Aldi - Little Salad Bar - Three Layer Hummus

In recent months I’ve really given Aldi another shot as being one of my go-to grocery stores, especially after news that one of my local grocery store chains is closing.  Since I haven’t had a chance to get to Trader Joe’s, I’ve figured I’d frequent Aldi to kind of lessen all the grocery store blows.

On one of my last trips to Aldi, I spotted and picked up the Little Salad Bar - Three Layer Hummus. This reminded me of a three layer hummus I had tried at Trader Joe’s years ago (you can see that review from 2014 here. This particular hummus layers are: Classic, Jalapeno Cilantro and Supremely Spicy.  There is another version containing roasted red pepper hummus and (if my memory serves me correctly) roasted garlic and classic hummus flavors.

Together the flavors compliment one another well. The classic hummus helps reduce the heat that comes from the supremely spicy (even though it’s on the bottom of the container). The cilantro jalapeno hummus is my favorite out of the lineup – and I find the cilantro really helps bring everything together and tones down the generate heat that can be packed in a bite. The supremely spicy is exactly as you’d imagine – very spicy, sometimes fire if you get a pepper in a bite.  The label doesn’t necessarily break down each hummus flavors ingredients, but based on what is listed – I’d say this has ground up red jalapenos in it. Together this is one incredibly delicious hummus and I really hope it becomes a permanent item in the Aldi hummus selection. Whether it will or will not be permanent, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the jalapeno cilantro will become a single packaged hummus variety.

I brought the container to work to have as a snack during the week along with baby carrots. The second time I had it (and all subsequent times since then) I have used 2 tbsp as a spread on a deli meat sandwich which is a great alternative to mustard, etc.  I love this hummus so much I purchased another container when I went to Aldi last night.

A serving, 2 tablespoons, is 50 calories or 1 smart point. A 4 tablespoon serving will cost you 100 calories or 3 smart points.

Trader Joe's Beet Hummus

Beets are one of my favorite vegetables. I love them in salad, on the side with my dinner or just as a simple little snack. Needless to say when I spotted the Trader Joe's Beet Hummus I was immediately intrigued and had to incorporate it into my week.

Due to the sheer deep purple shade to the hummus I believed 1) you'd have to undoubtedly love beets to enjoy it and 2) you'd have to really love hummus/chick peas in order to enjoy this. Upon first taste that theory was very much true. The hummus is blended with with fresh beets - while there are little diced up pieces on top of the hummus mixture for some added flare/texture.

Texture wise it's slightly "gritty" and not as smooth as traditional hummus. While there is a slight graininess to the dish, it is thinner in consistency. It's not runny, but it's certainly not as thick as your traditional or even flavored hummus dishes. I enjoyed the hummus alongside a protein-filled salad. Delicious and quite unique!

A serving, 2 tablespoons, is 45 calories or 1 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Kalamata Olive Hummus

I'm a huge fan of hummus, but it wasn't until 6 or so years ago that I started trying flavored hummus' instead of the traditional kind. Since shopping at Trader Joe's I find their flavored hummus' are a section of the store I always hope to see expand. Time and time again I've seen the Trader Joe's Kalamata Olive Hummus but I had refrained from purchasing it out of plain hesitance.

I can't really say what I was hesitant ... I love hummus and enjoy kalamata olives but I think it was the idea of putting the two together that was concerning? Since I was on the hunt for new flavors to change things up, I picked up a container. I brought it ti work to layer on my wrap for a sandwich and I'm glad I did.

The hummus itself is utterly delicious. It's your classic creamy hummus that has bits and pieces of kalamata olives running throughout it here or there. The olives giving off only a subtle amount of saltiness. The creaminess from the hummus itself not allowing the salty olive to overpower it. I found it to be a perfect addition to a sandwich, or even a creamy complimentary side to a salad. Nonetheless this has turned out to be one of my favorite Trader Joe's brand hummus.

A serving, 2 tbsp is 60 calories or 1 points plus values.

Trader Joe's Three Layer Hummus

I grew up in an area where there is a pretty strong Mediterranean presence. Mediterranean foods have been a staple in my "diet" from a young age. Growing up I always had traditional hummus ... and it wasn't until my 20's that I stepped outside the proverbial box and tried flavored hummuses.

Within the last year I've been trying the different flavored hummus varieties available at Trader Joe's. Deciding it was time to try something new I picked up a container of the Trader Joe's Three Layer Hummus and I am so glad I did (I've repurchased it twice already).  The hummus is a unique blend of three hummus flavors, which create quite a worldly experience on the taste buds.

The bottom layer is zesty cilantro hummus, the middle layer is your traditional hummus and the top layer is the classic roasted red pepper hummus. Admittedly the thing that caused me from being hesitant to purchase this for so long was the zesty cilantro hummus. Cilantro is one of those flavor categories that I'm not the biggest fan of ... but the cilantro flavor isn't overwhelming and the mild zip that the zesty portion provides is delightful. The mildly spicy cilantro hummus paired against the traditional helps bring it down a notch, more than likely due to the natural creaminess of it. The roasted red pepper is a nice blanket over the flavors, which ties them all together so well.

I've enjoyed this hummus so much, I've been incorporating it into any dish/snack I can. One of my favorite ways to have this hummus is on a sandwich alongside either deli chicken or boiled ham. It’s also a fabulous addition alongside a salad with grilled chicken or even a hamburger.  The only downside is this hummus (as well as almost all products from Trader Joe's) it doesn't have a very long shelf life, but if you're able to eat it before the expiration date it's well worth the money.

