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Author Topic: Recipe books league table  (read 15,445 times)

AI Summary
The discussion centers around the ranking of various curry recipe books and authors, with participants sharing their personal favorites and experiences. Notably, Abdul's book and Kushi Balti receive high praise for their effectiveness in replicating the desired BIR (British Indian Restaurant) flavors, while "100 Best Balti Curries" is mentioned as a potentially overlooked resource that some members express interest in trying. Overall, there is a consensus that while several books have merit, Abdul's offerings and Kushi Balti are particularly recommended for those looking to achieve authentic BIR results at home.

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Offline George

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Recipe books league table
« on: January 17, 2012, 06:14 PM »
CA recently used a good phrase, referring to books that have been "previously discussed and largely forgotten about". 

It's not just the Undercover book, either. Several other books have had their moments of glory, only to be forgotten.

Where do these books, and a few other sources, stand in your opinion as at January 2012? Imagine you have to recommend just one book or author to someone who desperately wants to emulate decent BIR fare. Which author would you select, and what's the pecking order of the rest? Please be more specific than simply saying the best source is the CR0 forum.

Here are a few books and authors which spring to mind:
Curry Secret 1 (1980s)
Curry Secret 2 (2000s)
Pat Chapman
Undercover Curry
Kushi Balti
Ashoka recipes (at cr0)
Abdul's book - learn2cook vol 1
Abdul's other recipes (at cr0)
Julian's c2g recipes
CA recipes (at cr0)
CBM recipes (cr0 and elsewhere)
Other recipes at RCR e.g. melting
cook4one.co.uk (suggested by ELW)
Curry Crunch book (suggested by JB)
100 Best Balti Curries (suggested by ratbone2)
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Offline ELW

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Re: Recipe books league table
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2012, 07:19 PM »
Hi George,
the cook4one site could do with some reviews?  I read somewhere the the recipe's on there were published by a member from here?
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Offline solarsplace

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Re: Recipe books league table
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2012, 08:20 PM »
Hi

My personal pecking order is, as of right now:

(1)
Abdul's book - learn2cook vol 1
Abdul's other recipes (at cr0)

Personally, Abduls base and 8 spice is the closest to the BIR taste that I seek, that I have ever consistently created at home before ever.

(2)
Kushi Balti

I recommend this book, as I find the exotic taste of this chaps BIR / Balti style to be magnificent.

If I lost all my books, these are the ones I would replace first as of Jan 2012.

Edit: Although I should say, I continually refer to ChewyTikka, CBM, CA.

Thanks
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Offline Unclefrank

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Re: Recipe books league table
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2012, 09:05 PM »
Cook4One site think his name was flavorjunkie.
I have tried 27 dishes off his site and i must say i rate them very highly, the Balti Tamarind Chicken is just full of flavour its well worth a try.
Its a step away from the "norm" in BIR, given different names but if you read the recipes through they ALL look very familiar.
I would encourage forum members to give his recipes a try.
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Offline jb

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Re: Recipe books league table
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2012, 10:16 PM »
I made some superb curries with the Kushi Book,can't understand why it doesn't have more followers.One book that seems to have been overlooked is The Curry Crunch Book,very well laid out with easy to follow recipes especially for the beginner.
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Offline George

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Re: Recipe books league table
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2012, 11:00 PM »
Quote from: jb on January 17, 2012, 10:16 PM
I made some superb curries with the Kushi Book,can't understand why it doesn't have more followers.

I rate it highly because it's produced good results for the few things I've tried and it somehow seems more credible than certain other books. Neither does it irritate me, like the chefs spoon dip measures used in the Undercover book.
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Offline Unclefrank

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Re: Recipe books league table
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2012, 11:08 AM »
I still use the Kushi book i am doing 3 dishes  as i type this, chicken sagwala, chicken bhuna and a basic balti.
I use this book quite alot, me being a bit of a balti freak, and havent had any problems with any recipes in the book.
Highly recommend.
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Offline ratbone2

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Re: Recipe books league table
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2012, 11:04 PM »
Hi, first post, not sure if this has been covered  before - excellent site but too massive to read everything! Was weeding through my dad's bookshelf prior to selling his house and came across "100 Best Balti Curries" by Diane Lowe and Mike Davidson published 1994.  The authors' claim is that they befriended Birmingham Balti House chefs for three years and got the authentic recipes from them. Not tried to make anything from it yet, but shall post their base/spice mix if anyone is interested, Regards, Robin
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Offline curryhell

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Re: Recipe books league table
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2012, 11:19 PM »
Not heard of that one ratbone.  Then again i'm not a balti specialist like some and am probably not the best person to comment on baltis being down south ;D.  Have you tried any recipes from the book?  How do they compare to "authentic" baltis?  Welcome to the site.
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Offline Les

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Re: Recipe books league table
« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2012, 09:41 AM »
Quote from: ratbone2 on January 18, 2012, 11:04 PMNot tried to make anything from it yet, but shall post their base/spice mix if anyone is interested, Regards, Robin

Welcome to cr0 Robin
And yes, please post the recipe for the base and spice mix, I'm a balti fan, and some of the other members might like to try it out,

Les
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