Agreed. Powder. What is in it?
I'm dabbling again now and its obvious now that the 'Powder' is everything in the final dish.
Actually, I'm now about 99.9% near what I'm looking for as regards my vindaloo. Tests of course, but in the main, extremely good.
Great post, I don't see anything unusual other than the unusual secrecy regarding the powder. Glad he said that frankly.
Best wishes.