A Solid Sauce for Some Dishes, but Not My Go-to for Burgers

Hello everyone.

Burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas are always a hit. You can grab them anywhere, but making them at home is just as good. When I cook at home, I use pre-made buns for burgers and make the patties myself. In the past, I used to make my own sauce, but most of the time it was just a combo of mayonnaise and ketchup. That's when I stumbled upon Tamaki's number 18, a savory tomato sauce with spices, at the store. I decided to give it a try.

The packaging looks really appetizing and attractive. The bottle is comfortable to hold, and all the details are listed. The volume is decent, at 470 ml. The price, while not the cheapest, is reasonable - 299 rubles.Product description:

For Asian dishes

For burgers

For second courses

For grilling

For meat

For pizza

For poultry

For skewers

Sauce type:

Savory, tomato-based

Spiciness level:

Mild

Ingredients:

Water, refined and deodorized sunflower oil, sugar, milk fat dry concentrate (concentrated milk serum, palm oil, complex food additive (emulsifier E474, stabilizer E339(i)), acidity regulator E524, antioxidant/emulsifier E322), potassium polyphosphate, flavoring, natural colorants - turmeric, annatto), salt, vinegar, mustard powder, mustard seeds, thickeners - E1422 and xanthan gum, paprika, spice blend, tomato paste, milk acidity regulator, preservative sorbic acid, antioxidant E385, mustard flavoring.

It has a thick consistency, but it still flows well through the dispenser. It's easy to spread on a bun.

The color is predominantly yellow-orange. You can see the spices in the mixture. The aroma is pleasant, and it matches the name 'tomato-based' with a noticeable pepper undertone.

I wouldn't call it spicy, but there's a hint of heat from the mustard and chili pepper.

I've got to say, the flavor is pretty unique. It's got a nice balance of saltiness, but I'd have added a pinch more salt if I'm being honest. It's not exactly sweet, but the initial taste is pretty great, and the aftertaste is a bit of an acquired taste. The spices are definitely pronounced, and it's not for everyone.

I have to admit, I didn't quite get on with using it for sandwiches and burgers. There's just something missing – not enough depth of flavor for my taste. Even though the manufacturer says it won't overpower the dish, it's just not my cup of tea.

So, I've found a different use for it. I'm not about to waste the product and my money.

Now, I use it to marinate chicken. I typically use chicken breast, cut it into random shapes, add salt, pepper, and about 2 tablespoons of this seasoning for every 400 grams of meat. I leave it to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to let it absorb the flavors.

I heat up the pan, add a bit of sunflower oil, and lay out the pieces for subsequent searing. Each side until nicely browned. Then I reduce the heat and let it cook for another 2 minutes under the lid.The cooked meat can be served on its own, or topped with herbs and so on.This marinade sauce for chicken is really great. The meat turns out tender, juicy, aromatic, and delicious. In this version, I prefer the sauce much more. Everything works well together! But for sandwiches with sausage or burgers with patties, it's not my thing. From here, I conclude that for me, the sauce hasn't become a universal one for cooking dishes, but only for marinating meat. Just drizzling it over the same pasta or noodles isn't quite right, and the same goes for sandwiches.

When used 'raw,' the sauce tastes salty and spicy, but after heat treatment, it reveals a completely different flavor.

Still, the sauce is pricey, and when you buy it, you want to get the most enjoyment out of it.

I'm giving it 4 stars, but only just.

Thanks for reading!