2012 Cooking Club Week 2b: Indian Resturant curries

Curry Addict · 09-06-2012 3:43pm

the vindaloo pix

Mrs Fox · 09-06-2012 7:48pm

Oh my word:eek: YUM! Despite the ashtray beside it

Babooshka · 11-06-2012 10:28am

Curry Addict - I made your Chicken Tikka Masala recipe on Saturday and it was delicious - thanks for all the tips and answering all my questions in the spices thread! Very nice and the best curry to please everyone, as it's so creamy and not too hot. People had seconds!!

Have you ever heard of Chicken Tikka Mirchi? It is a dish that Bombay pantry do, and it's delicious, but I can't find any recipes on google.
It's a spicier version of the dish and it's got some very pungent sort of smoky flavour and I don't know what it would be. Have you ever had it /would you have a recipe for it? Prob not as it looks like it's one they made up themselves, they do say it has methi and lemon in it on the menu but there's something else there I am not getting! Do any curry recipes use smoked paprika? I was hazarding a guess that may be what flavours it but I've never used it so I was only guessing!

Curry Addict · 11-06-2012 10:43am

glad you enjoyed

ive never had bombay pantrys Chicken Tikka Mirchi. i have had their standard curry and its very close to my madras so they do use a similar curry base. two things that give a smoky flavor are fenugreek/methi leaves and also dried red chilies fried in oil at the start of your curry. maybe ill order a Chicken Tikka Mirchi soon and see for myself :pac:

Babooshka · 11-06-2012 10:47am

Curry Addict wrote: »

glad you enjoyed

ive never had bombay pantrys Chicken Tikka Mirchi. i have had their standard curry and its very close to my madras so they do use a similar curry base. two things that give a smoky flavor are fenugreek/methi leaves and also dried red chilies fried in oil at the start of your curry. maybe ill order a Chicken Tikka Mirchi soon and see for myself :pac:

Highly recommend it! Maybe they do the chilli thing then, as I did use plenty of methi leaves in my tikka masala sauce but it's not the same level of smokiness as the mirchi.... It has peppers in it, it's a smokier spicier tikka masaala mainly!

Curry Addict · 11-06-2012 4:40pm

Babooshka wrote: »

Highly recommend it! Maybe they do the chilli thing then, as I did use plenty of methi leaves in my tikka masala sauce but it's not the same level of smokiness as the mirchi.... It has peppers in it, it's a smokier spicier tikka masaala mainly!

i noticed they use roughly ground, dried red chillies, in there standard curry. id guess they start their tikka mirchi with 2 of these per portion. roasted peppers also would add some smokiness.

MagicMarker · 12-06-2012 7:07pm

With such expert knowledge of Indian Currys, you must have a naan recipe hidden up your sleeve somewhere..... ?

Curry Addict · 13-06-2012 9:05am

MagicMarker wrote: »

With such expert knowledge of Indian Currys, you must have a naan recipe hidden up your sleeve somewhere..... ?

naan dough
1/4pint milk
1 egg
1.5 tablespoons sugar
1/4teaspoon baking powder
500g self raising flour

make a dough and leave to rest for 1 hour
pre-heat oven for 30mins on highest heat with oiled baking tray inside.
roll out your nan, place it on the baking tray and bake for 3-4 mins.

Gauge · 13-06-2012 10:53am

All of these look amazing. I was wondering if you happen to have any vegetarian curry recipes (paneer, chickpea, spinach, cauliflower, potato- anything will do!) It would be MUCH appreciated

Curry Addict · 13-06-2012 12:36pm

we regularly make toor dhal accompanied with either cauliflower curry or saag aloo for a tasty balanced meal

Toor Dhal

Ingredients:

250 gr. toor dhal
1,5 liter water
1 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tsp. chili powder
salt

80 gr. ghee
2 tsp. cumin seed
3 dried red chilies
16 gr. garlic puree
1 onion chopped
2 tomatoes chopped
1 tsp. coriander powder
2 tbsp. fresh coriander chopped
cream

start by washing the toor dhal thoroughly in water. Soak the toor dhal for at least 30 minutes.
Whilst the Dhal is soaking prepare the rest of the ingredients.

