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Trader Joe's Cioppino Seafood Stew

So if I'm going to do all these bread reviews, it's only fair to share something that could use some bread. Or something for all that bread to sop up. I love a good sauce, but with almost a foot of snow being predicted by the weekend, I was thinking about some hearty meal planning and lots of staying indoors by the weekend.

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Taste and review

I was looking forward to getting a jump on the "milk and bread" crowd. But I've always wondered why it isn't the soup crowd? I mean, if you are going to possibly be snowed in, why not make something more delicious? Unless it's bread pudding. Then that is just plain delicious.

For me, usually, I bypass the milk and bread and go to the hearty foods, followed by a trip to the dessert aisle, and something bubbly like soda or seltzer.

Well, if cold weather has you craving a hearty meal, then here is a bag that you should consider picking up...if you like seafood.

Seafood is something this bag is not short of. But Trader Joe's could totally cut down on the plastic by making this bag the appropriate size. There was a distinct sense of disappointment opening this bag.

You see, the same feeling came over me as when I opened up most bags of potato chips. It was more air and bag than a product.

And while it does weigh in at a pound, it was definitely only 1 portion or 2 appetizer portions. Other than the bag looking bigger than its contents I thought the taste was delicious. There were mussels, clams, cod, and shrimp. Assuming you enjoy that combination will dictate how likely you are to like this product. But the seafood here wasn't the star, for me it was the broth.

The broth I could have finished a bowl that was double in size but would not have been able to because of all the seafood here. The broth had a depth to it that is never found in canned soup. There was clearly a tomato/seafood base but beyond that there were mushrooms and celery that were part of the soup and added much flavor.

Overall

If you enjoy seafood and want something awesome for the cooler weather, give this a try.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Cioppino Seafood Stew again. I just wish there was more soup. They could easily sell you more of this in the same size package. Yes, I'd happily pay more as well.

And if they could cut the sodium levels back too, that would be awesome as well.

Product photos

Here is the package of Trader Joe's Cioppino Seafood Stew in the freezer section:

Trader Joe's Cioppino Seafood Stew package

Calories

Trader Joe's Cioppino Seafood Stew nutritional information

Ingredients

Trader Joe's Cioppino Seafood Stew ingredient list

Directions

I, for once, chose not to use the microwave. I actually got a pot out and used that to prepare this/

Once it was heated through in about 10 minutes and plated it looked like this (even though you couldn't see all the seafood, but there was lots there):

Trader Joe's Cioppino Seafood Stew cooked

Using the spoon to reveal the seafood hiding in the broth:

Trader Joe's Cioppino Seafood Stew cooked and revealing the seafood

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

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Trader Joe's Malabari Paratha

Let me apologize in advance if my reviews seem carb-heavy. Because most of the new items hitting shelves are for some reason are breads. I thought I was done reviewing bread last week when I tried Chocolate Chip Pain Au Lait. Nope, not only does the frozen Indian section have a new bread, but there is also a pancake bread (review to show up in the near future). So while Trader Joe's does an excellent job of serving certain food communities, I feel like the low-carb crowd might be left out here a bit.

Taste and review

To me, the Indian selections are absolutely outstanding. I just wish they sold them in larger quantities in the same respect that many of the Asian options are sold.

I mean who wouldn't love a big frozen bag of the Chicken Tikka, Paneer Tikka, Vegan Tikka, Lamb Vindaloo, or even the Fish Korma? I, for one look forward to that day when I don't have to buy it as a single meal. I'd totally like to enjoy it several times from one bag. But hey, that's just me.

Part of me was also wondering, do we need another bread? I mean we already have Naan and Garlic Naan too. So is a third Indian bread necessary?

My answer is now yes.

If you've had the naan you know that those are good. They are a nice light bread that pairs well with pretty much anything.

This bread pairs well with pretty much anything, but is a completely different type of bread.

While naan is softer, this is meant to be more layered and crisp. The best way I can describe it is like a puff pastry meets a scallion pancake in terms of texture.

