The new product shelf at Trader Joe’s is a real siren. I have bought a lot of stupid stuff because it’s on that pedestal next to the cheese case. Today, I figured, would be no exception, as I grabbed a bag of Tom Yum Cashews.
But these (a) really taste like tom yum, the Thai hot and sour soup, and (b) are an addictive snack. Here in the list of ingredients in its entirety:
Cashews, Lemongrass, Thai lime leaf, Sugar, Onions, Garlic, Lemon juice, Red pepper, Fish sauce.
If I had to criticize, I’d say they’re a little too sweet and not spicy enough, but you have got to try these.
Next! I eat a lot of pickled jalapeños. I put them in quesadillas and burritos, on pizza, on hot dogs, tortas, and other sandwiches. I’d been buying the canned ones in the Mexican food section until my friend Allen Garvin, of Texas, mentioned that he prefers Mezzetta brand, which (at least at my supermarket) is sold in a jar near the olives. These are crunchier and fresher-tasting than the canned ones, and you get a big jar for a couple bucks. Also, because they’re in a jar, you don’t have to decant them. I hate decanting!
By the way, don’t ever buy canned pickled red jalapeños. They are mushy and gross.
I am snacking on a bag of one of my fav trader joes products, Thai Lime and Chile Cashews. They have Cashews, Roasted thai lime leaves, lemongrass, salt, sugar, thai lime, paprika, and spices.
I really like these, very kaffir limey, and hot, and not sweet. I hope they haven’t replaced my cashews with these Tom Yum Cashews!
I hate when Trader Joes changes, or stops carrying one of my products!
No, I’m pretty sure they still have the lime and chile cashews, which I also like. The tom yum cashews are totally different. They’re basically candied nuts that happen to taste like tom yum.
How do they get the taste “on” the cashews? Soak them? Fry?
It’s a chunky, sticky mixture. The sugar makes it adhere.
We don’t have Trader Joe’s here in Austin so I won’t be able to try the cashews. I will, however seek out the Mezzetta Pickled Jalapenos. Everything’s better with pickled Jalapenos.
Huh. I saw these at my local TJ’s while shopping this weekend. I looked at them and passed them up (seemed expensive.) Maybe I’ll have to try them when I go back tonight.
A buddy used to bring the best salsa ever to parties, but carefully guarded his secret. He finally revealed it, and I promptly lost it, but the key was pickled jalapeños. Turned out there wasn’t one fresh item in the recipe: everything was canned or jarred. But it worked.
I had those in my hands at TJ’s just yesterday, but opted instead for a clamshell container of fresh mandarinquats. I figured one ridiculous-sounding product was enough experimentation per shopping trip. I’ll grab the cashews next time though, for sure.
Thanks to you, Matthew, got the Tom Yum Cashews. First bite, I thought, “These are horrible!” Second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth bites, I was completely hooked. I must say they win the prize for the fugliest snack I’ve ever seen. I mean, they look HAIRY. My gripe? Bag too small. Want bigger portion.
Yeah, they are ugly as shit. I like eating the crispy lime leaf bits after the cashews are gone.