Cooking with Phoebe: Edition #2
Junior Phoebe Hyde has always been passionate about food, whether cooking and experimenting with food or watching the Food Network. As someone who daydreams about her next meal, she is here to share all things recipes, food stories, and her favorite new restaurants. In her food column, she hopes to inform and entertain fellow Trevor Students in the mood for a sweet or savory activity, or even those looking to discover a new passion.
I'm sure all of us have come across one of the biggest food trends these past few months, whether on the menu of one of your favorite restaurants, appearing at Starbucks, or merely as a new flavor of Oreos at your local bodega. Most of you must already know what I am referring to...Pumpkin Spice! Let's talk all things pumpkin spice: is it worth the hype or simply over-marketed?
I have never been one to go out of my way to order something pumpkin spice, and, frankly, I was scared to dive into the trend. So, I went to the best place to try all things pumpkin: Trader Joe’s. I bought Chocolate Mousse Pumpkins, Pumpkin Pie Blondie Brownies, Pumpkin Ravioli, and Pumpkin Bisque. I tried to get a variety of different types of food: some savory and some sweet, to get a feeling for what I liked. Below are my reviews of each pumpkin-flavored treat.
First Up: Chocolate Mouse Pumpkins (These pumpkin-shaped chocolate mousse bites were DELICIOUS!)
I know, I know, they aren't the typical pumpkin spice flavoring, but I had to ease into the taste test since this was very new to me!
These bites were moist and the perfect chocolatey snack.
The top layer was a chocolate mousse, and the bottom was a chocolate cake, all coated in hardened chocolate to look like a pumpkin.
I LOVED these and will be purchasing them again.
I have tried this recipe a few times for my family, and they LOVE it!
It tastes so moist and takes barely any time.
A super fun way to spice up a regular cake!
Second Up: Pumpkin Flavored Blondie Brownies (I am not a Blondie lover, but these were addicting!)
The ratio of pumpkin flavoring was just right, and the texture of pecans helped balance the flavor.
On top of the blondies was a sugary glaze that was the perfect addition.
Trying these bites made me realize how much can be done with pumpkin flavoring and its versatility.
I would definitely recommend these treats as they could be eaten for breakfast, dessert, or as a snack!
Next Up: Pumpkin Ravioli (To preface, I was nervous to try this and was very skeptical about how pumpkin could be mixed with something so savory.)
This ravioli tasted like pumpkin pie with pasta on the outside.
It was super sweet and tasted more dessert-like than savory.
I didn't enjoy it that much because of its overwhelming taste in the ravioli, but I am sure a sweet tooth would enjoy it more than I did.
Lastly: Pumpkin Bisque (I have had pumpkin soup before but never really enjoyed it, so I was interested to see how Trader Joe’s prepared their Pumpkin Bisque)
I wasn't the biggest fan, mostly since the consistency was very unlike the rest of the pumpkin-flavored food I had been trying.
I would not go out of my way to get this again, but I am glad I tried it, and now I have a better sense of my preferences with pumpkin foods!
The Verdict:
Wow! I am shocked that I found all of these pumpkin-flavored items to be DELICIOUS! Now I understand why pumpkin flavoring is all over the media during the fall and winter months. This trend is unquestionably one worth exploring! I now know that I am in favor of this trend, and the next time I walk into a Starbucks, I am 100% trying a pumpkin drink!