Curry Recipes Online

Beginners Guide => Just Joined? Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Geezah on March 19, 2011, 08:59 PM

Title: Noobie alert..
Post by: Geezah on March 19, 2011, 08:59 PM
Hi guys n gals, new curry maker here wanting to say hello and big up this web forum.
I have never made a curry from scratch before, but today I took the plunge and made a base sauce and a balti that isnt quite a balti lol

I made up the Kushi balti base sauce....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/addy1/DSCF3546.jpg)

Then followed the recipe from Authentic Balti Curry cookbook.

It may have been down to some of my ingredients not being quite right, but it certainly didnt turn out to be a balti as I know it, none the less it tastes superb..


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v376/addy1/DSCF3545.jpg)

Now I have a load of base to play with, i'll try some other recipes.

Thanks for all the post's I have read, pics I have viewed and vids watched...
Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: gazman1976 on March 19, 2011, 09:28 PM
well done and enjoy this great site
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Malc. on March 19, 2011, 09:29 PM
Welcome to the forum.  :)

It looks edible to me, good work.

I've recently done tests on the ABC, the results of which I posted in the pic's section. I also made some dishes with the Kushi Base and Spice Mix that are not in the book that you might be interested in to.

Cheers for now. :)
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on March 19, 2011, 09:35 PM
welcome Geezah, I've never made that base before so thanks for posting your pics.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Geezah on March 19, 2011, 09:40 PM
welcome Geezah, I've never made that base before so thanks for posting your pics.

A word of warning would be to go lite on the Cassia bark.
I took a 6" rolled up tube of bark and broke it up for my spice bag - 6 x 1" pieces - I would maybe 1/2 that amount next time.

Thanks for the welcoms.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Malc. on March 19, 2011, 09:45 PM
A word of warning would be to go lite on the Cassia bark.
I took a 6" rolled up tube of bark and broke it up for my spice bag - 6 x 1" pieces - I would maybe 1/2 that amount next time.

I recently found out (It's on their website) that the book was updated. I noticed that the picture in the book doesn't show Cassia in the base recipe but cinnamon. This was the original recipe, I guess something got lost in the translation to it becoming Cassia Bark.  :-\
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on March 19, 2011, 10:35 PM
I would say cinnamon is stronger than cassia bark and therefore might be used even more sparingly?
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Malc. on March 19, 2011, 11:00 PM
Cinnamon definitely has a 'fresher' taste and smell, I will admit. I think the real problem lies in how to portion Cassia.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Geezah on March 19, 2011, 11:26 PM
Cinnamon definitely has a 'fresher' taste and smell, I will admit. I think the real problem lies in how to portion Cassia.

Definately.
There is an underlying taste that I can only put down to the Cassia that is a little too predominant for my liking.
A good dollop of tomato ketchup in the curry helped sort it out though, I think the vinegar element helped mask the overpowering flavour.
After eating the curry though, I get the mouth full of different aftertastes which i get with a take away, so i'm certainly on the right track :)
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on March 20, 2011, 02:26 AM
There is an underlying taste that I can only put down to the Cassia that is a little too predominant for my liking.

I'm with you on that Geezah, I'm not keen on that flavour either, I find it almost medicinal to my taste buds.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on March 20, 2011, 08:06 AM
I must admit, I've used cassia bark as a cinnamon substitute for almost as long as I can remember; I thought until very recently that it was simply a less "packaged" version of the same thing, and although I now know different and have bought some "real" cinnamon for comparison, I have never found cassia bark in (say) pilau rice to be unpleasant or medicinal tasting.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Malc. on March 20, 2011, 11:12 AM
I shall certainly continue to use Cassia, it adds I nice underlying flavour when in the right quantity and as were finding, goes along way.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Unclefrank on March 20, 2011, 02:27 PM
Hi there geezah i make the ABC base regular and must say i havent experienced the cassia/cinnamon taste to be overpowering, also has somebody already stated try their website for an extra few more recipes and updates on the base.This book is very, very close to baltis in my area (West Midlands, The Black Country).
I cannot get enough of this book the recipes are wonderful.
I do sometimes use ground cinnamon when making the base.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Malc. on March 20, 2011, 03:53 PM
hi Frank,

Did you see my take on the LeSpice Jalfrezi using the Kushi base? Very pleased with the results, a must try for anyone that likes the Kushi dishes as read from the ABC.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Unclefrank on March 20, 2011, 04:36 PM
Hi Axe i havent but will do now cheers.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Unclefrank on March 20, 2011, 04:39 PM
Hello again Axe where is your post (using my phoneto view site)
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on March 20, 2011, 05:00 PM
Could be this one (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5591.msg55388#msg55388), UF.
** Phil.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Malc. on March 20, 2011, 06:25 PM
Could be this one (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5591.msg55388#msg55388), UF.
** Phil.

That's the one Frank, thanks Phil. :)
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Unclefrank on March 20, 2011, 06:41 PM
cheers guys.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Geezah on March 20, 2011, 11:01 PM
Hi there geezah i make the ABC base regular and must say i havent experienced the cassia/cinnamon taste to be overpowering, also has somebody already stated try their website for an extra few more recipes and updates on the base.This book is very, very close to baltis in my area (West Midlands, The Black Country).
I cannot get enough of this book the recipes are wonderful.
I do sometimes use ground cinnamon when making the base.

As I said earlier, some of my ingredients were not quite right.. ok I ballsed up a little and used Tandorri Massala in place of curry powder... but I did find just 1 taste somewhat overpowering (not unpleasant) and I can only put it down to the Cassia. I'll find out next time I make this base.

I too am from the west mids - Wolverhampton, So i'm quite familliar with the local balti flavour.. maybe next time i'll get a little closer to it.

But, for my first ever curry from scratch. i'm more than impressed.
Title: Re: Noobie alert..
Post by: Unclefrank on March 21, 2011, 10:34 AM
From Tipton myself Geeza the pics look great for a first timer lol.
Go to the ABC website and there you will find extra recipes and updates to the base sauce and tips what other people have suggested.
There is also a Jalfrezi recipe on the site as well which is very close to the Chicken Sagwala which i must say is a delight to cook and eat.
Any questions on the recipes from the ABC just ask away, i have made some changes to some recipes in the book for my own personnal taste.