We Tried Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Curry Sauce

I know people love Trader Joe's frozen Indian entrees, but given some of portion problems we've been seeing, why not try Trader Joe's Tikka Masala Curry Sauce? Yep, it'll take longer than popping something in the microwave, but not *that* much longer. Start your rice, prep some chicken thighs, and you're pretty much ready…

ByMichelleJanuary 31, 20230Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Papadum Crisps

Despite eye catching packaging, Trader Joe's Papadum Crisps are really just papadum-inspired. Would they have been better off just calling them lentil and chickpea crisps instead of trying to claim papadum? I think so. Because here's the deal. Invoking "papadum" sets up certain expectations. Texture-wise, these are almost like Pringles...like formed into a…

ByMichelleJune 7, 20220Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Spicy Chakri Mix

Not that anyone in the US is doing much flying these days, but I gotta tell ya, those little bags of snack mix are pretty much a let down. Weird little Ranch-flavored thingies, honey roasted sesame sticks, maybe a couple of tiny pretzels. I'll usually pass. Now, if flights in the States had Trader Joe's…

ByMichelleOctober 27, 20200Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Spicy Pumpkin Samosas

So far I'm pretty impressed with Trader Joe's new fall items. Of course everyone looks forward to the return of their favorites, but I'm most interested in the new-new. The Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce was a hit at our house. And Trader Joe's Spicy Pumpkin Samosas got a thumbs up, too. …

ByMichelleSeptember 22, 20200Comments

Product Review

We Tried Trader Joe’s Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce

Was I the one who just said she wasn't quite on the pumpkin train yet? Well, I made an exception for Trader Joe's Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce. Yesterday, it was finally cool enough to even think about fall food. Granted, it was because we've been under a blanket of wildfire smoke this weekend. Seriously,…

ByMichelleSeptember 14, 20200Comments

Product Review

We Tried Maya Kaimal Everyday Dal

We're big fans of Maya Kaimal's simmer sauces and I've cooked from her South Indian cookbook, Curried Favors, for years. Earlier this year, the company came out Maya Kaimal Everyday Dal, shelf-stable lentil dishes in a microwavable bag you can zap and eat in 90 seconds. It joins the likes of similar offerings from Tasty…

ByMichelleDecember 17, 20180Comments

Book Reviews

Book Review: Vibrant India by Chitra Agrawal

Masala dosa with potato curry and cilantro coconut chutney from Chitra Agrawal's Vibrant India. **ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley** Vibrant India melds tradition with the modern, capturing and adapting South Indian dishes for the home cook, whether you grew up eating Indian food, or it’s all new. The book suggests vegetable variations for…

ByMichelleMarch 21, 20170Comments

Book Reviews

What’s Cooking: Vibrant India by Chitra Agrawal

Vibrant India, Chitra Agrawal's ode to South Indian vegetarian cooking is due out on March 21 from Ten Speed Press. You might know Chitra from her blog, ABCD's of Cooking, or her condiment line, Brooklyn Delhi. In the book, she's sharing a collection of quick vegetable stirfrys, salads, chutneys and pickles, rice dishes and hearty vegetarian stews. I've…

ByMichelleMarch 9, 20170Comments

Main Course Recipes

Red Lentils and Rice with Yogurt, Preserved Lemon and Pomegranate

I'm beginning to think I should call my husband the Grad School Gourmet. For a poor grad student back East, he ate pretty surprisingly well. Instead of packets of instant noodles, he'd buy giant bags of beans and rice to get by. He usually ate these lentils and rice with a little fresh tomato on…

ByMichelleDecember 20, 20160Comments

Main Course Recipes

Spicy Dhal with Tomatoes and Swiss Chard

Man, what a grey old day we had. It's the Pacific Northwest, but man, the first one of the year, the day where it doesn't get light until after 7 a.m. and it's in the mid-40s, and it's stormy, it's just a slap upside the head. And I'm just done with turkey for now. I'm not hating…

ByMichelleDecember 1, 20160Comments

We Tried Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala Curry Sauce

We Tried Trader Joe’s Papadum Crisps

We Tried Trader Joe’s Spicy Chakri Mix

We Tried Trader Joe’s Spicy Pumpkin Samosas

We Tried Trader Joe’s Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce

We Tried Maya Kaimal Everyday Dal

Book Review: Vibrant India by Chitra Agrawal

What’s Cooking: Vibrant India by Chitra Agrawal

Red Lentils and Rice with Yogurt, Preserved Lemon and Pomegranate

Spicy Dhal with Tomatoes and Swiss Chard

Book Review: A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang

26 New Asian and Pacific Islander Books for your 2026 TBR