Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

While the focus of Matt’s Meals is food, most of our favorites come with a story that is as fulfilling and satisfying as the foods themselves.

Mona Ahmad, a resident of Saugus, MA is a diplomat’s daughter who was lucky to travel the globe and migrated from Pakistan when she was 2 years old.  As a hard-working mother of three she often found herself facing the same dilemma of many parents- how can I feed my family healthy foods in the limited time I have?  She also wanted some of the dishes to be the traditional foods she grew up with. Her response? Start her own food company!

These days, Mona is the founder and chief executive officer of Mona’s Curryations, a Pakistani and Indian-inspired collection of delicious and cleanly permissible (a.k.a., Halal) foods that offer a broad menu of pre-mixed meals that come frozen yet taste as fresh as if your own mother made them when you cook them. Maybe that’s because Mona uses recipes her mother passed down to her and because she also uses only the freshest and finest ingredients, including such healthful spices, such as turmeric and cumin.  Her concept is simple- just defrost the entree, cook on the stovetop or instapot for a few minutes and enjoy! 

Among the authentic options are such curried crowd pleasers as Tandoori Chicken and Tikka Masala in both chicken and plant-based chickpea, a vegetarian Palak Paneer, and, of course, freshly-baked sides of Naan bread that come with every meal and are perfect for sopping up every last delicious remnant of these entree options.

Select varieties of Mona’s creations are available in the freezer aisle at most Stop & Shop stores and also available via instacart.  You can learn more at www.monascurryations.com.  As each bag serves two and costs less than $15, you will not find a better deal here or anywhere else Mona has traveled!

Aish Karna!