Categories
All Things Pumpkin Taste Tests

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #5

This past weekend I baked the remaining bread, muffin and cupcake mixes I had left, as well as tried a couple more products. Frankly, nothing this week really wowed me, but here are my comments on each one.

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #5

Exclusive Holiday Edition Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread Mix

Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin BreadI purchased a three-month subscription to Foodstirs’ kits and have been having some fun with them. (I’ll be posting my results later.) Because I’m a customer, they sent me a coupon for a dollar off my next in-store purchase (you can find Foodstirs mixes at grocery stores and Target). Since I had the coupon, I thought I’d check out what they had … and found this pumpkin mix, as well as pumpkin pancakes. You can only get these two products at Target, and by the time I got there they were on clearance. So, you may not be able to get some for yourself until next year. Check your local Target, just in case, though.

This pumpkin bread is different than the ones I tested last week because it has chocolate chips in it. I liked the novelty of it and was impressed that they achieved a nice balance of having just enough chips to add flavor without overpowering the pumpkin bread flavor.

To my tastebuds, this bread didn’t taste much different than banana bread or peanut butter bread (perhaps a fusion of the two?). The pumpkin flavor was light and you can barely discern the spices (cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and other, according to the box).

Of course, this may be a plus since there are a lot of people who are adverse to pumpkin or pumpkin spice flavors. I think this pound cake-like bread would make a great part of a breakfast or brunch. Perhaps lightly toasted with some butter? And, if you get two packages, you could easily make a nice Bundt cake!

[one_half] Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread [/one_half][one_half_last] Foodstirs Organic Chocolate Chippy Pumpkin Bread [/one_half_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Limited Edition Decadent Duncan Hines Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Spice Cake & Frosting Mix

Duncan Hines Pumpkin Spice Cupcake Spice Cake & Frosting Mix
The box comes with cupcake mix, frosting mix and a bag to pipe the frosting with.
These light and fluffy cupcakes are flavored with a combination of cinnamon, allspice, coriander, ginger, and nutmeg. The texture — and flavor — is light and airy, just as a cupcake should be.

The mix comes with a frosting mix — add butter and touch of water — for an orange, faintly pumpkin-spicy frosting. It was very tasty. Not too sweet, but clearly a buttercream frosting.

In my opinion, these cupcakes strike a nice balance of just the right amount of spice, balanced with the sweet. They are good enough to serve without the frosting.

Note: The instructions suggest you fill the cupcakes with frosting. I found that when I did that, the frosting overwhelmed the cupcake. If I were to do this in future, I’d just top them with frosting.

[one_third] cool cupcakes in the pan first [/one_third]

[one_third] allow to cool thoroughly on a rack before frosting [/one_third]

[one_third_last] frosted pumpkin spice cupcakes [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Krusteaz Supreme Muffin Mix Pumpkin Spice

Krusteaz Supreme Muffin Mix Pumpkin SpiceThese simple, lightly spiced muffins underwhelmed me. They are really not that spicy. They are really not that pumpkin-y. In fact, they are kind of nondescript. If I didn’t know they were pumpkin spice muffins, I would think they were ordinary spice muffins.

Again, this might not be a bad thing. Krusteaz is a good brand, so the quality is good. The flavor just didn’t impress me.

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

R.W. Knudsen Limited Edition Sparkling Pumpkin Spice Juice

R.W. Knudsen Limited Edition Sparkling Pumpkin Spice JuiceTired of sparkling apple juice? Are you looking for a different kind of beverage to serve your guests? Then this could be a nice change of pace.

This is a non-alcoholic, sparkly beverage made from both apple and pumpkin juices. To me, it both smelled and tasted like mulled cider … only a bit different.

Compared to Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Juice, it has a more mild apple flavor. I’m guessing the pumpkin juice is having that mellowing effect, however I couldn’t identify pumpkin as a flavor. And although it was reminiscent of mulled cider, it was also somehow different.

Frankly, I’m struggling on how to describe this beverage. It was unoffensive without being particularly interesting, either.

