VERY FESTIVE HOLIDAY TRADER JOE'S TASTE TEST

Holy Alco-moly! In this week's Trader Joe's taste test, we try a new chicken bowl, some of our holiday favorites and a bunch of beers and wine! Make sure you watch until the end of this extremely long video, because we get more and more entertaining the more we drink.
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[@RWCLtd3]

Being born Jewish, we never celebrated Christmas, but we recently started getting close to a family that has made us part of their traditions. The first is everybody gathers around, takes a bell that has been laid out, then everybody goes around and mentions someone they lost that year. Everybody then rings the bell to remember them. Very special. Then we all draw numbers from 1 to 12 to see who our partner is, and sing made up lyrics to the 12 Days of Christmas. So much fun!!!

[@marthawatkins8977]

A fond memory that has become a tradition of sorts in my family is pizza for Christmas dinner. We were poor growing up, and one Christmas there was a problem at my dad's job that caused a delay in everyone's paycheck. They didn't end up getting their paychecks until late Christmas Eve. By the time my dad was able to get his paycheck cashed everything was closed except for the convenience store. (We lived in a really small town). My parents were devastated that we didn't have anything for Christmas dinner. They went to the convenience store and bought about the only thing they had, frozen pizzas. They thought we were going to be upset, but boy were they wrong. We were sooo happy, and excited that we got to eat pizza for Christmas dinner! We loved it! Now every few years we have pizza just to rekindle the memory, and have a good laugh. Inevitably one of us kids always brings up the best Christmas we ever had, when we had pizza for Christmas dinner

[@MsKatze]

So a little tradition I've started is a fun Christmas day for our two cats. My husband and I don't have kids and currently live far away from our family. Anyway we adore and spoil our cats already but on Christmas day I put down a blanket on the floor in front of the tree and spread out all their new toys and sprinkle cat nip and play with them and give them treats lol. It might sound silly, but I feel like they love Christmas too. They certainly love the tree! 😅 We love them and want to make it special for them ❤

[@Kimbobutterfly]

Bird’s Nests are my absolute favorite product Trader Joe’s makes (hands down) the sauce is like a tempura dipping sauce which has yuzu in it and that’s what gives it the distinctive flavor and also makes them craveable!

[@RWCLtd3]

I love how Tim puts his arm around Katie's chair every video. He always moves in to get closer to Katie. Definite couple goals. I'm lucky to have that same relationship with my hubby. Happy, happy Christmas!

[@lisatowan4536]

What a fun taste test. One tradition we had on Christmas when I was a child was to take a walk. We would have six or so appetizers, then sit down at the table and have a full-size plate of ravioli. Normally, we wouldn't be allowed to get up from the table, but on Christmas, we kids were allowed to get up. My grandfather's house was in a cul-de-sac, and the walk around the block was about a mile. There was a mansion behind his house, so we kids called it our mansion walk. When we returned, we would sit down to about five side dishes, two to three types of meat, a salad or two, then about three desserts. All these years later, we "kids" still look back fondly on our mansion walks.

[@Novemberbaby333]

This was a hilarious taste test!! From Tim wolfing down the peanutty noodles to drinking that beer out of the bottle!! You two are the funniest & sweet couple on KZbin. Happy Holidays to you & now I want a Bloody Mary! LOL

[@KatieHespe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tammyt6193]

A tradition when my kids were growing up, I always made cinnamon rolls for breakfast that they ate before opening presents. After opening presents, they always came back to munch on what was left. 😁💜

[@jordanvincent5476]

I enjoy watching Christmas movies to get me in the holiday spirit. I watch certain movies with my family every year

[@alexanderschwarm7755]

Tim and Katie are blessing us with all the content. This is a Christmas miracle!

[@prc5559]

We would always make Bisquick sausage roll pinwheels. My family has since passed away so I will be making them for myself and remembering all the happy Christmas mornings we shared! Thank you for the memory question!

[@pamwilkinson366]

A tradition that we started about 15+ years ago is I make my eggnog French toast casserole the night before and pop it in the oven first thing in the morning when everyone is opening their stockings. As soon as we are done with opening gifts, breakfast is ready. I think I’m going to incorporate tangerine mimosas to our breakfast since my “kids” are all over 21 now.

