Topic: What is the "Tarka" (or "Tadka") Technique used in Indian Cooking?

[Razor]

Come on Ray, are you REALLY for real! 

Surely it's more about HOW to do it and WHY it's done that way? (unless you're a total moron!)  :

Anybody who can't answer simple questions about how and why they do it, the way that they do, are either ignorant, or dont understand it themselves.

For me, I consider this forum to be about sharing, debating and understanding.

Oh, did you miss out insulting?

[Cory Ander]

Insulting?  Please, Ray, get a grip man! 

I would think that most people wish to know WHAT to do, WHEN to di it, HOW to do it and WHY to do it that way (unless they are a total moron).

Please focus on the original question (before you derailed it!)  :

[spiceyokooko]

For me, I consider this forum to be about sharing, debating and understanding.

That's what I thought too, but others seem to have different agendas.

This site is no different to any other male dominated discussion forum found all over the internet. Where testosterone rules, ego's will too.

[Jackh]

I am confused. CA / Spicey surely you both must be wrong with your definition of Tarka. Abdul, Chewy et al teach that this is a method of cooking that is introduced at the beginning not at the end of cooking a dish as an addition as you suggest. Is someone trying to deliberately mislead us all here or am I beginning to experience Toys in the Attic.

Jack

[noble ox]

Hi 
I was always led to believe that "TARKA" meant you wanted the curry a little" OTTER ";D

[Razor]

Hi Jack,

I am confused. CA / Spicey surely you both must be wrong with your definition of Tarka. Abdul, Chewy et al teach that this is a method of cooking that is introduced at the beginning not at the end of cooking a dish as an addition as you suggest. Is someone trying to deliberately mislead us all here or am I beginning to experience Toys in the Attic.

Jack

No, nobody is trying to deliberately mislead you/us.  Basically, a tarka is made at the beginning of the dish.  Other ingredients can be added once the tarka stage is complete, to continue with the dish.  A tarka can also be made with the intention of acting as a seasoning or garnish as in the dish Tarka Dal, whereby the lentils are cooked in one pan, the tarka in another.  The tarka is then added to the cooked lentils.

Hope that explains what I'm trying to say?

Ray

[DalPuri]

Again, taken from here:
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-UFwsluKqM8C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[Whandsy]

Again, taken from here:
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-UFwsluKqM8C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Shame you didn't post that 1st dalpuri, might have saved a lot of unecessary pettiness and bickering!!

[DalPuri]

It never occured to me Whandsy, i was just enjoying the fun
I only found the book recently for the smoking technique, and had only glanced a few pages.
Didn't read that passage until 10 mins ago meself 

I myself thought it was used only at the end but seems to be either or.

Frank. 

[Graeme]

I have never done this myself but i thought
it was added toward the end to add that little
bit something extra.

I remember Bruce Edwards used this term long ago.