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s Cereal

Trader Joe's Pumpkin O's CerealCompared to Cheerios, this O’s cereal is larger and lighter in texture. The flavor, however, is just robust enough to get your attention without screaming, “This is spice!”

I enjoyed them with some Oat Milk. If I were a cereal eater, I’d totally buy these again, if only for some variety to my breakfast. If fact, I would choose them over Cheerios, which I felt had a bit too much spice by comparison.

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]

Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Forthcoming Pumpkin Tastings

  • Pumpkin pancake mixes: Foodstirs Organic Pumpkin Spice Stacks Pancake Mix, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix, and Krusteaz Complete Pancake Mix Pumpkin Spice Light and Fluffy
  • Pumpkin bar mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Bar Mix vs. Krusteaz Supreme Bar Mix Pumpkin Spice
  • Pumpkin cookie mixes: Betty Crocker Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix vs. Krusteaz Bakery Style Cookie Mix Pumpkin Spice
Categories
Product Reviews

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #3

This is the third in my series of tastings of the current pumpkin offerings. I found some new items just this weekend!

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #3

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Soup

[two_third] Of the selections I’m reviewing this week, this is my favorite! I love pumpkin soup and when I saw this on the shelves, I had to give it a try. It smells rich and earthy with notes of cinnamon. The texture is smooth and creamy. The flavor is light, without too much nor too little seasoning. I ate this two days in a row!

Here you’ll see that I served it with a dollop of sour cream, and Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Soup Crackers, which is reviewed below. Sour cream enhances the flavor of many soups and is often served with soups made from winter squash, such as pumpkin and butternut squash. If you don’t have sour cream, I suspect a dollop of plain regular or Greek yogurt would go nicely, as well.

I have a favorite pumpkin soup recipe that I make from scratch, but this is a very good alternative. It is quick to prepare — simply open and heat on the stove or in the microwave. One box makes a good meal for one.

The last time I went to my local Trader Joe’s they were out. The next time I see them on the shelves, I’m stocking up! [/two_third][one_third_last] Trader Joe's Pumpkin Soup (served with sour cream) [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Soup Crackers

[two_third] These gluten-free treats are made with seasoned brown rice, pumpkin puree, and oats. Their texture reminds me of almond crackers. And they are lightly sweet, like Wheat Thins.

I ate them alone and dunked in the pumpkin soup, reviewed above. Both were tasty, but frankly straight out of the box was almost addictive. They are lightly sprinkled with salt, so you get both the salty and sweet flavors, but neither is overpowering.

These crackers make good snacks, alone or topped with cheese (I used Meunster). They are a lovely shade of orange, so they would make an interesting display if you’re serving them at a party.

Of the products reviewed in this post, these are my second favorite. [/two_third][one_third_last] Trader Joe's Pumpkin Soup Crackers [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Isagenix IsaLean Shake Seasonal Flavor Pumpkin Spice

Isagenix IsaLean Shake Seasonal Flavor Pumpkin SpiceThrough a Facebook friend, I found out about this one and had to buy it to add it to this series. I’ve had Isagenix shakes before and although pricey, they do taste pretty darn good.

I feel mixed about this season flavor, however. It was good but had a bitter aftertaste — almost like they added a bit too many cloves or allspice to the mix. At home — with a blender — I tried this product with just water, with oat milk and frozen vanilla Greek yogurt, and with oat milk and half a frozen banana. The banana really helped to tone down the after taste.

I also tried taking it to work with me in a shaker bottle with some greens added in. I used the cold water from the dispenser and shook until blended. The consistency was perfect and the apple-flavored greens I used also helped with the aftertaste.

Overall, I think this is a good mix-in protein to give your smoothies a bit of variety. However, you have to add something sweet, such as banana, apples or peaches to cut the bitter aftertaste. If you’re looking for an Isagenix distributor, I know three and will happily refer you.

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

[two_third] My husband and I were unimpressed with this Trader Joe’s offering. They mostly tasted like ordinary tortilla chips, but with an undertone of whole wheat. I couldn’t detect the pumpkin at all, and only noted the cinnamon and nutmeg if I concentrated on those flavors.

I ate these plain, straight out of the bag, and with some cheese melted on them. They were better with the melted cheese.

