Trader Joe’s Vegetable Masala Burger (Yum!)
Had the opportunity to pick up a box of these from my local Trader Joe’s this past weekend. Was quite glad I did.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect – I’ve had mixed success with other non-meat-based burgers in the past, but given my faith in the Trader Joe’s brand, I thought I’d give it a try.
(Why is it that you never see meat parading as vegetables? I’ve never had the opportunity to eat a shredded pork-based ’slaw’ or stir fry in which ground beef is dyed green and molded to look like broccoli florets. But now that I mention it, I’m hungry!)
These veggie masala burgers, however, don’t claim to be anything they’re not. Instead of having a faux meaty consistency like tofu, seitan, or other things made with textured vegetable protein (tvp), they have a much more potatoey-like texture, kind of like a potato pancake (potatoes are indeed the first ingredient). It’s like those food magicians over at Trader Joes have extracted the insides from a samosa, and put it in a convenient patty form. No more fussing with that crumbly crust!
For the ultimate masala burger experience, I recommend lightly frying one of these bad boys in some oil, and serving it up on a piece of TJ’s Tandoori Naan. Just as an FYI – see that that fresh-looking green (coriander?) sauce shimmering there on the package? It’s nowhere to be found inside the package. Damn you and your clever marketing, Trader Joideep!!
If, however, you’re craving a bona fide meat-based burger, and happen to live in the Chicago-area, I recommend checking out the environmentally-minded Epic Burger downtown. It’s sustainably delicious!
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