DS Forums

 
 

Indian cookery


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 20-10-2008, 09:59
Puterkid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,931

Does anyone cook their own Indian food. I want to start and wondered what essential ingredients I need to start from scratch (ie, not with curry powder!)

Also, living in rural england, there are no shops locally that supply ingredients for Indian cookery, so can anyone recommend a good site for ordering from the internet?

And finally, .... any good recipes gratefully received

Thanks in hope
Puterkid is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 20-10-2008, 10:11
DaisyBumbleroot
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Derby, UK
Posts: 23,456
i love indian food but my cooking doesnt compare... but if you buy Rajah tandoori paste, you mix it with yogurt and omg - tandoori heaven
DaisyBumbleroot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 10:38
grassmarket
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 23,326
Essential things are the whole spices - cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dried chilli, coriander sticks, whole cloves, whole nutmeg, turmeric powder, bay leaves, green and black cardamom pods. You need to keep a store of all these in your cupboard, and grind them up as and when you cook.

Also, always use fresh ginger and garlic, fresh mint and coriander leaves.
grassmarket is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 10:55
F'Nar F'Nar
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 206
Essential things are the whole spices - cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dried chilli, coriander sticks, whole cloves, whole nutmeg, turmeric powder, bay leaves, green and black cardamom pods. You need to keep a store of all these in your cupboard, and grind them up as and when you cook.
Also, always use fresh ginger and garlic, fresh mint and coriander leaves.
And before you grind them up, always heat them through in a dry frying pan - this brings out far more flavour.
F'Nar F'Nar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 11:12
Puterkid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,931
Thanks for this, any idea where I can order these from?
Puterkid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 11:17
DaisyBumbleroot
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Derby, UK
Posts: 23,456
Thanks for this, any idea where I can order these from?
are you really that far away from a supermarket? most supermarkets will sell the basic ingredients
DaisyBumbleroot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 11:35
kimindex
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cornwall (ex-London)
Posts: 65,312
I was going to order from here when I couldn't get paneer locally, but Sainsbury started to sell it again:

http://www.theasiancookshop.co.uk/in...eese-134-c.asp
kimindex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 11:47
indianwells
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,236
I was going to order from here when I couldn't get paneer locally, but Sainsbury started to sell it again:

http://www.theasiancookshop.co.uk/in...eese-134-c.asp
I've used them before, excellent curry sauces! Particularly good are the "Curry Kits". I've also used this place for spices and they are very good.
http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/
indianwells is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 12:11
kimindex
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cornwall (ex-London)
Posts: 65,312
That reminds me that I've used these:

http://www.seasonedpioneers.co.uk/

Great spice mixes (as well as single spices, sauces etc). I love the Zanzibar one.

Looked at Spices of India site. My mouth is watering! I must try some. The Bhaji Man stuff looks intriguing!
kimindex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 12:29
Puterkid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,931
are you really that far away from a supermarket? most supermarkets will sell the basic ingredients
I have a smallish tesco not too far, but it doesn't stock all these spices, no - otherwise I would get them from there!

Will try the online suggestions, thanks again
Puterkid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 13:08
DaisyBumbleroot
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Derby, UK
Posts: 23,456
I have a smallish tesco not too far, but it doesn't stock all these spices, no - otherwise I would get them from there!

Will try the online suggestions, thanks again
ah. id have thought theyd have stocked the basics like corriander, cumin, chilli, garlic, ginger, tumeric etc though? no worries - online it will have to be!
DaisyBumbleroot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20-10-2008, 13:30
whoever,hey
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 30,072
i'd drive then to get these ingredients. They really are basic. Oh and you need a pestle and mortar to grind them yourself after roasting. Taste so much better then.
whoever,hey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-10-2008, 22:05
sezegg
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hindley,Wigan
Posts: 793
I make curry's all the time and they are just like the takeaways.

This is the site that i use, you need to make the base first in a batch which you can freeze and then you make the curry from the base.

Curry recipes online
sezegg is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 22-10-2008, 21:10
elke21
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,329
This site is brilliant

http://www.mamtaskitchen.com/recipe_search.php
elke21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-10-2008, 04:53
Chessie
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 1,178
If you're on eBay, these are very good:-

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/SPICE-CAPIT...pices-Supplier

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/the-spice-merchant

They both sell kits too, consisting of the base sauce mix, then a number of separate mixes for other types of curry which you cook and then add to the base sauce. Excellent results too, recipes all included with the kits, so you can't go wrong.

I recently made a lovely authentic-tasting chicken madras, everyone who tried it said how good it was, and it was all thanks to those kits.
Chessie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23-10-2008, 17:52
whackyracer
Guest
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 13,792
Depends what style of Indian cooking as the regions vary greatly. For North Indian essentials are: Garam Masala, cumin, tumeric, chilli powder, fresh ginger, garlic, birds eye chillis and fresh corriander...and plenty of onions.
whackyracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2008, 10:21
woonie
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 431
I have used these to buy spices that I have been unable to buy locally.http://www.spiceworld.uk.com/ They do not charge exhorbitant rates for postage and were very quick on delivery. I have been trying the recipes from Anjum Anand books.Have been pleased with the ones made so far.
woonie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2008, 10:47
mogwai
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Coventry
Posts: 875
About 6 months ago I picked up Pat Chapman's Modern Balti Cookbook from my local Borders, unfortunately I never got round to trying any of the recipes out because it looked like a lot of preparation was required.

