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Trader Joe's Shrimp Tikka Masala

One of my favorite items from Trader Joe's has to be the vast selection of Indian entrees. I'm pretty sure I stock up just about every time I go. It's single-serve and far cheaper than visiting an Indian restaurant. And to be honest, I've liked some of the frozen entrees better than some of the restaurants that I've visited.

Taste

So when Trader Joe's Shrimp Tikka Masala landed I was excited to find and try it. Now there are a number of tikka masala options on shelves. So I figured this would be more of the same.

You see the vegan tikka, chicken tikka, and paneer tikka they are all super similar in terms of the sauce. It's a very similar thick sauce that isn't rustic with chunks of tomato but still manages to be thick. This sauce on the other hand is quite different.

The heat here is mild. But the sauce tastes quite different. Its thinner and the spice blend tastes at least slightly different, but still Indian with the classic aromatic spice blends. Perhaps because different spices would complement the shrimp in a way that can't be done with the other proteins.

The rice here is classic basmati rice with some cumin seeds in it. However, I was really wishing they had gone for the spinach rice as they did with the paneer tikka masala.

The packaging here is more like the Butter Chicken than anything else. You have two deep cavities: one for the rice and one for the shrimp and sauce.

In just about 4 minutes mine was done. Now, keep a napkin around as it is a bit challenging to mix the two of these together as the sauce is more like a thin tomato soup.

The shrimp vary quite a bit in size. Some are nice medium size, some are barely salad sized. But the directions were on point (minus me needing the extra minute or two in the microwave).

And let's be honest, where can you get a seafood lunch or dinner for just $3.49? The truth is you'll only get it in the frozen section.

Now, for me, I liked this. And I've already polished off 3 boxes of this. But mostly because it was the quick meal on hand now that I have a 1-month-old and doing much cooking is off the table for right now.

Overall

But was this my favorite Indian frozen entree? For me, Trader Joe's Shrimp Tikka Masala wasn't. However, that doesn't make this bad. I think this is solid.

If you are a fan of the other Indian dishes this is totally worth a try to see if you would like it.

Would I buy this again? While I would buy Trader Joe's Shrimp Tikka Masala again, I'd still reach for the other options like the Korma Fish Curry first before this. But that is all a matter of preference.

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

Visual Rundown

The box of Trader Joe's Shrimp Tikka Masala:

The nutritional information

Nutritional facts in Trader Joe's Shrimp Tikka Masala

Ingredients and directions

Ingredients and how to prepare Trader Joe's Shrimp Tikka Masala

After being cooked you get:

A fully cooked Trader Joe's Shrimp Tikka Masala

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

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Trader Joe's These Sprinkles Walk Into a Sandwich Cookie

As a kid, I remember certain food items and the joy they brought me. Namely, Funfetti cake mix along with the tub of icing and Dunkaroos which had the same Funfetti icing quality. If you are interested in reliving some of the '90s nostalgia, then this isn't a bad cookie to pick up.

Taste

This box costs $2.99. However, there are only 6 sandwich cookies in this box. So, if you enjoy portion control, then this isn't a bad item. However, if the value is your game there are lots of well-done bulk cookies available.

Now, the flavor doesn't scream seasonal, but perhaps the bright colors do. These are posted as a seasonal item, so if you love them you'll want to pick up a couple of these, otherwise who knows when we will see these again.

But each bite is a buttery shortbread-like cookie. With some sprinkles. However, most of my sprinkles were scattered in the icing in the center.

No deal-breaker, but there is a difference from the image on the package. I found that most of the sprinkles seemed concentrated in the buttercream filling.

Not a bad thing at all. But if you aren't a fan of sweet cookies then the filling might be a bit over the edge. The sprinkles are sweet as is the buttercream filling. The buttercream filling has roughly the same texture as an Oreo's filling although the taste was clearly more butter-based.

Overall

This package did disappear off of my counter. However, it wasn't a real standout. This one might be better saved for the kids.

Would I buy this again? For me, Trader Joe's These Sprinkles Walk Into a Sandwich Cookie was a one-time purchase. There is nothing really bad about these cookies, but they were no standouts either in the wide selection of cookies available

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

Visual rundown

The box of Trader Joe's These Sprinkles Walk Into a Sandwich Cookie:

Calories and ingredients

Nutritional facts and ingredients in Trader Joe's These Sprinkles Walk Into a Sandwich Cookie

The description from the side of the box:

Trader Joe's These Sprinkles Walk Into a Sandwich Cookie description on the side of the box

Out of the package you get:

An open box of Trader Joe's These Sprinkles Walk Into a Sandwich Cookie showing the rows of cookie sandwiches

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 Organic Watermelon Fruit Spread

Just a few weeks outside of summer time and some seasonal only items are hitting shelves. One flavor that makes a prominent appearance as we approach summertime is watermelon. We've seen the return of the Watermelon Cucumber Cooler, the Sparkling Watermelon juice, and I hope to see the return of the Watermelon Mint Tea tin.

Taste

However, if you notice there is a theme.

Watermelon seems to come in liquid form at Trader Joe's. Until now with Trader Joe's Organic Watermelon Fruit Spread.

Now, if you read through the ingredients you'll see the word "puree" next to the watermelon. But after tasting this, you'll think that this has been strained too because this fruit spread is super smooth.

It has a super-smooth texture. Now, the aroma seems very watermelon-y. This is pretty interesting since cherry is also one of the ingredients. However, all the cherry seemed to do was accentuate the watermelon flavor.

Now, like any fruit spread, this is on the sweet side between the fruit and added sugar. However, when I had spread on some English Muffins I embraced the sweetness. I also loved the smoothness. No grittiness or seeds to contend with here.

Now, could this fruit spread possibly have other pairings? Absolutely. That's where your creativity comes in.

And trust me, I'm not aware of that many other watermelon fruit spreads out there. So points for creativity.

And I don't know about you I tend to just keep strawberry, seedless raspberry, and grape jelly in the house. So this was a welcome break from that cycle.

Overall

For $2.69 it's an affordable item to try. But like so many watermelon flavored items, this is likely a seasonal offering. So if you like it you'll want to stock up on it.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Organic Watermelon Fruit Spread again.

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

Visual rundown

The jar of Trader Joe's Organic Watermelon Fruit Spread:

Calories and ingredients

Nutritional facts and ingredients in Trader Joe's Organic Watermelon Fruit Spread

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 Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

If 2020 had a product of the year, then it would have to be toilet paper. I'm not sure why that has become a hot product. I'm also sure a lot of other people are just as bewildered about that as I am. Honestly, the product of the year probably should be hand soap. However, if I were to pick a product that really represented the year then it would be lemonade.

Taste

Why lemonade? Because this year really seems to be about taking lemons and making lemonade. It was all fun and games with Barbara Walter's memes in January (although if nothing else the memes have kept the laughs going). Now, things are about figuring out how to go forward taking something tart, and making something good out of it.

Well, this lemonade reminds me of summer. And not summer 2020, it reminds me of simpler times (pre-2020) of having a BBQ and sitting outside with a group of friends. Without the term social distancing entering our lexicon.

There is nothing really questionable about the ingredients in this product. It's all the things you would find in a homemade lemonade: lemon juice, sugar, and water. No preservatives. But also not pasteurized.

So unless you aren't supposed to have anything that is unpasteurized this gets a solid green light from me.

A lot of lemonades just taste like something is off with them. They never quite taste like homemade.

But this actually does.

It is a good balance between the tartness of the lemon juice and the careful balance of sugar. It manages not to be cloyingly sweet which can also be a flaw too. It also doesn't go in the opposite direction and taste too watery. The acidity is that of real lemons (not to be confused with bottled lemon juice either)

This is all lemon flavor tempered with the right amount of sugar.

