Restaurant Masala - I need curry powder to make this, on the front page under Curry Powders Bruce says “not the corner shop or supermarket variety” Is there any particular brand others would recommend.
The general opinion on this forum seems to be that the curry powder isn't important. I don't agree with this, but assuming it is correct you should try to use the brands sold in asian shops, like TRS, Rajah, natco etc.
Bay Leaves – Do is specifically need the Asian variety, or would the English variety be usable.
Good question. I use bay leaves from TRS (etc.), and I assume they are the asian variety. I do know there is a definite difference in flavour between asian and english bay leaves, so I would go for the dried TRS variety.
Oil – I’ve used mainly Ghee bought in large tubs but now find most people are getting acceptable flavour with supermarket vegetable oil, again is there a brand people would recommend over another.
I think that we have decided that ghee is not used for curries in general so veg oil is probably the way to go. Any veg oil will do, but for health reasons rape seed oil would seem to be the best.
Lemon - The recipe states "1/4 whole chop" ?Does this mean skin as well?
yes, including skin.
1 Tinned tomato – 1 plum tomato from a tin, or 1 tin of plum/chopped tomatoes?
1 whole tomato from a tin. There is already 1 fresh tomato and some puree and you don't want too much tomato.The base should be 'oniony' in nature, not tomatoey.