I just sent a further message to Phil saying I have changed my mind. Thanks to him mentioning the voc player, I downloaded that, and can now see the DVD as it should be. But the greatest problem is copyright infringement. The VHS tapes are available on amazon between about £8 and £25 each. The risk of it coming back to haunt me is too great. I bought the VHS tapes a long time ago and at quite a low cost. I converted them to DVD for my own use. It's probably not allowed but I regard the risk as quite low. Uploading for all and sundry here is a different matter.

Quote from: Peripatetic Phil on December 15, 2021, 02:17 PM
If you can send me the VOBs, George, I can make them available online.

I just sent you a message.

Here's a screen shot of their base sauce.

Quote from: foureyes1941 on December 14, 2021, 09:58 AM
Just came across a couple of old videos in my 'collection' Anyone else still have the two videos 1993 Balti Kitchen, revealing the secret techniques of Indian Restaurant cuisine and 1994 Revealing more secret techniques of Indian Restaurant cuisine.

By amazing coincidence, I came across these in digitised format on a hard disc one or two days before you mentioned it here. I watched the start of one, and it looks so dated.  I doubt if there's a single nugget of worthwhile knowledge throughout the entire programme.

Quote from: Garp on December 10, 2021, 09:10 PM
One suspects, perhaps, that George attended one of the Downing Street parties. That's the only reason I can see for feeling any sympathy for this woman whose only reason for crying was because she got caught.

Unfortunately I wasn't invited, of course. I doubt if anyone outside was invited or attended. How do you define a party? Would it include the same group of people who work together every day, who gather round to have a chat? If they work late, as they often would, then perhaps food is delivered to keep them going. Would that make it a party? As for Allegra Stratton getting caught, I suggest she didn't do anything wrong, whatsoever. She didn't need to apologise for anything.

It depends on the situation, of course. I certainly feel sorry for Allegra Stratton, seeing her go from a happy, smiling face in the Downing Street video to a tearful woman, unfairly criticised a year later, this week. I hope the person who released the video is caught and punished. An informal moment like that should never have been retained on video in the first place. The man who asked the (practice) question about a 'party' is far more to blame, if anyone is.

Phil - I am sorry but I don't understand your analogy at all. Sure, I choose to live without heating or hot water, and they were negligent by removing their existing system without a 100% guarantee of a new heating system. How could he have been so stupid?

Incidentally, if Onions is reading this, I think it was a good idea to separate out these heating threads but why isn't it within the section on "Talk About anything apart from curry" (or something like that)? The last time I looked, it was still in the section for Grow your own spices.

I just read an interesting article in The Telegraph:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/environment/2021/12/09/homeowner-left-without-heating-hot-water-green-homes-grant-expires/

As it says, a homeowner was left without heating or hot water after a green homes grant expired. You probably need a subscription to read more than a few lines.

It puts his family in exactly the same position as me but he considers it the end of the world, and I remain perfectly happy.

Quote from: pete on December 03, 2021, 07:29 AM
Yes , I know what you mean. The curries are ok but somehow you've not got exactly what you want. And totally agree that the sum is less than the parts. All the same his recipes are very comprehensive and complete and I'm really enjoying them.

I'm not sure what you mean. You say they're not what you want but then you say you're really enjoying them. Please clarify.

I think Secret Santa's use of the term 'low end takeaway' is useful, to distinguish from food which may be amongst the best you've ever had. I am only interested in preparing dishes with flavours which are about as good as it gets. As I've said before, I achieved it for only a few dishes, for my taste. That's because I only worked on a few dishes and haven't yet spent enough time with "R&D" on other dishes.

I will almost certainly spend the day and entire period alone, like I did last year, in my cold house. And, no, I won't turn the heating on. For the previous three years, kind friends invited me round to join them but Covid put a stop to that. I will cook a traditional meal for myself, based on chicken or turkey. I prepared a similar meal tonight, using frozen vegetables. It's quick, easy and far more tasty than a festive pub roast I had a few days ago. The pub (part of a UK chain) are quoting almost £50 for a meal on Christmas Day and I can't see how the food will be any better than what I had for £14 for a starter and main. The waiting time was so long, they gave me a free pudding, also. So it became 3 courses for £14. I would never go to a pub, restaurant or anywhere for Chistmas lunch. Would you, or have you?

I agree with scientists who urge caution for anyone thinking of parties or get togethers. But the Government are saying there's no restrictions and to have a good time. I think the Government are being a bit irresponsible, given the risk of Covid infection.