Unlike other lemonade options, you'll have to look in the refrigerated case with the juices It is fresh and does not have a long shelf life thanks to the absence of preservatives.

Overall

For $3.49 if you are longing for the taste of simpler times, then this is a solid item to reach for.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Freshly Squeezed Lemonade again.

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

The visual rundown

The bottle of Trader Joe's Freshly Squeezed Lemonade:

Calories and ingredients

Nutritional information and ingredients in Trader Joe's Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

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 Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is almost here. And perhaps you won't be able to do a regular shopping trip for Mom this year. Or maybe going to a restaurant is out of the question. You can still show you care and have thought about Mom if you think a bit outside the regular big box store.

Cover image of lotion and the words "mother's day inspired gift ideas"

Below is a list of gift ideas for under $2, $5, $7, $10, and $15. Some of these items aren't even seasonal, but would still make a lovely gift idea regardless of the time of year you shop.

Gifts Under $2

I don't know about you, but I'm really sick of spending nearly $5 (and sometimes more) on Hallmark Cards. You can get the message across the same way with a 99 cent card and a heartfelt message that you add yourself.

Gifts Under $5

If Mom isn't a fan of strong fragrances then there is a wide selection of health and beauty items to choose from at Trader Joe's. Perhaps the return of A Midsummer Night's Cream will make mom happy.

An unopened bottle of Trader Joe's A Mid Summers Nights Cream Hand and Body Cream

Or maybe an at-home spa day would be an ideal gift. This Microdermabrasion scrub has been one of my favorites so far.

An unopened package of rader Joe's Microdermabrasion Scrub on a white surface

Nothing wrong with a little self-care. Or in this case a little bit of hair self-care serum that will leave Mom's mane shiny and smooth.

An unopened bottle of Trader Joe's Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Hair Serum

Continuing the hair care ideas that mom might approve of is this hair mask.

An unopened container of Trader Joe's Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Hair Mask

If Mom doesn't mind a subtle rose fragrance, then there are some solid items (some of which are only available this time of year). This Rose Oil Hand Cream is only available from Valentine's Day through Mother's Day.

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Rose Oil Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream on a pink background

This rose toner is available year-round but is a nice compliment to the other rose products.

An unopened bottle of Trader Joe's Rose Water Facial Toner bottle

Or maybe a solid breakfast would be appreciated. And yes, these can double as dessert. And yes, there are lots of yummy treats mostly under the $5 mark as well.

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Chocolate Croissants

Gifts Under $7

If there is a new mom in your life then maybe the privilege of a shower, in peace, would make a fabulous gift.

This lavender body scrub is just as luxurious without a big price tag.

An unopened jar of Trader Joe's Lavender Salt Scrub

Gifts Under $10

Nothing says "we love you" like some freshly cut flowers. Different bouquets are available and most of which are under $10, but get there early for these as they are a popular grab-and-go item.

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Shopping!

I know this 2020 Mother's Day has been extra challenging in terms of people being stuck at home, stores closed, schools closed, shipping delays from online websites and life is generally different.

And speaking of different.

For those of you who have been wondering why I had to pause on publishing for the last 6 or so weeks, then I'd like to take a moment and explain. Yes, things here just north of NYC have been pretty crazy. Getting to a store isn't as simple as it used to be. The days of running in and out of a grocery store seem to be over for now.

But there is another detail I haven't shared with you...

There has been a new taste tester with me. He can continue to help out with taste testing when he is cleared for solid foods.

And yes, this is my first Mother's Day too.

Please welcome CJ, who arrived in the middle of all the April 2020 craziness (and yes, having a baby in the middle of everything going on has been a wild ride). So we are adjusting to the new schedule in my household. I'm looking forward to getting back on track here.

So from the bottom of my heart thank you to all the moms out there for all you do.

Did I miss something that you think would make for an answer gift? Share your thoughts below!

If you want to see the more than 900+ products I've reviewed from Trader Joe's check out the searchable list here.

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