Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Bisque

November 29, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Bisque

Price: $3.19
Serving: 1 cup, 8 oz.
Calories: 130
Fat: 2%, 1g
Sodium: 17%, 410mg
Protein: 2g
Carbs: 9%, 28g
Fiber: 5%, 1g

Trader Joe says: Our Sweet Potato Bisque starts with only the freshest ingredients. A perfect balance of sweet potato, parsnips, potatoes, and a little bit of honey that will have you coming back for more. Garnish with nutmeg & a dollop of sour cream for a sensational soup.

Abi says: I am often lured to the soup area of Trader Joe’s. Alas, I do not own a car and so I leave without soup week after week. Sunday was my lucky day: George and I drove down to the mall, walked in the sunshine, then did a little shopping at TJ’s. The soup would be mine.

Sure, I ate half a Ritter Sport with hazelnuts on the way home, but I wasn’t quite satisfied. Once back in the kitchen, I poured a cup of this soup into a mug and microwaved it for a minutes. After that minute I stirred the soup, then returned it to the microwave for another 45 seconds.

Post cooking I added a dash (and just the briefest dash, mind you) of cayenne and a dollop of sour cream. While I have added dollops of sour cream to many warm soupy items (chili comes to mind) I still feel a bit apprehensive immediately before each dollop.

I’m not a nervous person, but for some reason I can’t help but think “What if this sour cream is bad?” or “Is it ok to add cold dairy to hot soups?” or “Is this going to curdle?”. These fears were unfounded. The sour cream added depth to the soup, rounding out an already delectable dish with the rich creaminess only dairy can provide. The cayenne pepper gave it a sassy kick without overpowering the sweet potatoey-ness of the soup.

Update: I served this as part of a meal the other day. George did not like it at all. He said it tasted like watery sweet potato. He also does not enjoy soup in general. In fact, the only soup-like things he enjoys are chili, stew, and chowder. So, if you already like soups then you will probably like this too. If you don’t like soup, then I’m sorry: you are missing out on one of winter’s pleasures.

comments

8 Responses to “Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Bisque”

Mir on November 29th, 2006

I am a fool for Trader Joe’s soups. This is one of my favorites, tied with the Roasted Red Pepper soup (which is divine with a dash of hot sauce).
Jill on November 29th, 2006

What kind of person does not like soup… or I should say, does not like TJ soup! It’s addictive! I second the Roasted Red Pepper soup, it’s a great one.
MaryAnne on November 29th, 2006

Thank you Abi for a reviewing something that won’t have me running 10 miles on the treadmill. TJ soups are delicious but I’ve never tried the ones in the box like this one. I’ve tried their butternut squash in the plastic tubs and it makes you feel like you’re floating in heaven. Yum! I like how this one comes and how the salt content isn’t too high… Thanks!
tg on November 30th, 2006

hm. so these aren’t just the Imagine soups, relabeled?

and i was puzzled as to why not having a car = not buying soup

many questions, no answers,
TG
Abi Jones on November 30th, 2006

Ok, it looks like I’ll have to try the Roasted Red Pepper soup next. I’m sure that the refridgerated soups are better than the boxed ones. I think that shelf-stable things are generally not quite as delicious as fresh things.

TG- They might be the Imagine soups. I should hold a blind taste taste. From your comment it sounds like you’ve had a car every day of your life. Any non-car owning person knows that grocery shopping acquires a whole new dimension when you have to carry everything home.
tg on December 1st, 2006

oh no, my friend, i’ve done more than my share of public transporting. having grown up in the northeast. i even do it down here in the land of SUVs. i moved specifically to where i live so that i could take dallas’ one-and-only rail. i ride my bike to the grocery store. i’ve hauled a 5-pound watermelon in a knapsack. question not my carlessness.

but see, your posting seemed to single out SOUP in particular. as opposed to other groceries. are you, like, wanting to buy cases of the stuff?
Abi Jones on December 3rd, 2006

I would like to buy more than one soup at a time. I also go without soda for long periods of time. Not because I’m healthy, but because I can only carry so much. Other things I do not like carrying home: pasta sauce, milk, beer, anything in glass jars. It is a approximately a mile from Trader Joe’s to my bus stop. Then another six blocks from the bus stop to my house.

So, when I have car use I buy ridiculous quantities of heavy foods.
Soup Guilt « emily eats and drinks on January 8th, 2008

[…] myself into liking it lately. At Trader Joe’s the other night I bought Sweet Potato Bisque (reviewed here by Heat Eat Review) which I will probably have to trick myself into […]