After soaking: boil the toor dahl in 1,5 liter of water with a pinch of salt, the turmeric & chili powder for 20 to 30 minutes on medium heat( until the lentils are soft ).

In the meanwhile heat ghee in a big pot, add the onion, fry until golden brown.
When the onion starts to brown add the garlic & red chillies and a pinch of salt, sauté for 2 – 3 minutes. Now add the tomatoes and mash with a potato masher. Add the cumin seed & coriander powder before the heat rises in the pan and stir into the mixture. Cook until the oils rise to the top, keep your pan well hydrated with water when required.

Add the cooked lentils , mix together, stir the coriander in.
Spoon into bowls and stir in around 2 tbsp. of cream on top.

Coastal Cauliflower Curry

2 tbsp. Sunflower oil
10 peppercorns
5 cloves
1 tbsp. Coriander seeds
1 medium onion chopped finely
150 gr. Desiccated coconut
1 medium sized cauliflower cut into even sized florets
1 tsp. Turmeric powder
½ tsp. Chilli powder
2 medium tomatoes , chopped finely
Pinch of salt

Heat half the oil in a heavy bottomed or non-stick pan and fry the peppercorns, cloves and coriander seeds until they start to swell and crackle.
Add the onion, fry for about 1-2 minutes on high heat.
Turn the heat to medium, fry the onion until soft and well browned, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the coconut and continue to brown for 1-2 minutes.
Take off the heat, cool slightly and blitz to a paste with a little water, in a blender. Reserve.
Heat the remaining oil and stir fry the cauliflower for a couple of minutes. Add the spice powders, tomatoes and salt and cook for a further 5 minutes.
Add the reserved coconut paste, pour in 150 ml. Hot water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the cauliflower is cooked but firm, for about 10-15 minutes.

Saag aloo

450 gr. Fresh spinach leaves , washed and drained
3 tbsp. Sunflower oil
½ tsp. Cumin seeds
2 medium onions chopped finely
1 tsp. Ginger garlic paste
1 medium tomato chopped finely
½ tsp. Chilli powder
½ tsp. Garam masala
Pinch of salt
2 medium potatoes cubed in even sizes
2 tbsp. Cream
Slivers of ginger (optional)

Put the spinach with some water in a heavy pan and cook uncovered on hight heat until wilted.
Cool slightly and grind along with enough of the cookingwater to a thick puree in a blender. Reserve
Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed or non-stick pan and fry the cumin seeds until they crackle. Add the onions and fry until soft.
Stir in the garlic ginger and tomato and cook on low heat until mushy for 5 minutes
Add the spice powders salt and potatoes. Add a little water and cook until the potatoes are done. Add the pureed spinach, heat trough and take off the heat.
Serve hot. Swirled with the cream and the slivers of ginger sprinkeled on the top.

Gauge · 14-06-2012 9:16am

Thank you! Those recipes look delicious. I know what I'm doing this weekend!

frag420 · 14-06-2012 9:19am

Hey Curry Addict,

Heads up.......................Tom Dunne is looking for entries for the best home made curry on his show. You should check it out.

http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/competitions/the-tom-dunne-curry-cook-off/

frAg

Curry Addict · 14-06-2012 11:05am

frag420 wrote: »

Hey Curry Addict,

Heads up.......................Tom Dunne is looking for entries for the best home made curry on his show. You should check it out.

http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/competitions/the-tom-dunne-curry-cook-off/

frAg

thanks for the tip!

Curry Addict · 14-06-2012 11:11am

Gauge wrote: »

Thank you! Those recipes look delicious. I know what I'm doing this weekend!

if your making the toor dhal, try cooking the lentils until they melt as this is when they are at their creamy best imho(different people like them at different stages of cooking). note, not all lentils melt so make sure to use toor dhal lentils

nicol · 17-06-2012 10:45pm

Made the Vindaloo last night. Didn't have the fenugreek leaves and I eased off on the chilli powder a bit as I didn't want the full heat but I have to say it was fantastic!! Big thanks to Curry Addict.