If you just want to serve something different, but don’t want to throw everyone off with a radically different flavor, then these are good options. They are a brownish-orange color, so they can make an autumnal food spread look harvest-y.

Would I buy them again? Probably not. There are so many other items at Trader Joe’s that are off-the-charts good, that I don’t feel inclined to waste my time and tastebuds on something that is just O.K. [/two_third][one_third_last] Trader Joe's Pumpkin Tortilla Chips [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Spiced Pumpkin Odwalla Almondmilk Shake

[two_third] I picked this up while looking for orange juice this weekend. I like Odwalla products in general, so I thought it would make a nice addition to this taste test round-up.

It was not as thick as I expected, but it has a nice balance of pumpkin and pumpkin spice flavors. You might even detect a note of banana, which lends it a nice sweetness.

I don’t think this is an example of the best that Odwalla has to offer, but it is a nice change. I enjoyed it for breakfast Sunday.

Although I wouldn’t seek this out, I would definately purchase it again. At 240 calories a bottle, it makes a nice meal-replacement for breakfast or lunch … or even a light dinner. [/two_third][one_third_last] Spiced Pumpkin Odwalla Almondmilk Shake [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Frosted Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts, Limited Edition Toaster Pastries

[two_third] I saw these this weekend when I stopped at Wal-Mart to pick up some supplies. I generally like Pop-Tarts, although I miss the days of when you could get them without frosting.

Anyway, I’ve tried these fresh out of the box and heated in the microwave. The latter is definitely better, however, I’m generally disappointed by the flavor of this offering.

Frankly, these tasted like a Pop-Tart. Not especailly pumpkin-y. Not especially pumpkin pie-like, either. They tasted good, but not like what I would expect something called “pumpkin pie” would taste like.[/two_third][one_third_last] Frosted Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts, Limited Edition Toaster Pastries [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Keebler Fudge Strip Cookies, Limited Batch Pumpkin Spice

Keebler Fudge Strip Cookies, Limited Batch Pumpkin SpiceI’m going to preface this with that I’m not a big fan of Fudge Strip Cookies. I can take them or leave them, but I grabbed these because of the magic words “pumpkin spice.”

I was pleasantly surprised! They are quite tasty. The sweet frosting is balanced, mostly, by the softer flavor of the cookie. Hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger are evident and make this cookie a fun fall treat.

They are a little to sweet for my tastes, so the serving size of two cookies is about right. Good thing, because if they were less sweet I’d way more than my waistline needs!

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Categories
Creative Cookery Recipes

3 Favorite Fall Vegetables

Buying seasonal produce is a good choice for staying healthy and fall is the time to start enjoying more vegetables. Autumn is the time of year for hearty meals that warm up your body, such as soups, stews, and casseroles, all of which taste their best with more vegetables. Not sure which fall vegetables you’ll enjoy? You might be surprised. Here are some fall produce favorites you can enjoy.

Fall vegetables

Carrots

carrotsCarrots are sometimes referred to as a spring vegetable, though they are often available in the fall as well. They also go great with many of your favorite fall recipes such as soup, stew, and casseroles.

You can even eat them raw, adding carrots to your salads or just enjoying them as a snack with ranch or hummus dip.

Roasting carrots is another great option, which just requires a little olive oil, your favorite seasonings, and an oven.

Roasted Carrots

Ingredients

  • 12 Carrots
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp (total) dried herbs of your choice, such as oregano, thyme, sage, margoram. (An herb blend such as Italian Herbs works well, too.)
  • Pinch salt
  • Pinch black pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Skin carrots and slice into 1-2 inch peices.
  3. In a bowl, toss carrots with oil, herbs, salt and pepper.
  4. Spread out on a sheet pan and roast at for 20 minutes, until browned and tender.

Butternut Squash

butternut squashThere are a lot of different types of squashes that are popular in the fall, though you can’t go wrong with a nice butternut squash. It is low in fat and calories, has a lot of nutrients, and has a creamy texture that is perfect for soup.

