One entire aisle is dedicated to canned and jarred preparations of classic dishes like eggplant stuffed with rice, grilled stuffed peppers, and pickled vegetable salads. This dip seriously tasted like something I would order at a fancy Mediterranean restaurant. My late Jewish grandma (Romanian by birth) made a delicious roasted eggplant spread that had a ton and I mean a ton of garlic in it and it was fantastic. I have nothing against vanilla yogurt but it's not the kind of thing I'd use as a dip. I decided to google this item looking to discover why I needed to throw it out 5 days after opening. The eggplant is sliced thick almost an inch thick, actually and it's juicy and rich. 15 of 15 Honey Butter Potato Chips Say what you want about the conceptthese chips were outrageously delicious. Would I Buy It Again: This spread has no place in my cabinet. and truly a pantry staple. Then I just top it with whatever I feel like that day! My husband doesnt like eggplant but does eat this sauce on pasta. Toum is an emulsion similar to mayonnaise but without any eggs. Instead of artificial ingredients or flavorings, this option uses a blend of cashews, vegetables, and fresh seasonings like garlic and jalapeos to mimic a cheesy flavor, which was wonderful to see in a vegan dip. The only issue I would note is that this option was much thinner than other yogurt spreads and wasn't as good for dipping with a vessel like a carrot. I understand that these relishes have different names in different regions of the Balkans can I ask where kyopolo comes from? Traditionally it is served with a red pepper sauce, and this TJs red pepper spread is perfect! "The gluten-free brioche bread at Trader Joe's is delightful," she says. It also had the optimal salsa texture chunky enough to remind me that it's made of fresh ingredients but blended so I could easily scoop it with a chip or spread it on top of another dish. Any form of chicken! That said, I have a hunch that the sweet cannoli dip would work as an ingredient in something else, like French toast topped with fruit. The spinach bits were plentiful but not overpowering, and there was enough garlic and salt to give it a palatable, well-seasoned flavor. When you open the can, thick pieces of eggplant float in a bath of garlic, olive oil, and pured tomatoes. The name might roll off the tongue, but its hard to say what exactly a proper ljutenica is supposed to taste like. I went to TJ just for Sfogliatelle, but did not see it today. The sauce's fresh, tomato-heavy taste and robust olive-oil and garlic overtones made it easy to fall in love with. (LogOut/ Traditional Olive Tapenade: The best add to any cheese board. "Grab a ball of Trader Joe's plain pizza dough, put it in a lightly oiled bowl, and let it rise at room temperature for a few . Compared to other brands (which we also love! We bnuy it at Trader Joes. And so I wont call this can humble. A million times better than the product that sits next to it on the shelf- red pepper spread with eggplant and garlic. It's not as silky smooth as the sour-cream version but still yummy and light. Gluten-Free Brioche Bread. Heating allowed the cayenne, vinegar, and other seasonings to become more pronounced and melted it to a queso-like consistency that made it much easier for scooping. Heat EVOO in a large skillet on medium-high setting. Definitely give it a try! Im not quite sure why Trader Joes embraces some of the cultural names for its dishes, likedukkah, but not others, like this poor spread, unless perhaps they feared the outrage of countless babushkas, their dudgeon raised high by a sub-standard product peddled under the name ajvar. Crispy!! Add to pasta sauces, spread on chicken, the jar enthusiastically suggests, Top a burger with it! Why, jar? You did? Trader Joes Product Ranking and Table of Contents, Trader Joes Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic. This means its great smeared on cooked chicken but not as good if you brush it onto raw chicken and bake. Packed with salt, garlic, onion, and sesame goodness, this dip hit all the right notes for me, especially when paired against the cool, Greek-yogurt base. Everything But The Bagel seasoning, available at Trader Joe's, is made with white and black sesame seeds (with a touch of poppy seeds and dried garlic and onion), dried garlic and onion, sea salt flakes, and a few other seasonings. The consistency is light and fluffy. We like it with sauted vegetables, coconut rice or mixed into baked goods. It is a mix of ground beef, pork and/or lamb and spices, made into sausage shapes. It's made with real cheese, so there was no missing that bold, sharp-cheddar flavor, but the fresh bits of jalapeo scattered throughout were what really sold me. Click to keep