After having some of Trader Joe's Brookies, I guess my next view has to be some lighter fare. And just in time for dieting season is this frozen entree. From what I've been seeing posted around the internet, there are going to be some new additions in the freezer aisle. Certain items are scheduled to be discontinued like Trader Joe's Cream Cheese Broiche Pastries, their French Toast, and even the tasty Sunflower Seed Drops are rumored to be discontinued. So with extra freezer room, I guess we will be seeing new items hitting shelves.
Taste and review
Here is one of them. There is already a vegetable Pad Thai option at Trader Joe's in the freezer section. From a quick glance at the ingredients, this appears to be vegan although the package does not appear to be labeled as such.
And while the packaging here is the familiar hue of purple that many associates with eggplant, there is none of the purple variety in this box. Nope, this is green eggplant.
And as if they timed this well, consuming this entire box will only be 200 calories. There is no rice in this one, however, you might want to consider making some to make up for a few of the flaws with this dish.
First off, this is quite salty. Eat this whole package and its half of all the sodium you need in a day. And then there is the other detail, which is medium to medium-hot in heat.
The package seemed to assure me that it would be that bad. I disagree. It downright slowed me down.
I'd have a bite. And then have to pause. And then I'd have another bite. If I were at work, I'd need about 90 minutes to eat this without rice.
If you are willing to look past the over-salted and under-stated heat level mentioned on the package you do have a flavorful eggplant dish. The Thai basil flavor comes right through and is a pleasant compliment to the flavors here. And if you are careful enough, the chilis do add flavor as well as a strong kick. Mine contained multiple red little peppers of pure heat.
I did have one other issue with this-the microwave instructions. I stopped mine at the 4-minute mark. Not only to remove the cover but to stop the cooking process. Mine was steaming hot, so I recommend checking yours to see if it is done.
Overall
Otherwise, for $3.49, it wouldn't be a bad option for lunch. I'd still recommend bringing a side with this.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Product photos
The box of Trader Joe's Spicy Thai Eggplant:
Calories
Ingredients
Directions
How Trader Joe's describes this item:
Out of the package you get:
After being cooked you get:
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The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Spicy Thai Eggplant
Product Name: Trader Joe's Spicy Thai Eggplant
Product Description: Trader Joe's Spicy Thai Eggplant is medium hot heat in a frozen package.
Price: $3.49
Currency: USD
Availability: Discontinued
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- A flavorful frozen item that based on the ingredients appears to be vegan
- Ready in about 4 minutes
Cons
- If you are sensitive to spice, you need to steer clear of this
- Quite salty as well
Melanie Hollingsworth says
I think the spicy thai eggplant is delicious. Its definitely spicy. Just remove the red chilli peppers and its still has a nice spicy flavor. Definitely a 4 star rating from me. Since its been out I've eaten it 3 times a week
becomebetty says
Hey Melanie! Glad you liked this. I liked to too, but those little red chilis were hot. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this!
Varsha Luthra says
I love this dish!! For only 200 calories one can eat it guilt free!! Very chillie hot and not for people who cannot tolerate spicy hot food!! I hope they keep making this and selling it!!
becomebetty says
Hey Varsha! Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Glad to hear you like it so much!
Heidi says
Same!!! This was so incredibly spicy for me. I know that’s subjective, but if I usually order a 2 at Thai restaurants this is an 8. I couldn’t eat it. Which would be fine if I was Warned but I feel like I was not. The description says it’s “piquant but not too, too spicy!” I feel Like that’s really an understatement. Also, I love eggplant in so many forms but these chunks of green don’t seem very eggplant like to me. I honestly thought I got a bowl full of green, spicy peppers instead of eggplant. JUST FYI PPL. I wish I could return this dish. Kinda kissed cuz I was excited about it.
Tee says
This dish is amazing especially for a freezer meal. The spice is spot on. I eat this stuff at least twice a week and always keep one in the fridge. This needs to go into permanent rotation!!!
becomebetty says
Hey Tee! Glad you love it so much. It is a solid dish. But for some those little chilis are going to be super hot. I still see it on shelves so it looks like a pretty permanent item (or at least as permanent as TJ's will let us have). Thanks for taking the time out of your day to stop by and share!