It's really good. There are 5 of these in each bag which sadly, isn't resealable. So yes, if you are just heating up one, you'll need to reach for a quart-sized freezer bag to store these. I know Trader Joe's pledged to reduce plastic packaging, but I'm not sure this is helping.

And while there are 5 parathas in here, this is actually 10 servings. So you'll want to double the calorie count on the back if you are not going to share.

Overall

For $1.99 it's a good deal and something pretty awesome to try if you are still enjoying your carbs.

I liked it and I'd buy it again. I still like the Naan, but it's a nice addition to the aisle.

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

Product photos

The bag of Trader Joe's Malabari Paratha:

An unopened bag of Trader Joe's Malabari Paratha

Calories

Ingredients

Ingredient and allergy information for Trader Joe's Malabari Paratha

How Trader Joe's describes this:

Description on the bag of Trader Joe's Malabari Paratha about what this product tastes like

Directions

Cooking instructions for Trader Joe's Malabari Paratha

After being cooked you get:

The opened bag of Trader Joe's Malabari Paratha with chicken tikka masala with rice on a silver plate

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.

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Strawberry Scones: These Slap Harder Than Your Alarm Clock on a Sunday

Let's have a moment of silence for sad, dry scones. Now let's bury them with these Strawberry Scones that are tender, buttery, and loaded with strawberry flavor-all thanks to the power of freeze-dried fruit.

No soggy dough. No fruit bleeding into your batter. No regrets. Just a golden, flaky pastry that makes you feel like you accidentally walked into a fancy bakery and found out you're the head baker now.

If you've got a bag of freeze-dried strawberries from Trader Joe's sitting in your pantry and you're wondering what to do with them, this recipe is the answer. And if you're not wondering? You're still going to want to make these.

Strawberry scone with glaze on a wooden lazy susan with glaze dripping off the side

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

No Fresh Fruit Fuss: Freeze-dried strawberries = max flavor, zero sogginess.
Bakery-Level Brunch at Home: Impress everyone, including yourself.
Freezer-Friendly: Bake now, freeze for future "treat yo' self" moments.m.

Trader Joe's Freeze Dried Strawberries held up against a grey background

Why use freeze-dried strawberries?

Yes, for this recipe I'm using freeze-dried strawberries. Yes, as a snack they taste like astronaut food. But rehydrated, they have a vibrant strawberry flavor. While it isn't a traditional choice, it allows you to make them on a whim and might be a better choice for scones because

you might not devour all 8 scones in one sitting
freeze-dried strawberries are pretty intense in flavor, to begin with
no need to wait until strawberries are in season
fresh strawberries do get a bit funky if they are cut and left out for any length of time
you'll get all the intense flavor of strawberries and they'll freeze well if you want to make this for later (or make one at a time).

Tips & Tricks

Want a glaze? Whisk powdered sugar and milk with a drop of vanilla or lemon juice and drizzle away.
Don't overwork the dough. It'll make the scones tough instead of tender.
Keep your butter cold. Cold butter = flaky layers.

Creative Serving Suggestions

Serve with clotted cream or mascarpone for a full English tea moment.
Turn these into dessert with a scoop of strawberry ice cream on the side.
Break them in half and use as shortcake with whipped cream and fresh berries.

Tips for freezing this

This recipe yields 8 scones. But I live in a household of two. I prefer my scones fresh. Wrap your scones, either individually or in pairs, in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag. Label the bag as "Strawberry Scones" and be sure to add in "Defrost overnight in Refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 425F. Bake for 14 minutes."

Why do this? I'm not a morning person. My functioning level is not good before 8AM. Therefore, it is easier for you to look back at the bag, rather than hunt down this recipe. If you like this recipe, you can refill that plastic freezer bag as often as you like.

