Trader Joe's Peppermint Pretzel Slims

I've avoided buying these every year because I couldn't imagine liking them. To be sure, I love TJ's Pretzel Slims. And I love peppermint. But together? No. Ew.

I was correct. I had several at Nina's house the other day. They just seemed...off. Put the "creamy coating and peppermint sprinkles" on something else--a big marshmallow, say, or a maraschino cherry--and I'd probably think you a culinary genius. But on a pretzel? No. It's too clashy.

On the other hand, there's Nina: "I love them." "Delicious." "I could eat a hundred of these."

De gustibus, etc.


Will I buy it again? 



via GIPHY

Trader Joe's Olivewood Bowl

Nina bought this, with the intention of using it for serving snacks at a party. Given the wood's sensitivity to water and need for maintenance with oil, these bowls are not practical for everyday use. But they're very pretty to have on hand for some special occasion.

Trader Joe's Oven-Baked Cheese Bites With Black Summer Truffle

Trader Joe's has, inexplicably, taken one of their best products and contaminated it with foul bits of revolting truffle. Selling these should be a crime, as they constitute an adulterated food product.

Now, if you ask Nina, you'll get an entire different story. She will tell you that these are not only delicious, but a big improvement on the original. She will explain that it took enormous willpower not to chow down the entire bag in one sitting. It's hard to understand how she is so right about some things (like taste in boyfriends) and so wrong in others (like taste in cheesy snacks).


Will I buy it again? 


via GIPHY

Roundup

This is my weekly compilation of news and other links about Trader Joe's.


Trader Joe's announces recall of certain products containing romaine lettuce due to E. coli

Your Trader Joe's Thanksgiving shopping list 

25 of the best Thanksgiving foods at Trader Joe's

Taste test of four vegan roasts including Trader Joe's (14-minute video)

Trader Joe's has 84 new holiday products this year

Thanksgiving dinner using only Trader Joe's products

Wegman's is a better shopping experience than Trader Joe's

Delicious 3-ingredient Trader Joe's dinners

Cost of turkeys at 14 grocery store chains

20 recipes for Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi

5 Trader Joe's recipes you need on your Thanksgiving table

10 Trader Joe's Thanksgiving sides and appetizers

The 10 best Trader Joe's stocking stuffers of 2019



Best tweets of the week:

I have been referring to the #traderjoes Chocolate Coins of the World as “Reduced Gelt” pic.twitter.com/AdP5NZIuEv

— Reading-Terminal Illness (@orencamera) November 16, 2019

Cause of death: #TraderJoes white chocolate peppermint pretzels pic.twitter.com/v6RTTY6xBI

— Taylor Watson (@taylortellsall_) November 17, 2019

all i want from this census season is to show we have enough people in my little town for #TraderJoes to open a store that's not 40 miles away

— mar 🇻🇪 (@omgmariaa) November 18, 2019

Idea for Trader Joe’s: peanut butter, but instead of a hundred calories per spoonful, there is only one calorie! Yeah, you guys need to figure out the science part. #TraderJoes #invention #peanutbutter #WorldDiabetesDay

— Simon S (@simonstillinbed) November 19, 2019

I saw this in the parking lot of my #traderjoes - this is pretty meta. @TraderJoesList pic.twitter.com/164e1X710J

— krupali MD (@krupali) November 19, 2019

It's my personal philosophy that people are inherently good and institutions are evil. Except #TraderJoes and #TheLibraryofCongress, those are good institutions.

— K Gild (@kgild) November 20, 2019

Dear #TraderJoes,

I’m not sure what your employee screening process is, but keep doing it.

Love,
A lifetime loyal shopper ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8MycEDcycj

— Lauren Lane (@laurenlanee) November 22, 2019

Got straight up hip checked by an elderly woman for Everything Ciabatta Rolls. There were 3 bags left. #TraderJoes

— CJ Sullivan (@CJSullivan_) November 22, 2019

there are truly no better grocery packers than #traderjoes employees. i’m convinced they have Tetris training before being hired.

