Topic: Things I Can Do

[Derek Dansak]

hi thanks solar. i thought some one would know the answers , cheers.  collectively, as a group, we know bucket loads of useful information on achieving the illusive taste. If one person on this forum,  knew all our individual tips and tricks, and techniques,  they would cook a curry to die for !   ;D   

[Derek Dansak]

mixing up 40 litres of red hot smoking  base with a hand blender takes nerves of steel 

[Derek Dansak]

Hi paul, i feel the cabbage is an important one we should know the answer to, as bir curries give of an aroma that is slightly resembling cabbage , or some other vegetable. its a distinct smell i dont get in my curries. it must be key to the taste, and all good bengual  bir curries have this aroma. It could be fermenting onions ??  i will try the garlic and ginger powder in my spice mix, although i am not sure if its what i am looking for. 

[solarsplace]

Hi paul, i feel the cabbage is an important one we should know the answer to, as bir curries give of an aroma that is slightly resembling cabbage , or some other vegetable. its a distinct smell i dont get in my curries. it must be key to the taste, and all good bengual  bir curries have this aroma. It could be fermenting onions ??  i will try the garlic and ginger powder in my spice mix, although i am not sure if its what i am looking for.

Hi DD

What area are you from? - Personally I really feel cabbage is not there in the TA's & BIR's I love here in the Farnham Surrey area.

cheers

[JerryM]

Used:

Spiced oil
New base as above
2tsp - g&g (home made)
1tsp - Madras powder
1tsp - Tandoori Masala (CA)
1tsp - JB spice mix
2tsp - Chilli powder
half tsp - Salt
2tsp - Tandoori masala & garlic tom pure mix

solarsplace,

not come across "madras powder" - is it bought or made.

just an observation -there's a lot of spice in that portion of curry - 3 tsp.

[solarsplace]

Used:

Spiced oil
New base as above
2tsp - g&g (home made)
1tsp - Madras powder
1tsp - Tandoori Masala (CA)
1tsp - JB spice mix
2tsp - Chilli powder
half tsp - Salt
2tsp - Tandoori masala & garlic tom pure mix

solarsplace,

not come across "madras powder" - is it bought or made.

just an observation -there's a lot of spice in that portion of curry - 3 tsp.

Hi Jerry

The Madras powder is this stuff: http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Indian-Food-Rajah-Madras-Curry-PowderMild.html

Not quite sure what to say about the quantity of spice, I guess from other recipes on here such as http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=4973.0 as show to JB by a real chef and books etc, it just doesn't strike me as excessive?

JB's Madras there has 3tsp of mix powder? how much do you use generally?

CHeers

[JerryM]

Solarsplace,

i understand now - it's curry powder (thanks for clarifying).

on the mix powder i'm currently using 0.5 tsp (the mix powder is mouchak which includes curry powder). prior to this i used 1 tsp for quite a while. i don't think i've gone above 2 tsp.

it's quite different as you say jb's recipe using 1 tbsp (3 tsp). the base spicing must come into play. a while ago i tried to get more understanding by reducing the spice in base but have reverted back and adopted the lower amount at frying.

[JerryM]

DD,

my 2p's worth:

1)  does adding garlic powder to spice mix improve it - yes. have not tried in tom puree (but i add all at same time)
2) does cabbage in base work well - no
3) is tarragon an overlooked ingredient - i don't think so (might be something similar). need to try it
4) is extreme heat needed? - yes
5) is the petes grabi spice oil going to be worth the effort - not tried pete's but spice oil is a yes
6) is mint leafs and curry leaf another ingredients i should use more - is this dish or base (no on both). fresh coriander yes
7) is lemon chunks in the base an improvement - still to try this. i think/expect yes

[Derek Dansak]

hi solarspace, i am from east sussex, and i too doubt its used, but you never can be sure until you try. i was suprised to find out cabbage is used alot in indian cookery in india itself.  there is a cr0 post with a base featuring cabbage , so i am not ruling it out. 

[Derek Dansak]

ok thanks jerry for your 2 peneth worth! . i disagree  about your comment on mint. At least one bir near me does the best balti in the area, and its got some dried mint leaf in it. Its not appropriate for most dishes but really works in balti, which is quite flavoursome. Have you tried cabbage in the base?