Not yet. Had my son fly into Chicago for the week so bit tied up but by next weekend should have a go. Itching to try.

Robbo

After a very useful discussion with ChatGPT about local fishing spots, I asked for a BIR vindaloo recipe.  I was very specific about not wanting traditional Indian.

https://chat.openai.com/share/5f47ca28-fca3-43a4-9609-bb814e7fd11d

I'm going to give it a bash and see if I can make something of it.

Robbo

Last week I had to visit a customer in Streamwood, Illinois.  I checked around for Indian takeout with the thought of bringing home dinner.
http://www.indiafoodieus.com/

Very small restaurant and very friendly.  Managed to go there for dal makhani lunch with garlic naan and took home chicken vindaloo for me and tandoori chicken, veg pakora for the missis and a couple of veg samosas too.
Very good indeed.  Just a pity it's a 40 min drive and a little too far for a regular dinner run.
The search for BIR stateside continues.

Robbo

Good shout. Always need the option of something Indian.  About to make another batch of onion  masala 'base'.  First 4 curries using it were very good, to the point I made a little laminated card with the base recipe one side and the curry recipe on the other.  Little variations to be tried.

Robbo

Very similar to my go-to.  6 mins hard boil, immediate drain, then into warmed dish, dot with butter and sit in the oven at 175 F for 30 mins.
Always buy aged basmati now. Makes a huge difference.

Why the vinegar or lime juice?


Robbo

With the onion masala I made this dish with some lovely locally made paneer.
https://myheartbeets.com/wprm_print/9029

Because I diluted my onion masala, it turned out a lot more liquidy than I'd have liked, so next time I'll omit the water or maybe just not dilute the onion masala.  The paneer dish only used half of the onion masala but was so tasty I decided to use the same spice mix to make a potato curry for breakfast.

Peel 3 medium potatoes and cut into 2" pieces
Heat 1 TBSP ghee and 1 TBSP mustard oil in pan.  Fry potatoes about 5 mins just to get them golden.  Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, cook 30 secs
Add 1 Serrano chili, chopped, fry 1 min
Add a splash of onion masala
Add spices:
1 TBSP kasuri methi
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp turmeric

Fry spices, adding a little onion masala at a time while stirring, till all the masala is in - 3/4 cup total.
Add 1 cup frozen peas.
Put the potatoes back in the pan, add some boiling water, cover and cook till the potatoes are done. Stir occasionally. Garnish with fresh coriander.




There's nothing earth shattering here, but I'm going to stick with this spice mix and try it on chicken next.

Robbo

Time to move on from MDB's balti base and try something new.  I came across a recipe for tomato onion masala which seems to be a base gravy used in traditional Indian cooking so gave it a try and got some good results. 

Into the Instant Pot, add

1/2 cup veg oil
3 TBSP ginger garlic paste
3 large onions (675g)

Sauté on high for 15 mins, stir regularly

Add spices:
2 tsp salt
2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp cumin
3 tsp coriander
2 tsp garam masala
2 tsp turmeric
1 Indian bay leaf

Stir a minute or so then add:
1/2 cup boiling water
1 can chopped tomatoes

Cancel the sauté and pressure cook for 15 mins, letting pressure release naturally.

Blitz with a stick blender.  I thinned it out a bit with hot water, to get the usual BIR thin soupy consistency. 

I've used it twice now, and will definitely be repeating.  Will post dish recipe separately.

Robbo

I've seen a number of references to the stock in various spellings.  I subscribed to Latif's channel a while back. Excellent recipes, particularly the non-base versions.
https://youtu.be/xy-r5AdrHkE

Also, hot off the press.

https://youtu.be/6xTNj8YZR7I

Robbo

On my first business trip to The Philippines, a customer took me for lunch.  We turned a corner and there it was. 

Kenny Rogers Roasters.

Yes, a very popular chain of chicken restaurants by the man himself.
I'm not a fan of KFC, or deep fried food in general, but it was pretty tasty.

As a kid, I also admit buying the 7" single, Coward of the County.

Robbo

Come on Bob, you can't post a pic of a madras looking like that without a recipe!
Base and final cook please?  I'm about to use my last portion of Mick's base and ready to try something new.

Robbo