The pros: Trader Joe’s Pork Shu Mai is a tasty freezer item.
The cons: Trader Joe’s Chicken Shu Mai has a packet of sauce, but for these you’ll have to supply your own dipping sauce.
The verdict: …
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Appetizers
Trader Joe’s Thai Shrimp Gyoza
The pros: Trader Joe’s Thai Shrimp Gyoza has more in common with a spring roll. If you enjoy a spring roll, then you will likely enjoy this.
The cons: This was disappointing. I was anticipating some heat with this. There was no heat in the product whatsoever. Although the directions say you can microwave these, it should be avoided.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Puff Dogs
The pros: Trader Joe’s Puff Dogs are a play on pigs in a blanket.
The cons: The puff didn’t rise as much as I would have liked. Also, this does not come in a resealable package
The verdict: While I should have gotten to this product sooner, this is a timely review as just the other day we here in the USA celebrated the original Brexit (1776 style). Trader Joe’s Puff Dogs are new and have started some controversy. Across the pond they actually refer to items like this as sausage rolls and there has been some twitter outrage since this product made its debut. In fact, one blog I follow, Paul Davies Cartoons, is written by a British fellow is both a talented cartoonist and has a bit of a fascination about what we Americans think of food. I can only imagine his thoughts on this matter. Now, I honestly don’t think that Trader Joe’s was trying to take credit for inventing any product here, however, my opinion on that can not be verified. Although they offer something similar in a smaller size known as Trader Joe’s Parmesan Pastry Pups which as essentially a similar product that is smaller in size and adds a sprinkling of cheese. …
Trader Joe’s Coconut Shrimp
The pros: Trader Joe’s Coconut Shrimp are a decent tasting appetizer or quick dinner.
The cons: Could have been crispier, shrimp could have been bigger, ratio of breading to shrimp was about 1:1.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Scallion Pancakes Pa Jeon
The pros: Trader Joe’s Scallion Pancakes (Pa Jeon) are flavorful and super quick to make.
The cons: None really come to mind.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chicken Parmesan Lollipops
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Parmesan Lollipops have the texture of the inside of a Totino’s pizza roll. They seem like a good idea.
The cons: Major product design issues. This just didn’t work as a food that belongs on a stick. If it were in an eggroll, it would have been fine.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Mini Chicken Tacos
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mini Chicken Tacos are a tasty and quick appetizer that are ready in under 10 minutes.
The cons: Like Trader Joe’s Mini Beef Tacos, Trader Joe’s Mini Chicken Tacos look nothing like the picture. Unless, you have tiny hands, you won’t be able to get much in these tiny tacos.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Spanakopita
The pros: Trader Joe’s Spanakopita has a dozen tasty appetizer sized spinach pies that are read in about 20 minutes.
The cons: Probably not the most authentic. What you could get at your local Greek restaurant will be closer to the real thing. Some of them were very much frozen together and difficult to pull apart before putting them in the toaster oven
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Mini Quiche Duo
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mini Quiche Duo has a light, flaky pastry with a very tasty filling that is best at just above room temperature.
The cons: Some people might not appreciate the truffle flavor in the mushroom.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Vegetable Birds Nests
The pros: Trader Joe’s Vegetable Birds Nests is a quick appetizer ready in about 10 minutes. If you enjoy fritters, you’ll probably like this. Sauce was a very tasty tempura sauce. You probably won’t even need the second packet. Nests are good on their own, but the sauce is what really makes them.
The cons: While this looks like it would be a healthy choice in the appetizer section, it is tempura fried. While you might be expecting veggies here, it’s mostly onion. It felt very greasy on my hands and may benefit from sitting on a paper towel for a minute or two.
The verdict: …