This is one of my new favorite foods from Trader Joe’s. I’m not generally a fan of riced cauliflower which I find to be an unsatisfying replacement for real rice. However this dish totally works due to an interesting and satisfying combination of ingredients, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, baked tofu, and roasted onions, and a flavorful […]
Trader Joe’s Vegan Tikka Masala (vegan)
I’m always happy to see a new vegan product at Trader Joe’s. Unfortunately, the vegan tikka masala is not only disappointing but nearly inedible. On a positive note the rice and sauce are good and the price ($3.49) is reasonable for an entrée. However, the vegan “meat” is somehow both chewy and slimy, unlike anything […]
Trader Joe’s Hearty Minestrone Soup (vegan)
There are now 7 fresh soup selections at my Trader Joe’s. These are usually on the top shelf above the grab-and-go salads. Two have meat, but 3 (carrot coconut curry, pea, and vegetable with quinoa and kale) are labeled vegan. The remaining two (lentil and minestrone) appear to be vegan based on the ingredient list. […]
Trader Joe’s Julienned Root Vegetables (vegan)
This is a confusing and disappointing item. The name sounds like a vegetable side dish, but the photo and description seem like fries. However, these definitely don’t cook up like fries. The beets and carrots are just too dense and wet and many of the pieces are very short – about 1 inch long. Plus, […]
Rice Pilaf with Roasted Vegetables (vegan)
This is a seasonal item that will probably be around through Christmas. Convenient, colorful and tasty. Wild rice gives the dish a nice texture. Nicely seasoned. Usually I need to add salt, pepper and some olive oil to boost flavor, but this works as-is. Add some chopped pecans and dried cranberries to create a festive […]
Quinoa Duo with Vegetable Melange (vegan)
This quinoa dish is super easy to cook and quite tasty and satisfying. Colorful vegetable pieces make this an attractive side dish. Add a can of garbanzo beans for a complete meal. Drizzle with a little olive oil and add salt & pepper to taste. What’s your favorite frozen grain dish from Trader Joe’s? Location: […]
Trader Joe’s Roasted Brussels Sprouts (vegan)
Found roasted brussels sprouts in the chilled produce area right next to the baby beets that I buy nearly every week. I thought I’d enjoy eating these brussels sprouts as-is, but they are really hard (probably intentionally under cooked so they aren’t mushy) and don’t have much flavor. A little balsamic vinegar or soy sauce […]
Trader Joe’s Vegetable Panang Curry (vegan)
This is a really tasty curry dish due mostly to delicious sauce. Extra points for being vegan and low cost. The rice is packaged in a separate compartment in the tray and cooks up nice and fluffy. The vegetables aren’t readily identifiable. I wouldn’t have known there are asparagus and kale in the mix unless […]
Trader Joe’s Stir Fry Vegetables (vegan)
This frozen stir fry mix has a nice selection of vegetables, but suffers the fate of all frozen stir fry mixes. The vegetables just don’t have the fresh taste and crisp texture that are the crucial characteristic of a good stir fry. Even though TJ’s wisely sliced the mushroom and carrots very thin so they […]
Trader Joe’s Asian Vegetable Stir Fry (vegan)
I love the idea of a quick, convenient and fresh stir fry mix. Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s Asian Stir Fry mix just doesn’t cut it. The first issue is that it’s almost all peppers and onions so it seems more like a Mexican fajita mix than an Asian stir fry mix. The second issue is that […]