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Author Topic: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?  (read 9,208 times)

AI Summary
The discussion revolves around the search for shop-bought curries that can replicate the taste of authentic British Indian Restaurant (BIR) or homemade curries. Participants share their experiences with various supermarket options, noting that while some, like Tesco's deli counter Jalfrezi and Lidl's korma, have been decent, none truly match the quality of a freshly made curry. The consensus suggests that while some ready-made options exist, they often fall short of the authentic taste, leading many to conclude that cooking from scratch remains the best way to achieve the desired flavor.

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Offline suppster

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Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« on: October 18, 2009, 04:08 PM »
Hi, what a great forum this is, so many knowledgeable people. Is there anywhere one can buy curry (except from a restaurant) that tastes like BIR or authentic curry for eating at home? I have tried a lot of supermarket microwavable curries and they are usually very different. I am thinking ethnic shops or delis might have true authentic or BIR curry fresh, which you can buy and reheat - like a microwavable meal, but just closer to the real taste? Maybe there's an ofshoot to a restaurant somewhere selling chilled sauces, meals, naans, etc? I guess this would have to have higher quality ingredients, less preservatives, and a shorter shelf life. Asda's deli is the closest I have found to it, but for anyone that's tried it, doesn't really come close to a real curry, for me anyway.

Cheers, Duncan.
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Offline parker21

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Re: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2009, 06:44 PM »
hi suppster the topic has been discussed before and i'm sure that lidl did quite a good korma( not that really counts as a curry LOL ;D) but asda did very well before they changed it recently, for some reason they thought putting silverskin pickled onions in their vindaloo :o, not sure if they do in any of the other curries but my wife was most annoyed having pulled out 7 in 1 curry?

regards
gary :)
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Offline travelbug

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Re: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2009, 02:46 PM »
I used to think the Mumtaz were the best ready made ones. Now I have used some recipes from here I am not overly ken on them any more. Much prefer my own.
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Offline suppster

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Re: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2009, 02:17 PM »
Yeah, I've been reading through past threads about this subject... I tried asda the other night, thinking it would be the closest thing to a BIR / authentic curry I could buy outside of a restaurant or take-away. Wasn't really what I'm looking for. I will try the Mumtaz curry from the supermarket.

I bought a few dried packs from shops in brick lane, but I'm not hopeful.

It's so strange that nothing seems to come close to authentic / bir that you can buy in a shop and heat up at home.
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Online Yousef

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Re: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2009, 02:47 PM »
Not that i am aware of, take the time and make a base from the base sauce section

https://curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?board=2.0

Then you will have loads to play with.

Good luck.
Stew
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Offline chriswg

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Re: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2009, 04:00 PM »
Waitrose used to do a lovely microwavable Chicken Biriyani. I used to work near one and would have it at least once a week with a pack of poppadums. I've no idea if they still do, it's been over 3 years since I last had one.
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Offline Derek Dansak

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Re: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2009, 10:49 AM »
After trying many shop curries i would say tesco and sainsbury finest range are quite good. some of these are from sachets that require some work. some are from jars and are good on the odd occasion. however cooking a good traditional curry from scratch or making some base and using a tried and tested bir recipe is always more fresh tasting with loads more toffee taste.  unfortunately there are no short cuts in this game. i guess taste buds are not easily tricked ! 
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Offline George

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Re: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2009, 01:20 PM »
Quote from: parker21 on October 18, 2009, 06:44 PM
hi suppster the topic has been discussed before and i'm sure that lidl did quite a good korma( not that really counts as a curry LOL ;D)

Yes, I think it was me who flagged up the Lidl chicken korma. That was some time ago, though, and I'm not sure it's as good now. Also, they do both frozen and chilled versions in very similar looking packs but made by different people. It was the chilled version which I referred to.

As for korma not counting as a curry, what on earth do you mean? Korma is one of the key techniques in Indian cuisine. Sure, the BIR version is different but nearly all BIR curries are shortcut-UK versions rather than being traditionally based. Chicken korma may actually be the most popular of all BIR curry dishes, rather than CTM, based on various anecdotal evidence. Isn't it macho-enough for people who only like chilli-packed dishes and wish to prove something?
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Offline MrCurryLover

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Re: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2009, 01:08 PM »
Quote from: travelbug on October 19, 2009, 02:46 PM
I used to think the Mumtaz were the best ready made ones.
I haven't tried one of Mumtaz shop bought curries, but if they are anything like their restaurant curries I wouldn't bother. I went to the Mumtaz a couple of years ago with friends and the curries that we had were terrible, way too salty and no way near as good as some of the other curry houses in Bradford.
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Offline parker21

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Re: Any shop bought curry that comes close to restaurant or home cooked curry?
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2009, 02:40 PM »
hi george  :D i knew some1 would take offence. it was made in jest mate! i have made this for many peeps whp can't handle the heat of my standard vindaloo, and when i was on a coaching course it was 1 of the dishes i got 1 of my collegues to cook with my help, needless to say the others in the group loved it too ;)
regards
gary
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