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Author Topic: Battling obesity - a healthier curry  (read 4,488 times)

AI Summary
The discussion revolves around the challenges of creating a healthier curry while maintaining the flavor typical of British Indian Restaurant (BIR) style curries. Participants express differing opinions on the use of ghee, oil, and salt, with some arguing that reducing these ingredients compromises the quality of the curry, while others claim to achieve flavorful results using healthier alternatives like rice bran oil and less salt. Ultimately, there is no consensus on the best approach to balancing health and taste in curry preparation.

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Offline iflchris

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Battling obesity - a healthier curry
« on: April 22, 2008, 02:22 PM »
Ideasforlife.tv have produced a video about the healthier curry recipe book produced by Birmingham's Lasan restaurant and Warwick Univerity's Medical School.  The video is here - http://www.ideasforlife.tv/watch/153

I've not seen any mention of this anywhere on the site and thought it might be of interest.
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Offline Bobby Bhuna

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Re: Battling obesity - a healthier curry
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2008, 05:47 PM »
Nope.  ;D
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Offline iflchris

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Re: Battling obesity - a healthier curry
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2008, 10:39 AM »
Quote from: Bobby Bhuna on April 22, 2008, 05:47 PM
Nope.  ;D
Ha, fair enough!  So do you reckon that using an alternative to ghee and cutting down on the salt, etc is a bad idea as far as a decent curry is concerned?
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Offline Bobby Bhuna

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Re: Battling obesity - a healthier curry
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2008, 12:41 PM »
I've never actually used Ghee but I would like to if I come across a BIR style recipe for curry that people rate. However, there has been a fair amount of discussion on the forum about this and I think the general consensus is that BIR curries have little or no Ghee in them, probably due to cost. I remember someone saying that if you keep your chicken madras takeout overnight, it doesn't have any saturated fat solidified on the top - just a pool of oil.

I eat far too much salt as it is, and I really don't think curry is where I should try and cut down. Less crisps, processed foods and salting to taste with the salt shaker would all be of greater benefit.

I also use lots of oil. I've tried using less and the curries are terrible by comparison.

I think to make a good BIR style curry, you need plenty oil and the right amount of salt. I don't think that the optimum amount of salt for full flavour is excessive. As I've said, I'm sure there are far worse things to be eating. As far as oil goes... well I use sunflower oil in fairly large quantities (I am not really aware of the health issues) and just consider it a necessary evil.
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Offline Curry King

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Re: Battling obesity - a healthier curry
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2008, 02:53 PM »
I agree with BB, I have tried and failed to make a healthy curry and it just doesn't work if you want to get close to a BIR.  Better to maintain a balanced diet and not eat curry every night of the week, thats easier said than done though  :P
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Offline Chris303

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Re: Battling obesity - a healthier curry
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2008, 08:39 PM »
I use healthy oil (rice bran oil) and very little salt and my BIR style curries are bursting with flavour and aromas.

I eat curry 4/5 times a week and I am very fit and healthy.
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Offline Bobby Bhuna

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Re: Battling obesity - a healthier curry
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2008, 11:53 AM »
Quote from: Chris303 on April 23, 2008, 08:39 PM
I use healthy oil (rice bran oil) and very little salt and my BIR style curries are bursting with flavour and aromas.

I eat curry 4/5 times a week and I am very fit and healthy.

I would politely question how BIR a curry could be with the wrong type of oil and less salt but I'm certainly interested in trying this rice bran oil.

I'm pretty sure that you could eat my BIR style curry with sunflower oil and a reasonable amount of salt and maintain your current fitness.

Cheers, Rob.
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Offline Bobby Bhuna

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Re: Battling obesity - a healthier curry
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2008, 12:51 PM »
Quote from: Chris303 on April 23, 2008, 08:39 PM
I use healthy oil (rice bran oil) and very little salt and my BIR style curries are bursting with flavour and aromas.

I finally spotted a bottle of this "Rice Bran Oil" and thought I'd try it out for arguments sake. Well it's great - not too expensive at around 2 quid for a standard olive oil sized bottle. It has a really really faint aroma which is very pleasant and was tasteless in my curry. Better still, now I don't have to look forward to a diet related premature death (Chris - you don't have any salt supplements up your sleeve? :P)
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