In fact, it is commonly turned into butternut squash soup that you can serve on its own or with your choice of bread or crackers. A dollop of sour cream is nice, too.

You can also steam or roast the butternut squash and enjoy with butter, cheese, or pasta.
If you’re not sure what else butternut squash can be added to — try soups you’re making. Even if it doesn’t include them, but includes other vegetables. Cut up some squash and add it. You’ll be surprised what a treat this can be in the soup.

Because butternut squash and pumpkin are very similar in flavor and color, they an be interchanged without modification of the recipes.

Sweet Potatoes and Yams

sweet potatoe or yamDon’t forget about your sweet potatoes and yams! These are a sweeter and lower fat versions of white potatoes, as well as being lower in carbohydrates.

Sweet potatoes have so many different uses, from making a healthier French fries or mashed potatoes for frying them, roasting them and boiling them.

More Fall Vegetables

These fall vegetables are great to have but are by no means all the ones you should consider. Some other excellent fall vegetables to enjoy include broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, acorn squash and pumpkin.

In fact, pumpkin can also replace certain ingredients in your baked dishes to make them lower fat, including cakes and cupcakes.

The great thing about these vegetables is the fact that all of them can be used as a vegetable for any of your dinners. So if you want to introduce them to your family that is one way to do it. Or you can find a recipe that highlights one of these fall vegetables and you’ll be hooked on using them. These fall vegetables work amazingly for either option.

Categories
Taste Tests

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #2

Last week I was able to fit in a few more tastings of the current pumpkin offerings. Here are the good, the mediocre and the indifferent.

Pumpkin Season 2017 Taste Test #2

Trader Joe’s This Pumpkin Walks Into a Bar … Cereal Bar

[two_third] I’ve had mixed reactions to cereal bars of this ilk (fruit-filled breakfast bars and cookies). Some are good and some are way too sweet for my taste. That said, I am a big ban of Fig Newtons, even though they are on the sweet side.

So now onto my experience of this Trader Joe’s pumpkin cereal bar. Thankfully, it is not too sweet. As you bring the bar to your mouth, I noted a delightful cinnamon-ginger aroma. Once on the tongue, I found the flavor more reminiscent of a Fig Newton. The pumpkin flavor is soft and muted to me. This is not surprising given that there is more “apple powder” than pumpkin in them. There is a note of cinnamon in the aftertaste, which I found nice.

This pumpkin product didn’t knock my socks off, but I did enjoy eating them. [/two_third][one_third_last] Trader Joe's This Pumpkin Walks Into a Bar ... Cereal Bars [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Trader Joe’s Organic Frosted Toaster Pastries, Pumpkin

[two_third] I believe a good Toaster Pastry should taste just as good straight out of the packaging as it does when heated in a toaster. Therefore I tasted this pastry under both conditions.

At room temperature, the crust dominated the flavor except for that one bite that comes out of the center. So, what I experienced was a mix of whole wheat crust, a touch of sweetness from the icing, and a center that tasted like a brown sugar cinnamon pastry. Not much pumpkin or pumpkin spice to speak of here.

Now toasted was a different experience altogether. The heat brought out the pumpkin-pie-like flavor so that it partially overrode the brown sugar cinnamon flavor. Not enough for my taste, so I wouldn’t buy these again. [/two_third][one_third_last] Trader Joe's Organic Frosted Toaster Pastries, Pumpkin [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Jell-O Pumpkin Spice Instant Pudding & Pie Filling Mix

Jello Instant Pumpkin Spice Pudding and Pie FillingI don’t know how they did it, but this tastes just like regular pumpkin pie filling. The texture is a little softer, but that’s it. This one’s a winner.

Here are a couple of creative ideas for using this mix when you need to make a pumpkin pie but don’t have a lot of time:

Quick and Easy Pumpkin Pie #1: Make the pudding and pour into a graham cracker crust. Yep, that’s it. You’re done. For extra pumpkin flavor, you can fold in between 1/4 and 1/2 cup pumpkin puree. And you can top it with Cool Whip or whipped cream.

Quick and Easy Pumpkin Pie #2: Make the pudding. Fold in some Cool Whip or whipped cream (about 2 cups). Pour into a graham cracker crust. Garnish as desired.

