Review of Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests

A product of Thailand, Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests are a tempura-style side dish that's found in the frozen food section at Trader Joe's grocery store. The vegetable combination of carrots, onions and kale, complement one another to form a great flavor. The vegetables are cut in a julienne style and formed into a nest. They are covered in Tempura batter, which is made of wheat flour, rice flour, and corn flour. Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests come in a box of 8 pieces and include 2 small, but generous packets of soy dipping sauce.

Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests can be served as an entrée as well as a side dish, or as an appetizer.

How to cook Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests

Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests can be baked or deep fried.
To bake Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests on a baking sheet. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the baking sheet on the center oven rack. Bake the Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests for about 10 minutes on each side until they are crisp and golden in color.

To deep fry Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests, preheat cooking oil to 350 degrees and place the Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests in the fryer. Cook the Bird's Nests for about 3 minutes until they are crispy and golden in color.

How to use the dipping sauce for Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests

The dipping sauce for Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests can be defrosted by placing the packets in warm water until they liquefy, then pouring the sauce into a small bowl.

The Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests can then be dipped into the bowl of warmed soy sauce.

Nutritional Facts on Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests

A serving size of Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests is 1 piece or 1 Bird's Nest. There are 8 servings or pieces per container. Each serving has 70 calories, 35 of which come from fat. The total fat is 4g, with 0g of Tans Fat and 0g of cholesterol. There are 60 mg of sodium, or 3% of daily values based on a 2,000 calorie a day diet, and 8g total carbohydrates. Less than 1g of dietary fiber and protein, and 40% vitamin A.

Nutritional Facts on Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests Dipping Sauce

1 packet of Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests soy dipping sauce adds 30 calories, 540 mg of sodium, 7g carbohydrates, 7g sugar, and less than 1g of protein.

How I Enjoy Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nest

Years ago the Hecht company department store housed a restaurant in their store. I can't recall the name of the restaurant, but they used to offer a battered vegetable dish with a dipping sauce. The tempura dish they offered was very good, and I haven't found one the same since then. Still, this Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests entrée is a good substitute. I usually bake mine and press out and extra oil from the bird's nest with a paper towel. Though I do enjoy the soy sauce that comes in the package, other times I will use some other topping such as a spicy ranch sauce or something similar to Burger King's Spicy Onion Ring sauce. With only 40% vitamin A to add as a nutritional value, it can't really be said that these are a great nutritional substitute to a side order of fries, but they can certainly make a tasty alternative if you wish try something different.