Topic: Out of stock of MDH Deggi Mirch alternative?

[Petrolhead360]

I visited my local Asian food store a few days ago to top-up my spice cupboard.
Unfortunately they were out of stock of MHD Deggi Mirch.
The shop owner said that all I needed to do was crush/grind(?) some dried Kashmiri chillies and add the merest touch (tiny amount) of red food colouring.

Do you know whether this is a viable alternative?

Thanks, James

[ELW]

They can't bear to see you leave the shop empty handed. I have mdh deggie mirch & lahori deggi mirch,  both different in heat,taste and colour.
 Probably a blend of all sorts of peppers/chillies in those boxes James.
The shopkeeper wouldn't have a clue whats in them. You may prefer freshly ground, I'm not sure I could tell the difference though in a curry.
Get his Kashmiri mirch recipe next time your in

Regards
ELW

[gazman1976]

i cant recommend the below enough, I use a quarter of a teaspoon in my curries for madras - vindaloo hot

http://www.chilliwizards.co.uk/naga-bhut-jolokia---ghost-pepper-powder-chilli-powder-extreme-heat-100g---200g-444-p.asp

[Petrolhead360]

i cant recommend the below enough, I use a quarter of a teaspoon in my curries for madras - vindaloo hot

http://www.chilliwizards.co.uk/naga-bhut-jolokia---ghost-pepper-powder-chilli-powder-extreme-heat-100g---200g-444-p.asp

In small quantities I guess you use it for it's flavour over heat?

[gazman1976]

no I use it for the heat, I see people on here putting tablespoons of Kashmiri chilli powder into 1 curry, total waste and far too much for the 1 curry in my opinion

[fried]

I have to agree, I reckon about a couple of tsps of chilli powder is as much as a single portion can cook out.

You could try using a mixture of 'kashmiri' chilli powder, extra-hot etc to get the flavour/ colour/ heat level you like.