Monday, March 16, 2015

Trader Joe's Wild Salmon In Yogurt & Mint Sauce With Orzo Pasta, Spinach & Zucchini



Doesn't this look intriguing? Inviting? Surely there's about a 95% chance that "wild salmon in yogurt and mint sauce, with orzo pasta, spinach, and zucchini" is more interesting than whatever you made for dinner last night, right?

Wrong.

First, consider how it actually looks, compared to that package photo:



(That's half of what was in the package, after baking per the directions. The other half was on Nina's plate.)

Can the salmon be said to be "in" yogurt and mint sauce if there is so little of it that it looks like--well, this is a family-friendly blog, so you can use your own imagination as to what that sprinkling of white stuff on the fish looks like.

How about flavor?

Sadly, the Trader Joe's Blandification Committee spent weeks, maybe months, crafting this dish to their view of perfection--which means extruding every last bit of flavor out of the thing. Without exaggeration, it was the most taste-free salmon I've ever had. I detected exactly zero taste of either mint or yogurt. That mess underneath was gelatinous pasta with some green stuff mixed in. The box says the green stuff should have been spinach and zucchini, but when it has no flavor at all, who can be sure?

I think the only thing that can be said in its defense is that it isn't too expensive: $4.79 for a two-person portion.

In every other way, this is a monumental Trader Joe's fail.

Will I buy it again? 

Not on your life.


Nina's View

Well, this was a gigantic disappointment.

ZERO EVIDENCE OF ANY YOGURT/MINT SAUCE in the actual serving. The orzo tasted vaguely green but was distressingly mushy. The salmon was a big goose-egg as well, in flavor and in texture.

The only reason this entree qualifies as serving two is because I disliked it enough to not finish it. If it were good it would be a decent sized single serving.



13 comments:

  1. I recommend that you do these side-by-side (package v. reality) pictures whenever you can.

    I thought the whole idea of minted salmon sounded just gross, personally -- but I'm sure as hell it *looks* gross out of the package.

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  2. I completely disagree with the review. I think that the wild salmon frozen meal was very good, especially since the salmon cooked perfectly every single time. With regards to "no flavor" comment, I believe that many taste buds have become desensitized after consuming over-salted meals. I personally appreciate the low sodium content in this dish and find it delicious.

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  3. I don't agree w/ your review. (do you not like fish? that could be part of it) It looks like you overcooked it. Generously squeeze w/ lemon and don't overcook. It's good (wouldn't call it "great" like the mojito salmon, but healthy and good way to get fish in diet)

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  4. I just had this for dinner. It is not meant for 2 meals. It is clearly marked for 1 meal. I thought it was quite tasty and not over-salty.

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    1. Exactly! Not meant for a 2 person serving! Not quite sure where she's getting the 2 person meal info from. It's clearly marked as only one serving

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  5. A woman at TJ's was loading a ton of these into her basket. She said it was delish and so I bought one even though the combo of flavors didn't sound good. I baked it in the oven and didn't use the microwave. Wasn't the best but not the worst frozen meal. I had to "doctor" it up with some black pepper and some spices. Will not buy again.

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  6. I do not agree with your review. I just had this for dinner and it was quite tasty. It's meant for 1 person, not two. Also, maybe you should slow down on your salt intake so you can taste your food properly.

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  7. I agree with the reviewer, this dish is super bland and flavorless. The salmon was a pretty good texture though esp for being cooked in the microwave. Was a bit better after I added salt and pepper and sriracha. :P The orzo was mushy. will not repurchase. Definitely 1 person portion though.

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  8. I have to agree with the tasteless salmon and mushy pasta. The entire meal tastes like cardboard to me. Better to buy some good salmon and make your own orzo pasta and mint yogurt sauce.

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  9. I disagree with this review too. I bought this to have some options in the freezer at work (that are better than getting chinese takeout) for days when I don't have time to pack my lunch. I hoped microwaved fish would be edible, but didn't have much hope for more. I was very pleasantly surprised. It didn't have a strong mint flavor, but I thought the sauce and rice were very tasty. Also, I was shocked that after microwaving for the recommended time the salmon was cooked perfectly. No, it doesn't look as appealing as fish that's been seared to give it that brown color, but the taste and texture far surpassed expectations. I agree it did need a little salt. Also, it is definitely one serving.

    (oh - and the white stuff on the fish in your photo is not yogurt mint sauce, it's the fat that cooked out of the salmon. The sauce is on the rice and orzo)

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  10. Looks can be deceiving, especially when you see the word yogurt in fish. But trust me, this is delicious.

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  11. Here's the thing. First this meal happens to work better in the microwave because the pasta turns to mush when you have it at high heat for 40 minutes. Second I personally appreciate this meal. It's very hard to find low sodium pre-made food in the grocery store because people complain there's no taste. Seriously you all just need a salt shaker and your "flavor" will be back. Your taste buds are used to a high sodium diet because that's what sells. Unfortunately that also means higher risk for cardiovascular issues later. I wish more companies would ditch the salt and just put "salt to taste on the label"

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  12. love this meal. it tastes better than most salmon I order at restaurants that overcook their fish and dry it out. I suspect the reason it tastes so good, even when cooked in the microwave, is that the fish they use is super fresh when they freeze it. If they used old fish, it would taste super dry after being in the microwave. I also love the orzo pasta. it is mushy, but i love it. it is almost like a risotto. not sure where the “mint” comes from though- none noted. I’m really picky with my fish. I love fresh fish and when I cook fresh salmon, I like it undercooked (I think overcooked salmon is disgusting). With that in mind, this fish tastes soft and moist. Definitely recommend!

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