Oh no!  I enter a thread titled "Copyright Issues, pirating" and get greeted with a discussion on Asian mates in Abu Dhabi and how much experience is needed to cook a curry!!!! 

Why can't people stick to the topic of the thread!  Why not start a new thread guys?  Maybe title it "how much experience is need to cook a decent curry"?  I dunno?

Why don't moderators encourage this?

Maybe people would then be able to better find what they are looking for it!? 

Sorry to harp on guys, but crikey!? : 

Quote from: George on October 26, 2006, 09:23 AM
Please don't put a general control on the ability to copy and paste.

I agree George...I also copy and paste...recipes....and sell them on e-bay...no I don't! 

Seriously though....I copy and paste recipes, to print them, to try them......so, as George says, please do not prevent people from copying and pasting!   

Quote from: George on October 22, 2006, 09:16 PM
Great: I hope nobody thinks all this talk about stock is a bit irrelevant!

That?s a very relevant question George! 

Is a discussion on how to make stock (or how to grind spices or to make demi glace, beurre manie?.or roux blanc, blond, or brun, for that matter) relevant to the topic of this thread (i.e. the longevity of the taste and smell of a BIR curry)?.....I don?t think so?   

Is it relevant to the main goals of this forum (i.e. to recreate British Indian Restaurant curries)?.......perhaps?

Is it relevant to cooking in general?......absolutely?

Is it interesting?....undoubtedly, to some/many people?

So?it?s interesting, but largely irrelevant, particularly to the topic of this thread, wouldn?t you say? 

Perhaps it would be better to keep threads focused on their topic and to start a new thread for additional information?  It should be easier for people to subsequently find the information that way?

Personally, I find it very frustrating when threads digress significantly from their original topic (and, yes, I know this is also one of those significant digressions!  ).  That's not to say that the digressions aren't interesting, just probably better off being posted elsewhere. 

Just my opinion, of course?

....noooooooooooowww a group hug??....anybody??  ;D

Quote from: Chilli Prawn on October 20, 2006, 05:52 PM
OK guys, rant over, and thanks for the apology WoksUp.  Toys are back in the pram.
CP  ;D

There you go CP!  As I suspected, everybody loves you! 

...but, just to clarify, I didn't actually apologise...you see...it wasn't me that threw my toys out of the pram!....but I do forgive you! 

"Enough of this Zwilling J A Henkels at thirty paces!" I say (though, personally, I prefer my rusty old swiss army knife! )

So please continue with your interesting and informative posts!

Group hug anybody?   :

Quote from: laynebritton on October 20, 2006, 06:04 PM
...it appears there aren't many things in this thread You do agree with...SO Your Wrong on that Count....But there's No way on this earth will You or anyone else for that matter convince me that ready ground Garam Massala is better than freshly ground stuff....I'm sorry to say Woks Up but I think you'll be chasing that dream of finding that Golden for a long time with your Ideas.

.....Oh dear, oh dear, Layne!!   

It seems that a number of us can't accept other's differing opinions without getting upset, defensive and personal about it!!! 

....How unfortunate is that!!!  :

....actually, I appear to have agreed with several things! 

....and I certainly never suggested that your Bangladeshi friend uses commercial garlic and ginger pastes!.....did I??   :

"you WILL conform Woks Up!"     ;D

Quote from: Chilli Prawn on October 20, 2006, 05:44 PM
......this is about ideas and opinions.....I suspect it is your use  of words and phraseology that gets my back up, sorry but words like illogical and irrelevant or totally disagree, are not suitable for me.....

.....Oh dear oh dear!!!   

....and...errr...I don't recall using the word "irrelevant"...did I?  No matter!  It's probably irrelevant anyway! 

Awww.....don't get all upset and defensive CP!  

I was simply using an extreme example to illustrate my point and counteract an argument that has been frequently expressed here (not necessarily by you)! 

I'm sure you can understand and accept that?

I'm also sure that your inputs and comments are highly valued by all members here 

Kind regards, 

Quote from: Chilli Prawn on October 19, 2006, 05:29 PM
I agree ashes.  I still can't quite get that taste, aroma yes, but that finished BIR taste no.  But, I still think there isn't a 'secret' ingredient; just technique, the right equipment, and perhaps the base.  But on the latter, BIRs use lots of different base recipes and still achieve what we all seek. 

....but...CP!!!  You claim to be "in the business"!  Try using sawdust with the "right technique" (including the right equipment) and see how far that gets you!!  :

...clearly, getting the taste...and smell....and appearance (for that matter) is all about the correct combination of ingredients AND technique (including, therefore, equipment)!  To suggest otherwise is clearly illogical!.....IMHO of course! 

Quote from: laynebritton on October 19, 2006, 05:38 PM
1. Buy Small Bags of Spices Often (100g)

Ahhh...Layne...it cleary depends on how quickly you use them!  Granted, the tunrover of BIRs is probably fast.....and their spices are probably also reasonalbly fresh.  But, stored corrrectly (i.e. in airtight containers, out of the damp, out of sunlight), they will last for several months (powders) and longer (whole spices)

2. Always Dry Roast and Grind Your Own Garam Massala.

I disagree!  Do BIRs actually use garam masala???  If they do, do they make it themselves? I seriously doubt it! 

3. Always Use Fresh Ingredients.

Sorry Layne, no way!  BIRs will not use ONLY fresh ingredients!  I am sure they will use commercially prepared ingredients......such as commercial garlic and ginger purees and commercial curry powers and pastes, etc, etc!