[@dmledger6974]

Hi! Would you care to share your French toast recipe??? Pretty please?? 😊

[@sonjacroft3016]

That sounds fantastic!! Yes, please share your recipe?! 😊

[@pamwilkinson366]

Sure! Here’s the recipe: Eggnog French Toast Casserole Ingredients: 1 loaf of French bread cut into small bits, 6 eggs, 2 1/2 cups eggnog, 3/4 cups granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Streusel topping ingredients: 1/4 cup flour, 1/3 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1/2 cup cold butter sit into small pieces Directions: Night before- 1. Spray a 9 X 13inch baking pan with cooking oil. 2. Place pieces of bread into the pan. 3. In a large bowl, mix together eggs, eggnog, sugar, vanilla, and spices. Pour mixture evenly over bread. Cover pan with Saran Wrap and place in refrigerator over night. The next morning: preheat oven to 375 F. in a separate bowl, mix the topping ingredients together making sure the butter is somewhat incorporated (a pastry cutter/ blender works great or even a fork). Sprinkle the

[@pamwilkinson366]

Oops- rest of recipe. Sprinkle the streusel topping on the top of the bread mixture. Bake for approximately40-45 mins or until golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar (our preferred way) or maple syrup.

[@dmledger6974]

Thanks! Gonna try it with my kiddos. 🎄🎁🥰🤶

[@kaylakroll6884]

Winters in the midwest are brutal so there was never any playing outside on Christmas 😂

[@reginagillis7201]

Yummy! Chow down, Tim!

[@sr9802]

What a fun taste test! It looks like you had fun too! I celebrate Hanukkah, so no Christmas memories. I remember opening one present each of the eight nights. That was so much fun to have a present to look forward to for eight days. I continued that with my kids. I hope you enjoy the break with Benson and enjoy the holidays! 🙂

[@vickim5339]

Yeah, that spicy peanut bowl is delicious! And not too spicy.

[@connie6410]

Thank you both for trying the wine! Now I know to go for the platinum bottle instead since we are bold wine lovers. I totally agree that so many of our memories are about the people and what we did, and who can even remember what we got? For our family, it's about getting up early, staring a fire in the fireplace, having a warm drink, and opening gifts together. Our gifts aren't lavish, but the time together is what matters.

[@karenwhite7023]

Oh boy, you two are at it again. 😂Merry Christmas & happy new year.🎄😻

[@dmledger6974]

I just love watching you two. I wish i was your neighbor! You both are so sweet & fun. 🤩 ( & let’s not leave out the cutest one Benson!) Tfs. Happiest of holidays!

[@cindynau8068]

Thanks for the beer tips. Our Trader Joe's doesn't carry most of them, but I can find them at Total Wine. I'm all about good beer and good wine, and you share some great tips! We had the Platinum Cab for Thanksgiving and it was delish! My memory of Christmas Day was waking up, always at grandma's house, to a decorated Christmas tree with presents. She didn't do any decorations until we went to bed and Santa brought the decorated Christmas tree. Then we would put baby Jesus in the crib, have waffles and bacon, THEN we could open the presents. That memory of seeing the tree is so vivid and still warms my heart!

[@TheTerakitty]

Total Wine is awesome!

[@cindynau8068]

@@TheTerakitty I can get list in there!! Yum!

[@zebralove2840]

When my kids and nieces and nephews were little, my Mom would get a Santa to come to my Grandma's and those kids were soooo excited. Not Christmas Day, but Eve. Nothing topped that.

[@doodlemom6335]

I’m excited to try the pears, they sound really good! I got one for my mom too, thanks for the great recommendations on all of the products you tried!

[@jgreer1999]

Tim must have been hungry. He’s just chowing everything down. Lol

[@sonjacroft3016]

I love the birds nests!!! Growing up we always went to see my grandparents on Christmas Day after we opened our gifts with our parents… I loved going to my grandparents!!!! 😊❤

[@tzb2019]

I add egg and the Korean gochugang sauce to the japchae

[@rlord7053]

Enjoyed this taste test - I love pears and when you were explaining how you like your pears I was nodding my head "yep she gets it" lol. It's nice you are friends with your neighbors - I wish neighbors were more outgoing where I live in central Ohio - things have unfortunately changed.

