Hi NJ. Off the top of my head used a good 2 and a bit generous tbsp of the Botti packet spice per kg chicken, to make a not overly thick marinade, pretty standard consistency. 1 3/4 tbsp fresh g/g paste. A good pinch of ajwain (optional) and plenty freshly ground black pepper (to taste). 3/4 tbsp dried mint.  A slug of lime juice (cloudy bottled stuff, 10 ml). Preema orange. Water. Enough oil to gloss. No salt.

I got 2 x 1 kg paste on eBay last. Paid over the odds. In the past the larger Pakistani supermarkets were the best bet. The Laziza products are made in Pakistan. The paste gives better results than the packet spice, imo, by quite a margin. I haven't used the packet spice for ages. Reckon to to add some dark mustard oil when I try it next.

Rob

Found this link for a Leeds student rag from 1983. Clicked/visited and was able to download it as a pdf. The Stranglers were still touring. Perhaps they still are. From page 10 there is a map and several (albeit brief) articles on food. One is called "Currying" with reviews, including the Nafees curry house, which I have mentioned in the past. Interesting stuff. Have tracked my time in Leeds back to 1978-79. I don't even recall madras or vindaloo being available then (at Nafees). Mince and spinach curry was a typical dish. Medium or hot/very hot. The BIR scene was really getting going in the early '80s. The prices though. Gulp!

https://images.app.goo.gl/w8z2TK2E2Cq2fPkm8

Rob

Quote from: Peripatetic Phil on January 05, 2025, 12:31 PM
D@mn — I was in the Black Country in the middle of last year (Bromsgrove, in fact).  What a shame I didn't know of Hobbs' and Sons at the time !  But £9.75 is fairly modest for fish-and-chips these days, IMHO — I am fairly sure I paid more than £10 for a portion of cod with the smallest (of three possibilities) portion of chips locally just a few days ago ...

I forgot to mention the additional £25.95 (single) adult entrance fee Phil.  Reduced to £24.95 if you are over 65.

Rob

Just found this. Another masterclass from Al's Kitchen. Had a feeling naga pickle was going to be an option.

https://youtu.be/5JdXHrWPXHA?si=2oxSMGykDo2G2Gx2

Rob

One of two lovely Kashmiri lamb chop batches underway on Friday.



Not looking that good today, which is a pity.



Got a whole load of Asda's Exceptional range Bramley Apple Pork Sausages, on yellow sticker. Shallow frying them as I type.

Rob

This is actually proper stuff.  From Yorkshire.





Found it in a cupboard unopened and only 8 months past its use-by date.  Perfect with yellow sticker cod (two fillets). The fritters were also reduced price.  Last, but not least, the Hollandaise was "free with any purchase" from Rogers (Wolverhampton).  Got a box of 6 jars.  Seriously out of date.  Perfect!

Rob

Quote from: Peripatetic Phil on January 04, 2025, 02:06 PM

Quote from: Kashmiri Bob on January 04, 2025, 01:53 PM
Cooking wise. Any one have any?

To continue to ignore all advice as to what constitutes a healthy diet and to eat whatever I fancy, including (but not restricted to) —

• Frying eggs, batter puddings, etc. in beef dripping
• Eschewing air fryers and continuing to use my deep-fat fryer on a virtually daily basis
• Ensuring that the (salted) butter on crumpets and hot cross buns is at least 3/16" thick
• Adding salt to virtually everything (I have even been known to add salt to Cona coffee)
• Eschewing almost all vegetables apart from marrowfat peas and mushy peas (oh, and capsicum and onion)
• Taking two sugars and double cream in all of my daily coffees (typically three)
• Regarding a 400gm bar of Galaxy as the equivalent of my "daily five"

--
** Phil.

Hobbs and Son still do fish & chips cooked in beef dripping Phil.  The price is not traditional though, £9.75. Went there once.  Not a bad day out as I recall.  Think this is where you can also take a canal boat ride through a low, dark and very long tunnel.  Home made for me from now on.  Also, if I went back would probably feel like a bit of a museum piece myself.

https://bclm.com/visit/food-drink/

Rob

Cooking wise. Any one have any?

I'll cut down on carbs. So that's rice and chips gone. As a treat though plan to have a go at the Happy Chris naan. Small ones. With lots of garlic and butter.

Rob

Shan. Chicken thigh. Some interesting additions suggested for the supplied recipe. Curry leaf, cucumber and tamarind. I also added saffron.



Planned Masala fish (cod) as a starter. Changed my mind last minute and went with an English/European menu dish. Fish and potato fritters, with petits pois. Hollandaise.





Rob

Hi Robbo. Happy New Year! Yes, do like Rik's for madras, vinders, etc. Plan next time to bake/roast a few bulbs of garlic, at the same time. Thinking about some ultra MDB balti (garlic) dishes.

Rob