Watch Me Make These (60 Seconds)

Directions

As a baking rule of thumb, you need to preheat your oven to 425F. The only time you don't do this in baking is when dough needs to chill or yeast needs to rise. This is a quick bread therefore, you need to preheat your oven. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

Step 1 Measure out all of your ingredients in advance. This is Mise en Place. In English, this means getting everything out before you start to make sure there is no middle of the recipe running to the store. That's not what it really translates to, but I remember being sent to the store as a kid from time to time. Might have happened once or twice as an adult.

The mise en place for Strawberry Scones recipe

Step 2 Open your bag of freeze-dried strawberries. Remove the packet of desiccant and discard it. Squeeze 5-6 times to break up the strawberries (this "cuts" them so you won't need to take them out of a knife or cutting board). Add ⅓ cup of water and set aside to rehydrate.

Freeze Dried Strawberries being rehydrated

Step 3 In a food processor, add 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 pinch of salt, and 1 stick of cold butter that has been cubed. Pulse about 10 times to combine. If you don't have a food processor use a pastry blender and a large bowl instead.

The dry ingredients and the butter for the strawberry scone recipe

And the correct texture when this is processed is pea sized:

Butter and dry ingredients processed together showing the pea sized butter that remains in the food processor

Step 4 Slowly add buttermilk to the flour mixture in the food processor. Pulse while pouring to combine.

Buttermilk added to the Strawberry Scones dough

Step 5 Lightly flour a work surface and knead the dough until combined. Become Betty kitchen hack: lightly flour a baking sheet in place of your usual floured surface, place a towel under the baking sheet, and use that as your work surface. Less flour to get all over your kitchen. Less mess brings me more joy.

Shaggy dough from processor on a lightly dusted cookie sheet

Step 6 Squeeze strawberries to remove excess moisture and add to dough. Work in the strawberries into the dough to evenly distribute.

Rehydrated strawberries on top of shaggy dough to be formed into a circle

Step 7 Shape dough into a round disk about an inch thick. Cut into 8 equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. I removed a few for freezing. Place scones onto a lined cookie sheet. Brush the top with cream or egg white or heavy whipping cream to ensure a golden brown top. Place in oven on the middle rack.

Strawberry scones cut and placed on a cookie sheet and on the side showing the texture of the dough — This angle shows the correct layering of the scone. If it looks layered like a biscuit, then you are in good shape.

Step 8 Bake for 14-17 minutes. Start checking for doneness at 12 minutes. Every oven is different and you want these to be moist. Place them on a cooling rack.

Step 9 Remove from oven when golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Strawberry scones waiting to be glazed. Bowl of glaze is off to the side.

Step 10 (Optional) Make a glaze-Combine ½ cup of confectioners (10x) sugar in a bowl with 1.5 tablespoon of liquid. For this batch of scones, I made a lemon glaze with powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

Ingredients needed to make a glaze: confectioners sugar and lemons with a juicer in the background and spoon for mixing

And then drizzle over the scones like so:

Final Thoughts

These scones are the low-effort, high-reward bake that will make you feel like you've got your life together-even if you're still in pajamas at 2 PM. Thanks to freeze-dried strawberries, you get all the flavor without the mess, and a tender, buttery crumb that'll have you wondering if you should open a bakery. (Spoiler: you should.)

I hope you find these Strawberry Scones delicious! I also hope that I've left you with suggestions to inspire some kitchen creativity.

If you try this, would you mind hitting the "Rate" button? I'd love to know what you thought of it. If you tried one of my modifications, please let me know how it turned out. I love comments!

If you've tried this Strawberry Scones recipe or any other recipe on the blog, I'd love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to see what I'm up to.