Want to spice those recipes up? Instead of using a graham cracker crust, use a ginger snap cookie crust! Crush gingersnaps until you have 1-1/2 cups finely ground crumbs. Stir in 6 Tbsp melted butter. Press mixture into an 8 or 9-inch pie plate and bake at 375° F for 7 minutes. Let cool completely before adding the filling.

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Limited Edition Breakfast Belvita, Pumpkin Spice

[two_third] I was first introduced to Belvita Breakfast Cracker aboard a plane. It was what they served as their “breakfast snack.” Although I was skeptical at first, I was quickly won over. I like them in general and have tried several of their variety of flavors. I find that they are tasty and easy to use as a quick meal on the go. When I saw they had jumped aboard the pumpkin spice wagon, I had to give this limited edition flavor a try.

It did not disappoint. The crackers were lightly seasoned with cinnamon and had a touch of pumpkin flavor, as well. They won’t bowl you over with pumpkin or with spice, but it is a nice change of pace. [/two_third][one_third_last] [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Trader Joe’s Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies

[two_third] If you like shortbread cookies in general, you’re in for a treat. These pumpkin-shaped shortbread cookies are coated with pumpkin spice and yogurt coating. They reminded me a lot of one of my favorite packaged cookies: Mother’s Animal Circus cookies.

In the box, you’ll find two different kinds of these pumpkin spice cookies: creamy white and orange. I’m not sure if it is a trick of the mind or if the coatings actually taste different. I found that the white ones were more vanilla flavored with a touch of pumpkin spice. Whereas, the orange ones had a more spicy flavor.

These cookies would look lovely displayed on a platter for guests to nibble on. And I’m sure kids would love to find them tucked into their lunch pails. [/two_third][one_third_last] Trader Joe's Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s

[two_third] Remember the random video my husband and I found on YouTube that inspired this year’s pumpkin product tasting series? Well, it was this product they said was the best of the lot available at Trader Joe’s. And I’m inclined to agree.

These clever sandwich cookies are both spicy and pumpkin-y at the same time. They were fantastic! My husband and I gobbled them up in record time.

The two cookies create a solid pumpkin shortbread style foundation for the sandwich cookie. The filling is creamy and flavored with a ginger-cinnamon flavored pumpkin spice blend. They have a little bit of kick to them (from the ginger) but they aren’t overpowering either. I think they’d taste great with milk, or even egg nog. Alas, I was chowing down on them too quickly to take the time for such niceties.[/two_third][one_third_last] Trader Joe's Pumpkin Joe-Joe's [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce Made with Pumpkin and Butternut Squash

[two_third] Looking for a change from your typical pasta sauce? Trader Joe’s has created a winner here. At first blush, the sauce doesn’t taste much different than a mild tomato-based sauce. It has a rich blend of herbs and spices that give it texture and depth.

But then, with each bite, you’ll start to notice the notes of pumpkin. Pumpkin itself has a very mild flavor, so it is often overpowered by other flavors. This is why the tomato is the dominant flavor in this sauce. That said, the pumpkin and butternut squash, which is very similar in flavor, give the sauce a nice thick consistency.

I served Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce last night over spaghetti along with Trader Joe’s Party Size Mini Meatballs. Yum! As a side dish, I made garlic cheese bread, which was simple to make.

Quick and Easy Garlic Cheese Bread

Take a slice of garlic loaf bread (we get ours at Ralph’s, but I’ve seen similar loaves in other grocery store bakery sections) and toast it in the toaster, set on light. When it comes out, spread some butter on in. Atop that, place a slice of cheese (in this case I used Muenster). Pop in the microwave long enough to melt the cheese. If you have time, heat it in the oven, it will taste better.[/two_third][one_third_last] Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce Made with Pumpkin and Butternut Squash
Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce Made with Pumpkin and Butternut Squash over spaghetti [/one_third_last]

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Waffles

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Waffles

If you’re looking for a waffle infused with pumpkin or pumpkin spice flavor, look elsewhere. These simply tasted like plain multi-grain waffles.

