Tandoor Chef Frozen Entrees: Indian Food with Flair

When I was growing up, our family was friends with an Indian family from Africa. We would be invited over for dinner several times a year, and never did I find food more delicious than when prepared by the lady of the house.

The years went by, and the family moved to another part of the country. There were no Indian restaurants in our area, and few Indian groceries. As I got older, a few Indian restaurants opened up near by, but all were in awkward locations, and the prices were much too high for my budget.

Recently, a local grocery store underwent a massive rehab, and opened with a large organic, natural, and ethnic section. Among my new finds was a brand called Tandoor Chef. For a little over $3, I could have my choice of Pad Thai's (they offer chicken and vegetable), curries, masalas, and more.

I found the Chicken Tikka Masala to be delicious. The flavor of the sauce is very strong and spicy, and the chicken was very tender. The Chicken Pad Thai also had a wonderful sauce, but the sweetness of the shredded carrot put me off a bit. The flavor of the carrot did not mingle well with the spicy peanut sauce.

I have tried several other dinners, all with success, but given that the names were unfamiliar to me, and Tandoor Chef's website not listing them, I can not say what they have been. Except for one.

My new favorite is Tandoor Chef's Channa Masala. I originally picked it up because I was very hungry for the Chicken Tikka Masala, but there was none available in the store that day. However, the Channa Masala promised to have at the least a flavorful sauce, and so I decided to try it.

Channa Masala is chickpeas sauteed with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and exotic spices. This vegan meal is absolutely delicious. The spices are strong, but not overpowering, and they mingle beautifully. While I did not think that chickpeas would be a good main course, I was pleasantly surprised to find that their dry texture and plain flavor played a supporting role to the flavor explosion of the sauce. In much the same way that rice and potatoes are a base for the sauces we top them with, chickpeas make a healthy base for an even healthier sauce. And unlike white rice or potatoes, chickpeas are full of nutrients and fiber.

While I did not originally entertain high hopes for a frozen meal comparing to our friend's exceptional cooking, I have to tip my hat to Tandoor Chef. They have not only exceeded my expectations, but they've made a convert out of me.