I think Raj is the brand I pick up occasionally--great in winter especially--and make cauliflower and peas, sometimes throwing in some chickpeas or red beans. Making it myself would defeat the purpose: a quick dinner the one weeknight I don't cook or have leftovers.

i'd love to know of good brands of simmer sauces. i know there is one at trader joe's that i've gotten a couple of times that is some sort of indian spinach sauce. it was kind of bland, but a decent base to add things to. i'd love to find something better though!

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I see these types of things occasionally - how are they shelf stable? They're not rife with fat, sugar, or trans fats?

Cost Plus World Market has some decent ones as well.

I get the Patak brand sometimes..We don't have a Trader Joe'es here in Canada (I really miss that store) but here is a (loblaws/Real Canadian Superstore) up here that makes their own brand of simmer sauces and I'm partial to their Butter Chicken Sauce.

Mmm...Now I want Indian food:)

I've used TJ's spinach simmer sauce before, as well as their korma sauce which is much better.

Williams-Sonoma actually has some TexMex simmer sauces that work very well in the slow cooker.

I'm not sure what brand I buy, there are a couple at Whole Foods. One is a masala that I love. I chunk up some tofu and saute it in a little canola oil, add some mushrooms and a can of chickpeas. At the end, I stir in some tamarind chutney. Then I parcel it into containers, add rice and put in the fridge to grab and take for lunch or a quick dinner on gym nights.

Seeds of Change simmer sauces are very good. The korma sauce is almost as delicious as the best Indian restaurant in town. It is especially good with any blend of chicken, potatoes, peas, chickpeas, cauliflower or tofu.

I also really like the Seeds of Changes sauces, particularly the Jafrezi. Very tasty.

We're also into the Jyoti brand that comes in cans (we love chicken simmered in their saag) but it's incredibly high in sodium, so we try not to do it too often.

thai red and yellow curry simmer sauces from trader joe's simmered with chicken or shrimp and lots of vegetables...

one of my favorite meals growing up was indian simmer sauce from trader joe's served with brown rice, hardboiled chopped egg, raisins and almonds.

i second the TJ's korma sauce, i add almond butter to mine.

I got about 4 different vegetarian ones from Cost Plus World Market--Indian, but not too salty. There was a Trader Joe's on that I liked--not really a simmer sauce, but they took it off the market because they found glass in the jars. That was my favorite.

Trader Joe's Spicey Indian Relish is perhaps one of the most diverse flavor additives I have ever enjoyed. Whether it's homemade chicken soup with tender pieces of meat and fresh veggies tossed in last minute...or a fantastic large piece of Alaskan halibut this Indian Relish it will add zing. The soup when added with a low fat coconut milk and fresh cilantra had folks at my table yelling that," You have out done the local restaurant". The fish when baked over thin slices of onion and a bit of chicken broth under it all cooked till only tender was magnificent. Just add the relish to the hot broth and layer at the edge of the serving plate tender veggies with the large fish medallion in the center. Fresh cilantro sprinkled on top. It is good on so many foods! Folks should have fun trying it's marvelous flavors in many hot and cold dishes!!!!! It's too bad for me that Trader's is no longer featuring it in my hometown.

I loved your photos and with good color, texture and like remote harbors of the mind we all frequent especially when we are hungry!

cheap and easy simmer sauce -

3 parts sweet chili sauce 1 part soy sauce

add to sauteed chicken/ fish and veggies with some fresh herbs and scallions. yum.

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