After talking to a BIR chef who mentioned he adds Kashmiri Masala to his madras I inevitably went out and bought a box. I am now intrigued as to whether anyone has added this to their curries!

Can anyone shine light on wheather there is any harmful substances in powdered food colourings or liquid food colourings? I recently read somewhere that there has been food tested in certain establishments with more than the legal amount of artificial food colouring added!

Thanks in advance,
Rob.

As I ask this question I am beginning to answer it myself I think :

My wife usually orders a chicken curry when we have a t/a. Would I be right in thinking that it would be just the base sauce (I am currently using chewys), with maybe g&g and tomato puree added?

Can anyone shine some light on wheather or not green peppers once chopped can be frozen? I probably like most use this as part of the tarka and as you only need a small amount it seems a shame to throw out the large amount that is left

This is a recipe that I acquired from a North Indian cookery tutor several years ago. We used to put it in at the end of the cook although to be honest it did have a tendency to take over the curry so I used to add only half a tsp.  After reading through several threads I think I will try adding to a mix powder where GM is required.

Two tbsp each of:

Large black cardamons (husks removed, use only the resinous seeds inside)
Small green cardamons (left whole)
Cloves
Half a Cinnamon stick
Whole black peppercorns

Grind in a spice/coffee grinder, store in an airtight jar.

Has anyone used bolsts curry powder? I have read somewhere that it is the dogs although you can't seem to get it in small tubs only large bags. worth getting if it has good reviews though.

Hi, can anyone tell me where I can buy "white tower tomato paste?".  After making a madras last week my wife told me only what I was thinking which was "it tastes overpowered by tomato paste ". I think it would be a wise move to maybe consider trying a different brand as I am currently using any supermarkets own brand.

After reading several threads I have noticed the "white tower being mentioned". Many thanks, Rob.

Hi all,
I have just joined the site and thought I would do just what it has advised and that's to introduce myself!
I'm Rob from Cardiff and I must say that this site does look the business I have been on other sites so have a general idea as well as compleating a 30 week (Indian home cooking course) in 2007. I must admit that it was nothing like you get in a BIR

I wounder if anyone could advise on the recommended base sauce that is reasonably hassle free to knock up?

Thanks guys..