Easy. We all need a break from that. Just check your Facebook newsfeed. And just consider me pretty hesitant to add yet another clamoring voice to that festering noise pile of opinion, when really, at the end of the day, I'll either agree with you, or we'll balance each other out, so either way we're good in my opinion. Let's talk happy stuff like food instead.
That's why in this review of Trader Joe's 5 Cheese Greek Spiral, I'll avoid all that Greek/EU economic WTFery going on (that's a Greek spiral in its own way). Instead, revisit my classic 5 Cheese Frusta review here, because perfect segue...Much like that frusta, all the cheeses in this spirally guy just kinda melt all together in an indistinguishable meld. And instead of cheesy, I'd say it tastes more salty and perhaps even gritty. I know for sure what gouda is supposed to taste like - not there. And I've been to enough Greek food festivals to be confident that I'd be able to identify the others, even if I'm not 100% sure what either "semi-hard" (flaccid?) or "blue" (not "bleu") cheese is...and no feta? Hrmmm.
Not too much else to say. Sandy seemed indifferent when we ate this about a week ago, so I was surprised when she decided to give it a four. "Just so crispy!" she exclaimed. I'll give it that....but not much else. It takes a little more to get my zorbas dancing.
Bottom line: Trader Joe's 5 Cheese Greek Spiral: 6 out of 10 Golden Spoons
Wow, I am so disappointed. I hoped this would be good. Baked, flakey, cheesy....how could Trader Joe's go wrong?!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't bad, but yeah, coulda been a lot better. So much promise!
ReplyDeleteJust cooked this up, baked it in the paper dish per the instructions. When I took it out of the oven (medium-browned like the pic), I poured several spoonfuls of grease out of the cooking dish. And put a paper towel under the ring as it cooled.
ReplyDeleteIt's not bad: pastry is flaky and cheese/pastry balance is good. the cheese isn't distinctive. I think it's easier to serve by unpeeling and tearing off sections of the roll, rather than cutting it as wedges (that will fall apart). And I recommend baking it on a wire rack, with a pan under it to catch the grease!
Oh no! I've been craving Turkish borek and thought this could be a good substitute. Sad to hear it's not that great. I'll just keep to my memories for now.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was tasty - and topped with olive tapenade a pleaser. I'm a little bit of a foodie, so you are harsher than this spiral calls for in your review.
ReplyDeleteI had this several weeks ago, and my experience was similar to stevenp. Very very greasy.
ReplyDeleteWe love it.
ReplyDeleteKasseri and kefalotyri are both very good, and salty cheeses (like most Greek cheeses). Kefalotyri is a drier hard cheese, while kasseri usually has a good melt factor and is a little oily/greasy when melting. This probably contributes to the greasiness most people observe. I am disappointed though there is no feta, but many frozen Greek pastries do not use good quality feta. Having had many pitas (spanakopitas, tiropitas (cheese pitas), etc), I think this one is pretty good actually. It is a bit greasy but to each his/her own. I would purchase this again!
ReplyDeleteI agree that this was a disappointment. I was expecting cheesy phyllo goodness. It's so greasy and not cheesy enough.
ReplyDeletePlease , check your spelling errors....
ReplyDeleteTotally disagree with this review. This is one of the best, tastiest items I buy at Trader Joe's, where I have shopped for many years. Try it yourself, if you haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteAfter you remove from oven -Drizzle some honey on it and toasted pecans, dried cranberries and it's good to go! Always a favorite at parties!
DeleteI also disagree with this review. I enjoyed this down to the last bite. Actually the last bite may have been the best. Once it cools it becomes even more flaky and tasty. I will definitely be purchasing again
ReplyDeleteTry it with the toppings in above response
DeleteMy partner's Greek family (like born in Greece, first language is Greek, will-not-eat-any-yogurt-but-Fage Greek) loves this! His mom says it reminds her of the tiropita they eat in Greece. I have such a fondness for it, too!
ReplyDeleteI just had the 5 cheese Greek spiral. It was WONDERFUL. Beauitful flaky crust. I am going back to the store next month and buy a case to bring home. We need ab traders joes in our city.
ReplyDeleteThe crust was great - flakey and perfect. The cheese was just... an amalgam of cheese. Nothing to break it up. It definitely needed a dipping sauce of some sort to break it up.
ReplyDeleteI liked this dish. Thought it was very delish.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely drizzle honey all over the top, could even sprinkle with toasted pecans and fresh rosemary too-it's so delish! Good the first day and the second day as well. LOVED IT.
ReplyDeleteJust tried this for the first time. Baked it on paper in a small oven. Crispy yummy. I added some butter since the pastry was just a bit dry. Then used orange Marmalade as an accent
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the review. We thought it was tasty.
ReplyDeleteI smear it with fig our sour cherry preserves. YUM!
ReplyDeleteTotally disagree. Baked in the oven the filo was flaky. Cheese blend did not come off as distinct as feta, but certainly reminded me of a sharp Swiss. Taste very much like a smooth quiche.
ReplyDelete