We Tried Trader Joe’s New Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni

When I first saw Trader Joe's Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni, I thought it might similar to Eric Kim's gochujang buttered noodles in the NYT. But the truth is although this pasta gets its kick from a gochujang sauce, Trader Joe's named this one right. It truly is an alfredo sauced pasta, so it's more like mac…

ByMichelleJanuary 22, 20260Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Japanese Soufflé Cheesecake

So many times Trader Joe's has done us dirty on the Japanese food front (the karaage is the most offensive of the bunch). But the Japanese Soufflé Cheesecake that rolled out this week is pretty solid for frozen. And at $3.29 for a package of 2? It's a no-brainer. The package calls for…

ByMichelleMay 7, 20240Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Calamansi & Mango Sorbet

If you need a bright burst of winter sunshine, grab a pint of Trader Joe's Calamansi & Mango Sorbet. Calamansi is a Filipino citrus, whose flavor is sometimes described as a mix of lime, lemon, and orange. I didn't grow up with calamansi, but here it's generally citrusy with a very slight bitterness, like you'd…

ByMichelleJanuary 30, 20240Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Spring Rolls with Tofu

There's a Shrimp Version, Too Summer rolls, spring rolls, fresh rolls, whatever you call them, they're delish. Trader Joe's Spring Rolls come in two varieties: tofu and shrimp. But because I was a little leery about shrimp, I went with the tofu version. Two to a package for $5.49, they come with a cashew dipping…

ByMichelleJanuary 22, 20240Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Chicken, Lentil & Caramelized Onion Pilaf

If you're looking for a side dish to go with Trader Joe's Middle Eastern Style kebabs (koobideh), Trader Joe's new pilaf is a pretty decent option. Trader Joe's Chicken, Lentil and Caramelized Onion pilaf ($4.49) is flavored with saffron, cinnamon and cumin and cooks up pretty quick in the microwave. It's similar to something we…

ByMichelleJanuary 4, 20240Comments

Product Review

Trader Joe’s Adds Beef Bulgogi to its Korean Food Offerings

In the midst of all the holiday hoopla, Trader Joe's just rolled out its version of Beef Bulgogi. You'll remember they've offered a vegan version for awhile. The vegan version was good in tacos, so my hopes were high for Trader Joe's Beef Bulgogi, especially because it clocks in at $12.99. And while prices are…

ByMichelleNovember 28, 20230Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Braised Pork Shoulder with Fig & Apricot Sauce

Trader Joe's has come up with some pretty solid heat and eat holiday-ish entrees over the last few years. This year's entree (or one of, we'll see) is Braised Pork Shoulder with Fig and Apricot Sauce. The box shows nice uniform slices (which seems more like loin than shoulder to me), but ok. At $7.99…

ByMichelleNovember 6, 20230Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Avocado Ranch Salad Kit

Trader Joe's salad kits aren't usually on my shopping list, but something about Avocado Ranch said throw one of these in your basket. See how it is. And let's be honest, I really never pass up a Frito salad. (There's a good one in The Homesick Texan's Family Table by Lisa Fain). So, for…

ByMichelleOctober 9, 20230Comments

Product Review

Inside Trader Joe’s Wicked Good Mini Chocolate Bars

Today we're going inside a new trick-o-treat candy candidate -- Trader Joe's Wicked Good Mini Chocolate Bars. When I saw the bag online, for some reason I figured it was single serve, but no, this is a 24-piece bag of candy. It features four varieties: Nougat Chocolate Bar (yellow), Caramel & Wafer (black), Nougat…

ByMichelleSeptember 28, 20231Comment

Product Review

Taste Test: Trader Joe’s versus Shirakiku Chicken Karaage

I'm not gonna string you along. Trader Joe's Chicken Karaage ($6.49 per 18.97 oz. bag) doesn't measure up as either karaage or chicken nuggets/fingers. Before we get to the taste test, let's take a look at Trader Joe's version on its own. So, the bag does say it's Japanese-inspired, leaving some room for variation.…

ByMichelleAugust 7, 20230Comments

We Tried Trader Joe’s New Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni

We Tried Trader Joe’s Japanese Soufflé Cheesecake

We Tried Trader Joe’s Calamansi & Mango Sorbet

We Tried Trader Joe’s Spring Rolls with Tofu

We Tried Trader Joe’s Chicken, Lentil & Caramelized Onion Pilaf

Trader Joe’s Adds Beef Bulgogi to its Korean Food Offerings

We Tried Trader Joe’s Braised Pork Shoulder with Fig & Apricot Sauce

We Tried Trader Joe’s Avocado Ranch Salad Kit

Inside Trader Joe’s Wicked Good Mini Chocolate Bars

Taste Test: Trader Joe’s versus Shirakiku Chicken Karaage

Book Review: A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang

26 New Asian and Pacific Islander Books for your 2026 TBR