Recipe Adapted from The Art & Soul of Baking:

Print Recipe

4.69 from 19 votes

Strawberry Scones

A light as a feather strawberry scone recipe are ready in under 30 minutes. These are perfect for breakfast or brunch and pack a lot of strawberry flavor regardless of when strawberries are in season.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Breakfast, brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: buttermilk scones, strawberry scones

Servings:

Calories: 255kcal

Author: Brenda

Ingredients

1 1.2 ounce bag of Freeze Dried Strawberries if unavailable, then 1 cups of fresh cut into small pieces will work as well.
¼ cup water for rehydrating the strawberries
2 cups all purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 pinch salt
1 stick butter, cold, cut into cubes (4 ounces)
¾ cup buttermilk
flour for work area
cream for brushing on the top of the scones

Kitchen Equipment Needed to Make This

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or silicone mat to prevent sticking and for easy clean up.
Open bag of freeze dried strawberries. Remove packet of desiccant and discard. (Omit if you are using fresh strawberries)
Gently squeeze bag of freeze dried strawberries 5-6 times in order to "cut" the strawberries (Omit if you are using fresh strawberries and cut the fresh ones small)
Add water to bag of freeze dried strawberries to rehydrate. If no bag is usable for this, then use a separate bowl to rehydrate. Set aside. (Omit if you are using fresh strawberries)
In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter. Pulse about 10 times to combine. Butter should be the size of a pea. If no food processor is available, then use a pastry cutter to combine OR use a box grater to shred the butter then use a fork to combine.
In the food processor, slowly pour the buttermilk, pulsing to combine.
When buttermilk is just combined, remove contents of the food processor and move dough on to a lightly floured work surface.
At this point your dough should look dry and crumbly. With your hands knead the dough until it can hold its shape.
Reach for the strawberries, which were set aside. Before you add them in, give them a squeeze before adding them to the dough to remove excess moisture.
Work strawberries into dough until combined. Form dough into a round shape that is about 1 inch tall.
Using either a knife, pastry cutter, or pizza cutter slice your dough into 8 equal sized pieces. This ensures the slices will cook evenly.
Brush the lightly beaten cream (or an egg white if cream is unavailable) on top of the scone.
Put into oven on the middle rack. Bake for 14-17 minutes until they are golden brown.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Video

Notes

If it has biscuit like layers when you cut your 8 slices then you have done your job well.
To avoid strawberries from browning too much, be sure to push them into the dough more before brushing with cream or going into the oven.
Take this recipe as a starting point. Come back to BecomeBetty for all the flavor pairings you might want to try.
To make a simple glaze add ½ cup of confectioners (10x) sugar plus 1.5 tablespoon of a liquid (fruit juice or something more adult). Mix until well combined and smooth. Drizzle on top.

Nutrition

Trader Joe's Chocolate Chip Pain Au Lait

I wasn't going to write this review given the time of year. In fact, I'm shocked they picked now to release Trader Joe's Chocolate Chip Pain Au Lait. I mean we have one Pain Au Lait. Why would we possibly need a second variety right after New Year's?

Taste and review

My unofficial rule is: if it's a baked good from Trader Joe's and says, "Made in France," it's usually good.

To which this is. Very good.

I wasn't totally convinced it was going to be good.

If you've had the privilege of picking up the regular Pain Au Lait or the absolutely wonderful sliced French Brioche, then you know what you are getting into: light, airy bread.

It has the texture of a Martin's Potato Roll in a sense. But it is just a bit more complex in taste. Maybe a Martin's Potato Rolls is a closer analogy given the shape of these.

Now, the chocolate chips here are mini but mighty. They don't add much in terms of texture. There is no snappy crunchy chips here.

Nope. These are the melt in your mouth and almost make you feel like you are having a chocolate confection in the morning. Ok, definitely not one like the Chocolate Croissants. Not much can top that in my book (at least something that came out of my own freezer).

But these are lighter in calories, thus they are technically diet food, right? I mean, maybe just a little ;).

Even then, the chips aren't evenly distributed within the bread. But it doesn't matter. Each bite just tastes good and interesting.

If you are a toast in the morning and tired of the taste, then think about this as a tasty swap for your morning slice. And yes, I totally think this would be awesome heated up. I've polished off two so far. None of them seem to get as far as the toaster oven.

