Topic: Kushi Balti Book

[jb]

Just got my copy of the Kushi Book(Better late than never!!!)  Is it that bad??? Seem to recall a few negative comments about it....The recipes do seem very similar to the ones I've seen on this site.The only strange part I saw was the onion mixture for the base sauce-putting the spices in a net as opposed to just throwing in a pan???

[pete]

If you think that's weird, wait till you taste it

[DARTHPHALL]

 ;D

[CurryCanuck]

 ;D ;D

[slimboyfat]

lmao 

[pete]

Just got my copy of the Kushi Book(Better late than never!!!)? Is it that bad??? Seem to recall a few negative comments about it....The recipes do seem very similar to the ones I've seen on this site.The only strange part I saw was the onion mixture for the base sauce-putting the spices in a net as opposed to just throwing in a pan???

Hi JB
? ? ? ?I got very quickly disillusioned by the book
The base came our very aniseed tasting, and everything I made with it, was with that unusual taste.
I made the chicken tikka sauce and thought that was pretty odd too.
It used kewra water
This stuff is usually put into indian confectionery
It has a smell rather than a taste
A bit like rose water
Anyhow the whole sauce seemed like nothing I had ever tasted before
Everyone in my house is curry mad, but noone liked that particular recipe
I liked the precook vegetable method
I thought that was excellent but that's the only part of the book I would repeat.
Some people on this site had more favourable results, but I was very disappointed.
Have you tried anything yet?
Better results might be achieved by removing the aromatic spices
In my opinion, star anise should only go in rice dishes

[CurryCanuck]

Hi JB ,
I concur withe Pete's findings , the aromatic spices ( in particular star anise ) are far too over-powering .

CC

[DARTHPHALL]

I have used Star Anise in my Vindalloo before (as Ive found it in my local BIR ) & Ive used it in many Rice Dishes, but agree that it should be used with caution the same as Fennel Seeds & lovage seed all very powerfull Spices i only use to add that extra dimension of flavor in my Curry dishes.

[raygraham]

Yep,

I have got to agree with everyone else. Star Anise is like rocket fuel so beware!! and Lovage is just the same!
I tried and better tried to give the Kushi Book and it's recipes a chance but have now sadly come to the conclusion it is NOT what we are all looking for.

I made one or two curries which were quite nice and fairly tasty but as for the answer to the BIR taste it is sadly lacking. I tend to gravitate back to the base sauce from the "100 Best" book and for a simple and effective CTM use the "Balti Kitchen" base which for me is easy and a quick sauce to make and impresses everyone.

Ray

[pete]

I haven't been checking this site, since I moved house, so forgive me if I am repeating something.
About a month ago, I emailed Andy from the Kushi book
I said that I had problems getting a curry base that was right
He said that he and Mr Haydor were sorting out an alternative base
Well, they have done it
http://www.kushibalti.co.uk/images/clearerbaseupdateweb.pdf

Very interesting that they add the fresh coriander at the end of cooking
The missing taste?