Honey Mustard & Onion Seasoned Pretzel Pieces

My family has been doing our share of snacking during this stay-at-home time. Lucky for us, Trader Joe’s recently released these seasoned pretzel and they’re deliciously addictive. The pretzels are crunching, hold tons of seasoning and, for the most part, are about the size of a quarter. Unfortunately, there are so many pieces smaller than dime that I’m left wishing for more larger pieces. The seasoning itself is tangy and a bit salty so it checks a lot of the boxes that make my taste buds happy. The bag is a good size too at 12 oz for $2.99.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Hawaiian Shirts – After trying these for the first time, I couldn’t wait to get back to TJ’s to pick up two more bags. The taste is exactly what I’d expect, tangy, sweet, and a little salty on a crunchy pretzel. They miss out on the fifth star due to the abundance of tiny pieces which I find messy and less enjoyable to eat than the larger chunks.

Everything but the Elote Seasoning Blend

Amazing delicious blend of ingredients – sugar, salt, chile pepper, parmesan cheese, chipotle, and cumin – that typically found on as a special treat on corn which has also been slathered in butter or mayonnaise. Having this seasoning around opens up a new world of opportunities for flavor on salads, pop corn, eggs, or even pasta. Check out some recipes directly from TJ’s.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Hawaiian Shirts – Versatile and delicious in a major way. Definitely a must try with eggs prepared any way you like them.

The Crispy Crunchy Mochi Rice Nuggets

Mochi, the gelatinous rice substance that maybe you’ve enjoyed as balls covering ice cream. Well these mochi rice nuggets are nothing like that. These are square, crunchy, and savory, oh so savory. These were recommended to me several weeks ago and I was initially incensed that these would be labeled as mochi. I’ve enjoyed the more common mochi experience since I was young so I just didn’t get these. However, by the end of my first bag, I was hooked. These are like potato chip cubes! Too many bags later, I’m glad to say that there’s plenty of room in my life and in my belly for both versions of mochi – maybe even at the same time. Plus, the bag art featuring a mochi rock band is awesome.

 

Rating: 4 out of 5 Hawaiian Shirts – These are liked cubed potato chips! What’s not to like?! I’ve actually put myself on hiatus from these because I was eating them all the time. My only complaint is that the bag disappears too fast.

Crispy Ginger Chunk Cookies

On a recent visit to Trader Joe’s, I had a craving a sweet treat. Two things caught my attention. First, were the “Hold The Cone” mini ice cream cones with chocolate ice cream. The other is now one of my new favorite desserts, Crispy Ginger Chunk Cookies. As promised by the packaging these crispy, buttery cookies really do melt in your mouth. The ginger chunks are sweetened which makes the flavor very smooth. The chunks also add a bit of chewy texture to the cookie which I find irresistible.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Hawaiian Shirts – Sooooo good! You know you want it. So get it! Ginger not your thing? Don’t worry, they have similar cookies with two other flavors; chocolate chips or oatmeal raisin.

 

Banh Mi Inspired Noodle Bowl

Generally, I’m a fan of the quick and easy salads in the Trader Joe’s refrigerated section. The Five Spice Chicken and Noodle Salad and the Harvest Chicken Salad are excellent choices. However, this new Banh Mi Inspired Noodle Bowl is another level. The flavors and textures bring a flood of deliciousness with each bite. The dressing is an excellent and sweet compliment to the medium-spicy heat and crunch of the other ingredients.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Hawaiian Shirts – This salad hits me in all the right taste buds; it’s bursting with flavor and textures. I’ll just as happily enjoy this for a quick lunch or take it to enjoy as a meal on a flight.

Pumpkin Ice Cream

Not another pumpkin product! Well, in a word, Pilgrim Joe’s Pumpkin Ice Cream is fantastic. It’s basically the love child of soft, creamy ice cream and a home-cooked pumpkin pie. Not too much spice. It melts quickly but you’ll want to savor every bite.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Hawaiian Shirts – Great on its own. Chocolate syrup or Kalhua takes it to another level.

Habanero Ghost Pepper Salsa

There’s a reason this salsa features a cactus breathing fire… it’s HOT! Not brutally hot from the first bite but maybe that makes this salsa extra devious. By the third bite, you’ll be searching the fridge desperately for milk to cool the inferno on your tastebuds. I tried this salsa because I like spicy things and I love salsa (click to read my Fall Harvest Salsa review). On a family holiday just a couple of years ago, my brother-in-law happened to have some ghost peppers. Dares were made and several family members, including myself, ate a pepper each. I’m proud to say I was the only one to keep it down but it burned my mouth like hell. This salsa is almost like doing that to myself over and over again.

1 out of 5 Hawaiian Shirts – This salsa is only for the spiciest-loving masochists out there. Personally, I found the heat to be so intense after a few bites that it wasn’t fun to go back for more.

Jed’s Hard Root Beer

If you’re looking for a delicious and boozy root beer, this is the one you want. I’ve already reviewed another root beer-flavored ale and found it underwhelming. Jed’s Hard Root Beer is true to its root beer roots – smooth, sweet, and the carbonation will tickle the back of your throat. The Saranac Root Beer with which this is brewed definitely hits the spot. Fortunately, it doesn’t skimp on the ale half of the equation either at 5.9% abv. Yep, after just two Jed’s, you’ll have a nice buzz all the while enjoying the sweet taste and delicious taste of true root beer.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Hawaiian Shirts – If you must have a boozy root beer, Jed’s Hard Root Beer is the one to bring home.

New Belgium’s Heavy Melon Ale

Get this beer NOW!

Fruit-infused beers seem to be making a huge splash these days. I’ve seen grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, orange, and lime. Some are gimmicky or just don’t taste very good to me. Fortunately, this one is outstanding! For me, it ranks right up there with Ballast Point’s Grapefruit Sculpin.

I’ve shared this beer with my wife and a couple of friends who aren’t big beer drinkers to get some additional opinions. The resounding opinion, even from people who rarely drink beer is, “This is delicious, I could definitely enjoy this!”

The taste is so refreshing, smooth, and balanced. The watermelon and lime are just enough to tickle your taste buds. The ale itself is just an easy-drinking pale ale.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Hawaiian Shirts – This is THE beer of the summer. If you bring this to any parties this summer, you better bring an extra 6-pack for yourself because they’re sure to be a hit.

 

Bacon Jam

This picture of Trader Joe’s Uncured Bacon Jam was sent to me by my sister with the message, “YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS!” Well, she certainly knows me. Since picking up my first jar, I’ve spread this jam on everything from toast to tortillas to waffles to sandwiches – and it’s great every time! One of my favorite quick snacks with this jam is to spread it on Trader Joe’s Middle Eastern Flat Bread along with TJ’s Organic Hummus and a little TJ’s Tabbouli. It’s so satisfying.

The jam is delicious; sweet and savory. And don’t expect the bacon to be tiny, second-rate pieces. You get nice meaty chunks. YUM! The possibilities with this jam are really limitless so please share your favorite uses in the comments section.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Hawaiian shirts. It’s so delicious and versatile I find myself looking for excuses to add a spread to everything! Give it a try and I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed.