Have you ever looked at the calorie count of an item and put it back? Or prayed it was really good to justify the calories? Well, that's pretty much how I felt after I picked up Trader Joe's Kunefe. While this box isn't big, this packs a heavy hit of calories.
Taste and review
But oh was it worth it.
Every. Single. Bite.
Here is an item that I nearly dismissed on the calorie count, I thought I would be writing to tell you that 2 servings were way too big (it really is not) and that you wouldn't need quite as much of the sugar syrup that was included.
On each of those, I was wrong.
So in the box is a small dessert that will fit on a salad plate. It is quite small. I now think of it as portion control.
It took just under 20 minutes in my toaster oven to achieve proper doneness.
While I was waiting I was really pondering how much of the syrup I would need. I even wondered if honey would pair well with this. For the sake of reviewing, I kept everything as is.
And I'm glad I did. After taking this out of the toaster oven, I was rewarded with a golden crisp nest-like disc with melty, gooey cheese in the middle.
After pondering what to do about the syrup packet, I added half. I looked at it again and it looked like the Kunefe had consumed all of the liquid. I added the rest of the packet.
And then there was a teeny tiny bag that I haven't noticed initially. There was a plastic bag with a smidge of pistachio nuts. Now, when I say a smidge, I mean a smidge. Like someone had the job of grounding up exactly 3 nuts per bag. Maybe even 2.5. This was a super tiny bag and I was wishing for more.
When I finally went in for a taste, I portioned out a quarter of the Kunefe figuring that would be adequate. Nope.
The phyllo is so finely shredded it adds texture and holds up well against the sweet syrup that was added before serving. So you are hit with crispy and gooey, melty cheese. You are also hit with savory and sweetness between the syrup and cheese.
Despite thinking it would be too much, it was enough syrup.
I just wished the pistachios were added a bit more here. Because there were so few of them I can't say they contributed to the dish in any way.
Overall
I can honestly say I've tried a LOT of sweets this year, but out of everything that I've tried, this is hands down one of the best items I've tried for 2019.
In terms of authenticity, I've never had a dish like Kunefe, but if you can compare them, I'd love to hear it in the comments section.
For $3.99 this is totally worth a try.
Would I buy this again? Trader Joe's Kunefe will likely end up in my cart again.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Product photos
The box of Trader Joe's Kunefe:
Calories and ingredients
Directions
Out of the package you get:
After being cooked you get:
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Trader Joe's Kunefe
Product Name: Trader Joe's Kunefe
Product Description: Trader Joe's Kunefe is a frozen Middle Eastern dessert
Price: $3.99
Summary
Trader Joe's Kunefe is a new frozen Middle Eastern dessert
Pros
- Delicious
- A dessert all about contrast- it's crunchy, creamy, oeey and gooey, yet sweet and crunchy
Cons
- The amount of pistachios is minuscule and doesn't end up adding much to this dish.
Lauren says
Seven hells, 900 calories per package. Sad! Why is everything that is delicious also fattening?
becomebetty says
Hey Lauren! I know. There is a good amount of cheese in this, the crispy phyllo dough and the syrup packet. It's only the size of a dessert plate and trust me when I said, "I can get 4 servings out of this." Nope. It's 2 servings. And yes, I thought the exact same thing. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing!
Cynthia June says
It's astounding when I read the ingredient labels on foods available to us today. It was a standard of my Nana's and then my mother's to never purchase a food that has more than three ingredients. This made our meals fresh and healthy by all standards. I hate to say this, but there are a lot of people I know who eat the packaged ramen noodles regularly. My ex, for instance, used to eat two a day - as a snack. This was a habit he got into that was incredibly unhealthy, especially for him, as he was prone to hypertension. When I read the fat and sodium content of the noodles he was eating everyday, I just about passed out. I couldn't believe how incredibly high the sodium AND fat contents were! I refused to allow him to eat these prefab noodles any longer and "forced" him to enjoy the healthy meals I was preparing for my mother who was on a restricted sodium diet due to her hypertension and congestive heart failure. I started taking his blood pressure regularly right after a doctor appointment when his blood pressure taken was so high the doctor wanted to medicate him for it. As soon as I restricted his diet, no more ramen noodles, his blood pressure went back to normal - without the usual medication prescribed for hypertension. That's just a case in point why we all ought to be cooking fresh meals as much as possible, avoiding highly processed foods and those with very high sodium and fat contents.
becomebetty says
Hey Cynthia! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. This is up there in the calorie/fat/sugar/sodium count. Anything with cheese is usually up there in the fat content. Anything with sugar syrup, it just adds way more calories. So I post it here so everyone can make the best decision possible based on their needs. For me, this is an occasional treat at best. Thanks for sharing your story.
Cynthia June says
Believe me, I am the last person to cut something out of my diet just because of what it says on the ingredient label! I do try to make everything I can from scratch but it's sometimes impossible for me to do that. I never ever cut out a treat like this, and I most certainly would have it more than once in a while, being as tasty as you say it is. 🙂 I plan to get to Trader Joe's and give it a go ASAP. I think Trader Joe's is my favorite grocery store. I only wish there were one closer to my house, but it's always worth the time and trouble once I come home with a few big paper bags full of their marvelous food selection.
Alek says
That sounds divine!!! I thought it would be a weird combo but glad it's is good. I'll be sure to buy it next time when I hit TJs
Dagmar says
Oh my gosh I had picked this up this weekend and checked out the cost-benefit analysis LOL. I thought to myself maybe I'll wait for Brenda to check it out first! I'm glad you did. Sounds like this would be a unique treat. I have seen a similar dessert before but without the cheese. It was comprised of honey, pistachios, shredded phyllo, rose water and a few other ingredients. Sounds like this new TJ's product is worth ago! Thanks for the review!
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! No problem, I thoroughly enjoyed this product so this is a week of peaks and valleys. Trust me, I did the cost benefit too. And I really tried to make this 4 pieces. It totally didn't work out for me. If you try it, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!
Ariel Riley says
It really doesn't have that many ingredients - the ones it has are relatively nature and look like more because they break down what makes the main ingredients. (the dough, the cheese, etc). I mean, you can go to your Nana's house and find a homemade treat with this number of calories. If you don't want to buy/eat this, then more for me 😀
becomebetty says
Hey Ariel! Point well taken here. Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to stop by and share!
Rachel says
I love this! My boyfriend is Armenian/Lebanese and grew up eating this. We've made it from scratch before, but it's hard to get all the ingredients sometimes and you end up with SO MUCH. It's great that now we can have it as a special treat without feeling like we're going to need to eat a whole pan of it. His only critique is that the kunefe he grew up with had rosewater in the syrup for flavoring (rather than pistachios on tops). But four thumbs up from us!
becomebetty says
Hey Rachel! I knew someone out there had the type of insight you have. The rosewater would probably make this pop that much more. Thanks again for taking the time out of your day to stop by!
Dagmar says
I saw this the other day but did a pass. A little too off the beaten path for my taste
Grubbing With Jess says
This sounds and looks so interesting! I'll keep an eye out for it!!
Alysse says
I discovered kunefe in Sarajevo last year and been OBSESSED with it ever since. This certain looks like the real deal and I cannot wait to go to TJ to get me one!
becomebetty says
Hey Alysse! I'd love to hear how you enjoyed this. You have more awesome travels than I have so I'd love for you to compare. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Margaret M Lechich Lemar says
Hmm I wonder how many calories in sugar pack. I replaced with honey as a Trader Joe employee suggested. And it was delicious. It would be nice if they put that info on the box.