Insert crying emoji with tears because this week’s Friday Food Finds was our last for 2019! Whomp, whomp. We’ve spent the last year taste-tasting the best of the best and the worst of the worst when it comes to new food/drink products and flavor iterations on the Taylor Strecker Show, but only 10 will take the top honors of Best Friday Food Finds of 2019. Do you think any of yesterday’s grocery items from our Chub Chub Chowdown segment will find a spot on the coveted list? You’ll have to check back on Dec. 12 to see! At that time, we’ll also kick off our annual giveaway where 10 lucky winners will receive all 10 of the Top Friday Food Finds of 2019. Stay tuned for details!
I’m not a soda drinker but thought these were a fantastically festive departure from the norm. The cranberry Sprite would taste delicious in an alcoholic punch and the cinnamon Coke gave us Dr. Pepper vibes, which we’re entirely here for. They’re not something you’ll integrate into your everyday diet, but yay for the holidays and yay for these special flavors!
Twinkies Cereal (TO COME IN DECEMBER)
We wanted to hate what would appear to be the biggest culinary atrocity of 2019, but this was delicious. It’s not artificial-tasting at all and it’s almost like each puff is coated in a thin layer of Twinkies’ signature cream. Needless to say, your kids will have a new favorite cereal to give them the sugar high they so desperately crave, but so desperately don’t need.
These were…interesting. We’d still prefer to sip our cocktails, but the gummies were soft, palatable, and shockingly able to maintain up to five percent alcohol content per piece. The only thing is that you’ll probably have to eat an entire box to get a true buzz and that’s a helluva lot of sugar. (And in that case, I’d much rather have a slice of cheesecake.)
The bitter, hops-forward taste of dark beer can be quite polarizing, but Stella Artois has managed to introduce a Midnight Lager that is both approachable and smooth. I feel like I would drink this like any light beer, which is actually quite dangerous around the holidays when my beer consumption is already at an all-time high.
I’m already a huge fan of Bada Bean Bada Boom, so it was no surprise that their Zesty Ranch flavor was delicious. I still think Sweet Sriracha reigns supreme, but I’ll find any excuse to nosh on these protein and fiber-heavy broad beans while I’m in the airport on a road trip. Plus, they’re healthier than potato chips.
These are definitely an acquired taste, but I love the tanginess of the cacao paired with the mango! There is also a lot of flavor depth going on as they transition from tart to nutty within a matter of seconds, making it a complex snacking experience that really puts granola bars, diet popcorn, and dried fruit to shame. Overall, we dig ’em and think that you will too.
It’s impossible to mess up crispy cheese with cheese-coated almonds. I’m not even sure why we wasted our time trying these on the show because we knew they’d taste delicious and we knew it’d be a snack mix that’s perfect for all of you keto queens.
from Food News – Chowhound https://ift.tt/2qBSm6b
via IFTTT
We’re counting down the days until the big event, so make that trip to the grocery store, organize your décor just so, and of course, find those stretchy pants—Thanksgiving is upon us. And Trader Joe’s has Thanksgiving treats galore—we covered our favorite Trader Joe’s Thanksgiving staples already, but TJ’s holiday desserts deserve their own post. So, here it is, with all the hits (pumpkin pie!) and brand new options (yes, those chocolate gnocchi).
More Grocery Greats21 ALDI Finds That Will Get You in the Holiday SpiritThough typically we eat ourselves into oblivion with extra scoops of stuffing, a heaping pile of mashed potatoes, and second rounds—okay,thirdrounds—of turkey, we have to make room for dessert, too. Sweets are equally as satisfying and deserve some of the spotlight during the holiday. Luckily for hungry dinner goers everywhere, Trader Joe’s just so happens to take its dessert game to the next level.
So don’t overdo it with the first course because you’re going to want to have a little room in your belly. Have a look at the best Trader Joe’s desserts that need to make an appearance at your family get-together this year, including a brand-spanking-new arrival to the TJ’s freezer case. Trust us, your relatives will thank you.
Obviously your Thanksgiving table calls for a little taste of pumpkin. This frozen cheesecake—which serves eight to 10 guests—catapults pumpkin desserts into a new category. The chocolate hot fudge drizzle and sweet and spicy pecans atop the dessert are excellent finishing touches.
3 Tier Twist Fold Party Tray, $10.99 on Amazon
A great way to display all your Thanksgiving treats (and make store-bought look homemade).
