how to make | Trader Joe’s Rants & Raves (mostly raves, a few rants)

Trader Joe’s “NEW & IMPROVED” SQUIGGLY NOODLES with Spicy Garlic Sesame Sauce (black package)

Trader Joe’s SQUIGGLY KNIFE CUT STYLE NOODLES with Spicy Garlic Sesame sauce, review

Trader Joe’s came out with this new version of their popular “SQUIGGLY RUFFLED NOODLES”. The newer version has a black package and a different sauce from the original. I finally got around to trying the new flavor. I have to say I was pretty surprised.

The newer version comes with a way better sauce. So much better. I mean I had suggested one throw out the sauce package in the other (soy and sesame) red package version and make your own! Now you don’t have to.

The newer flavor with the “spicy garlic sesame sauce” sauce packet is so much better than the original flavor.

My advice about the two kinds they have is simple. I would buy the black package over the original version (Soy/Sesame) red package. How spicy is it? To me, I didn’t find it very spicy. Of course your mileage may vary. Spice tolerance is personal. I would say unless you are super sensitive to spiciness, this is at most “mildly spicy”, I mean it’s not “Hot Ones” level.

Not only did they fix the newer version up with a better sauce, they even somehow managed to reduce the Sodium content at the same time. So color me impressed.

Each noodle pack here comes with two little sauce packets. One is labeled “Sesame Seed Paste“. The other, “Creamy Spicy Garlic Sauce“. You mix them together. The combined flavors make a decent sauce. Why are they separate? Because the sesame paste clumps. So much that I found it impossible to squeeze out the sesame paste. It’s so thick and clumpy. TIP: I cut the packet open with a pair of scissors. Then I had to use a small spoon to scrape out all the clumpy dark sesame paste plus it’s oil. A bit messy but worth the trouble as this dark (roasted?) Asian sesame paste does have a lot of flavor.

Though labeled “spicy” I didn’t find it very spicy, at least to my palate. Just a bit spicy? Anyway, just so you know it’s not a fire bomb. In fact I wanted it a bit spicier so I even added a little Lao Gan Ma (chili crisp)

*my stir fried noodles (with eggs and scallions)*

Other than that sauce fix, the noodles themselves seem the same as the other (red) package. I see no point in buying the red package anymore; this (black) one is better, sauce wise. Same noodles and same amount.

I made the noodles Stir Fried with eggs and scallions, pretty easy-peasy. See my other post which goes into detail on par-boiling the noodles a minute or two and then stir frying them with sauce.

Compared to the original Soy/Sesame version, this Spicy version has a bit **less sodium** listed, **now 700** **mg sodium** here (vs. 920 mg in the original soy and sesame version). That’s good. Especially as the sauce here even tastes better.

If you want to just boil them and mix the sauce in, that’s OK now, which wasn’t the case before with the not great sauce in the red package IMO

Of course, a few other ingredients could improve your dish starting with adding some of your own chopped scallions. I do like the stir fry way though of making these noodles too.

These noodles are not only savory and satisfying but also versatile, making them an ideal addition to various dishes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a more elaborate meal, they pair beautifully with vegetables, proteins. In a pinch even just on their own.

At $1.25 per noodle pack, these are an excellent choice for anyone looking to elevate their home cooking without breaking the bank. TIP: Spend another $1.29 on a package of scallions (cilantro too perhaps? a package is $2) and you will have those for other dishes…

Trader Joe’s Squiggly Noodles SPICY GARLIC SESAME SAUCE version are $4.99

How to Cook: If you are just boiling and serving, first prepare your sauce by opening the packet(s) and putting the sauces together into a bowl and mixing them. A teaspoon of water if needed to thin things out. If you have any “topping extras” such as scallions, baked tofu, hard boiled eggs, or cooked veggies you will use on top, prep them up, cut into bite size or noodle like pieces. You will top the noodles with them later.

Boil a pot of water. Add the dried noodles. Cook about 4 minutes; drain yes but leave a little water left on them and put the noodles into your bowl with the sauce. Toss gently to combine the sauce and noodles. Add on your scallions or other ingredients on top. You can mix those in as you eat (or mix now)

Enjoy noodles while they are still hot.

If you are stir frying them, reduce the time boiling them to about a 2-2 1/2 mins. Drain and put in bowl with about a teaspoon of oil. Toss to coat. This prevents them sticking together. Cook your other ingredients, and when ready add the noodles and your sauce (these two packets, or your own plus 1/4 water or stock) and cook about one to two minutes tossing to coat well. Serve.

Can you add anything to the sauce that comes with this? Sure, if you like, you can still add a bit of other things. Like a drizzle of Trader Joe’s Toasted Sesame oil which will add great flavor, or Korean Gochujang sauce, or Lao Gan Ma or CHILI ONION CRUNCH.…. whatever you like.

Like almost any Asian noodle, something as simple as throwing on chopped scallions, or cilantro will add a good deal of Asian flavors. Here I have added the TERIYAKI CHICKEN MEATBALLS plus yellow bell peppers in a stir fry with the noodles.

YOU should also check out my original post on the Soy and Sesame version of the SQUIGGLY NOODLES which has a lot of ideas about how to upgrade and cook them HERE

Trader Joe’s FRESH ORGANIC CRANBERRIES (cranberry sauce – easy recipe)

(RECIPE AT BOTTOM)

I just saw lovely fresh organic cranberries in stock at Trader Joe’s now (November 2023)

This year the organic ones are $2.99 a bag (1 lb). The regular ones, $2.29. Both are very good prices this year! Frankly for the fairly small price difference between the regular and organic I would get the organic ones.

How easy is it to make your own cranberry sauce? It will take you maybe 1 or 2 minutes of “work”, if you call “add water and sugar” work.

I will not bore you again with my rant about never serving anyone Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce from a can again — but really its super easy to make your own fresh cranberry sauce!

Here is the link to my original post including recipe how to make cranberry sauce that every Thanksgiving becomes the topr post here.

Trader Joe’s: https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/fresh-organic-cranberries-075744

“Our Organic Cranberries are harvested in the fall and shipped to your neighborhood Trader Joe’s. There are so many uses, you’ll want to grab more than one bag to simmer into a super sauce, bake into breads and muffins, deck out your Thanksgiving tablescape, garnish glasses of chilled sparkling wine…”

EASY BASIC CRANBERRY SAUCE RECIPE : Put all the berries into a heavy pot. Add one cup water, then add one cup of sugar. (I like organic cane sugar but use any kind you have) Bring this to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and just let it cook like that for 15-20 minutes until the cranberries start to “pop”. Once the start to pop its done.

(TIP : you can use orange juice for the liquid, or mix or 1/2 juice 1/2 water)

When the sauce cools it will thicken a lot as cranberry skin contains a great deal of pectin. I like adding some fresh lemon juice too (optional) after it’s done. You can make this days in advance. Take it out and let it come to room temperature before serving. I promise you, your guests will rave at how good your sauce is.

TIP: Fresh cranberries freeze well. You can buy an extra bag and freeze it. No one says cranberry sauce doesn’t go well with foods besides turkey. Its great with grilled chicken and other things too.