When I See-food, I Dip It

Seafood Dips - Aldi

I am pretty sure I heard someone raving about Aldi's Crab Rangoon dip, but I can't quite remember who. Anyway, when I spotted it, and a Lobster Roll version, I figured I would give it a shot. 

More often than not, I judge food products based on their first impressions, but here I decided to give it a bit more time. Mostly because my first taste of either dip was really underwhelming. I more-so tasted the creamy bases than anything else and texturally I found them unappealing. I decided to grab the Aldi-versions of Wheat Thins and give them each a try as an after-work snack to give these a fair shake, and these are my findings: 

Maryland and Boardwalk Style Crab Cakes - Aldi $4.99 each

Maryland and Boardwalk Style Crab Cakes - Aldi $4.99 each

I never knew Boardwalk style crab cakes were a thing. For 29 years I have gone down to the Jersey shore and walked the boardwalk, and not once have I ever seen an ad for crab cakes. Live crabs? Sure! But boardwalk style crab cakes? Never. (Then again, Wildwood is a special, pizza-filled, Doo-Wop snowflake.) I mean, I knew Maryland style was a thing, so it makes sense that there are other varieties, but not once have I ever heard of board walk style crab cakes. Am I alone in my noob-ish-ness? (I get the feeling that I am.) Welp, time to get educated!

FYI: I think I just set a new record for most amount of musical reference links used in a single paragraph on this blog. Click them and enjoy some tunes!

You guys want some Octopus Balls?

Takoyaki flavored Puffed Snacks - H-Mart $1.99

I promised you a non-Aldi review, and here it is: Takyoyaki flavored puffed snacks! (Definitely not something you'd ever see at Aldi.)

For those of you unfamiliar with "takoyaki," it's bite-sized pieces of octopus, coated in thick batter, and baked in small sphere-shaped molds. Once cooked, they are topped with sauces, seaweed, green onion and fish flakes. 

To the typical American, it sounds a little odd, and believe me, a few years ago I was turning up my nose at it, but after giving it a try I can see why this street food is so popular. I'm still not a fan of the bouncy eraser-like texture of the octopus inside, but everything else about takoyaki is great! Fried dough, mayo, BBQ-like takoyaki sauce, fish flakes, onions and seaweed are an AMAZING combination!

Since I'm not a huge fan of the octopus chunks inside (mostly due to their texture) I'm really hoping these snacks will deliver all the takoyaki flavor I love, but with the delightful texture of a cheese puff. Will these octopus balls live up to my expectations?

Tao Kae Noi Hot Chilli Squid Super Crisp Grilled Seaweed - Sunseng Market

Tao Kae Noi Hot Chilli Squid Super Crisp Grilled Seaweed - Sunseng Market

My last two reviews were candy bars from the same store, which were both delicious, but repetition can get a bit boring, and now for something completely different: Hot Chilli Squid flavored seaweed strips! (Try saying that three times fast!) 

Tako Chips- H-Mart: Cherry Hill, NJ

Tako Chips- H-Mart: Cherry Hill, NJ

A different kind of Tako Tuesday! That's right, these are little seafood flavored crisps that are shaped like tiny octopuses. (Although I much prefer the term octopi, apparently octopuses is correct.)

I've always liked seafood, but I thought of it as a meal or main course. It wasn't until I started writing Sometimes Foodie that I began trying seafood flavored snack foods, like these crab chips, and I ended up liking them a lot more than I thought I would. I fell in love with this silly packaging during my last trip to H-mart, but let's see if the snacks inside are just as appealing.

Sushi Bowl Teaser Post

Sushi Bowl Teaser Post

Feel like you can never get enough sushi? Neither can I, so I made giant sushi style rice bowls with my boyfriend and the results were delicious!

If you follow me on instagram this dish might look familiar, basically I wanted to see if I could make something simple to satisfy my sushi cravings at home, and I did!

I plan on making this again in the near future, and when I do I'll have my proper photo set-up near by, but these are the only pictures I have of the original recipe-test-run.

Shrimp Scampi Flatbread - Pinterest Recipe Review

Shrimp Scampi Flatbread - Pinterest Recipe Review : The PIN The RECIPE

As stated in my last post, I spent Valentine's Day cooking and watching Netflix with my boyfriend. I usually cook something when I'm over his place, but I wanted to make something fancy, it was a holiday after all. My solution was for my boyfriend and I to each pick a fancy recipe from my Pinterest Board and cook it as part of our Valentine's Day dinner.

• He picked this Shrimp Scampi Flat Bread
• I chose the PF Chang's Style Chicken Lettuce Wraps 

As usual, I had to alter the recipe,

Panera Lobster Bisque- Target: Cherry Hill, NJ

Panera Lobster Bisque- Target: Cherry Hill, NJ

I have mentioned this in several posts, so a lot of you know this already, but I used to work at Panera Bread. Food service jobs can be stressful and difficult, but I really loved working there and it was a fantastic job while I was in college. Not only was I able to work with really fun people, but I was surrounded by yummy food. During my time there I tried every single soup we served, but I had never seen this one before. I am guessing this is a new offering for the Panera grocery store line, since I haven't seen this served in any restaurant, but I am not 100% sure. (It might be served at specific locations.)

I was really curious about this flavor, so I picked up a container and headed to the checkout line.

When compared to other heat-and-eat soups on the market, the packaging is simple but sophisticated. The clear plastic tub allows you to see the product while still serving it's purpose, and the designs are bold but simple. Text is kept to a minimum while a large appetizing photo does all the talking. I have to say I was hungry while I was shopping, which is always a bad idea, and this photo really sealed the deal on this purchase. I was cold and hungry, so a warm bowl of buttery soup was a welcome sight. I may be a little biased, due to my love of Panera, but I feel like this is a pretty nice packaging design.

Wakabato Arumi Kani Chips - Asian Food Market: Cherry Hill, NJ

Wakabato Arumi Kani Chips - Asian Food Market: Cherry Hill, NJ

It’s always fun to try something savory, because a majority of the foods I find are sweets, so today we have some crab chips.  

I really like the taste of crab, so I think these will be really interesting. (I typically like seafood but I am picky. I won’t eat anything with tentacles.)

Mì Lẩu Thái (Instant Ramen) - Asian Food Market : Cherry Hill, NJ

Mì Lẩu Thái (Instant Ramen) - Asian Food Market : Cherry Hill, NJ

I was such a fan of the (imitation) chicken flavor, that I bought another package of Mì Lẩu Thái instant ramen. This time I have the seafood flavor variety.

The packaging is bright and eye catching, just like the other flavor. I love the photo on the front. Even though I know my ramen won’t look anything like that…it makes the soup look spicy and delicious.