Frequently asked questions

The following are common questions about this product

What can I eat with pain au lait?

This bread is terrific with coffee, tea, or a side of fruit.

Does Trader Joe's sell milk bread?

Yes! They currently sell two varieties of pain au lait or milk bread: regular and chocolate.

Does Trader Joe's sell brioche bread?

Yes! They sell brioche too. They sell it in slices, as rolls, crackers, and now even offer a gluten-free option.

Overall

For $2.99 for 8 French-made rolls, they are worth a try. And yes, this type of bread freezes well if you need help with portion control. Just sayin'.

Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Chocolate Chip Pain Au Lait again. I prefer this variety over the plain, but both are solid choices.

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

Product photos

The bag of Trader Joe's Chocolate Chip Pain Au Lait:

An unopened bag of Trader Joe's Chocolate Chip Pain Au Lait

Calories

Ingredients

Out of the package you get:

Top view of Trader Joe's Chocolate Chip Pain Au Lait with bag on the bottom

And a view from the side:

Side view of Trader Joe's Chocolate Chip Pain Au Lait with the bag in the background

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 Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese Review: Comfort Food’s Basic Cousin

We all know mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food-gooey, creamy, cheesy perfection that gives you a warm hug on even the dreariest days. But sometimes, your jeans scream for a lighter option. Enter Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Mac & Cheese: the promise of cheesy goodness without the post-dinner regret. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, let's just say this freezer find reminded me that sometimes, "reduced guilt" also means "reduced joy."

An unopened box of Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese on a blue background

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Review

Right out of the microwave, this one looks promising enough. The pasta holds its shape decently, and the sauce looks creamy at first glance. But here's the thing: while it's supposed to be a lighter version of the classic comfort food, it feels like it forgot to bring the "comfort" to the party.

The sauce has a mild cheddar flavor-nothing to write home about, but not offensive either. It's just… there. It's creamy-ish, but it's the kind of creaminess that feels like it's been rationed out. You know the kind-where you're scraping the corners of the tray hoping to find a hidden pocket of sauce. Spoiler alert: there isn't one.

As for the portion size, let's just say it's on the petite side. If you're looking for a hearty dinner that leaves you feeling satisfied, you might want to double up. It's the kind of meal that might tide you over until your next snack, but it's probably not going to fill you up on its own.

Texture-wise, the pasta is actually decent. It's got a nice bite to it-not mushy or overcooked, which is a win. But the overall dish is just missing that warm hug of cheesiness that makes mac and cheese a comfort food hero.

I get that it's supposed to be a "reduced guilt" option, but it's a reminder that sometimes, cutting calories cuts out the soul of a dish, too. It's fine in a pinch, but don't expect to be wowed. For me, it's a one-and-done kinda thing. Next time, I'll be reaching for the fully loaded version when the craving hits.

Calories and nutritional information for Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese nutritional information

How to Serve

Spiced Up: Sprinkle with black pepper or a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor.
As-Is: For a quick, low-calorie meal.
Enhanced: Add steamed broccoli or grilled chicken to bulk it up.

Ingredients and cooking directions for Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese ingredients and how to prepare

Creative Uses

Mac & Cheese Bowl: Top with sautéed vegetables and a protein of choice.
Baked Mac: Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and broil for a crispy top.
Soup Starter: Use as a base for a creamy soup by adding broth and additional ingredients.

Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese frozen and out of the original box

FAQs about Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese

The following are commonly asked questions about this product:

Is it fully cooked?

Yes, just heat and eat.

Is it vegetarian?

Yes, but always check the label for specific dietary concerns.

A fully cooked Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese cooked with a fork and the original box

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Mac & Cheese is a commendable attempt at offering a lower-calorie version of a beloved comfort food. While it succeeds in being a quick and convenient option for those watching their intake, it may not fully satisfy those seeking the rich, indulgent experience of traditional mac and cheese. A decent choice for a light meal, but perhaps not the ultimate comfort fix.

Do you love these reviews?

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.