Curry Addict wrote: »

my personal favorite

Vindaloo
1 chef spoon of vegetable oil

2 dried red chillies
1tbs ginger and garlic paste
2.5 tbs tomato puree
1 tbs curry masala
1 tsp methi/fenugreek leaves
1 tbs chilli powder
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp ground cardamom
1 portion precooked chicken
2-3 ladles of curry base
1 tbs white wine vinager
2/3 tsp salt
1 tbs coriander leaf
1tsp ginger and garlic paste
Pinch of garam masala

Heat the oil and add the chillies and the tbs of ginger/garlic paste, saute for about 30secs. Add the tomato puree and stir in, saute for 20 secs then add the dry spices. saute for 20secs then add the curry base and all the remaining ingredients up to the salt. Cook this for about 5mins then add the coriander leaf, ginger/garlic and garam masala and serve.
follow the amounts exactly for perfect balance. enjoy!

okedoke · 24-06-2012 11:40pm

I made a big batch of the base gravy last week and made a madras, korma and rogan josh this week. All excellent.

I eased off on the salt a little on the Rogan Josh and it definatly suffered, the flavour was missing a bit of definition that the salt would have given it.

I cooked lamb shoulder for 5 hours in the slow cooker and it was melt in mouth tender.

cheers curry addict - I'll be filling the freezer with another batch of gravy this week.

Curry Addict · 25-06-2012 2:29am

okedoke wrote: »

I made a big batch of the base gravy last week and made a madras, korma and rogan josh this week. All excellent.

I eased off on the salt a little on the Rogan Josh and it definatly suffered, the flavour was missing a bit of definition that the salt would have given it.

I cooked lamb shoulder for 5 hours in the slow cooker and it was melt in mouth tender.

cheers curry addict - I'll be filling the freezer with another batch of gravy this week.

glad they worked out well and you enjoyed

curry is quite salt sensitive as you found out, too little and you just dont get umph in the flavor!

okedoke · 25-06-2012 1:43pm

Curry Addict wrote: »

glad they worked out well and you enjoyed

curry is quite salt sensitive as you found out, too little and you just dont get umph in the flavor!

yep - first taste and I knew it was a bit short on salt, still delicious

huskerdu · 05-07-2012 6:59pm

My first attempt this evening at a rogan josh and a korma.

I left out the fenugreek leaves as i didn't have any.

Both dishes impressed the whole family.

Thanks again.

Gbear · 09-07-2012 10:17pm

I've been using the basic premise of your compartmentalised style of cooking curries but also applying it to recipes from cookbooks and doing a fair bit of makey-uppy curries aswell and by and large its been a delicious success so a huge fan of this thread.

I'm cooking a Korma for my uncle (who's a chef and owns a restaurant so I want to impress) tomorrow.

I've one question.
It's time for me to make more curry massala again but I was wondering:

Curry Addict wrote: »

Curry Masala
This is the generic Indian curry powder used in Indian restaurants.
2tbs ground coriander
2tbs ground cumin
2tbs paprika
3tbs ground turmeric
1tbs garam masala
2tbs curry powder

What's "curry powder"? Last time I just bunged in the other ingredients into a jar with "curry powder" sellotaped to it that my brother presumably made and it smelled and seemed to taste approximately correct. Don't actually know what was in it.

Curry Addict · 10-07-2012 10:27am

"curry powder" means any shop bought commercial curry powder. its function is only to add subtleties to the "curry masala".

i also do a lot of experimentation, it really helps improve your cooking and understanding how to balance spices with ingredients. At the moment i like to make regional spice mixes coupled with regional ingredients using the same techniques and try to balance them to make great curries. for example a vindaloo using goan spices and going heavy on the garlic,chilli and vinegar. or a south indian curry with south indian spices, coconut milk, curry leaves, mustard seeds etc. the scope is endless and the reward is memorable ;O)

Mrs Fox · 10-07-2012 11:02am

I've been meaning to make your curry for weeks now but kept stalling for some reason. The meat I've bought either turned into stew or stew

I'm determined to make it Friday week, and I will not let anything get in the way. So any chance of throwing in that Lamb Bhuna recipe before then?

