Have you noticed a proliferation of simmer sauces at the grocery store? I like trying things that make cooking (even semi home made!) easier when pressed for time. That explains all my appliances in the kitchen! I work full time, and I’m sure many of you can surely relate to being so busy with homework and after school activities of your kids, that making dinner is the last thing in your mind. I still like to make most of our food from scratch, but some days I truly appreciate Trader Joe’s Orange chicken and gyoza, take out pizza, and burger and fries.
I got two jars of Marsala simmer sauce at Trader Joe’s about a year or two ago. I forgot about them until a couple of months or so later when I saw them in my pantry and finally used it. You just add your protein of choice and simmer away! It was so easy and so delicious. I made a mental note to go back for more but when I did, they said they do not carry it anymore but they have Indian simmer sauces available. So I got those and am cooking it now before it gets pushed to the back of the pantry and forgotten again.
Even though I did not follow the directions in cooking, I was still able to make a quick dish that was really tasty. I will be buying more the next time I go to Trader Joe’s as my family loved it (as we do almost everything we get from that store!). Semi home made cooking but still really good!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons canola oil
1.5 pounds chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
1 (18oz) jar Trader Joes Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce
18 oz water (fill simmer sauce jar with water, cover and shake)
3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup green peas
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
Cooked Basmati rice
Roti, naan, or paratha
Procedure:
Heat canola oil in a saucepan over medium heat, until hot. Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned.
Pour in the masala sauce and water. Stir. Bring to a boil then add the potatoes and green peas. Simmer until potatoes are done, 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
Serve over hot, cooked basmati rice and/or roti, naan, or paratha