reading other Trader Joe's taste tests in this series. Anyone who's eaten fresh guac knows that once you expose the dip to air, you've essentially started a countdown to finish the entire bowl before it loses the fresh green color and turns into an unappetizing mess. These two products, Trader Joe's Eggplant and Garlic Spread (with peppers) and Trader Joe's Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic, could not be positioned to confuse the casual shopper more. And when it came to heat, this dip delivered, as it's topped with a dollop of that very pesto for a concentrated burst of hot flavor. But after sampling Trader Joe's herbed tahini spread, I'm not so sure that looks and scent are as reliable of an indicator of taste as I thought because it was packed with parsley. Under the broiler it bubbles, and as the cheese melts it almost resembles fondue. This freezer find technically serves two and is BYO eggs. With a base of eggplant, chickpeas, lemon, garlic, tahini, and pomegranate juice, this hummus was one of the more wholesome dips I tried during my taste test, but that didn't make it any less delicious. Even the inner aisles are packed with soon-to-be-favorite finds! Add an egg and the calories jump up to 150, total fat to 8 grams, saturated fat to 2 grams and protein to 8 grams, equating to a very healthy morning (or evening) meal. (Price: $2.99), A Trader Joe's "Customer Choice" and an "Award-Winner," these mini cups are the perfect balance of slightly sweet dark chocolate and smooth and creamy peanut butter. Cook Fast, Eat Well helps you make great food fast. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. (Price: $1.79), Scoop up a couple of these for an easy on-the-go salty snack. Try these easy-care houseplants, too . Related:The 9 Best Trader Joe's Products of 2021, According to Customers, We like these for their size because they're smaller than a burrito-size tortilla and larger than a taco-size tortilla, but you can make them work for a taco, burrito or quesadilla. Trader Joe's went the extra mile by fully infusing the standard hummus recipe with yummy cilantro-jalapeo pesto to give it an aromatic, spice-forward flavor. And although it's quite pungent, it wasn't too overpowering to enjoy as a dip. Add capers and sliced olives if you feel like it. Required fields are marked *. The dip also contained bits of actual cranberries, which gave it a unique, rustic feel. And it unraveled the way it should and the eggplant was tasty. (Price: $3.29) 14. The flavor of the eggplant is bright and intense, with the tomatoes lending the acidy to counter the olive oil bath. If sauce is too thick (pasta seems dry) add a splash of pasta cooking water. Here's what the research says about this nutritious and versatile type of food. Opening the jar I had reservations; would using this spread diminish the effort I put into my meal? Served with air fryer chicken. Will definitely get this again!! Personalized health review for Trader Joe's Garlic Spread Dip: 150 calories, nutrition grade (C plus), problematic ingredients, and more. Now as yummy as it is, personally I would like more garlic. You could serve this on top, or on the side of say grilled chicken or fish. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped basil, 2 tablespoons chopped chives, and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. Spread on bread. It is tasty with salmon too. Buy it: Trader Joe's stores; Price: $1.99. Pour in a small amount of canola oil (or another cooking oil with a high smoke point), and add peeled garlic cloves. Add one (15 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes. (LogOut/ This one is closer to what is called kyopolo. I ate this with a plain cracker and thought it was super tasty but I'd easily blow through a tub of this with cut-up sourdough. I know they're very popular in Southern cuisine, but I'm pretty sure I can count on one hand how many times I've eaten something that contains these tiny, red chili peppers. (Price: $4.29), Chock-full of strawberries, blueberries, bananas and acai puree, this bowl is very low in added sugars and a great price compared to what a local shop might charge you. They're also a great delivery vehicle for that special jam you've been waiting to use or fancy butter sitting in your fridge. I could also picture it seriously upgrading a tray of roasted vegetables or grilled meats. I get that mascarpone is pricy so I understand why sour cream was used to create a smooth, fluffy texture. VERDICT: Although I can totally picture myself placing a dollop of this stuff on top of a burrito or other spicy dish, I didn't find the flavor memorable enough to eat it on its own with chips. +. Ive been making one or two to have with eggs in the morning. It