[@markhakala8544]

Cutest taste test!! Fun food, great ideas, Tim’s shirt 😂!! Katie, love your cute sweatshirt too! I loved this video, can’t wait to pick up the Bird’s Nests .

[@KatieHespe]

Thank you ☺️

[@JozieLeePro]

Bought the Platinum Cab this morning for Christmas Eve hostess gift. Thanks for the recommendation. Christmas Tradition: watching classic Christmas movies. I miss the sounds of children on Christmas Day. Enjoy your block party. Merry Christmas.

[@aimeeyork6319]

Oh! Hahahaha ❣️😂 I love you, Katie: (re the Vegetable Bird's Nests) "... because one, you don't have to be a meat eater to eat these, you can be vegetarian..." Because ... they're..... vegetables?😂 The way you guys are together is just lovely 🌹

[@skkeech]

I wish I had nice neighbors. You are very lucky!! Happy holidays!!

[@TheTerakitty]

The birds nest have been around awhile and are awesome 🤩

[@user-by8mp7in7i]

When I was watching this video I noticed your likes keep growing. I love watching you and Tim 💕. Love from Atlanta.

[@catmama54]

My husband and I would drive all around on Christmas Eve he king out all the neighborhood decorations. We knew of some areas where they really did it up right. Now I’m alone in a new state in an apt but my sister isn’t far away so I’ll be with her Christmas. My Dad made awesome Bloody Mary’s and I could go for one now 😊

[@koreyb]

Our family tradition goes all the way back to my grandparents. We don't have our formal Christmas dinner until 9 p.m. The rest of Christmas Day, after all the presents are opened, is spent playing with toys, and sledding and skiing and building snowmen and having snowball fights. Then when we all gather back together for our Christmas Dinner, and it is a huge dinner with all the fancy dishes we associate with Christmas, and we talk about our day and it is just a great way for Christmas to come to a conclusion.

[@Chrissy4281]

Lovved this!! Thanks for your honesty as always. A fond memory that I had from childhood was baking m&m cookies w/my mom and opening up one gift on Christmas Eve. The tradition that I have with my own family now that I love is putting cookies out for santa and how my daughter never forgets to leave carrots out for the reindeer. Lol. I Hope you, Tim and Benson and all of your family have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! 🤗

[@TheTerakitty]

Yrssss!!!! 🎉 been waiting for this!!! As I sip on some bubbly from Aldi, ha!

[@adelecruzmorris7358]

❤ agree with you about the pairs. I love them with cheese. Look forward to trying the beer. 🎉

[@kayjacoby290]

Christmas Day tradition: Polish sausage, egg & maybe cheese scramble for breakfast. As a kid, Dad would make it on Easter & Christmas mornings, before church; then we'd go to church, and afterwards, have the big meal around 2:00. Served 2 purposes: keep us from eating too much candy from our Easter baskets or Christmas stockings, and tide us over till "dinner." Since Dad was Polish-Ukrainian, we'd either have the sausage left over from Christmas eve, or extra for what would be used for snacking before Easter dinner.

[@kirahastings9900]

Katie, I love pears too. As part of my Christmas dinner, I make a salad using butter lettuce and peeled pear slices drizzled with a balsamic dressing and topped with crumbled blue cheese. Easy and elegant. Love it when you and Tim get a little giddy. Enjoy your week!

[@groovewithme]

I know it might be too late to review but have you or anyone else reading this tried the chocolate panettone? I didn’t realize it was even a thing since it’s wrapped up and as soon as I see panettone I just keep walking. 😅 Was curious what you thought about it.

[@lose999]

I wish I was your neighbor. Merry Christmas to you. I love bloody marys. We need your recipe.🍅

[@soniaalvarado5372]

The Harry and David pears are delicious. Crispy, flavorful and the best.

