Topic: another curry recipe book

[Secret Santa]

Apparently this book has been available since august 2009. It seems strange that one of us didn't spot it sooner. 

[haldi]

I think you might have jumped the gun there haldi questioning the credibility of the Author, if you look on the Amazon page there is a link to another website which is a curryshop at 37 Inworth walk Colchester called the Curry Crunch

Yes, you're right
Apologies to everyone concerned

This is interesting. But why do you leave out the Kushi Balti Cookbook (Haydor) and the recent Undercover Curry book? Do you really rate Dhillon higher?

I found quite a few things in the Undecover book which didn't seem to ring quite true.
The author seemed reluctant to reply to several emails
It ruined the book for me
It made me feel the recipes were not entirely accurate, to what is done in the BIR kitchens.
The consistant use of tandoori masala for instance
Garlic powder?
The rice isn't pre soaked?
Without him qualifying my question, it debased the whole book

The Kushi book had a funny spice mix and base (with Mace I believe)
Following the recipes exactly was like nothing I had ever bought

Kris Dhillon isn't right, but it's consistant and genuine

[Razor]

Hi Haldi,

The Kushi base, is quite different to others but, it is specifically for Balti.  And Mr Haydor is a genuine, bonafide restraunter. http://www.kushibalti.co.uk/

I really like this book, lol.  For me, it's better than the KD books but I can see why people like her books.

Ray

[haldi]

I'm so tempted to buy this book
Anyone else got it yet?
Is it rubbish?
I'm a serial curry book buyer offender

[Peripatetic Phil]

I found quite a few things in the Undecover book which didn't seem to ring quite true.
The author seemed reluctant to reply to several emails.

I've found him (Dave Loyden, that is) extremely helpful so far : I reported non-delivery ten days after order, he sent two follow-up messages, a third when I said I would let him know once it had arrived, and the book itself arrived recorded delivery this morning despite being post-free.  Not yet had time to do more than look at the design, so will report back once I've started to read it and perhaps when I've tried one or two recipes.

[jb]

I'm so tempted to buy this book
Anyone else got it yet?
Is it rubbish?
I'm a serial curry book buyer offender

Mine has been shipped so I might get it on Monday,I'll give you a full report!!!!  I guess I must be s serial curry book buyer as well!!

[Secret Santa]

I've found him (Dave Loyden, that is) extremely helpful so far

Yes but you weren't asking pertinent questions about his recipes and methods were you?

[Peripatetic Phil]

No, but nor did I try to suggest that I was.  If I have occasion to ask such questions, I will of course report back on how these were received; all I was trying to convey was that my initial impressions were favourable, and since making a start on the book while waiting for the rain to stop (seeing blue skies I had changed into cycling garb, only for the heavens to open) I remain positive : I like his "to hell with exact measurement" approach, and my only concern so far (I am up to onion bhajis) is that his recipe includes curry powder.  Now I know that some (many ?) recipes on CR0 also include curry powder, but for me this remains a suspect ingredient : almost by definition it cannot contain anything that could not be added as an individual spice, so what is the purpose of adding some spices by themselves (say, coriander, turmeric, cumin and fenugreek, all of which are widely accepted as the staple ingredients of most curry powders) and then adding the same spices already blended into curry powder ?  Do we have really good evidence that BIRs actually use curry powder in their recipes, or is this just an urban myth ?

[PaulP]

Hi Chaa006,

We have evidence from several BIR chefs that a component of their mix powder is curry powder.

To name a just a few we have this information from Taz, Dipurajah and Jb's cooking lessons at home from a real BIR chef.

Paul

[Peripatetic Phil]

Thank you, Paul : that is useful interesting.  Do we also know whether they blend their own CP in bulk, or buy it ready-made, and also have any offered any rationale for why they include pre-blended spices as well as the  same thing unblended ?

** Phil.