— Lauren (@lutzlc7) November 21, 2019

And finally, here's this week's cute cat in a Trader Joe's grocery bag (with thanks to my friend Elaine):

Trader Joe's Cauliflower Tot Casserole

Tater tots--except made from riced cauliflower instead of taters, so lower carb numbers--with a white sauce and gooey cheese. What's not to love? Very comfort-foody.

Because I had time while other things were cooking, I did the oven method instead of microwave. As seems to always be the case with TJ's frozen-to-oven products, it required about 10 minutes more than the package directs. Due to that, I didn't apply the optional additional 2-3 minutes of broiler time to get the promised "golden brown top," but I will next time because it definitely would have been better that way.

Nitpicking: The tots at the edges, where the cheese and sauce didn't quite reach, maintained their integrity. But most of the rest couldn't stand up to the cheese and sauce and became sort of an indistinguishable mash. It didn't affect the taste at all, but it would have been more texturally satisfying if they had enough crispiness to remain distinct tots.

Claimed serving size of 3 is about right. Nina and I had it as a side dish to some chili last night, and about 1/3 of it was left for my lunch today.


Will I buy it again? 

Yes. It's already on my Thanksgiving dinner shopping list.

Sweet Rose Coconut Whipped Topping

In design, function, appearance, and texture, this is just like the famous Reddi Wip, or the less famous but all-around superior Cabot whipped cream that Trader Joe's sells.

In flavor, though, there's no chance of confusing this for dairy. It is strongly and distinctly coconut. For me, that's not a bad thing; I can't think of any way I'd use whipped cream in which I would not welcome some coconut flavor. On top of a fruit pie? Sure. On top of chocolate ice cream? Yes, please. On top of angel food cake with diced strawberries? Lay it on thick.

I predict that within several months, the product as you see it here will suddenly disappear from TJ's shelves, to be replaced soon thereafter with an identical one, except now carrying the Trader Joe's name and a more whimsical label design.


Will I buy it again? 

My use of such products is minimal--something like one can a year--but yes, this would be my first choice now.

Roundup

This is my weekly compilation of news and other links about Trader Joe's.


Price comparison, Aldi and Trader Joe's

What Thanksgiving dinner does $50 buy you at various grocery stores?

6 holiday favorites you can already buy at Trader Joe's

The 9 best Trader Joe's crackers

How Trader Joe's exploits a fading California fantasy

11 Trader Joe's holiday gift ideas

Don't leave Trader Joe's without trying at least one of these products


Best tweets of the week:

If you told me Heaven were a Trader Joe’s then I would reply... “kill me now”. #traderjoes

— Connor J Koppin (@connorjkoppin) November 9, 2019

it’s so messed up that we have a whole day to celebrate veterans but not even one hour to celebrate trader joe’s employees

— viking (@notviking) November 11, 2019

90% of my conversations as an adult are about how amazing Trader Joe’s is#itstrue #traderjoes #godsend

— Katie Rose (@katiebug2299) November 13, 2019

My love language is snacks from #TraderJoes

— E L L D O T T T (@LaurenDop) November 13, 2019

Is there a support group for Trader Joe's addicts?#TraderJoes #CantGetEnough

— Jorge Ortiz (@JorgeOrtizActor) November 14, 2019

Sometimes when I’m opening a box of wine from #TraderJoes I pretend like I’m on @GreysABC and I have a guy open on the table and I say, “I CANT FIND THE SOURCE OF THIS WINE?! WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?? DAMNIT I NEED SUCTION!” and that’s when I drink the wine.

— Jarrett David (@jarrett_david) November 15, 2019

And finally, here's this week's cute cat in a Trader Joe's grocery bag with his Trader Joe's advent calendar for cats.

Look what I found at #TraderJoes today! A #cat treat advent calendar & the cat on the front looks just like my Zule. And he knows there are cat treats inside. #CatsOfTwitter #louisvilleky pic.twitter.com/kTHrRmQfPM

— Kelly Davenport (@KellyDavenport) November 10, 2019