Topic: To Colour or Not to Colour

[haldi]

I cooked the best chicken tikka I have ever made, but didn't use food colouring.
I find myself finally taking heed of the warnings
I don't know if they are true, but doesn't it look dull without the red and yellow colour?
The first bite is always with the eye

[King Prawn]

Haldi,

How about trying some natural cououring like beetroot powder, tomato powder or paprika?

KP(V)

[spicysarsy]

Nice one Haldi, chicken looks spot on, and like King Prawn suggests, try paprika as a natural colouring, but looking at your effort it looks nice as it is. Well Done. Paul

[haldi]

Haldi,

How about trying some natural cououring like beetroot powder, tomato powder or paprika?

KP(V)

Hi KP
        I've seen this beetroot powder on the internet, but you've got to buy loads
Have you ever tried it?
I would have thought it would added flavour too

What is tomato powder?
That is a new one on me
Asians sometimes call paprika "tomato powder"

[Yellow Fingers]

Hello haldi,

Tomato powder is literally what it says, powdered dried tomato. There's some on this site:  http://www.thespiceshop.co.uk/     search for "tomato powder".

There was a discussion about this a long time ago when (cough) pete was still posting but I can't find the thread. I think you're right though, it will add its own flavour, which may or may not matter.

YF

[King Prawn]

It really comes down to personal choice. If you want the colour of the restaurant then you really have to use food colouring (the powder variety) and that's about it.

As for the natural ones, if you experiment with them in isolation and maybe in a mixture you just might find a balance that suits your taste and eyes

As for adding flavours, well tandoori and tikka are already highly spiced and again I can only suggest that you experiment to your own taste.

KP(V)

[Jeera]

haldi, could you post the recipe ?

Thanks.

[Yellow Fingers]

Hi haldi,

I've only just noticed your photo and you're right they do look a bit anaemic don't they. If you haven't tried the beetroot powder and annatto seed they are both available quite cheaply at this site:

http://www.spiceworld.uk.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=beetroot&x=0&y=0

http://www.spiceworld.uk.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=annatto&x=0&y=0

hope this helps

YF

[Yellow Fingers]

I found another one on this site while I was browsing, Alkanet root:

http://www.spiceworld.uk.com/product_info.php?products_id=1069

It's a real winner this one. It can be grown in this country and the flowers are pretty as well!

YF

[haldi]

Hi haldi,

I've only just noticed your photo and you're right they do look a bit anaemic don't they. If you haven't tried the beetroot powder and annatto seed they are both available quite cheaply at this site:

http://www.spiceworld.uk.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=beetroot&x=0&y=0

http://www.spiceworld.uk.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=annatto&x=0&y=0

hope this helps

YF

Thanks YF
I think I'll get some from this site