Chewy,
many thanks for responding - appreciated.
i could not work out how the garlic was done - i know they would not cook out if raw and felt they had a tinge of brown but was at loss as to how.
it's good you confirmed the herb as i would have been down blind alley otherwise.
i will ask as the restaurant where i have this dish what the main flavour is to try and tease out what that "chefs" magic is.
if this dish is like the one i've eaten then very jealous. i can only describe as very good quality madras but with a very unusual taste.
ps i can understand the prof but nothing like in real life but my mind is very logical and work ethos has probably taken over my cooking approach
very best wishes,