I served them with some of Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Ice Cream, which I reviewed last week, and that helped.

Now don’t get me wrong, the waffles tasted just fine. They just didn’t taste as described on the packaging.

Rating

[one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs up pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth][one_fifth_last] thumbs down pumpkin [/one_fifth_last]


Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Categories
Restaurant News & Reviews

Review: Pumpkin Offerings at Ruby’s Diner

Ruby’s Diner is a semi-national chain 1940s style diner, with most of its locations in Southern California. There are locations in Las Vegas, Texas and the Northern East Coast, as well. Every year starting in October, they offer a special Fall menu. This year it features a pumpkin milkshake, pumpkin pancakes, and pumpkin waffles. The latter two are only available before 11 am, but the shake is available throughout the day.

Review: Pumpkin Offerings at Ruby's Diner

Ruby’s Diner Pumpkin Pancakes

Ruby's Diner Pumpkin Pancakes

Ruby’s Pumpkin Pancakes are served in a stack of three with a dusting of powdered sugar and whipped cream. You have the option to also have two eggs and your choice of bacon or sausage.

The pancakes had a rich pumpkin taste with notes of cinnamon and ginger. They weren’t great, but they weren’t bad either. When you add eggs and sausage to the mix, there is too much food for me, so I ended up taking home about 3/4 of the pancakes.

You are provided with maple syrup, but I put their pumpkin milkshake on mine.

In summary, I would order these again, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to have them.

Ruby’s Diner Pumpkin Waffles

Ruby's Diner Pumpkin Waffle

Ruby’s Pumpkin Waffles are served with a caramel sauce, a dusting of powdered sugar and whipped cream. You have the option to also have two eggs and your choice of bacon or sausage.

Although it is highly likely the waffle batter is simply the pancake batter with some additional oil, the waffle really didn’t work for me. I found the caramel sauce a bit too sweet for my tastes. And the process of making a waffle toned down the spice evident in the pancakes and changed the texture, as well, from a normal waffle.

In summary, I wouldn’t order these again at all.

Ruby’s Diner Pumpkin Milkshake

Ruby's Diner Pumpkin Milk ShakeThe pumpkin milkshake uses a vanilla shake as it’s base and adds in pumpkin and pumpkin spice. It is served with whipped cream and a candy corn garnish.

This is, by far, the best item on the pumpkin menu. I’ve had three of them so far! (My huband and I eat at Ruby’s once or twice a month.) The texture is smooth. The flavor strikes a wonderful balance of cream, pumpkin, cinnamon and other spices. This is the best pumpkin milkshake I’ve had this season (Jack-in-the-Box offers one, too. And so does Arby’s.)

In summary, if you like pumpkin milkshakes, this one is a true winner.


Miss the first post in the 2017 Pumpkin Season Review Series? You can read it here:

Categories
Taste Tests

Pumpkin Season 2017: Taste the Variety

It’s that time of year again … time for all things flavored pumpkin! Now, this is a flavor after my own heart since I am currently working on an expanded version of my pumpkin cookbook, A Passion for Pumpkins. Inspired by a random video my husband and I found on YouTube, I’ve decided to do a tasting of many of new (and traditional) pumpkin and pumpkin spice flavored foods that are currently on the market.

So, I’ve gone on a pumpkin binge, purchasing a sampling of a wide variety of pumpkin and pumpkin spice flavored products available at your local grocery store, Trader Joe’s and restaurants. Over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing with you my experiences and my opinions of these various offerings. (And no, I will not be tasting the dog biscuits!)

Pumpkin Season Taste the Variety

Before I even came up with this idea, I had already sampled several pumpkin inspired offerings. Here are my thoughts on each of them. In this post, you’ll find my thoughts on the following pumpkin flavor products:

  • Pumpkin Cups Candy
  • Chobani Greek Yogurt Flip, Pumpkin Harvest Crisp
  • Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Life Cereal
  • Pilgrim Joe’s Pumpkin Ice Cream Super Premium
  • Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cheerios
  • Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Cups Candy

I saw these while in line at the 99 Cents Store, so I grabbed a bag. They kind of look like peanut butter cups, but have pumpkin flavored candy where the peanut butter would be.

