Trader Joe's blog and cooking.
If I were to admit to the food pairings that I like most, it would probably be chocolate and peppermint. If I stop at a Starbucks, there is a peppermint mocha frappuccino in my future. If I go to the movies, I reach for Junior Mints. There is something about the pairing of those flavors that make my taste buds very happy.
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I’m not sure how it is almost Thanksgiving already, but it seems like the end of the year is just zooming by. On the stroke of midnight on Halloween it seemed that Trader Joe’s made the transition from pumpkin to turkey to now aisles of just holiday items. And at my store, you aren’t quite sure if it is going to be Thanksgiving or they are just diving straight into the winter holidays.
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Donuts. There is a food item that has such powerful food memories attached to them. Done right they can instantly make you smile. In fact, donuts instantly make me think of certain pop culture icons: Homer Simpson and Fred the Baker from the Dunkin Donuts commercials instantly come to mind. It’s those cultural icons to which we have to thank for phrases like “Mmmmm….Donuts” and “Time to make the donuts.”
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Every now and again, I get a chance to write a review that I’m truly excited to share. Not only is this product new, it is sadly labeled as seasonal. This is the time of year where Trader Joe’s tends to bring out its best products along with a new items I deem as Trader Nos.
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Like Cinderella, at the stroke of midnight, all things pumpkin seems to have disappeared. The shelf space is quickly being shifted into Thanksgiving and holiday items. In fact, I got to pick up some old favorites like Brandy Beans and Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Stirring Spoons as stocking stuffers. With the next Fearless Flyer landing Monday, it isn’t a shock to see so many new items.
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It’s time to revisit a Fall Seasonal item that likes to appear on store shelves in the Fall. And yes, this is one of several seasonal pastas that like to show up on store shelves. In a typical year you’ll see the appearance of the colorful Trofie Colore and the Winter Snowflake Pasta. But at the end of the day, while they may look different, but the taste is similar. …
There are a handful of foods the are absolutely polarizing to discuss: cilantro, truffle, and yes Brussels Sprouts (I know there are far more than just those). But only one of those has food memories often associated with childhood. Either you have grown to like it, or you remember sitting at the dinner table with those terrible mini cabbages which you knew by smell alone were vile.
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If one good thing is coming from the new products on the shelves, it seems like Trader Joe’s has gotten on board with spiralizing veggies. I don’t oppose this trend. I love my pasta as much as anyone else. I just don’t love how easy it is to consume so many calories in one sitting.
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As promised, I’ll alternate the sweet and the “actual food” reviews here. Yes, there is some real food that is hitting shelves. But don’t get too attached this item as it is seasonal. Or if you are into it, then this is your cue to stock up.
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Trader Joe’s has expanded my horizons with their gummy line. It seems like now they have a gummy for every season. I’ve tried all of them over the last two years. For the most part, they’ve been pretty good.
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When I first saw this jar, I immediately thought about Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce (which is back on shelves albeit temporarily). The names seem similar. The color of the contents seemed similar. So, I wondered what the difference was. And yes, that pasta sauce is something worthy of stocking up on. Seriously.
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So it seems like maple syrup might become the new pumpkin. I’ve seen so many new additions this year to this simple condiment. Just last week I tried the Ghosted Maple Syrup. And I hope to get my hands on the other new maple syrup hitting shelves: organic Vermont Bourbon Barrel aged Maple syrup. If you are looking at the title, and thinking “didn’t they have that in the past?” Yes, but it wasn’t organic and this has a very different label than the bourbon barrel aged maple syrup I tried in the past. So, I guess I’ll have to report back on to that how they compare.
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Behold, aside from the sliced veggies I picked up, this is one of the least sugar filled items. And quite possibly the strangest. Notice I said least. I didn’t say it was without sugar.
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The Fearless Flyer should land on Monday. In the meanwhile, I’m gearing up for my fall/winter body with all the goodies on shelves. Aside from the usual pumpkin offerings, it seems they have been branching off even more.
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So, I want to make sure I’m not bombarding you all with everything pumpkin. Because this year, it seems that the seasonal flavors are being fanned out to include more apple and maple. Both are welcome additions. I welcome them even more if they are done well….
The pros: Trader Joe’s Vermont Ghosted Maple Syrup is new and is a very hot combo of maple syrup and ghost pepper.
The cons: This is not for everyone. Anyone sensitive to heat, be warned, this is hot. Also, this was listed as “HOL” on my receipt which usually means it is seasonal. So if you love it, stock up.
The verdict: …
When a reader, H M, mentioned that this was new to shelves I got excited. And then H M tried it. And gave it a big thumbs down. Intrigued, I hunted for this product….
The pros: Trader Joe’s Hot Cocoa Organic Frosted Toaster Pastries is new and dressed up for cooler weather.
The cons: Seasonal based on the appearance of the packaging. Depending on your feeling on frosting, mine were not evenly frosted. Some would prefer if the frosting was left off.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Meyer Lemon Cake Mix with Lemon Icing is a very well done seasonal cake mix variety.
The cons: This is seasonal.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s BBQ Seasoned Spatchcocked Chicken is an easy and delicious pre-seasoned item that comes out very moist.
The cons: This item is likely seasonal. But the package also mentions that it can be frozen. Keep in mind this is BBQ seasoned, but not BBQ flavored.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Key Lime Tea Cookies are a seasonal flavor variety that isn’t shy on the key lime flavor.
The cons: They are seasonal. So if you like them, you might want to pick up a few boxes to get you through the season.
The verdict: …
The pros: O&H Danish Bakery Pecan Kringle is a seasonal offering at Trader Joe’s. If you were a fan of previous flavors, then you’ll probably enjoy this one too. This is perfect for either breakfast, brunch, or dessert. This is far more affordable at Trader Joe’s than on the bakery’s website.
The cons: This is a seasonal offering. While mine did not come out of the bag in a photogenic way, it still tasted fine. In other words, mine was super flaky.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Truffles have a nice shell and a soft interior that might remind you of something close to a Lindor truffle.
The cons: Wrapped this looks more like the Death Star than an Easter candy. No option for Dark Chocolate fans.
The verdict: …
The pros: Trader Joe’s 100% Mango Juice from Carabao Mangoes is sold in a four pack of cans. It’s good mango juice but…
The cons: Not terribly different from Trader Joe’s Mango Nectar. Since this can only be grown in the Philippines then this too is likely seasonal.
The verdict: …
