Curry Recipes Online
Beginners Guide => Trainee Chefs / Beginners Questions => Topic started by: Hilly on March 15, 2012, 01:14 PM
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Hi all,
Another 'versus' thread from me!
Unfortunately I can't seem to find ground methi leaves in my local supermarkets, but having read up on a few threads on here I notice that it's very similar to Fenugreek.
My question is when a recipe calls for Methi, can I simply replace the mixture (and quantity) for Fenugreek Powder and get the same effect?
Cheers guys and apologies for all the new questions.
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Hi Hilly,
IMHO you can't substitute fenugreek seeds for methi leaves. Methi means fenugreek so they are both from the same plant but I guess you can't substitute corriander seeds for leaves either.
I would leave out the methi if you don't have the leaves rather than trying to use the fenugreek seeds.
Cheers,
Paul
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I've not seen methi leaves in supermarkets, Hilly (though someone told me that Asda occasionally stock it in some stores), but it's readily available online from places such as Spices of India: http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/MDH-Peacock-Kasoori-Methi-Fenugreek-Leaves.html (http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/MDH-Peacock-Kasoori-Methi-Fenugreek-Leaves.html)
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Cheers Paul & Sal,
It's annoying really that my local asian market is quite a distance away and I don't fancy paying the extortionate delivery prices that some online dealers have!
Made Chewy's madras last night and it was bang on, seems I've got the bug because I'm going to give a balti a go tonight but it called for methi - I'll leave it out and hope that it comes out fine.
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Chewy's is my favourite Madras recipe. i make it a lot, and have on occasions forgotten to add the methi.
Rest assured that it still tastes superb!
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Not sure what the difference is between Qasuri Methi and Peacock Kasoori Methi, but the ordinary one Which I always use) is only 0.45p for 50g as opposed to the ?2.15 for 100g? :-\
Not sure if you are UK based, but you could also try here
http://www.theasiancookshop.co.uk/index.asp?function=search (http://www.theasiancookshop.co.uk/index.asp?function=search)
Cheaper postage than SOI, and I can recommend them having used them for the first time very recently.
For the prices, and one off postage cost, it is well worth getting a few things in the one order.
And if you can afford to spend the ?24.99 for FREE Express delivery (lower than SOI at ?30), you get tracking and they even gave a 1 hour timeslot for the delivery. 8)
Martin
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Asda occasionally stock it in some stores
In my experience it's more like Asda always stocking dried Methi leaves in many stores.
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Not sure what the difference is between Qasuri Methi and Peacock Kasoori Methi, but the ordinary one Which I always use) is only 0.45p for 50g as opposed to the ?2.15 for 100g? :-\
Martin
Qasuri / Kasoori are just different spellings for the place in Pakistan where it's claimed some of the best fenugreek is grown (I'm reliably informed, I hope...)
Asda occasionally stock it in some stores
In my experience it's more like Asda always stocking dried Methi leaves in many stores.
Thanks for confirming that, George. I don't shop in Asda as the nearest one is 20 miles away, but knowing that they not only stock Chalice oils and frozen garlic/ginger paste but also methi, I wish we had one a bit nearer.
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I think Asda sell stuff depending on the local population. The Asda stores near me in north Liverpool don't seem to sell any of the good stuff I read about like frozen garlic and ginger and the spiced oils.
I'll take a special trip to Asda at Aintree soon to search for the frozen garlic and ginger as that stuff sounds great.
Cheers,
Paul
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Hi SD
It was more the difference in price and the word peacock than the spelling of Qasuri / Kasoori between the two, I was referring to. ;)
Is the peacock a higher quality for instance.
Martin
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Just a tip Hilly. I don't know if there is one near you but the Morissons down south usual have some bulk spices. i'm not sure about methi but certainly bulk chilli powder (which you were looking for before). I seem to remember 'East end' brand being available. Worth a gander to stop you driving miles.
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Hilly
Just a thought but supermarket prices tend not to be competitive for spices compared to Asian grocers - what about buying all your other stuff online and that way you might find that even with the cost of postage you are still making a saving - maybe it's worth doing some sort of price comparison?
Steve
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hilly you may find this link helpful
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2436.0 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2436.0)
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Hi SD
It was more the difference in price and the word peacock than the spelling of Qasuri / Kasoori between the two, I was referring to. ;)
Is the peacock a higher quality for instance.
Martin
Ah... In that case I have no idea, Martin, as I've not tried the Peacock brand. But it's by MDH, and if their Kashmiri and deggi mirch are anything to go by, they do seem to do quality gear.
