Food, drinks, style, and humor
The pros: Trader Joe’s Mango and Sticky Rice Spring Rolls are a completely different type of dessert. This product is not overly sweet.
The cons: If you are used to overly sweet desserts, then you might think of this as a palate cleanser. In fact, at my local TJ’s this is with the appetizers and not with the dessert products.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Party Size Mini Meatballs are perfect as an appetizer or a smaller bite sized version of Trader Joe’s Italian Style Meatballs.
The cons: Won’t ever live up to Nonna’s, but for something that comes out of the freezer these are pretty good. Depending on how many you take out of the bag, you should consider adjusting the cook time.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Sliced Prosciutto is salty and full of ham flavor.
The cons: This product seems fattier than other brands of prosciutto.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Gochujang Almonds are delicious as long as you like some heat and garlic.
The cons: You might need a breath mint after eating a handful of these. At least that is what my husband suggested.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken and Vegetable Wonton Soup makes for a quick and low calorie meal. The wontons are the highlight here.
The cons: You will still need to add water and I wasn’t crazy about the veggies in the broth.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Tzatziki Dip is a pretty good refrigerated dip that is a hybrid of a Tzatziki sauce and a cucumber salad. Amazingly, the cucumbers were still very crisp.
The cons: Has a lot more cucumbers than I was expecting, so it might not be for everyone.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings are tasty, quick to prepare dumplings that can be made from freezer to microwave in minutes. Packaging is well thought out.
The cons: Only six dumplings come in a package.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pork Buns Cha Siu Bao have pork filling that is very flavorful. These heat quickly and seem on par with what I’ve purchased in many Asian grocery stores in their freezer sections.
The cons: These were a bit on the doughy side.
The verdict: …
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: …
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: …
