Curry Recipes Online
Curry Chat => Lets Talk Curry => Topic started by: mr.mojorisin on March 15, 2013, 08:39 PM
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OK..what's the best non TA shop bought curry you've tried.
for instance..Asda chicken bhoona...Morrisons Tikka Masala..you get the drift :)
I've been buying Icelands Beef Madras (not the frozen variety. the one from the chiller cabinet in a pouch) and for only ?2 its brilliant. I usually add some methi,chilli flakes and coriander to make it more my taste but it really is not so bad without my additions.
nice pleasant taste, nice beef (hopefully beef), and at only 2 quid a pop, you can't go wrong really.
Right fellow curry freaks...what's yours ??
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Arghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! :(
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I don't like any of them I'm afraid and over the years I've tried most offerings from various high street supermarkets. They just all taste the same - bland, tomato-ey yuckiness.
I just don't like supermarket processed food and I don't buy any anymore, it's overpriced, too salty and uses poor quality ingredients. I prefer to cook my own with fresh ingredients, I know what's going in it, I can control the salt/fat levels, it tastes better, is more nutritious, works out cheaper and I enjoy cooking it.
It's a no brainer for me really.
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My folks sometimes buy Tesco's pilau rice when I'm back in the U.K and that's about as good as it gets on the curry front I'm afraid. The rest is better than it used to be but pretty poor on the whole.
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Morrisons Saag Aloo & Bombay potato are acceptable and enjoyed in this household, but i'm yet to try and make those dishes myself.
I'm sure once I have tried a few times I wouldnt buy another based upon my success so far.
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I have to say that I too find them awful. We did once enjoy a sweet potato and red pepper dish from ASDA from their deli, but other than that, well you get the picture. I have never enjoyed a curry dish from a supermarket jar or otherwise, I find them offensive at best. Pity really. :-\
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My folks sometimes buy Tesco's pilau rice when I'm back in the U.K...
Which is a shame in itself as Pilau rice is so easy to make once you get a recipe and technique locked down and made fresh is so much better and more fragrant than the stuff you can buy in the supermarket. I can understand why out of time factors and convenience people might want to buy this at the supermarket but if you have the ingredients to hand at home, it's very easy to make and just as good as you'll get in a takeaway.
Once you understand the basic technique you can vary it with other ingredients, my last batch had a handful of lentils soaked and cooked with the rice which made a nice change.
Mine takes about an hour from start to finish and that includes 30 mins rice soaking time, 10 mins cooking time and 15 mins resting time and this can all be done whilst you cook/prepare ingredients for other dishes. 300 grams of rice usually does for 4-6 portions.
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Seeing Icelands has become my prime resource for food recently for convenience and other unfortunate reasons I may well give your reccommendation a try MM.
I must say their mini coriander and garlic Nanns of which go for 6 for
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Tommy,
Try it, you won't be disappointed for 2 bucks :)
My most humble apologies to all the food snobs/officianados for this thread...NOT
Unfortunately some people cannot cook a curry every time we feel like having one.
Also, some people simply cannot afford to visit the TA every other day/weekend due to cash constraints.
We are in the middle of a triple dip recession after all...
The purpose of this thread was to gauge what people thought was a cheaper tasty alternative to both TA and home cooked curry to achieve their "curry fix"
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The Asda chilled indian takeaway section beef madras in the individual trays/meal bags (the ones with pilau rice, naan etc) is nice. For curry sauce jars the only one that really hit the spot for me is the Sharwoods Bhut Jolokia, and before that the Pataks Madras sauce in the small tins.
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My most humble apologies to all the food snobs/officianados for this thread...NOT
Huh?
Why are you getting all snitty because people have not answered your question with the answers you'd hoped for? As far as I can tell people have answered your question honestly and the reality still remains (however much you dislike it) that most people feel that supermarket bought curries simply aren't worth the money paid for them in terms of quality, taste and value for money. No amount of name calling is likely to change that and if that makes me a food snob, sobeit, that's exactly what I am.
Unfortunately some people cannot cook a curry every time we feel like having one.
Very true, so why not freeze some of the ones you do make so you don't have to be dependent on buying rubbish supermarket ones? Or is that too hard for you to do?
Also, some people simply cannot afford to visit the TA every other day/weekend due to cash constraints.
We are in the middle of a triple dip recession after all...