[@ChineseAg]

Woohoo! Thx for taste testing Hespe fam!

[@fyreflye100]

As someone who has zero interest in alcoholic drinks, I really miss the days when you used to do taste tests that didn't always feature booze so prominently. I guess those days are gone for good.

[@kathisanger1223]

Just bought the Bird’s Nest for the 1st time. Loved them. Didn’t know they had kale in them. So good. I heated up the sauce in the microwave and after that put a little of TJ’s sweet chili sauce in the corner of the sauce I heated. So good. Will buy them every time now. Thanks Katie❤️ 🎄🎄Merry Xmas to you and your family!

[@TheTerakitty]

I agree about spice- most ppl are wimps, so TJ maybe is careful? 😅😊

[@trishac9516]

I'm not a wimp, I just have a heartburn and acid reflux condition.😊 I love the fact that Katie and Tim always say how spicy or not spicy foods are. Mexican spices are the hardest for me, I can usually take Asian spice, though.

[@barbaraspeicher8949]

A tradition that I have done with my daughter is I make cinnamon rolls before we open gifts.

[@jjjj-h7r]

You are all so cute, love this channel!

[@nw379]

Did they ever get the diamond reserve bottles in stock? Not sure if I missed the update on that

[@teashagrant3054]

I love these reviews! Tim goes in😂

[@Lily1975]

8 is also Karma.

[@sharonmitchell3515]

I am going to try that dip and fries. Thanks for trying some things that aren't seasonal. I gO to US at least twice a week and I am always looking for things to rotate in. I love those Bird nest.

[@debsalerno1915]

LOVE those great wine glasses, where can I get those?

[@KatieHespe]

I believe my friend got them on Amazon. They are hand made. I don’t have a link as it was a gift.

[@debsalerno1915]

found them, thanks@@KatieHespe

[@debsalerno1915]

They are bigger in person than they looked in your video, but they are so pretty, glad I got them

[@aimeeyork6319]

B-b-b-but.. is it really ranch with dill? Chick-fil-A Herb Ranch is really good and Tim! It's in the refrigerator section! Woohoo 🎉

[@irener1111]

Katie, try Bonanza, it’s from the same family that makes Caymus and it’s an excellent $20 bottle of wine. I call it my daily drinker (I don’t drink daily) our tradition is that every year I choose a different country and base my Christmas dinner around what Christmas dinner in that country would be or that cuisine. After many many years we have had to repeat some countries or even gone for some states but I really enjoy coming up with the menus and everyone looks forward to dinner.

[@Ro11311]

Such a great tradition!

[@kouklakee]

Thank you Katie for mentioning the Spicey Pepper ! I don’t like anything spicey or the kick . You mentioning that is great

[@chihuahuasrule1175]

I have to listen to Nat King Cole's Christmas album every year. It was a tradition passed on from my father.

[@jessfarrugia5291]

In Australia we would call that bowl Tim ate, Chicken Satay with Hokkien Noodles 🙂

[@nineangels7572]

The best memory would be the special breakfast my mom would make on Christmas day & also opening our stockings. Everyone has passed & gone to heaven now (for the last 9 years, so it's just me and my pets. I focus on God, Jesus & the holy spirit now.🙏💞💕✴

[@Emilya-A]

I like "Friday Night Beer" it reminds me of "Friday Night Lights"

[@suehajek4734]

On your next video, could you please tell us how Tim is doing, on his job search. Keeping your family in my prayers.

[@KatieHespe]

Thank you! It’s a very hard subject for Tim. It’s been over 4 months so we are really hopeful. When he finds his next job we will let everyone know. 🥰

[@TheCasey0811]

Katie I love it when you get a little buzzed on camera 😂 thank you so much for trying the $20 wine 💖 I think I’m gonna pick it up bc I don’t like bold wine.

[@larke301]

Katie, have you eaten the soft strawberry licorice twists recently? Do you know if they changed the product? It looks like they changed the packaging and I picked one up today and they don't taste the same 😢 They were almost impossible to bite through and didn't have much flavor. Hopefully I just got a bad and they're still the same!