Due to illness I've been signed off work for 3 months, and one day thought that I'd make an effort to buy all the spices / ingredients try some of the recipes. I bought all my spices online at Spices Of India, and they were great - next day delivery too.

All of the preparation has been worth it. The book has a brilliant tandoori masala paste which is used in almost all of my currys now. And the book also has a recipe for a great base sauce which can be made in bulk and frozen. This sauce consists of spicy milk, onion, celeriac and mooli - and this makes all the difference. Last batch I made was enough for about a dozen curry's (each one is for 4 potions). Making a curry now takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish - and this is all due to the preparation.

Even my missus is starting to like spicier curry's - her favourite is now the same as mine - a good Patia - although she prefers it with prawns whereas I like it with chicken.
mogwai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2008, 11:07
It's only me...
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 235
You must make this, so little effort...so much taste!

Sweet and Sour Balti Chicken

3 Tbsp Tomato Paste
2 Tbsp Greek Style Yogurt
1 1/2 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Chilli Powder
1 tsp Garlic Pulp
2 Tbsp Mango Chutney
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Sugar

4 Tbsp Corn Oil
1 1/2 lb chicken, skinned, boned, and cubed
2/3 cup water
2 Fresh Green Chilis, chopped
2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Coriander
2 Tbsp Light Cream



In a medium bowl, blend together first 8 ingredients.

Heat oil in large skillet/wok/frying pan.

Lower heat slightly and pour in spice mixture.

Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the chicken and stir until it is well coated.

Add the water to thin the sauce. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes.

Add the chillies, coriander, and cream. Cook for 2 more minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Serve over rice, with nan bread.

Don't knock it, till you've tried it. Everyone I have gave this recipe to say, Ooh, no onions, nothing, this will be boring...they eat their words!

A little word of warning, I have made this to the letter hundreds of times, sometimes it is too HOT, even for me! So I would say, deseed the chillies or just add one to be safe. You will find your own knack with this.
It's only me... is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2008, 17:21
kimindex
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cornwall (ex-London)
Posts: 65,312
You must make this, so little effort...so much taste!

Sweet and Sour Balti Chicken

3 Tbsp Tomato Paste
2 Tbsp Greek Style Yogurt
1 1/2 tsp Garam Masala
1 tsp Chilli Powder
1 tsp Garlic Pulp
2 Tbsp Mango Chutney
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Sugar

4 Tbsp Corn Oil
1 1/2 lb chicken, skinned, boned, and cubed
2/3 cup water
2 Fresh Green Chilis, chopped
2 Tbsp Chopped Fresh Coriander
2 Tbsp Light Cream



In a medium bowl, blend together first 8 ingredients.

Heat oil in large skillet/wok/frying pan.

Lower heat slightly and pour in spice mixture.

Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the chicken and stir until it is well coated.

Add the water to thin the sauce. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes.

Add the chillies, coriander, and cream. Cook for 2 more minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Serve over rice, with nan bread.

Don't knock it, till you've tried it. Everyone I have gave this recipe to say, Ooh, no onions, nothing, this will be boring...they eat their words!

A little word of warning, I have made this to the letter hundreds of times, sometimes it is too HOT, even for me! So I would say, deseed the chillies or just add one to be safe. You will find your own knack with this.
Yes, I 'll give it a go sometime (with potatoes or quorn in my case or paneer)

Thanks!
kimindex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2008, 18:30
indianwells
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,236
I'm going to have a go at that as well, sounds good!
indianwells is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2008, 18:42
AWESOMESAUCE!
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 371
For the true Indian experience, wash your pots and pans in water full of lots of stomach bug causing germs. Then try to convince AWESOMESAUCE! that the chicken in his lamb curry really is lamb.

Finally, smile in the knowledge that AWESOMESAUCE! will not get the runs until he is on his flight home from your dirty country.

You do THAT, and you've got the true taste of India.
AWESOMESAUCE! is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2008, 18:47
indianwells
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,236
For the true Indian experience, wash your pots and pans in water full of lots of stomach bug causing germs. Then try to convince AWESOMESAUCE! that the chicken in his lamb curry really is lamb.

Finally, smile in the knowledge that AWESOMESAUCE! will not get the runs until he is on his flight home from your dirty country.

You do THAT, and you've got the true taste of India.
Not a fan of Indian cuisene then Awesome?
indianwells is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2008, 18:49
kimindex
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cornwall (ex-London)
Posts: 65,312
Having a takeaway biriani tomorrow. Can't wait!
kimindex is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24-10-2008, 18:53
AWESOMESAUCE!
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 371
Not a fan of Indian cuisene then Awesome?
I actually love a good curry. I can't say the food in India wasn't tasty, I just didn't like the side-effects. What I called "the runs" was nasty food poisoning that kept me more or less bog-ridden for a week, the stomach cramps were also rather uncomfy.

we have some really good curry houses around here, it's cheaper for me to use those rather than cook my own versions that will never be as good.
AWESOMESAUCE! is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 17:32.