Also true, but what part of my reply did you not understand where I said clearly in the last sentence ...it works out cheaper? I've just enjoyed a home cooked chicken and potato curry, saag bhaji and pilau rice which I find far more enjoyable than any supermarket bought curry that as a meal works out cheaper than the 2 pounds single dish you're quoting from Asda.
So why are you stressing the point that you can't afford BIR takeways and appear to offer the opinion that a supermarket curry is a reasonably cheap alternative?
The purpose of this thread was to gauge what people thought was a cheaper tasty alternative to both TA and home cooked curry to achieve their "curry fix"
Cheaper and tastier are not two words I'd associate with supermarket bought curries. It's cheaper and tastier to make them at home. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the curries I cook at home are just as good as your average BIR takeaway, why do I want to waste my money on more expensive, inferior tasting supermarket curries that don't even come close to your average BIR takeway despite the fact that they appear cheaper?
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I didn't reply because I cannot honestly think of a single supermarket curry that I have enjoyed. Nothing to do with being a snob, I just don't like that type of food and find it a million miles from BIR type food.
Paul
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mrs spicy,
please do not be so antagonistic in your replies. it is most unwelcome.
FYI it is not so hard for me to cook several curries and freeze them, which I do regularly when I find a "keeper"
You don't personally know me so how can you possibly imagine that I don't already have a freezer full of pre-cooked curries and sauces???
As stated before, this thread was to see if there are any hidden gems in the shop bought curry market.
If you feel that this thread is not for you please refrain from posting on it :)
Many thanks to the contributors..
Last Post............. :)
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Sainsbury's onion bhajis (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,8836.msg85029.html#msg85029).
You're welcome.
Reveille ............. :)
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please do not be so antagonistic in your replies. it is most unwelcome.
I'll stop being antagonistic when you stop making daft claims like ...it's too expensive ...when I don't have time to cook ...it's cheaper etc. etc and then coming out with an equally daft comment that those who disagree are somehow food snobs.
In short, don't make daft comments and then call people names when they disagree with your assertions.
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mrs spicy,
you tell me where exactly I called you a food snob...correct..you can't
also tell me where I said that those who disagree with my OP are food snobs...you can't
The sole reason I inserted the words "food snob" and "afficianado" was because I KNOW that these people exist and if it ain't home made or bought from Marks & Spencers for instance, then it cannot be any good.
as stated previously, you do not personally know me so how can you judge how much time and money I have to spend on cooking a curry....just because YOU can does not mean I (or others for that matter) can.
have a look here... wwww.paranoid_wannabe_currychef.com :)
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Let me try and make a simple and stupid remark but in some way may be a comparison (can't think of another way of putting it)...
Now I happen to love chips. Potatoes are cheap and so is oil. It is not too hard to prepare and cook them but now and again for some strange reason I resort to an oven chip or two. They all taste b***dy nasty in comparison to proper chips but I still wander up and down the aisle for a good five mins or so trying to get my head around the best on offer.
It is a strange phenomenon I know, sometimes I even hang about to spy on what other people are selecting.. I'm just that type of guy? :(:'(
All I can say is that was a brave question MM. And the question indirectly being "what is the best you prefer out of a bad bunch". (Well maybe not)
If you don't prefer or eat any of them then you have no answer to this and maybe should refrain from joining in on this thread as you have no answer.
Maybe the only issue I can find is that it should of been in the non curry section of the forum if you want to be padantic as it is not BIR.
In case anyone is the least bit intrested lately I go for "McCain Homefries"! :) ;)
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to put my case to bed , so to speak, here were MY circumstances...
I was off work seriously ill for 3 weeks for which I didn't get paid. In other words...SKINT
couldn't afford a TA. couldn't really afford much to be honest as my mortgage/family comes first :)
Spotted this Beef Madras from Icelands chiller cabinet and thought....."I'll have that!"
Subsequently took curry home and added a couple of things as my OP...BANG..... a great tasting 2 quid curry was born :)
made some rice, home made chapattis and have been eating the same combination every weekend for the last month.... :)
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I Do love a bargain and used to do the rounds of all the supermarkets in town an hour before closing time to see what was reduced. 8)
A good percentage of the reduced items would be curries from the chiller cabinets. I've tried so many over the years and have only ever found one good one. They all taste very bland and I would tell myself over and over again after eating one, NEVER AGAIN,resist, resist!! :P its just not worth it even at half the price.
