Topic: The Tikka Group Test Results

[chriswg]

Sorry its been a while coming but big thanks to Razor, Fi5H and Solarsplace for giving up their time and money to test 6 of the top rated recipes on the forum.

<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8ZixU3Nbf9c/TK8kbZQbTXI/AAAAAAAAAgY/kB_aBnezZKM/s800/Tikka.jpg" height="800" width="626" />

These are the links to the recipes.

Kushi - http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=4496.0
CA - http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=1555.0
Dipuraja - http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=4432.0
Blade - http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=874.0
Maddhur - http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=51.0
Lasan - http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=4182.0

Interestingly it was a good win all round for Dipuraja, top scoring in taste, texture and ease to make. The initial cost is a bit higher than some due to needing to buy speciality pastes but once you have them they are very cheap and quick to make. I timed them at 4 minutes to mix the marinade (not including making G/G paste).

I can safely say you should never waste your time making Maddhur's version. The cardamom and cloves really came through and killed the taste.

Blade's and Kushi's are both worth making, especially if you don't have the ingredients handy to make Dipurajas. Lasan was okay but a real pain in the ass to make and the end result wasn't worth the extra hassle.

Pictures are in this thread: http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=4977.0

[Razor]

Hi Chris,

Thanks from one and all for publishing the results, I think we all realise that it takes time to compile the spreadsheet.

Very interesting results.  I've got to admit, I didn't for one minute think that Dips would come out on top before the test commenced. 

I think CA's is a lovely tikka in it's own rite but just gets a little lost if using it in a final dish, especially a hotter one such as Madras, Jal Frezi or Vindaloo.  With that said, I know it works perfectly in CA's own final dishes, having tried many of them to spec.

Dip's gives you a much stronger tasting tikka, really benefitting from a long marinade, perhaps 30 hrs or more as Moonster suggests in another post. It is typical though of a modern day TA tikka, probably owing to all the paste ingredients.

I was most surprised at the Kushi tikka.  This was one of the first that I made when I started to get serious about cooking BIR food.  At the time, I was in tikka nirvana when I very first made it but when pitched along side some of the others, it wasn't quite as good as I remembered it the first time around.

Blades version is certainly a winner for those who want a tikka in a hurry.  Very short marinade, and no yogurt.  Lemon juice being the predominant tenderising agent in this recipe.

Lasan's was ok but there are better ones available for the effort.

Madhurs, well.  Whatever this is, it ain't tikka as I know it.  Bloody hard work with a "medicine" like after taste.  You can't even hide it in a dish because it infiltrates the full curry.  Sorry, not for me.

Well done to everyone involved, especially Chris.  Really enjoyed doing this one.

Bring on the Bhaji's ;D

Ray

[chriswg]

I think this test really highlights the usefulness of using pastes. I know some people are dead against using them, but in certain dishes they can really add a real depth of flavour with minimal work.

[chriswg]

On a different note, what would peoples thought be about asking Admin to sticky the winning recipe in each group test? Maybe it could include a sticky post at the top explaining why and including a link to the group test.

[George]

On a different note, what would peoples thought be about asking Admin to sticky the winning recipe in each group test? Maybe it could include a sticky post at the top explaining why and including a link to the group test.

I think it would be shame to do that, because all but one recipe from each group then gets cast aside. I'm very grateful for all the effort that goes into these tests but I don't think the end result - outright winner - is as interesting as looking more closely at the detailed results.

I suggest it's almost a draw, once Madhur's recipe is left out. With only four people testing, the results are nowhere near a level of statistical significance. They're all over the place. Kushi's was the only one to score a perfect 10 (from you) on taste so I'm interested in trying that. Dip's scored three 9's and the overall highest on taste, so I'm certainly keen to try that. I know Blades' tikka is superb from making it before but many of us agreed that you need to add yoghurt, so why wasn't that done for this test? It means we all wasted our time during the tests at the time, several years' ago. Lasan's equalled Kushi on the overall taste score, so I will try that some time and personal taste preference could mean any of these are a winner for any individual member. CA's has also received much praise over the years' so it must be in the frame, too. Finally, I used Madhur's tikka recipe decades ago and loved it, as did everyone I've ever served it to, so I can't relate to these results, unless you used a different recipe of hers.

[Razor]

Hi George,

I used Madhur's tikka recipe decades ago and loved it, as did everyone I've ever served it to, so I can't relate to these results, unless you used a different recipe of hers.

We all used the recipe that the link provided.  Maybe it was different to the one you used 20 odd yrs ago, but it really wasn't very nice.  Cardamom and cloves being way too dominant.

I've used the Kushi one many many times, and have always been more than happy with it but for me, when it was pitched against the others, it didn't "stand out" from the crowd.

I know Blades' tikka is superb from making it before but many of us agreed that you need to add yogurt, so why wasn't that done for this test?

Because, it would no longer have been Blades tikka would it?  We do the recipes to spec as the recipe provider would want us to, unless they have made amendments, that's all we can do.  The main reason for the inclusion of Blades tikka, is exactly that, it contains no yogurt and would make interesting reading to see how it compares to the yogurt based marinades.

I agree with you, 4 testers for this one probably wasn't enough to collate some good stats but 4 is all we had.  I'm not keen on the "Sticky for the best recipe" idea either.  I think we all agreed from the outset that it wasn't our intentions to create a list of elite recipes.  I think that this, would be a step towards that.

I also agree with you, you could conclude that the results are almost a draw, only personal preference separating them.  For me, I would have like to have seen how they all actually fared in a curry.  CA's tikka is beautiful on it's own, delicately spiced, moist and tender but once you throw it into a dish, such as madras, it gets a little lost.  Whereas Dipuraja's still retains it's identity, if that makes sense?

Thanks for you comments though George, just sorry that you gained nothing from the results.

Hopefully, the Bhaji tests will be more conclusive.

Ray

[haldi]

I'll have to try Dipuraja's recipe
It doesn't have salt or chilli powder in
That is unusual isn't it?
I wish he'd come back, I loved his posts on Youtube
Maybe his place closed down, or he sold it
Does anybody know?

[Razor]

Hi Haldi,

I'll have to try Dipuraja's recipe
It doesn't have salt or chilli powder in
That is unusual isn't it?

I haven't checked but I'm pretty sure that there will be plenty of salt and chilli in all the pastes.

As for where he's gone, I've no idea.  He may very well have closed down, and that was the reason for all his Youtube post's?

I sincerely hope he's well though, and I too would love to see him back.

Ray

[chriswg]

George - I agree with your points and I definitely thought the top 3 recipes could be served in any BIR in the land without complaint, with the other 2 being close behind. I don't see any reason for anyone to try to improve on these recipes, there is something for everyone.

For me, I was tempted to sit on the fence and give 9's to all 3 of Dip's, Kushi's and Blades. In the end, after lots of retasting between me and my wife, we decided Kushi had the edge. Previously to the test Dips had been my standard, now I'm not sure. I'll probably be making both again though.

It is very interesting having them side by side. If you try each one a week apart you would be happy every time and it would be tough to differentiate. George, I suggest for your own benefit you try doing them all together, I'll be happy to add your results to the spreadsheet if you like, or you can just pick your favourite. Im sure we'd all be interested to hear your thoughts.

[artistpaul]

Thanks to one and all for publishing the results, great team work.

a real testimony as to what this forum is all about, refreshing after all the silly bickering that went on a while back

hat off to all involved  ;D