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
Alek says
It should came with a side of rice or something. Also WTF?! Cream Cheese Brioche going be discontinued?! WHY?! It is the best thing for breakfast.
becomebetty says
I saw rumors online and I haven't seen it in the freezer section lately either. And yes, I agree about the rice! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing!
PattiAnn says
Thanks for this very informative review. I have to add that this item looks very unappealing and for me that is a no-go!
becomebetty says
Hey PattiAnn! Fair enough, thank for stopping by!
dave remoli says
I work at TJ's, this is a great dish with few ingredients. I do agree the heat level it out of wack, I mix it with our veggie fried rice to make a Thai basil fried rice. Keep it veg, add mad flavor.
becomebetty says
Hey Dave! First let me say, your job it totally my retirement goal. Second, I realized the heat level after I had photographed it. The reason I brought up that issue was that I know someone out there will pack this for lunch (especially after the New Year) and might not pack something to absorb the heat. I totally agree with you that this would be better enjoyed with something. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing! Your thoughts are always welcome here. Happy New Year!
Ttrockwood says
Yes it does look vegan. I’m kind of annoyed thatTJs stopped putting the V in a circle logo on vegan items and now it’s hit or miss if it’s labeled.
Anyways, this doesn’t seem like a meal so much as a side dish- regardless sounds way too spicy for me...! I feel like if you added in some cubed extra firm tofu, canned coconut milk and some rice or noodles it would be more of a meal and potentially actually two portions.
Andrea says
You’ve described this dish perfectly! It IS spicy and those little red chilis are PURE EVIL. Now that I’ve tasted it, I plan to use it as the vegetable and sauce base for stir-fried pork strips and eggplant. My only regret is that the dish is not gluten-free because it uses regular rather than Tamari soy sauce.
becomebetty says
Hey Andrea! Thanks for sharing that. I think that is absolutely a valid point with this product. Thanks for taking the time out of your day and sharing!
Robin says
You could always grab the frozen rice to add to it. I'm the voice of dissent, but as a lowcarber i love that it doesn't have rice. Right now I'm having it on its own, and I love heat. For the other half, I might add cauli rice, shrimp or agitation tofu noodles.
I would guess that as it is early january, THe might have wanted to appeal to new year's dieters who are trying to reduce sugar and starchy carbs.
Robin says
Like-minded shiratki tofu noodles, not agitation 🙂
becomebetty says
I've never seen tofu noodles. And now I have something new to look for. Thanks!
becomebetty says
Hey Robin! Absolutely it has appeal and there are some less flavorful options in the frozen aisle. I welcome all carb consumers here whether you are low carb, no carb or all the carbs. Thanks so very much for stopping by and sharing your ideas!
Shannon Montan says
I didn't think this was spicy unless you bit into the red chilis directly. It is definitely salty but that's typical in frozen Asian dinners. Very average :/
I did have a side of rice with this and I'm glad I did beccause it was kind of boring otherwise. I do like the visible pieces of garlic and ginger.
becomebetty says
Hey Shannon! Mine had quite a few of those red chilis (there were just as many on top as there were mixed throughout). I'm glad you shared this. Thanks so much for stopping by and your thoughts are always welcome here!
Dee says
I took half the box and poured it over the 5 pork gyoza to get some protein in there. It was delish!!!
becomebetty says
Hey Dee! Thanks for the pairing suggestion and for stopping by!
Phe says
I absolutely love this dish! Vary rarely do Microwave meals ever have the flavor your looking for. This dish has spice! And flavor and sweetness... it’s all there. It’s not the same as the real thing, but when I have a thai craving and don’t want to break my budget I reach for this dish.
becomebetty says
Hey Phe! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this product!
Duane Rochester says
I also love this meal, which I had tonight. I sautéed the dish, since I do not not own a microwave. I used sesame oil for the sautéed and added a tablespoon of Trader Joe's stir fry sauce. I then added jasmine rice, which I cooked in TJ's coconut milk. It was insanely delicious!
becomebetty says
Hey Duane! Wow! Sounds like you took the flavor and stepped it up a notch with the coconut milk. I'm wondering if that tamed the heat just a bit. I might have to try it your way. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing this!