Topic: Coconut milk in a Madras!

[mike travis]

Hi folks,  over the festive period (seems so long ago now) we ordered in an Indian takeaway. I had my usual Chicken Madras. When I tipped it out onto the boiled rice it was yellow and had a distinctive smell and taste of coconut milk. I have been eating Madras for as long as I can remember and have never had one with coconut milk in. It wasnt a mix up in the order, as I got the exact same dish a while ago. Coconut milk in a Korma yes but a Madras!

                       your views please............. mike

[PaulP]

I wouldn't expect any coconut products in a madras.

Having said that I do use coconut milk/cream in some of my hotter curries as the wife likes it that way.

Did you enjoy your madras or did the coconut ruin it for you?

PaulP.

[joshallen2k]

I've definitely had coconut (may have been powder, not necessarily milk) in a Madras many times. I prefer it without, but its still a nice curry.

Here in Canada, it seems every Madras has coconut in it. But here, a Madras is nothing like a BIR Madras at all. I'd describe the flavour as coconut and curry leaves, low-medium heat. 

[Secret Santa]

I usually put coconut milk in my madras, but not enough that you can detect it in the finished item. In other words, if you can taste it, you've used too much.

It's presence in the dish still helps though, in my opinion.

[Domi]

round here some do and some don't Mike...I had one last night from a takeaway and it tasted faintly of star anise, looked orange and had a turnippy/swedey undertone....I still ate it though though I was very, very drunk....lol

[JerryM]

goodness me - we aren't half guilty.

i made 976bar's Nepal Chicken (mango) recently and had coconut milk leftover. i'd also seen a white liquid going into quite a lot of malik's dishes.

i ended up adding to my usual 976Bar Kashmiri and Admin's Jalfrezi. As Secret Santa says just a touch. It worked well. not enough to open a tin for but it did get me thinking of freezing it.

[Cory Ander]

I tend to add coconut to many of my curries (cos I like it). 

However, to my mind, adding it to a Madras (which I admit I often do) takes it more towards a Ceylon, in my opinion, especially if lemon juice is also added.

[Mikka1]

I've added it but all that does is add sweet coconut aroma to the dish. Sure its great tasting but belongs in a  'Fusion' setting. Boy are we going to dislike these places huh?  :

It's more Thai food than Indian.

I did add it to a base a month ago not having coconut block. Quite good really but I prefer some hard hitting spices really. (In moderation to said tastes).

I'm lucky. I have food around me that is awesome truly. I'm learning from these guys using my nose, I have a good nose. 

I'll use it yes when I want it though. Sorry for sounding vague. 

[Secret Santa]

However, to my mind, adding it to a Madras (which I admit I often do) takes it more towards a Ceylon, in my opinion, especially if lemon juice is also added.

Ah, yes, but only if you overdo it!

If you can taste the coconut, then you've gone too far.

[Bobby Bhuna]

If you can taste the coconut, then you've gone too far.

If you can't taste it, what qualities does it add to the Madras? I just figure that if you can't detect it, couldn't it be omitted?

Cheers

BB