The flavor was more sugar than pumpkin and way too sweet for my tastes. I did not purchase any more, which is why I don’t have a photo for you.

I think they are clever idea poorly executed. If I were to create pumpkin cups candy, the candy would be much more pumpkin-y and I think I’d dip them in dark chocolate, rather than milk chocolate.

Rating
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Chobani Greek Yogurt Flip, Pumpkin Harvest Crisp

Chobani Greek Yogurt Flip, Pumpkin Harvest CrispChobani Greek Yogurt makes a line of “Flip” packages that are yogurt in one cup and crunchy items in another that flip over into the yogurt when ready to eat. Their Pumpkin Harvest Crisp features pumpkin low-fat yogurt with pie crust pieces, pecans, and glazed pumpkin seeds.

The pumpkin yogurt is, in my opinion, da bomb! The crunchy bits had texture, which is fine, but I would totally purchase this yogurt without them. The yogurt achieves a nice balance of smooth pumpkin flavor with a touch of pumpkin spice blend. I love eating this with my lunch.

Rating
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Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Life Cereal

Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Life CerealMany of the fall flavors available are “pumpkin spice,” which means they use the flavor blend that is commonly used in pumpkin pie. This blend usually consists of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and either cloves, allspice or mace (which are very similar in flavor). Cinnamon is usually the dominant flavor, but not always.

In the case of Life Cereal’s Pumpkin Spice version, the cloves’ bite is quite prominent. I tried it sans milk, so the bite was strong. I believe that if you ate this cereal in milk (or the milk alternative of your choice — I’ve been favoring Oat Milk lately), this spiciness would be very nice.

That said, if the strong flavor of cloves is not your thing, I’d leave this item on the shelf.

Rating
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Pilgrim Joe’s Pumpkin Ice Cream Super Premium

Pilgrim Joe’s Pumpkin Ice Cream Super PremiumOne of the traditional fall stand-bys at Trader Joe’s is their pumpkin ice cream. This year is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to try it. It was well worth the wait.

The texture of the ice cream is as promised — super premium. It is smooth and creamy. The dominant flavor is pumpkin, but with strong notes of cinnamon and cloves. I’m looking forward to trying this ice cream out with some of the other pumpkin products I’ve purchased. Some of my ideas include:

  • Ice Cream Sandwiches: Take two pumpkin toaster waffles and fill with pumpkin ice cream.
  • Pumpkin Pancakes Supreme: Dollop some pumpkin ice cream on pumpkin pancakes instead of using maple syrup or whipped cream.
  • Cookie Dip: Dunk the pumpkin cookies in the pumpkin ice cream — a decadent treat!
  • Pumpkin Bread a la Mode: A scoop of pumpkin ice cream will go well with a nice warm slice of pumpkin bread.
  • Breakfast Dessert: Toss in some pumpkin Os cereal with the ice cream to add a bit of extra texture.

Even my husband, who is not as into pumpkin as I am, thought the ice cream was good.

Rating
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Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Cheerios

Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice CheeriosI’ve had other flavored versions of Cheerios before, so I was confident that this cereal would at least be edible. But I think they did a really good job with this one. Although it is spicy, it has stronger notes of cinnamon than the Life cereal had. I think these would not only taste great with milk, but also mixed in with vanilla yogurt.

Will you like them? It all depends on whether you like Cheerios to begin with — their signature taste is quite present — and if you like cinnamon with a touch of cloves. If yes to both, this is a nice change of pace to your breakfast routine.

It will be interesting to compare and contrast these with Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s, which I will do in a future post.

Rating
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Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cream Cheese MuffinsI love a good pumpkin muffin and these did not disapoint. These muffins have a “cream cheese filling and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds” for flavor and garnish.

The frosting has a perfect balance of cream cheese and sweetness. It is not too sweet like so many commercial cream cheese frostings are. The muffin is mildly spiced with an almost molasses-ginger flavor mixing in with the pumpkin.