Curry Addict · 10-07-2012 1:24pm

Mrs Fox wrote: »

I've been meaning to make your curry for weeks now but kept stalling for some reason. The meat I've bought either turned into stew or stew
I'm determined to make it Friday week, and I will not let anything get in the way. So any chance of throwing in that Lamb Bhuna recipe before then?

Lamb bhuna

1 chef spoon of veg oil
1 chopped onion
1 quater of a green bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp garlic and Ginger paste
2/3 tsp salt
1tsp methi leaves/fenugreek leaves
1 tablespoon of curry masala powder
A Pinch of chilli powder
1.5 tbs of tomato purée
half a chopped tomato
1 portion of precooked Lamb/chicken
2.5 ladels of curry base gravy

To cook, simply add all ingredients to the pan, mix it well and cook for 5mins on high heat then garnish with coriander.

enjoy :pac:

Mrs Fox · 10-07-2012 1:53pm

Thanks CA!
One last question -- your recipe calls for one portion of chicken/lamb. So do I have to quadruple every other ingredients if I'm cooking for four? Including oil, salt?

Curry Addict · 10-07-2012 2:05pm

Mrs Fox wrote: »

Thanks CA!
One last question -- your recipe calls for one portion of chicken/lamb. So do I have to quadruple every other ingredients if I'm cooking for four? Including oil, salt?

no, its essential to cook each portion of curry individually which will serve just 1 person. the cooking method does not work when scaled up.

so in your case use 4 different pans at same time or 2 pans twice or 1 pan 4 times

Mrs Fox · 10-07-2012 6:27pm

Curry Addict wrote: »

no, its essential to cook each portion of curry individually which will serve just 1 person. the cooking method does not work when scaled up.

so in your case use 4 different pans at same time or 2 pans twice or 1 pan 4 times

Aaaaah I get you now. Great, this means I can try 2-3 different curries at once as the base is the same.
Thanks again, CA

Curry Addict · 10-07-2012 6:48pm

Mrs Fox wrote: »

Aaaaah I get you now. Great, this means I can try 2-3 different curries at once as the base is the same.
Thanks again, CA

good plan

Gbear · 14-07-2012 8:55pm

I just had a bash off the rogan josh, the madras and the vindaloo.

A giant salty disaster.

2/3 tsp of salt per curry strikes me as insane.
I might put that amount in if I was cooking a curry for maybe 5 or 6 people normally.

Also, having a root around, there's salt in the tomato paste aswell and I had to use ghee because there wastn't any other oil and it's quite possible that had salt aswell.

Even so, I was bitterly disappointed. It was alot more difficult than I thought it was going to be and the result was really terrible. All the more annoying because every now and again I'd get a little hint of restaurant-curry goodness in the backround.

The pilau rice worked out quite nice though...:)

Next time, I might try putting maybe 1/2 or 1/4 tsp salt in, tasting it, and then see if any more is required.

Curry Addict · 14-07-2012 9:29pm

Gbear wrote: »

I just had a bash off the rogan josh, the madras and the vindaloo.

A giant salty disaster.

2/3 tsp of salt per curry strikes me as insane.
I might put that amount in if I was cooking a curry for maybe 5 or 6 people normally.

Also, having a root around, there's salt in the tomato paste aswell and I had to use ghee because there wastn't any other oil and it's quite possible that had salt aswell.

Even so, I was bitterly disappointed. It was alot more difficult than I thought it was going to be and the result was really terrible. All the more annoying because every now and again I'd get a little hint of restaurant-curry goodness in the backround.

The pilau rice worked out quite nice though...:)

Next time, I might try putting maybe 1/2 or 1/4 tsp salt in, tasting it, and then see if any more is required.

thats annoying, too much salt is horrible. 2/3tsp should be perfect as ive used this amount 100s of times as it is critical to the flavor. 2/3tsp = 2g or 0.4%, looking at stuff in my fridge 0.4% salt content is not excessive. i wonder where the extra came from? im guessing something in the curry base as it was in all your curries.

radia · 14-07-2012 9:47pm

Is it possible 2/3 tsp was misread as "two or three teaspoonfuls" rather than "two thirds of a teaspoonful"?