Now i could reduce it down further and add some salt, maybe some spices but that defeats the purpose for me. I buy (used to, on the wagon now ;)) supermarket curries for convenience so i can chuck em in the microwave.
I had high hopes for the Morrisons Bistro range but again, bland and no better than the rest.
About 20 odd years ago when they became quite trendy, i tried them ALL!
I would mark them out of 5 and pin the packet to a board. I did score one 4/5 but cant remember what it was or which shop it came from. But at a guess it would've been a veg curry.
I have found some frozen curries sold in local shops up north (Great Harwood and Brierfield) which were pretty good. The owners making a little extra on the side. Not quite BIR but still better than any supermarket offering. Lamb and Cauliflower was the last one i tried. Very nice. :)
You might have a local asian shop selling something similar Mr M? Worth hunting them out as they're a much better alternative for value and convenience.
Frank. :)
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My wife, and one of my sons are vegetarian
So a lot of our food tends to be veggie fare
Last year my wife bought one of the Sainsbury's Cheapo BASIC range
She got a curry sauce
It was an impulse buy for about 70 pence
It sat in our cellar looking very unattractive for months
Then the other day, she bit the bullet and made a meal with it
She added some red lentils and quorn mince
Both days I had it, I actually paused to appreciate it's simple genius
I have had curries from a takeaway far worse than this
You know when you buy four curries, and there is one that's the least favourite?
Well that would be this fella
Not recommended but way better than you'd think
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Hi
Interesting point Haldi.
I remember being in Sainsburys in the past, a lady bought, six jars of sauce, six cans of tomota pure. 1
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Last year my wife bought one of the Sainsbury's Cheapo BASIC range....Not recommended but way better than you'd think
The Asda equivalent (Smart Price) Mild Curry Sauce on its own is lovely poured over chips
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Have just caught up with this thread. I too am not a great fan of supermarket curries and I can certainly produce a chicken curry for less than two quid. However sometimes, when I just can't be arsed cooking I might consider popping one f these in the micro. More likely however I'd get one of those bags of mixed pakora and heat them in the oven.
Fortunately I am happy to cook my own curries most nights. Today I have been asked to cook someone two Kormas with St Patrick's Day rice (green, white and gold of course!) and am getting paid for it. Whilst doing that I'll knock up a couple of other curries for our tea.
Yum.
ASDA or Tesco will have to be patient with me :)
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The Asda equivalent (Smart Price) Mild Curry Sauce on its own is lovely poured over chips
I'll get some in
I do our main week's shop from Asda
I'll try a bit of that!
Thanks
St Patrick's Day rice (green, white and gold of course!) and am getting paid for it.
loving that idea
HSPD
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Before I started my curry-making adventure, I would often eat Asda's Chicken Madras and separate tri-coloured pilau rice, from or packaged from the deli counter. I found them very nice but have not had one since; only because I am committed to improving my own skills.
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The Asda equivalent (Smart Price) Mild Curry Sauce on its own is lovely poured over chips
I boughts some and tried this on chips
It's lovely
Thanks
I've not tried making a curry with it
It would have to be a snowy day in March before I tried that!
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Having had a brand new kitchen fitted http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,8431.0.html (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,8431.0.html)
a few months ago we didn't have anything really to cook on so these so-called curries were an option, Asda, Morrisons, M&S, Tesco and what a load of bland and in some cases disgusting curries. I have never tasted anything so tasteless, i can't understand how people can eat this crap.
I don't buy the ready meals because you never know what's in them, the amount of salt,sugar, fat and chemicals that go into these "meals" is just not for me.
I do like Morrisons Sweet Potato Samosas though...
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Tried most of the supermarket ones. They were all vile. Remember having a "chicken vindaloo" form Tesco, or it could have been Sainsbury's. Had a few little pickled onions in it. Dreadful, dreadful vinders!
Rob :)
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Tried most of the supermarket ones. They were all vile. Remember having a "chicken vindaloo" form Tesco, or it could have been Sainsbury's. Had a few little pickled onions in it. Dreadful, dreadful vinders!
It is not only supermarket curries that use pickled onions where shallots or similar are required. I have had more than one coq au vin where pickled onions have been used (not in France, of course). Disgusting.
** Phil.
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icelands beef madras with home made chapattis
(sorry about the non masterchef presentation...was half cut.lol)
(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/5c9ed170fd110dee5c6b4e4c18600cb2.JPG) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#5c9ed170fd110dee5c6b4e4c18600cb2.JPG)