As I took my first taste, I was reminded of a molasses coffee cake I tasted once when I was a child. I love molasses (and often would lick the cup clean after measuring into the molasses cookies I made), so that flavor note was unexpected but delightful.

Rating
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Previous Pumpkin Tastings

Upcoming Pumpkin Tastings

As you can see from the topmost pictures, I have purchased quite a few pumpkin flavored products to taste and tell you about. Some of those include:

  • Pumpkin Pancake Mixes by Krusteaz and Trader Joe’s
  • Pumpkin Bar Mixes by Betty Crocker and Krusteaz
  • And a variety of items from Trader Joe’s including cookies, snack bars, mluffins, toaster pastries and more.

I’ll also be posting my reviews of pumpkin offerings at local and chain restaurants, as I experience them.

Let’s enjoy pumpkin season together!

Categories
All Things Pumpkin Special Occasions

Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Halloween

Guest Writer: Melania Karel

Halloween is nearly here once more, and if you’re like many people, you’ll be making a Halloween pumpkin lantern. Carved vegetable lanterns, or Jack O’Lanterns as they’re often known, are part of an ancient tradition that originated with the Celts. However, the original lanterns made by the Celts in Europe were usually made from turnips, swedes or mangelwurzels. Halloween lanterns made from pumpkins only became popular relatively recently, after the Halloween holiday started to be widely celebrated in the US, where pumpkins are plentiful. They have since gained popularity elsewhere in the world too, thanks to the relative ease with which they can be carved, and the brilliant orange glow they produce when lit up.

Pumpkins are very versatile and can be carved and decorated carved in any number of ways and it’s very easy to produce a lantern that will make a beautiful addition to your Halloween decorations.

Pumpkin Decorating Ideas for Halloween

There are two basic approaches you can take to decorating your pumpkin. The first is to carve a face or other design into the flesh, and the second is to paint the pumpkin’s surface. You might then like to embellish it further. Of course, you can always combine these approaches, and produce a more ornate and unusual pumpkin!

Carving Your Pumpkin

Halloween pumpkins are usually carved, so they can be used as lanterns. Carving a pumpkin can be as simple as creating a couple of triangular eyes and a mouth, or, if you are feeling adventurous, you can make a more complex pumpkin lantern intricate features or other patterns, such as cats, spiders, ghosts, etc, or even non-Halloween motifs. To carve your pumpkin, cut off the top (if you’re going to illuminate it with a candle) or the bottom (to provide access for an electric light cord), scrape out the flesh, draw your design onto the surface of the pumpkin, and cut around the outlines with a sharp knife or another carving tool. You might find it useful to pare the interior surface of the pumpkin back in the areas you will be cutting. Your pumpkin is then ready to be lit up.

You can either design your own pumpkin carving pattern, or you can use one of the many that are available (very often for for free) online. Pumpkincarving.com is one site that I recommend if you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration.

Painting Your Pumpkin

Painted Halloween pumpkins are not as common as the carved variety, but they are becoming very popular. Painting your pumpkin gives you more flexibility than carving it, and you can create stunning painted Halloween designs that are guaranteed to get a reaction. Don’t worry if you think you can’t paint – you don’t need to be an artist to create beautiful painted Halloween pumpkins! See my site (link in the resource box below) for details of an excellent guide to pumpkin painting, called Pumpkin Painting, Anyone Can Do It. Really! With this handy guide, you’ll be producing brightly painted pumpkin masterpieces in no time! Painted pumpkins are also very popular with children, as – unlike with carved pumpkins – they can create their own pumpkin designs very safely and with minimal assistance.

Embellishing Your Pumpkin Further

If you really want to go to town, you can jazz up your carved or painted pumpkin even more. Try sticking on some glitter or sequins, or draping it with strings of sparkly beads. Just be sure not to use flammable materials.

Employ any or all of these pumpkin decorating ideas, and you’ll soon have a beautifully scary Halloween pumpkin that will make a fantastic centerpiece for your home!


About the Author

Melania Karel is entranced by all things supernatural and Halloween-related and is the webmaster of Halloween-o-Pedia, a treasure trove of spooky information and resources, including information about pumpkin painting and other forms of decoration.

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