Heroes and Villains
A party was being held, a cosy affair, just a dozen or so friends and neighbours, let's call it a house warming as the winter had turned cold and the snow was high. Warming drinks, both Hot and Cold for the young and old were readily available (Sherry was not present but Brandy made a small appearance at the end of the night, late as usual) but what to serve to soak up the wine and ale?
Pizza, crisps and cheesy biscuits for the younger, maybe something a little spicier for the adults, some homemade bhaji and vegetable samosa; nuts for those who live life dangerously and a mixed salad to help with the New Year's resolutes.
A sociable bunch, apart from the wall flower, daughter of a neighbour, not quite sure whether to laugh at the adult double entendre or feign ignorance with a shy but knowing smile, offered a drink, even by her mother but a glance at dad spoke volumes, fairly certain she wasn't drinking just lemonade at a recent Halloween party at their place.
Then the Challenge... always one! (well actually there were quite a few but they are not only not relevant but unless you were there...). A few who knew me and the others who we only met recently, clocked all the Mason Jars around the kitchen, some labelled, some not but Turmeric is distinctive and with Garlic powder in one size jar and Onion powder in another, I know which is which, etc.
“Make us a curry”... “Hot as you like!”.. “Not hot for me, I like a Korma”.. “Give me something I have never had before?”... That isn't a challenge, it is impossible! Unless...
Grabbing my phone I head off to the kitchen, some curry base in the fridge but only 2 trays, I need something else... open the cupboard and there it is, ajar and there is a Jar.
Potatoes peeled, diced and on to boil, Onions, chopped and diced, check the phone, website, spice mix, yes, there it is, grab some little plastic cups (from when the kids where very small) and make up some solutions of tomato puree, added some dried chilli flakes to one: some almond powder with coconut, a paste of coconut milk powder in another. Tin of Coconut milk (milky and creamy) opened and finally, dice up the 4 large chicken breasts that were to be the next family meal, oh well, can always buy some more... and then... start to make some Magic happen!
Less like a 'well oiled' machine, although that might have described the chef somewhat adequately but more like The Sorcerer's Apprentice (ref: Disney) and with a little help from a friend (daughter), space was cleared on the kitchen table, Tea Light food warmers circled (squared actually) around a stack of a dozen or more Air Fried poppadoms, some Balti bowls were steaming with my answer to the challenge:
Chicken Patala (not authentic, not Tikka)
Chicken Ceylon (made with the chillied puree)
Chicken Bhuna (from a jar)
Aloo Chana.
Now, you decide, which recipes and patrons befit the title and don't forget to consider the author!
Topic: A New Years tale...? (Read 20077 times)