Gbear · 14-07-2012 9:52pm

Curry Addict wrote: »

thats annoying, too much salt is horrible. 2/3tsp should be perfect as ive used this amount 100s of times as it is critical to the flavor. 2/3tsp = 2g or 0.4%, looking at stuff in my fridge 0.4% salt content is not excessive. i wonder where the extra came from? im guessing something in the curry base as it was in all your curries.

I used your curry base recipe.
I also used your curry massala recipe.
Maybe the curry powder I added had alot of salt in it?

I was a bit cavalier with the tomato paste - it was a 150g tin which I think is 10 tbps isn't it?

Between the 3 curries I should've used 5.5 tbsps.

I wasn't using a proper tbsp measurement because i didn't want to get tomato paste on it (using it for spices) so I just used an ordinary kitchen one and used maybe 8 tbsp between the 3 curries.
On the ingredients on the tin it said 1% salt so that's roughly an extra 0.25g salt in the vindaloo and madras and maybe an extra 0.5g in the rogan josh.

Is ghee made from salted butter? Because I substituded it for the cooking oil (didn't have enough) and that would've presumably effected it too.

Gbear · 14-07-2012 9:55pm

radia wrote: »

Is it possible 2/3 tsp was misread as "two or three teaspoonfuls" rather than "two thirds of a teaspoonful"?

Sure i'd be dead then. :pac:

That'd be about 3 times your daily intake of salt.

Edit: hang on.

I thought you typed 2/3 tbsp.

Yeah. Is it 2/3 as in 0.666 tsp or 2 to 3 teaspoons?

Because I though, 3 is taking the mick so I put in a bit less than 2.

Looking at the recipe:

2/3tsp salt
½ a tomato

Different notation. Not my fault after all. :cool:

Curry Addict · 15-07-2012 10:33am

Gbear wrote: »

Sure i'd be dead then. :pac:

That'd be about 3 times your daily intake of salt.

Edit: hang on.

I thought you typed 2/3 tbsp.

Yeah. Is it 2/3 as in 0.666 tsp or 2 to 3 teaspoons?

Because I though, 3 is taking the mick so I put in a bit less than 2.

Looking at the recipe:

Different notation. Not my fault after all. :cool:

so you were putting in 2 tsp and interpeting 2/3 tsp as 2 or 3 tsp instead of 0.66 tsp. thats understandable tbh, i better try edit the recipes. Maybe you have some curry base left and can go again!
i cant edit the recipes unfortunately, maybe a moderator can....

note, if you put in extra tomato puree it will make your curry sweeter and less spicey and change the balance of flavors.

Faith · 15-07-2012 12:03pm

I edited the OP.

Curry Addict · 15-07-2012 12:52pm

Faith wrote: »

I edited the OP.

perfect, thanks!

Gbear · 16-07-2012 8:32pm

Tucking into Rogan Josh take 2.

Curry Addict, you've done it again.:D

yum

Curry Addict · 17-07-2012 9:38am

Gbear wrote: »

Tucking into Rogan Josh take 2.

Curry Addict, you've done it again.:D

yum

glad it worked out for you in the end :pac:

nice1franko · 18-07-2012 12:30pm

I put all the recipes in this thread so far -plus the malaysian curry recipe from Curry Addict's other legendary cooking club submission- into a little doc to print off.. I needed it as a shopping list as well. Anyway, in case anyone else finds it useful: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/417235/2012%20Cooking%20Club%20Week%202b-%20Indian%20Resturant%20curries.rtf

_feedback_ · 13-08-2012 8:42am

Curry Addict, thanks very much for this.

It is a bit time consuming as you say, but enjoyable to see it all coming together.

Had the chicken rogan josh last night. Tasty stuff!