Hilly
Just a thought but supermarket prices tend not to be competitive for spices compared to Asian grocers - what about buying all your other stuff online and that way you might find that even with the cost of postage you are still making a saving - maybe it's worth doing some sort of price comparison?
Steve
I've used Mullaco a fair bit as they do free postage on orders over a certain amount. It used to be
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I think Asda sell stuff depending on the local population. The Asda stores near me in north Liverpool don't seem to sell any of the good stuff I read about like frozen garlic and ginger and the spiced oils.
I'll take a special trip to Asda at Aintree soon to search for the frozen garlic and ginger as that stuff sounds great.
Cheers,
Paul
Paul's got it bang on. Went to my local Asda last night and they had none - didn't even have any mint jelly for me to attempt a go at Blades' Chicken Tikka.
I can imagine it'd be different if I lived in Birmingham / Bradford etc...
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Just a tip Hilly. I don't know if there is one near you but the Morissons down south usual have some bulk spices. i'm not sure about methi but certainly bulk chilli powder (which you were looking for before). I seem to remember 'East end' brand being available. Worth a gander to stop you driving miles.
Cheers mate - I'll give that a go. Morrissons is usually my supermarket of choice but I must admit when I've been done the 'Indian' aisle it's usually just Pataks sauces etc... but I've never really taken too much notice but I certainly will next time.
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Hi Hilly,
I use ordinary Colmans or a shops own brand mint sauce, not mint jelly for blades tikka recipe.
Here is a photo of the taj brand frozen crushed garlic & ginger to give you an idea of what to look for next time. Its half way down the page
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5206.20 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5206.20)
Will
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Hi Hilly,
I use ordinary Colmans or a shops own brand mint sauce, not mint jelly for blades tikka recipe.
Here is a photo of the taj brand frozen crushed garlic & ginger to give you an idea of what to look for next time. Its half way down the page
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5206.20 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5206.20)
Will
Cheers Will.
I thought it wasn't advised to use normal mint sauce because of the high amount of vinegar it contains?
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Hi Hilly,
I use ordinary Colmans or a shops own brand mint sauce, not mint jelly for blades tikka recipe.
Here is a photo of the taj brand frozen crushed garlic & ginger to give you an idea of what to look for next time. Its half way down the page
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5206.20 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5206.20)
Will
Cheers Will.
I thought it wasn't advised to use normal mint sauce because of the high amount of vinegar it contains?
Works fine for me, you are putting acid in it with the lemon juice, so I think vinegar does the same job. There is no taste of vinegar on the finished tikka at all, well for me anyway. I am sure a few others could explain better than me what the vinegar and lemon juice do? tenderise perhaps or aid marination
Will
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Hi Everyone
AFAIK, the vinegar based mint sauce is the type of mint sauce that is generally used. It is the type I use myself and also the type that was used by Az in the Zaal restaurant cooking lessons.
Disclaimer: I am not saying that all chefs, establishments, recipes etc. will require this. But if its used by Az in his Tikka and I have used it to great success the countless times I have made Blades Tikka - then it can't be far wrong, if indeed it is wrong. There, that should hopefully cover it ;)
(http://www.britgrocer.com/shop/images/T/Colemans%20Mint%20sauce.jpg)
Cheers
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Unlikely it is wrong, but someone may surprise us ;). I only ever use the ordinary stuff in any of the tikkas i make. Can taste a hint of mint but no taste of vinegar. And i use more tikka meat than anything else. But that's not to say i'm right.
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Hi
The mint sauce is generally used in the tikkas etc whereas the mint jelly is used in dips etc where you dont want a vinegar background. with a high enough cooking temp (as in tikka) the vinegar acidity tends to dissipate.
regards
Barry
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Yes, Colmans, used in BIR kitchens as far back as I can remember. 40years, oh dear :o
Never seen mint jelly at all, is it a new product like chilli jam?
If your striving for BIR I would just use the classic in your curries and marinades.
(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/2d66671cbffa6ce56282517fcaee032a.jpg) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#2d66671cbffa6ce56282517fcaee032a.jpg)
cheers Chewy
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Mint jelly is sweet jelly, more like cranberry jelly ( that is strangely sold as "Sauce" although it's more like jam ) :o
Back on track, I'm having another go at growing Fenugreek. This time it's in a pot on the patio out of the rain, the temperatures in Brisbane are now a mellow Autumnal 27? daytime and starting to drop to below 20? at nights, time to dust off the duvet ;D ;D
This crop is just from Fenugreek seeds from the Indian, sowed about 10 days ago. I'm going to cull them eventually to the three strongest I suppose, no idea how big they are supposed to get. They don't smell of FG yet, just like pea pods but they are a legume.
(http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv144/BribieG/fenugreekpotLarge.jpg)