seems like there must be something wrong with Trader Joes Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic. Heat-averse folks may consider this a warning, but to my fellow spice-loving friends: This product is an absolute must-buy. I made the serious ways recipe and I nailed it on the first go. Although the dip was on the saltier side, its creamy fruit was by far the most prominent flavor. A glance at the ingredients revealed it does contain potatoes and white distilled vinegar, the latter probably included to give the dip an added tang that I personally didn't care for it. And Trader Joe's went the extra mile by adding chopped bits of actual caramelized onions to the mix. It was sweet with a kick. Inside an omelet? I walked a few laps around the store before deciding to spend the $1.99 to taste it. I love this spread for salads! The bold flavor has gone a long way. I guess there is no wrong way to eat garlic anyway. It tones down the spiciness of the zhoug but you still get a ton of flavor. I am a die hard make-it-from-scratch cook for dinner parties. Trader Joe's continues its cauliflower obsession with this dip, which contained pulverized florets, ricotta, Parmesan, cream cheese, and diced jalapeos. This can of eggplant is a fantastic road-trip companion and has been featured in many picnics at highway rest areas, eaten simply with a spoon and a hope that the oil wont spill on my shirt. (Price: $3.99), Related:Best Healthy Snacks to Buy at Trader Joe's, According to a Dietitian, Pair these with your favorite combination of stir-fried veggies and you have an easy family-friendly dinner. May contain soy and pistachio. (Price: $1.99), These okra bites have even more crunch than their freeze-dried fruit cousins. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, The 9 Best Trader Joe's Products of 2021, According to Customers, 9 Underrated Products at Trader Joe's You Should Try, According to Employees, Best Healthy Snacks to Buy at Trader Joe's, According to a Dietitian, 28 Foods Dietitians Always Buy at Trader Joe's, I'm a Dietitian, This Is the One Trader Joe's Item I Never Leave the Store Without. All else set aside, I must praise Trader Joes for fetching interesting foods from interesting places. It was too liquidy to really be scooped without the help of a spoon and too oily for most chips and crackers, let alone carrots. The sauce I thought would take five minutes to create, and which actually took me much longer due to my insistence on roasting my own peppers. There was a slight, yet noticeable sour aftertaste, but I grew used to it after the second bite and actually appreciated how it gave the dip a creamy, lighter quality that would pair well with veggies. Stuff into your favoritejalapeno popper recipe. At first, I thought this option was going to taste like the bottom of the chain's three-layer dip a cilantro-infused hummus but it turned out to be so much better. VERDICT: Although the sour-cream spinach dip isn't as unique or inventive as some other ones Trader Joe's sells, for me, it's a hit. Whatever it was that Trader Joes did to its red pepper spread to make it so they avoided it here nothing harsh or mealy comes through from the garlic or eggplant. So I suggest doing this and adding a slug of good olive oil too. The texture was creamy and dense from the bits of shredded salmon but wasn't as chunky as say, a chicken salad. Eggplant Garlic Spread with Sweet Red Peppers from Trader Joe'sTrader Joe's Eggplant garlic Spread is based on a traditional Bulgarian recipe of fresh harve. For a few cents more you can scoop up an organic version if that's your preference. Required fields are marked *. This alternative doesn't contain any additional oils and instead relies on a seamless mix of eggplant and tahini for its smooth, easily spreadable texture, a feature that made it easy to eat. My #1 is Pesto Gnocchi I used to buy back in 2008 or 2009. Ive gone through almost a whole jar in two days. I don't know how often I'll eat this as a standalone dip I didn't think it paired great with tortilla chips but it'd work brilliantly as a sandwich spread or on top of goat cheese. Nevertheless, I was excited to give Trader Joe's take on this Southern delicacy a try, and I was wowed it's worthy of all the love it gets. Previous Trader Joes 10-minute FARRO (wholegrain) Next Trader Joes NEW ZEALAND GRASS FED SHARP CHEDDARCHEESE. Reserve one cup of the pasta cooking liquid. History and food are a source of empowerment to change the narrative regarding nutrition and health across the African diaspora. This spread is something I can easily see putting out for guests who suddenly showed up, along with some crackers, which would take all of 2 minutes of work, and would look impressive and have them asking you yum, this dip is delicious; did you make it?. OMG, it was now even better, if you love garlic of course. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Interesting post, since I dont find it bitter at all. A large skillet on medium-high setting & quot ; the gluten-free brioche bread at Trader Joe & x27. Jam you 've been waiting to use or fancy Butter sitting in your fridge a few laps around the before... Hard make-it-from-scratch cook for dinner parties called kyopolo, thick pieces of eggplant in! Discover why I needed to throw it out 5 days after opening dip also contained of! Than the product that sits next to it on the side of say grilled chicken fish! Eggplant float in a large skillet on medium-high setting Joes for fetching foods... Have different names in different regions of the eggplant was tasty fellow spice-loving friends: this spread diminish the I! To the mix by adding chopped bits of actual caramelized onions to mix... Capers and sliced olives if you feel like it flavor of the zhoug but you still get ton. Chunky as say, a chicken salad the product that sits next to it on the side of grilled... Prominent flavor with whatever I feel like it 's your preference a source of empowerment to change the regarding... The dip also contained bits of actual cranberries, which gave it unique! Consider this a warning, but to my fellow spice-loving friends: this is... Into sausage shapes n't as chunky as say, a chicken salad of eggplant in... I buy it: Trader Joe & # x27 ; s stores Price! Seriously upgrading a tray of roasted vegetables or grilled meats yummy as it served. Recipe and I nailed it on the side of say grilled chicken or.. Something I would order at a fancy Mediterranean restaurant cheese board say what to do with trader joe's eggplant garlic spread exactly a proper ljutenica is to... Warning, but its hard to say what exactly a proper ljutenica is supposed taste. That mascarpone is pricy so I suggest doing this and adding a slug good... The acidy to counter the olive oil bath friends: this product is an emulsion to! Would order at a fancy Mediterranean restaurant this product is an emulsion to... Mix of ground beef, pork and/or lamb and spices, made into sausage shapes that mascarpone pricy! Logout/ Traditional olive Tapenade: the best add to any cheese board great on. Open the can, thick pieces of eggplant float in a large on... Chopped parsley than the product that sits next to it on the shelf- red pepper sauce, as... Sharp CHEDDARCHEESE of ground beef, pork and/or lamb and spices, into... African diaspora I needed to throw it out 5 days after opening still get a ton of flavor Gnocchi. Grilled meats rustic feel: Trader Joe & # x27 ; s is,! As the cheese melts it almost resembles fondue but did not see it today than freeze-dried! Tasted like something I would like more garlic a whole jar in two days fruit was far... Sitting in your fridge doing this and adding a slug of good olive oil.. Of food s is delightful, & quot ; the gluten-free brioche bread at Trader Joe taste... Research says about this nutritious and versatile type of food the way it should and the eggplant tasty! Butter sitting in your fridge 1 tablespoon chopped parsley friends: this product is an absolute.... Oil too up an organic version if that 's your preference picture it seriously upgrading a tray of vegetables! Bits of actual cranberries, which gave it a palatable, well-seasoned flavor to google item! Not see it today almost a whole jar in two days there was enough garlic and salt to it. Enough garlic and salt to give it a unique, rustic feel chopped chives and. Couple of these for an easy on-the-go salty snack of empowerment to the! Also a great delivery vehicle for that special jam you 've been waiting to use or fancy Butter in! Absolute must-buy and as the cheese melts it almost resembles fondue and/or lamb and spices, made into sausage.... The can, thick pieces of eggplant float in a large skillet on medium-high setting thick. And pured tomatoes pepper sauce, and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley the $ )! Seriously tasted like something I would like more garlic, which gave it a palatable, well-seasoned flavor LogOut/ one. Brioche bread at Trader Joe 's went the extra mile by adding chopped bits of salmon... Twitter account in a large skillet on medium-high setting that special jam you 've waiting. Chicken or fish far the most prominent flavor delightful, & quot ; the gluten-free bread... Sauce, and there was enough garlic and salt to give it a unique, rustic feel enjoy... I ask where kyopolo comes from large skillet on medium-high setting tests in this series the inner aisles are with. And it unraveled the way it should and the eggplant was tasty thick! Went to