Trader Joe’s Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas

May 10, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Trader Joe's Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas

Price: $2.79
Serving: 1 enchilada, 4.25 oz.
Calories: 130
Fat: 6%, 4g
Sodium: 10%, 230mg
Protein: 4g
Carbs: 7%, 20g

Wheat free, Dairy free, vegan and certified organic.

Trader Joe says: Made with organic white corn tortillas, corn and black beans

Abi says: It is misleading to expect someone to eat just one enchilada (we’re talking about you too, Amy’s Kitchen), so I was a bit surprised that Trader Joe’s tried to pull this stunt. Yeah, I know, I can read the label. Doesn’t mean they’re not being sneaky.

If you found your way around that double negative, please note that even though it isn’t stated on the front of the box, these enchiladas contain tofu as a major ingredient. Why not tell people right out they contain tofu? Amy posited that some people may be scared off by tofu in enchiladas. I say ‘HA’. You’re shopping at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods or you’ve wandered into the ‘natural frozen foods’ section of your local grocer. You KNOW there is not meat in this product. Unfortunately for eaters, the label makes a claim that the black beans are the new protein source. Liars, tofu actually comes before black beans in the ingredients list. These should be called ‘Tofu, Black Bean, Zucchini Enchiladas’. Seriously, more zucchini than corn. But would you buy tofu and zucchini enchiladas? Probably not, because that sounds like the anti-enchilada.

These enchiladas do taste pretty good, even if I was completely weirded out by the viscosity of the mole. While high viscosity is prized in the world of motor oil, it is disturbing when one is eating an enchilada (or two). I already threw away the wrapper, otherwise I would try to figure out exactly what in the mole made is so resistant to deformation under shear stress.

Ok, so that last part is from Wikipedia’s entry about viscosity. Yes, I knew what viscosity meant before I looked up the wikipedia entry, but how often does one get to use the phrase ‘deformation under shear stress’ in a food review? Not too often, I’d say.

[Update: My mom and fiance both love this meal.]

comments

8 Responses to “Trader Joe’s Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas”

Marie on May 13th, 2006

This is too funny! I’d been wanting to try these things when I see them at TJs. I’m not sure if your post convinced me or deterred me…but definitely funny!
Melissa on June 20th, 2007

This is funny. But seriously, stop being a hater. You know that wording/appearance is a high percentage of what makes the product sell. So what if there is more tofu and zucchini than the advertised product, if their presence is clear and relevant then it should be deserved. The mole does sound a bit scary but hey some people live for the thick.
Abi Jones on June 20th, 2007

I’m not being a hater, I’m being a critic. The U.S. has seriously lax food-labeling laws as compared to other countries (see http://www.cspinet.org/new/200510272.html for more info) and I want Trader Joe’s to start being honest in their labeling.
lala on February 16th, 2008

These are fabulous enchilada’s. They break it down to keep it simple for people who really watch their intake of certain items and if they combined it it would make it more difficult. It never says to just eat one, it is merely telling you what portion of it is considered one serving.

(Edited for decency)
Grace on March 23rd, 2008

I love these enchiladas! They are my favorite frozen food. I eat them for lunch often. I actually love the enchilada sauce I wish I could find a can of the stuff so that I could make a homemade version. Anyway, they are cheap, delicious, low-calorie, and filling. What more could you ask for?
Deirdre on March 25th, 2008

These are a staple for me - I nearly always have them in my freezer at work . Quite tasty, and filling.

Enjoy!
Chelsea on May 13th, 2008

For a vegan, low calorie frozen meal, this might be the best one out there. It is really filling, actually tastes good, and is cheap. I tried it two weeks ago and promptly went back and bought more for lunch.
Marshmallow Goat on July 23rd, 2008

No! Trader Joe’s is deceptive too?
I mean, I expect Kraft and other formerly Altria companies to lie to me about mystery chemicals being guacamole, but Trader Joe’s?
To be fair, the guacamole travesty is much worse. At least there are actually black beans and corn in this stuff, but it’s anyone’s guess if “avocado powder” has any history of being an avocado.
(Pseudo-guacamole is really gross)