A serving is 2 tablespoons, which is 30 calories or 1 points plus values.

Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Hummus

There was a time where I only ate original hummus or I’d take “a walk on the wild side” and eat roasted red pepper hummus. A few years ago I began to branch out and try other flavors and thanks to Trader Joe’s, I’ve branched out even further and have tried flavors I never anticipated. Now I’ve had garlic hummus in the past and I realize each brand has different flavor categories. So I decided to pick up the Trader Joe’s Roasted Garlic Hummus and I am glad I did.

Trader Joe’s hummus is unlike any hummus I’ve had before. The hummus is very light in texture, but it’s delicious and flavorful. It’s creamy in texture and goes well with pita chips, on sandwiches or even incorporated into salads. This isn’t as “fluffy” as some of the other hummus varieties available, but this is quite satisfying and the garlic flavor isn’t overwhelming. Basically … after eating it your breath won’t ward off vampires. This flavor is undoubtedly one of my top three favorite flavors from Trader Joe’s.

A 2 tbsp serving is 60 calories or 1 points plus values.

QUESTION:

Are you a fan of hummus?

Power Chicken Hummus Bowl @ Panera

Did you know that Panera has a hidden menu?  This menu is hidden because well, it’s not advertised on the Panera menu itself – you have to know what it is you want to order. You can check out the 6 options available off the hidden menu here.  While if you’re wondering what the nutrition facts are (or maybe are interested in calculating the Points Plus values) for these said items, you can find that information here. In order to obtain the nutrition information you need to select “Hidden Menu” from the Choose a Menu Category on the left-hand side drop down menu.

Two of my friends from high school wanted to get together for dinner since one was up visiting from New Jersey.  Panera was decided on, so I did my research and decided I was going to order the Power Chicken Hummus Bowl because it looked the most appetizing to me in that very instance.  According to the Panera hidden menu the salad consisted of all-natural antibiotic-free chicken with a cilantro jalapeno hummus, baby spinach, cucumbers, diced tomatoes and red onions.  It’s supposed to be garnished with chopped cilantro and topped with a fresh squeezed lemon.

When ordering my bowl I forgot the name of it and started saying “I want the grilled chicken….” The girl taking my menu asked “Caesar salad?” I said (having a big major brain freeze) “No, no .. umm… it’s the hummus bowl!” to which she replied, “Oh okay, from that menu.” I do have this odd thing about eating cold poultry (aside from deli meat) so I asked if the chicken was served hot or cold.  I was told cold, but they can heat it if requested.  So, I of course, requested for it to be heated!  My order was put through, I was given my buzzer and I waited for my salad to be prepped.

Picking up my salad at the counter, I thought it looked appetizing. I love hummus and the hummus was drizzled over the whole salad.  The veggies and chicken were plentiful and I was satisfied.  I did find, since it was missing the lemon finish it was a little dry, so I had some fat free poppyseed dressing to dip my fork into to give it a bit of wetness.  The great thing about the fat free poppyseed is 2 tablespoons is only 1 points plus!  Overall, I was quite pleased with my meal and I would definitely order it again.

The salad was pretty big, packed with power foods, it was filling AND it was only 8 points plus values!

QUESTION:

Have you tried anything from the hidden menu at Panera? Or did you even know there was a hidden menu?

Trader Joe’s Chipotle Pepper Hummus

I’m a big fan of hummus – have been since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until my late teen years that I started to experiment with flavored hummus.  I’ve only ever tried roasted red pepper hummus and garlic hummus before I was introduced to the fabulous flavor combinations at Trader Joe’s.  I’ve posted about their Horseradish Hummus which is a slam dunk – but my taste buds were looking for something new.  I saw this Chipotle Pepper Hummus and decided to give it a shot. I’ve had a bad experience with a Mexican soup with chipotle pepper in it, but putting that experience aside, I figured it couldn’t be SO overly spicy that it’d be killer because hummus itself is very strong and helps mute flavors.

I first opened the hummus and was surprised by the texture. It wasn’t as “smooth” as most hummus’ appear in their container.  I added the two tablespoons onto a tortilla wrap to enjoy with a sandwich and tried it first.  It definitely has a mild smoky flavor, with a subtle hint of spice in the background. It’s packed with flavor and totally delicious.  But I will say the consistency is very light and airy. It’s not as thick and heavy as most hummus’ tend to be.

As with most hummus’ a serving is 2 tablespoons, which is quite a generous serving.  A serving is 50 calories, or 1 points plus value. I’ve quite enjoyed this hummus and I’ve used it on sandwiches as a replacement to condiments such as mayonnaise and mustard.  It’d also be perfect with some crackers or even some fresh veggies to dip into it.

QUESTION:

What is your favorite hummus flavor?

Trader Joe’s Hummus with freshly ground Horseradish

I am and always have been a huge fan of hummus. I also tend to really love horseradish, typically in obscene amounts.  So when I saw this Trader Joe’s Hummus with Freshly Ground Horseradish I knew I had to pick it up without even a second guess.

I’ve been using the hummus on sandwiches as a condiment and I have to say it’s straight up delicious.  Flavor wise it’s definitely hummus, but in the background there is a slight tang of horseradish.  It’s definitely not overwhelming, overpowering or wowing – but it’s there, very mildly.  The hummus undoubtedly brings down the heat index of the horseradish and in turn gives it a very subdued flavor.  I would enjoy it if it were spicier, but all-in-all its fine as it is.

2 tablespoons is a serving size and it calculates out to be 1 points plus values.

QUESTION:

What is your favorite hummus flavor?