Rewind · 15-08-2012 3:01pm

Thanks for the all the info Curry Addict, it has clarified a lot of things for me.

angeldaisy · 26-08-2012 11:42am

Hi curry addict just finished the base now smells fab so hopefully we'll be having curry tonight?
2 questions, I'm struggling to find fenugreek leaves are they crucial?
Also if I want to cater for a large group can I make each batch separately and then keep it warm in a slow cooker. I've 10 coming to dinner shortly and was hoping to impress with my curry skills:))

Curry Addict · 26-08-2012 6:05pm

angeldaisy wrote: »

Hi curry addict just finished the base now smells fab so hopefully we'll be having curry tonight?
2 questions, I'm struggling to find fenugreek leaves are they crucial?
Also if I want to cater for a large group can I make each batch separately and then keep it warm in a slow cooker. I've 10 coming to dinner shortly and was hoping to impress with my curry skills:))

i guess its too late now

i usually just put each curry portion in a bowl and then microwave to reheat later and give it a good stir!

fenugreek leaves do add to flavor but even more so to that magic curry aroma. it will still taste great without them but they are worth getting!

hope it all worked out well for you

angeldaisy · 26-08-2012 6:46pm

?
i guess its too late now

i usually just put each curry portion in a bowl and then microwave to reheat later and give it a good stir!

fenugreek leaves do add to flavor but even more so to that magic curry aroma. it will still taste great without them but they are worth getting!

hope it all worked out well for you

[/Quote]

Wow! I ended up making the Rogan josh it was amazing well worth the effort even our 7 yr old cleared his plate - always a good sign:)

Thank you so much I always wanted to try a curry from scratch - now I know how!

eskimocat · 28-08-2012 4:20pm

Well I am all set for 'family feast' night tonight.... have the curry base made, chicken cooked to directions and some more prep work done and am looking forward to wowing my friends with your recipies!

I had been looking for a curried potato recipe but do you think i could use the Saag Aloo one and just leave out the spinch... so it would be more 'Aloo!' Have the potatos par boiled.

You are wonderful, Curry Addict for sharing your recipes

. Thanks to your advice I now also own a blender which is making short work of all my chopping etc! Phew!

Wish me luck.............

Curry Addict · 28-08-2012 4:57pm

eskimocat wrote: »

Well I am all set for 'family feast' night tonight.... have the curry base made, chicken cooked to directions and some more prep work done and am looking forward to wowing my friends with your recipies!

I had been looking for a curried potato recipe but do you think i could use the Saag Aloo one and just leave out the spinch... so it would be more 'Aloo!' Have the potatos par boiled.

You are wonderful, Curry Addict for sharing your recipes . Thanks to your advice I now also own a blender which is making short work of all my chopping etc! Phew!

Wish me luck.............

for a potato curry i really like this as its nice and light with a bite!

1tsp ginger/garlic paste
1 finely chopped onion
1tsp tomato puree
1tbs curry masala
1tbs standard curry powder
2 ladles of curry base
precooked potato
salt to taste

good luck with your curries tonight!

eskimocat · 28-08-2012 5:17pm

Cheers!!! That is great!

I'll let you know how it goes, I am confident in your recipes more than my cooking but I am sure it will be fine!

eskimocat · 29-08-2012 11:37am

Success!!! Everyone was raving about the curry last night! They cleared the lot! And the curried potatoes were gorgeous, best I have ever tasted!
Yum yum!

Thank again CurryAddict..... you are a genius!

Curry Addict · 29-08-2012 1:12pm

glad it worked out for you! it can be a bit scary 1st time

digitaldr · 02-09-2012 8:47pm

My missus would have a heart attack if she knew about the 200 mls of oil! Should I just not tell her or could I just substitute something else?

angeldaisy · 02-09-2012 8:54pm

digitaldr wrote: »

My missus would have a heart attack if she knew about the 200 mls of oil! Should I just not tell her or could I just substitute something else?

I was looking at this this afternoon as I made up another batch of the gravy. I worked out that the oil is approx 1800 kcals for 200ml, however I reckon that this would make about 5 / 6 individual portions of the gravy - could stand to be corrected on that:D
But this would mean approx 300 kcals each portion for the gravy - course you have the meat and then depending on what you made ....... Its not an every day meal - but well worth the extra cals and I'm sure its far less than a takeaway and you know what went into it:D

2012 Cooking Club Week 2b: Indian Resturant curries

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