Topic: Bombay Aloo Group Test

[commis]

Hi
How about we go real BIR TA, tinned! Will check out my local grocer, I'm in Oldham and Hume in the morning so late afternoon.

[bamble1976]

Hi

charlotte potatoes available in most supermarkets in the uk and work well in this dish as they hold their shape unless really overcooked.

Barry

[Peripatetic Phil]

Charlotte are fine by me (and thanks for the comment, Barry : first-hand knowledge is invariably the best !).
** Phil.

[chriswg]

Right, the recipes are on the OP. We'll use Charlotte potatoes and a Taz base. I'll also make a couple using the UC recipe to see if there are and differences.

Now let get this show on the road.

[Peripatetic Phil]

Right, the recipes are on the OP. We'll use Charlotte potatoes and a Taz base. I'll also make a couple using the UC recipe to see if there are and differences.

OK, assuming that by "the OP" you mean the first message in the thread, then I need to query one thing : where you write "We will all be using par boiled Charlotte potatoes", is the par-boiling explicit in each of the recipes, or is it a separate and undocumented stage for some or all, and if the latter, for how long are we to par-boil ?

** Phil.

[chriswg]

Hi Phil,

Most of the recipes say just add pre-cooked potatoes. The Balti Cookbook suggests:

Boil the potatoes for about 5 minutes (so they're slightly cooked, but not liable to fall apart) then rinse in cold water, drain in a colander, and put to one side.

The only recipe that is a bit different is Solars who boils them in a bit of turmeric.

I hope this helps.

Chris

[Peripatetic Phil]

OK, fine, understood.  Will parboil as recommended except for SP recipe which will get special treatment.  Charlottes : another excuse to visit Waitrose  ;D

[Stephen Lindsay]

To be honest I wouldn't do this if we had to make several bases but if we are using Charlottes and Taz (or an alternative) base then I'd probably like to give this test a go. Like others have said it's a bit of fun and it could be a win-win for members.

This thread has now become a long one though and I'm not clear as to which recipes are now to be included in the test?

[Ramirez]

OP gives details of the recipes, Stephen.

[chewytikka]

Hi chriswg

"Just a point for the sake of authenticity"
I've never known any BIR and especially TA Kitchens,
preparing potatoes separately for Bombay Aloo or any other Aloo dish.

They simply use a handful of par fried chips, which they have in abundance
as part of the prep for service.

Hardly anything in a BIR kitchen is made totally from scratch, it's more of an assembly of par cooked foods! There just isn't time!

Just like Chicken Tikka, you would be very lucky to get it straight from the Tandoor
as they usually batch cook it and zap it in the microwave for your dish,

Cheers ChewyTikka

Oh, an Omelette is made from scratch ;D