Best New Trader Joe's Products November 2015

Pick Up: Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings ($3)

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

What Trader Joe's says: "Our expert Chinese dumpling supplier forms their wheat flour dumpling dough with a specially formulated proprietary production method that seals each dumpling, allowing them to hold the maximum amount of savory broth—broth made from ingredients including chicken, onion, green onion, soy sauce, and ginger."

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Pick Up: Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings ($3)

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts

What POPSUGAR says: These soup dumplings are like an inverted take on chicken noodle soup. The savory broth, chewy wheat dumpling, and generous portion of chicken make them the best thing you could possibly heat up in a microwave on a cold Winter day (other than frozen mac and cheese).

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Pick Up: Abondance Cheese ($12/Pound)

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What Trader Joe's says: "This semi-hard, raw (not pasteurized) cheese is aged a minimum of three months, bringing out a strong nutty, vegetal fragrance, and a complex flavor profile that is a balance of acidic, sweet, buttery, and fruity notes, that finishes with a lingering aftertaste."

What POPSUGAR says: This cheese reminds us of a French take on aged gouda. If nutty cheeses are your jam, don't miss out on this one.

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Pick Up: Rustic Apple Tarte ($5)

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What Trader Joe's says: "We took Northern Spy Apples from the Niagara fruit-belt, and made a S-pie. Truthfully, it’s a Tarte; pastry, open-faced, filled with sweet and tart (tasting) apples, masterfully blended with almonds, cream cheese, cinnamon, and sugar."

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Pick Up: Rustic Apple Tarte ($5)

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What POPSUGAR says: You won't find a prettier or tastier galette than this one from TJ's. It bakes up to golden perfection, makes your house smell like Fall heaven, and everything about it tastes wonderful: the crispy crust, spiced apple filling, and toasted nut topping.

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Pick Up: Cinnamon Roasted Almonds ($7)

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What Trader Joe's says: "Our new Cinnamon Roasted Almonds not only have a new name, and new recipe, but they also have a new package—a smaller one."

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Pick Up: Cinnamon Roasted Almonds ($7)

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What POPSUGAR says: If snacking on solo, almonds are best heated in the microwave for a few seconds. It's like you've roasted them yourself! We also can't wait to mix these cinnamon roasted almonds with the sea salt turbinado sugar dark-chocolate-covered almonds. Talk about a perfect holiday party app.

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On the Fence: Seasoned Wild King Salmon on a Cedar Plank ($10/Pound)

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What Trader Joe's says: "Trader Joe’s Seasoned King Salmon on a Cedar Plank is just what is says—a fillet of King salmon, delightfully seasoned and perfectly positioned on a plank of cedar (from a sustainably managed resource in Idaho), frozen and ready to cook."

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On the Fence: Seasoned Wild King Salmon on a Cedar Plank ($10/Pound)

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What POPSUGAR says: So many buzzwords: "wild," "seasoned," "cedar plank." I am a huge fan of Trader Joe's frozen wild salmon so I thought this would be a no-brainer winner. Taste testers felt ambivalent about the seasoning and texture of the salmon as well as the cedar-imparted flavor. I'd maybe pick one up for easy barbecuing, but I won't make it a weekly habit.

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On the Fence: Rosemary Garlic Monkey Bread ($5)

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What Trader Joe's says: "Trader Joe’s Rosemary Garlic Monkey Bread rolls with the stackable roll concept, but gives it a savory spin. Our baker dips balls of wheat flour dough in butter and garlic before rolling them in Parmesan cheese and rosemary. They’re stacked together to form a loaf and finally, frozen."

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On the Fence: Rosemary Garlic Monkey Bread ($5)

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What POPSUGAR says: These rolls held so much promise. They smelled so good out of the oven, and the melted cheese on top looked awesome. However, the rolls themselves tasted pretty bland and dry. A hefty pat of butter helped the situation out, and if I were to make these again I'd go ahead and dot the top with salted butter before baking.

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Pass: Gluten-Free Pretzel Twists ($3)

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What Trader Joe's says: "We created Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pretzel Twists with our customers who have gluten sensitivities in mind, but their bold crunch is nevertheless predicted to please far beyond the gluten free crowd. Our recipe makes good use of corn, potato, and rice (in place of wheat), meaning these Pretzel Twists are likely to be enjoyed by anyone who tries them."

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Pass: Gluten-Free Pretzel Twists ($3)

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What POPSUGAR says: We're huge fans of the Glutino gluten-free pretzels and thought that the TJ's version may be identical. However, it's more reminiscent of cardboard. Those who are gluten-free, take heed and opt for Glutino. You'll be a much happier snacker for it.

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Pass: Magic Beans ($4)

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What Trader Joe's says: "Nougatine Beans are next 'panned' (gently tossed in a rotating turbine) with milk chocolate for an even coating. After drying, the chocolate covered nougat beans are panned again—this time in one of three naturally colored syrups."

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Pass: Magic Beans ($4)

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What POPSUGAR says: Sure these are "French" and maybe the nougat recipe is 100 years old . . . but these just aren't the most snackable chocolate-covered treat that Trader Joe's offers. They sort of taste like chocolate-covered crunchy sugar, which lends taste testers to feel pretty "meh" about them.

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Pass: Autumnal Harvest Pasta Sauce ($4)

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What Trader Joe's says: "Autumnal Harvest Pasta Sauce is a tomato-based sauce that’s richer, creamer, sweeter, and more savory than its typical tomato brethren. Its secret weapon? All those flavors of fall, incorporated here to delicious effect. Pumpkin, butternut squash, and carrots add sweetness and thicken the sauce; a touch of cream makes it creamier; and herbs and spices like rosemary and sage lend a savory finish."

What POPSUGAR says: Who could possibly toss out pasta leftovers? It seems sacrilege, but pasta hasn't tasted this bad since I attempted to cook pasta in tomato sauce. The starchiness of the sauce just doesn't sit well on top of the noodles. Starch on starch was never the answer.

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Pass: Pumpkin Soup ($2)

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What Trader Joe's says: Pumpkin soup consists of "smooth, creamy, pureed pumpkin—perfectly seasoned with carrots, onion, and celery; accented with just a touch of ginger and hints of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg."

What POPSUGAR says: If you are wanting pumpkin soup, don't turn to TJ's. Opt for one of our quick and easy pumpkin soups, which taste more like the Fall gourd than warm apple sauce. Perhaps the packaged soup could be saved with a little more salt and a few dashes of vinegar, but that's a big maybe.

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Pass: Whole Wheat Butternut Squash Gyoza ($4)

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What Trader Joe's says: "Our Whole Wheat Butternut Squash Gyoza bring a rare autumn twist to the traditional Asian dumpling. They start with unique, whole grain wrappers. The delicate nuttiness of the grain balances beautifully with the seasoned squash-forward filling. The prevailing ingredient is sweet, nutty butternut squash, which is augmented by the addition of delicate, smooth kabocha squash, edamame, carrot, sweet potato, and hints of ginger and honey."

What POPSUGAR says: There's no pretty way to put this: these butternut squash gyoza cause excessive flatulence. Consider yourself warned.

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