Sunday afternoons are sacred. They’re the calm before the storm of a busy week, and a little planning during this time can be the difference between a stressful, “what’s for dinner?” scramble and a calm, collected week of delicious meals. If you want to master meal prep, the secret weapon you need in your fridge is Jhat Pat Masala Paste.
This versatile paste is the key to transforming your weekly cooking from a chore into a breeze. Let’s explore how you can use it to create a foundation of flavor that will make weeknight dinners feel effortless.
The Two-Pronged Attack for a Flawless Week
There are two brilliant ways to use Jhat Pat Masala Paste for meal prep, and we recommend doing both!
1. The Protein Power-Up: Pre-Marinated Everything
Why spend time marinating every single night? Do it all at once!
-
How to do it: Grab a few containers or zip-top bags. Divide your proteins for the week—chicken breasts, thighs, fish fillets, paneer cubes, or even chickpeas for a vegan option. In each container, add the protein and coat it generously with 2-3 tablespoons of Jhat Pat Masala Paste. You can add a tablespoon of yogurt or oil to help the paste coat evenly and keep the meat tender.
-
Why it works: The paste’s spices slowly penetrate the protein as it sits in the fridge, resulting in incredibly flavorful and tender meat or paneer that’s ready to cook in minutes.
-
Weeknight Win: Come Tuesday, simply take out a container. You can pan-sear the chicken, bake the fish, or skewer the paneer for a quick bake or air-fry. Your main course is halfway done before you’ve even preheated the pan!
2. The Base Gravy: Your Secret Sauce for Speed
This is the ultimate game-changer. Prepare a big batch of a versatile base gravy that can become multiple different dishes throughout the week.
-
How to do it:
-
Sauté 2 large chopped onions in a little oil until soft.
-
Add 4-5 tablespoons of Jhat Pat Masala Paste and fry for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
-
Add 2 cups of pureed tomatoes (canned is fine!) and cook until the oil begins to separate.
-
Let this mixture cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This is your “Magic Base Gravy.”
-
-
Why it works: You’ve done the time-consuming part—cooking down the onions, tomatoes, and spices—all at once. The flavor base is ready to go.
-
Weeknight Win: On a busy evening, scoop a portion of this base gravy into a pan. Add a splash of water, cream, or coconut milk depending on your mood, stir in your pre-cooked or quick-cooking ingredients (like lentils, boiled eggs, or pre-boiled potatoes), and simmer for 10 minutes. You’ve just made a fresh, homemade curry in less time than it takes to get delivery.
Sample Meal Prep Plan: Your Week of Easy Dinners
-
Sunday Prep:
-
Marinate chicken thighs in Jhat Pat Masala Paste.
-
Marinate paneer cubes in a separate container.
-
Make one big batch of the Magic Base Gravy.
-
-
Weeknight Meals:
-
Monday: Chicken Curry. Use half the base gravy, add the marinated chicken, and simmer until cooked. Serve with rice.
-
Tuesday: Paneer Butter Masala. Use the other half of the base gravy, add a splash of cream, and stir in the marinated paneer. Heat through and serve.
-
Wednesday: Quick Egg Curry. Hard-boil eggs. Sauté a new portion of base gravy with a little water, add the peeled eggs, and simmer.
-
Thursday: “Leftover” Stir-fry. Chop any leftover veggies. Quickly pan-fry the remaining marinated chicken or paneer with the veggies for a dry, spicy stir-fry.
-
Why Jhat Pat Masala Paste is a Meal Prepper’s Dream
-
Consistency is Key: Every batch tastes the same, so you never have a “spicy” surprise on a busy night.
-
Saves Time: It eliminates the measuring and grinding of countless spices.
-
Reduces Food Waste: You can mix and match your base gravy and marinated proteins with any vegetables you have left in the fridge.
Embrace the magic of meal prep and give yourself the gift of time and tranquility during the week. With Jhat Pat Masala Paste as your best friend, you’ll not only eat well but also reclaim your evenings.
Do you have a meal prep tip using Jhat Pat Masala Paste? Share your hacks with our community in the comments below!