The New $2.29 Trader Joe's Find So Good I Buy 6 at a Time
This Trader Joe's find is a smart shelf-stable weeknight dinner shortcut that contains real ingredients and is also naturally vegan.
Though I might cook for a living, I come home tired and hungry just like everybody else. But after a day of chopping and sautéing, I would rather turn to a well-appointed pantry than order pizza. That’s why I always keep budget-friendly Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Curry Sauce stocked.
I only eat delicious food, and I read ingredient lists. This tikka masala sauce passes the test, with the kind of nuanced, complex spicing that would take me too much time to make on a weeknight, and no off, canned flavors.
The first ingredient after onion is watermelon seed, and believe it or not, that’s what makes it creamy. Melon seeds are part of a traditional seed mix called char magaz, which consists of watermelon, cucumber, cantaloupe, and pumpkin seeds. The seed mixture is eaten as a snack, or pureed with water and used to thicken sauces—as watermelon seeds are in this sauce. It’s valued for a nutty, mild flavor and nutrients, and seen as a budget alternative to cashews.
How I Make Dinner with Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Curry Sauce
The package instructions say to sauté 12 to 14 ounces of a protein, then add the sauce and simmer, to serve two. I’ve used a packet with a can of drained beans and thrown in whatever veggies I have on hand. I give it a splash of lemon juice to freshen it up and a sprinkle of hot sauce.
If I want to stretch it a little, a few dollops of full-fat yogurt or canned tomatoes work well. The sauce is vegan as is, but you can stir in a little of your favorite chicken stock, if you want a more chicken-y flavor.
Other Ways I Like to Use Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Curry Sauce
Don’t limit yourself to just a bowl of curry. There are lots of other great ways to use this sauce:
- Try it tossed with pasta, stirred into soup, or drizzled over everything from tacos to roasted vegetables.
- I like to throw naan or pre-baked pizza crust on a sheet pan, spread it with sauce, maybe sprinkle it with some leftover chicken, top it with crumbled goat cheese or feta, and bake it for a quick flatbread.
- Or make nachos by spreading tortilla chips on a large dinner plate, drizzling them with 1/2 cup of sauce, sprinkling the top with beans and cheese, and microwaving it for 2 minutes.
- For a light meal, stir the tikka masala sauce into Greek yogurt to taste and serve it as a dip or spread it onto sandwiches.
Keep a few packets of Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Sauce on hand and you’re always halfway to dinner!
This article has been sourced from various publicly available news platforms around the world. All intellectual property rights remain with the original publishers and authors. Unshared News does not claim ownership of the content and provides it solely for informational and educational purposes voluntarily. If you are the rightful owner and believe this content has been used improperly, please contact us for prompt removal or correction.