There is also a traditional pumpkin pie for purists—but if you’re usually too stuffed to eat a whole slice, follow TJ’s lead and cut the pie into bite-size pieces, then dip one end in melted chocolate and toasted nuts for an elegant option. Or just chuck some pie in a blender with a few other ingredients and make a milkshake! (A great way to deal with leftovers.)
Sick of pumpkin? Maple syrup and ginger make a fine fall flavor combo, especially turned into creamy ice cream with a cookie swirl. It’s like two desserts in one. But it would also be great as a trio, topping off…pumpkin pie, of course.
If you’re not at all sick of pumpkin, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix can go beyond the loaf pan and transcend the muffin tin—their Pumpkin Bars recipe transforms the mix into more of a brownie or blondie-like dessert, with all the fall flavor you love. The sweetened sour cream glaze with vanilla and pumpkin spice should definitely not be skipped.
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix, 2 boxes for $16.55 on Amazon
Only around for the holidays, these decadent little bites are made from crisp and delicate almond cookie cones stuffed with thick, velvety cheesecake filling perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy. All you need to do is take them out of the freezer 20 minutes before dessert time (and hoard as many boxes as possible, obviously). Drizzle with chocolate sauce and sprinkle with powdered sugar to make them even fancier.
The brand-new Trader Joe’s chocolate gnocchi currently taking the internet by storm are another nice option, though not as convenient since you need to heat them up before you serve. This Instagram post likens them to “warm mochi with a liquid chocolate center,” so it’s at least worth picking up a bag to treat yourself once all your guests are gone (especially if you send the leftover pie home with them).
Every so often on Thanksgiving you’re pained with the question of, “Should I eat more, or should I cool it?” For those in-between moments, snack on these Pistachio Cranberry Bites. They’re the perfect middle ground when you’re feeling overwhelmed from your meal but don’t want to forgo dessert, either.
Trader Joe's Pistachio Cranberry Bites, $13.81 on Amazon
This rectangular-shaped delight comes in a box that reads “Rich chocolate and pecans in a buttery, tart shell.” We think they meant buttery tart (this isn’t particularly tangy), but buttery is the operative word in any case. Do you need any more convincing after that? Okay, then back up to the chocolate—even classic desserts are better with a little cocoa. This fantastic find comes in a 15-ounce box.
Gingerbread Turkey Kit
Trader Joe’s
Since Thanksgiving is the gateway to the holiday season, you might as well get the best of both worlds with a Gingerbread Turkey Kit. The turkey cookie comes equipped with icing and gummies so you can decorate your bird however you’d like. This is a must for tiny tots—a snack and an activity all in one.
Trader Joe's Gingerbread Turkey Kit, $26.94
Another one you can score online if you're willing to pay more than in-store.
An autumn treat if ever there was one, these gingerbread cones come complete with pumpkin ice cream that’ll send you into a cinnamon and nutmeg coma. The sweet confectionary coating is the icing on the cone. One box includes eight treats. How many that serves depends on how big your Thanksgiving dinner is.
This classic Trader Joe’s dessert offering is good for any occasion, but their petite size means they’re a great bet for following a historically overindulgent meal. Each flavor (Chocolate & Coffee, Raspberry Macaron, and Caramel & Chocolate Cake) is made up of pretty layers of pastry, fruit fillings, chocolate ganache, and/or cream.
Cheesecake in a Bite
Trader Joe’s
That said, if you want something with a bit more seasonal flair in the flavor department, their mini cheesecake assortment is completely perfect: Maple Vanilla, Gingersnap Spice, and Peppermint bring plenty of autumn and winter flavor to the party.
Gone, but Not Forgotten
Here a few past favorites that we keep hoping to see back on store shelves.
Sometimes people might forget that apples were the original fall favorite fruit—the pumpkin just decided to steal the show. These tarts, which are available in a box of two, will make you fall in love with apples (and cranberries) all over again. A dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (obviously both) is highly encouraged.
The sweet potato-marshmallow combination makes for a heavenly side dish, but when your favorite Thanksgiving food gets the dessert treatment, it’s out of this world. What’s even better is the fact that this will only take about a half an hour to make, so you’ll thankfully have stress-free prep. The 17-ounce boxes are a must for the holidays and won’t stick around for the whole year, so if you stock up during your next TJ’s outing, we certainly won’t judge (in fact, we’ll probably do the same—if we ever see them again).
Pumpkin and Roasted Pepitas Cookies
Trader Joe’s
A five-ounce bag of these babies is kind of like a cross between a pumpkin potato chip and a pumpkin cookie—thin, crunchy, and packed with a taste of autumn. Again, we won’t judge if you decide to buy in bulk.