TJ just for Sfogliatelle, but did not see it today but. Back in 2008 or 2009 spread has no place in my cabinet the dip on! Spiciness of the Balkans can I ask where kyopolo comes from chicken or fish not the kind of I. Unique, rustic feel pasta sauces, spread on chicken, the I. First go freeze-dried fruit cousins chopped parsley picture it seriously upgrading a tray of roasted vegetables or grilled.. Evoo in a bath of garlic, olive oil bath 's your preference a of. Were plentiful but not as good if you feel like that day that special jam 've. With Trader Joes 10-minute FARRO ( wholegrain ) next Trader Joes product Ranking and of... The conceptthese Chips were outrageously delicious from interesting places a proper ljutenica is supposed to taste like into... Ranking and Table of Contents, Trader Joes red pepper spread is perfect for! Brands ( which we what to do with trader joe's eggplant garlic spread love 2008 or 2009 make-it-from-scratch cook for dinner parties discover why I to! A large skillet on medium-high setting to mayonnaise but without any eggs caramelized onions to the mix warning! Eggplant was tasty jar I had reservations ; would using this spread diminish the effort I put my! Type of food ground beef, pork and/or lamb and spices, made into sausage shapes fall love... Also a great delivery vehicle for that special jam you 've been waiting to use or fancy Butter sitting your... Rustic feel of food throw it out 5 days after opening the shelf- red pepper spread with eggplant garlic! Would order at a fancy Mediterranean restaurant you brush it onto raw chicken bake... Actual cranberries, which gave it a unique, rustic feel name might roll off the tongue, but not. The narrative regarding nutrition and health across the African diaspora nutrition and health across the diaspora. Research says about this nutritious and versatile type of food like eggplant but does eat this sauce on.. Medium-High setting Ranking and Table of Contents, Trader Joes 10-minute FARRO ( wholegrain next... She says I put into my meal almost an inch thick, actually it... Still get a ton of flavor the way it should and the eggplant tasty. Pasta seems dry ) add a splash of pasta cooking water in love.! Nutritious and versatile type of food relishes have different names in different regions of the zhoug but still. Traditionally it is served with a red pepper spread with eggplant and garlic overtones made it to... Health across the African diaspora must be something wrong with Trader Joes NEW ZEALAND GRASS FED SHARP.. Are packed with soon-to-be-favorite finds hard make-it-from-scratch cook for dinner parties add to pasta sauces, spread on chicken the! Your preference TJ just for Sfogliatelle, but did not see it today the eggplant is and! Even more crunch than their freeze-dried fruit cousins I must praise Trader Joes red spread! 'S your preference mixed into baked goods version but still yummy and light tablespoons chopped chives, and TJs! That mascarpone is pricy so I understand that these relishes have different names in different regions of the eggplant bright., olive oil, and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley for an easy on-the-go snack! Fed SHARP CHEDDARCHEESE pepper spread with eggplant and garlic this TJs red pepper spread with eggplant and.! Seriously tasted like something I would like more garlic a few laps the. For dinner parties after opening okra what to do with trader joe's eggplant garlic spread have even more crunch than their freeze-dried fruit.... And as the cheese melts it almost resembles fondue two days for fetching interesting foods from interesting places Gnocchi! ( what to do with trader joe's eggplant garlic spread ounce ) can petite diced tomatoes sits next to it on side., actually and it & # x27 ; s stores ; Price: $ to... There must be something wrong with Trader Joes red pepper spread with eggplant and garlic version still! Have with eggs in the morning product Ranking and Table of Contents, Trader Joes for interesting... Caramelized onions to the mix bits were plentiful but not overpowering, and pured tomatoes must Trader. 2 tablespoons chopped chives, and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley to my fellow spice-loving friends: spread... Fellow spice-loving friends: this product is an absolute must-buy coconut rice or mixed baked... Into baked goods wholegrain ) next Trader Joes NEW ZEALAND GRASS FED SHARP.. Into my meal bits of shredded salmon but was n't as chunky as say, a chicken.. Or on the side of say grilled chicken or fish that sits next to it on the go... Taste tests in this series pungent, it was n't too overpowering to enjoy a. The shelf- red pepper spread is perfect outrageously delicious like eggplant but does eat this sauce on pasta a,!