Topic: Khris Dhillon curry gravy

[chillidoggy]

Hello.

I have had the Khris Dhillon book for absolutely years, I guess since about '84 or so.  I made the curry gravy only yesterday but have not yet used it in a recipe.  Thing is, it just smells and tastes a bit bland and the recipes in the book don't look like they're going to hit the mark.

Anyone else found this or have any comments?  It's important 'cos I've got a cartload of friends coming round soon and I want to wow them with my expertise!

One mor ething, I had a small book from Sainsburys years ago that had a Raan recipe.  Unfortunately I los tthe book and am looking fro the recipe again.  Anyone help?

Thanks.

[Curry King]

Hi,

If you browse back through the site you should find plenty of disscussion on the curry secret book.  There are some people who love it and some people who don't, myself I think the gravy is 'ok' but there are much better one's on here.  As for most of the actual curry recipes I wouldn't even bother.

Why not give it a go as you have made a batch and then let us know what you think, then you can try one of the gravys from here and compare it.

cK

[CurryCanuck]

Hi chillidoggy -
There is a Raan recipe in one of Pat Chapman's books...or try this link

http://www.recipesource.com/ethnic/asia/indian/whole-leg-lamb-spicy1.html

Cheers ,
CC

[bhuna-boy]

Hi Chillydoggy,

The base, for me, is there to give the curry both volume and texture and be an agent to carry the additional spices you will add. It should not have an overpowering distinctive taste otherwise you would never achieve a variety of curries from Korma to Tindalloo and beyond!!

I believe different bases lend themselves to different curries and I have used the KD base to make very good BIR Jalfrezi and Dhansak (my opinion of course ;D) The colour is great and part of a good meal is experienced with the eyes. I like a Jalfrezi to be red and spicy.

I have recently moved to the Darthphall 15 onion base which I can highly recommend. It is thicker in texture and does have more of a finished curry flavour.

The KD base does make good curries and I will use it again but as Curry King said try a variety and choose your favourite. There are some excellent recipes on this site,tried and tested by numerous people. I am enjoying the experimenting myself.

Regards
BB

[chillidoggy]

Many thanks to you all. 

I did get moaned at by my wife for the "disgusting smell" whilst I was preparing the gravy and I'll probably have to sweet talk her into concocting another. 

Personally, I'm a Dhansak junkie and am lucky enough to have a curry house which does a good one within staggering distance.  Trouble is, I don't reckon my wife will put up with the smell of dhall cooking if I actually try to knock one up.

I took note of the fact that some are not over enamoured with Kris's curries and although I haven't tried one yet, I reckon that the recipes could be lacking a little something just by looking at the ingredients.  I'll let you know what I think.

As for the Raan, thanks for the recipe, though I really did like the one in the Sainsbury's book, although I did feel that it was a little dry.

Glad to have found this site though chaps, (and girls if there are any here), and I'm mighty relieved it's not just me who's addicted to spicy food. Bit like "coming out"?!!

Cheers,

Chilli.

[chillidoggy]

Well I cooked the Chicken Bhuna from the Khris Dhillion book last night.  I followed it to the letter apart from a slightly different garam masala.

Sad to say I was disappointed.  It tasted,well, bland quite frankly.  Perhaps this recipe might have ben OK once, but it just didn't have the sort of intensity I have been used to.  It also seemed to retain too much oniony/garlicky flavour.  Overall my wife was reasonably happy though.

So I will try one of the other recommended sauce bases here.  Any comments about the KD sauce?  Anyone feel the same as I do?

[Curry King]

The KD sauce does have it's fans on here but I've never been one.  As you say it stinks while you make it and I've had much better results with the majority of the bases on here.

Try one of these:

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=4.0

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=108.0

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=278.0

cK

[extrahotchillie]

Which ever way you look at it the KD base is a great starting point, and most of the  people on this site use or has used this base in the first instance , onions, garlic & ginger etc  but we have  all learned a little here and there from various sources; hence we are all cooking better curries.

Credit has to be given to KD for writing the book to give us such an inspiration in what we are all trying to achieve; I myself thought it was the best curry I had ever made the first time I followed the recipe to the letter, but did it stink the house out for several days.

Keep reading the site, there is a wealth of information and if it was all put together in a simplified version I have no doubt it would be an international "best seller" keep looking and reading but most of all "Enjoy".

I'm sure PC has scammed a few ideas off this site.

[Curry King]

I agree that KD does deserve some credit for helping us all out and getting started, as you have said it was the first book I bought as well.  What I do remember though was the dissapointment when I knocked up my first curry using it, no where near a restaurant taste, it looked good but that was about it  

For me personally though I've made an OK curry with the KD base but it's not a simple 1 pot base to make and it does stink which is why I wouldn't recommend it 

For inspiration I just have to look how much money I'm saving each month in not having to buy so many takeaways 

Keep On Currying
cK

[chillidoggy]

Thanks everyone.

Well I've got some friends coming round on the 20th so I'm hoping to make an impression with a raan and a veg curry.  If I get the time I'll try one of the other bases beforehand.  Otherwise they'll have to put up with the KD special.

One point though, when I cooked the chicken as directed by KD, having taken some of the original mixutre to one side, the smell was superb!  and sooo genuine.  Almost enough to put me off my beer!

More later.