What's the best part of pizza?
That's easy. It's the little wedgie of cheese that gets stuck on the pan or box after slicing it. With a little luck, there's a good tidbit of topping left on it, too.
Likewise, the best bite of cake? For me at least, it's little scrapey parts, mostly frosting, left over. Clean that up right, that's what I always say.
Or the best chip chomp? When there's just a few little shards left, down in the bottom, which makes them perfect from sliding right from the bag into your mouth. Yum.
So...salad. What's the tastiest part of salad?
Also easy. Gotta be the goodies you put on top.
Nothing against spinach or lettuce or shredded carrots or grape tomatoes or pepper slices or any other veggie part of salad. That's some wholesome goodness. They're what makes a salad good. But what dermines if a salad is goood is the toppings and munchies, especially if you're not one for salad dressing (like me).
So does Trader Joe's Seedy Almond Salad Topper make a salad good or not?
Couldn't tell ya. I ate it on eggs instead.
To be fair, that's one of the recommended uses printed right on the front of the bag, along with "vegetables" (presumed of the non-salad-esque variety) and cream cheese bagels. We were having eggs for dinner. Had to write a review. Gotta do what you gotta do. And as much as the bag also suggested it was a great idea, I didn't want to eat a little baggie of seeds all by itself.
And yup, baggie. Inside the main bag there's eight seperate single serving size sacks o' seeds. Each contain about the same amount of almond slivers, pepitas, sesame seeds (white and black), and nigella seeds with a slight little spicy kick from crushed red pepper. As you could imagine, there's nuttiness and a little earthiness, a good bit of sesame, and even almost a little bit of a onion-y to not quite garlic-y essence to the mix, backed by some heat. In some ways, it kinda seemed like the everything but the bagel spice blend, minus the salt but plus the nuts and pepitas. The whole mix is appropriately crunchy and munchy, with a varying texture that did seem a little odd perhaps on eggs - almonds on eggs? seriously? - but I could tell it'd work well in a hearty salad, or on some roasted chicken or grilled veggies, or in several kinds of ways I haven't quite come up with yet but perhaps you have.
It's $3.99 for the big bag, eight servings in there, so basically 50 cents a pop for a small handful of stuff. It'd probably be more economical to make your own if this blend is one you particularly enjoyed, so there's a slight knock. As always, there's a premium for convenience.
Not much else to really say. So, for some, here's the best part of the review: the end.
Bottom line: Trader Joe's Seedy Almond Salad Topper: 7 out of 10 Golden Spoons
SPOTTED: Netflix Late Night Ramen Popcorn
7 hours ago
I was eating it straight from the bag and could eat it as a snack.
ReplyDeleteIt would be awesome on breads.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the bag of super seeds and ancient grains, just with a lot more packaging involved.
ReplyDeleteI’ll pass, i have a rediculous amunt of nuts and seeds and such on hand constantly that I already use on salads. And packages of packaging aren’t my favorite idea.
Ttrockwood
I used it on a salad and found the "touch of crushed red pepper" a bit too much for me, however I will continue to use it. I felt like I scored a deal when I opened the larger package to find individual packages inside. To put it plainly, if this product were to be discontinued I would stock up. I know it easy to make your own mix, but I like when it is done for me. I would give it 9/10 Golden Spoons.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I'm just underestimating the amount of calories nuts and seeds contain, but I think 160 calories for such a small packet is quite a lot. It's a decent salad topper if you want to add a bit more fiber and protein and it's pretty tasty. I've had it on salad and by itself, but I think I prefer the Everything But The Bagel Sesame spice blend.
ReplyDeleteI opened all of the packages and kept it in an airtight container, and it lasted me well over 1 year of almost daily use. One entire package is WAY more than enough to spice up your salad - all you need is a sprinkle per serving. I was sad to learn TJ discontinued this item. I am glad that you posted the ingredients - I will make my own and continue to use this as a staple in my kitchen!
ReplyDeleteWent looking for the salad topper @ Trader Joe's & was told this product is discontinued. I'm trying to find a substitute because I really love the salad topper. PLEASE bring it back or tell me where I can purchase something very similar.
ReplyDelete