George, have you ever tried beer can chicken?  Seriously good way to cook a bird.

Robbo

Hey Phil
The lure of grandkids... my missis saw an opportunity to sell the house, retire early, downsize and be able to see the little ones any time she likes and not just by FaceTime.  Our plans went from around 18 months' time, to "the next 3 months" overnight.  And no we're here, in a rented apartment, on the hunt for a new home close to family.

Also went from sunny 24 C Carolina to snowy frozen north where overnight will dip to around -20 C this weekend with up to 8 inches snow today.

On the positive side, this restaurant is only 5 miles away and will be my first tryout in 2022.  The menu looks pretty good, going beyond the Butter Chicken and CTM that a lot of Americans think encompasses the entire Indian spectrum.

https://tasteofhimalayas.com/

Robbo

Belated Merry Christmas and advance Happy New Year to all.  Let's hope for a better, safe 2022.
In a case of spectacularly bad timing, we closed the sale of our house in the Carolina's Dec 28 so for Christmas dinner we had Chinese takeout while surrounded by packing boxes.  Very unsatisfactory but needs must.
Two 7 hour drives later and here we are in Batavia, Illinois, west of Chicago, in a rented apartment while we search for a home to buy.

And also search for Indian restaurants...

Robbo

I usually get back to the UK for Christmas but Covid put a stop to that last year and this year too.  A 7 hour flight to potentially arrive heathrow, test positive and have to self isolate is just not worth it for me so will stay home in the carolinas, trying to persuade Mrs Robbo that turkey isn't just for thanksgiving.


Robbo

Over here the Chasseur range is similar to the Le Cruset.  Pricey but last a lifetime.  I have no more need (or room) for more pots.  I fully expect to never replace any of our cast iron cookware.

Robbo

Agreed George, I inherited these when I married the current Mrs Robbo. She had them given as a gift some 30 years ago and they are still going strong.  No enamel issue here.
Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Robbo

I love a cast iron pan Phil.  We have a couple of Le Cruset that are hideously expensive but just perfect to cook with.  The missis just invested in a new pan from the Our Place company which does the same job but less pricey than the French pot.  Really, really lightweight too. 


https://fromourplace.co.uk/products/home-cook-duo?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=uk_brand_search_gen_na&utm_term=our%20place%20pots%20and%20pans&utm_version=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI063hrdWp9AIVx7KGCh1zJgPuEAAYAiAAEgJHcPD_BwE

Robbo

Thank you, this will definitely be my next base batch, although my pressure cooker version of Taz is yielding excellent results for me.

Robbo

When it's leftovers I usually call it breakfast.


Robbo

90% of the time, I cook my curry in advance and reheat.  BIR is so messy with all the spatter that I prefer to cook on my outdoor grill burner. We only have electric in the house so the grill burner is a godsend. Also doesn't stink the house out.
If I could make a vindaloo to desired BIR standard, I'd be set.  I'm moving from North Carolina to the Chicago area soon so maybe will have some curry house luck in my new location...

Robbo