[@KatieHespe]

I haven’t gotten them lately. I’ll have to check it out next time and see if the formulation changed.

[@bonnielemmon8493]

Great taste test ! I’m not sure if Tim liked the chicken bowl,lol. We have always made Monkey Bread for Christmas morning after the gifts were opened. Each year the entire family would work at Angel Tree on Christmas Eve. Have a great week

[@wanderlust139]

The noodles I think you’re talking about are Soba noodles

[@pamelaparsons9046]

Udon noodles

[@alanzemsky7695]

Can you pop the vegetables birds nest in regular toaster oven? They look delicious!!

[@midlifemom5829]

Yes , I've done that. Just takes a little longer than air fryer

[@carolm6952]

Happy Saturday Katie and Tim! It's so nice to see you both on this Saturday. The Waffle Fries with the Ranch Dressing looks really good. I have never tried the Vegetable Nests. I might try those. Thanks for doing this haul and for the joyful entertainment. Merry Christmas to you both and your families! ❤😊🎄

[@alanzemsky7695]

Also did the new peanut chicken dish have mostly white meat chicken?

[@donyabadia3282]

Need the Bloody Mary recipe. What a great idea,

[@cokedclassic7627]

Anis is pronounced two ways AN IS or AH NEECE. Most Americans say AN IS. No shade

[@jiberri]

Hi Katie! Love your videos! Please share where you got the awesome hoodie you're wearing! Thanks!

[@KatieHespe]

It’s from Kohls 😊

[@jiberri]

Thank you!

[@baramuth71]

You can really tell that Trader Joe's belongs to Aldi. It's not just that the range of goods has changed, but also the prices, and that's a good thing. I wish you both a wonderful and peaceful Christmas. Best wishes from Germany

[@wbee6381]

Katie you have mentioned Ruby’s ranch dressing before but I’m in NorCal and I’ve never heard of it. Is it a store brand or a restaurant? I’ve googled it and the only hit I get is Ruby Tuesday…

[@KatieHespe]

Ruby’s is a 50’s style restaurant/diner.

[@wbee6381]

Thank you so much for clarifying! I actually ate at the original one in Balboa pier a million years ago when visiting a friend in So Cal before they opened more of them! But unfortunately didn’t try the ranch dressing!! 😊😊

[@KatieHespe]

That Ruby’s location is my favorite!

[@candifeinberg3222]

Udon noodles

[@lunardesignstudiolinda1256]

Lol great excuse to get drunk lol

[@moann56]

🌸👍🏻🌸

[@lose999]

Great taste test. I researched a recipe for Mississippi pot roast that uses a bottle of ranch dressing. I bet this has cleaner ingredients and would be delicious as a substitute for Hidden Valley ( which has msg)!! Thanks for all you do for us.

[@cyd6569]

Does anyone else have problems with the volume on her videos? I usually have to turn the volume level from the norm of about 12 to between 25-30. It happens on the TVs, but not on my phone and iPad.

[@eafj90]

It’s a known issue on TVs

[@juanita_rocksteady2761]

​@@eafj90 Especially with commercials. The volume is ridiculous! I have to turn down my TV substantially during commercials.😂

[@cyd6569]

@@eafj90 It’s just that I watch quite a few KZbin videos and hers are the only ones that do this.

[@marybethdermody9483]

Smell the inside of your wrist when you can’t taste something. Maybe you should try wine before beer. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@TheTerakitty]

Huh???

[@famida8560]

Tim should grow a beard

[@selfself8813]

Beards look smelly and unclean. Don’t like facial hair!!!

[@carlytrigg108]

Thank you for the new video!! Y’all’s taste tests are my favorite

[@elissaclark1975]

This was so fun, in honestly love when n y'all get a bit tipsy. I'm so happy Tim loved the peanut noodles now I'm buying them because I too can't have over spicy. I didn't get raised in traditions so we made out own for our famly. we do Cinnabons and I make bacon. I also bake apple pie and we have that for breakfast ands well.we also stay in our pjs all day even dinner. I would love a Bloody Mary. Hugs friend Elissa modesto cali @elissa_tc