinnamon takes a back seat to no babka. People love cinnamon. It should be on tables at restaurants along with salt and pepper. Anytime anyone says, 'Oh this is so good, what's in it?' The answer invariably comes back, 'Cinnamon.' 'Cinnamon.' Again and again. Lesser babka?? I think not."

So for some, this is the superior babka. For me, I take after Elaine. I prefer chocolate.

But make no mistake, both are pretty solid.

Would I buy this again? For me, I still feel the chocolate is the superior babka. But both are good.

Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Product Photos

The package of Trader Joe's Cinnamon Brooklyn Babka:

The nutritional information and the ingredients

Ingredients and nutritional facts in Trader Joe's Cinnamon Brooklyn Babka

Out of the package you get:

A side view of a sliced Trader Joe's Cinnamon Brooklyn Babka

Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.

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.

You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.