The Curry Club
since 1982

CURRY CLUB NEWS

We have closed our online shop, but are continuing with telephone orders, (we take credit/debit cards). Please ring us on 01428 658327 (or you can send a cheque to The Curry Club, 50, West Street, Haslemere. GU27 2AP) and we promise rapid delivery.

PUBLICATIONS

2013 COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE - Please ring 01428 658327 to order your copy and pay by debit / credit card (or by cheque to The Curry Club, 50, West Street, Haslemere. GU27 2AP) and we will dispatch it the same day.  If you would like it author-signed, just ask.

RESTAURANT REVIEW - Wednesday 8th May, 2013

IMLI STREET 167-168, Wardour Street, Soho, London. W1F 8WR. 020 7287 4243.

 

Pat Chapman - Head Chef Dayashankar Sharma - General Manager Abhishake Sangwan

PRESS RELEASE

BARBARELLA Chelsea Institution Announces New Menu and Head Chef - Barbarella, one of London's most popular restaurants, and a Chelsea favourite for over 40 years, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Head Chef and an exciting new Italian-inspired dining menu from Tuesday 23rd April 2013.

 

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Wednesday 10th April, 2013

MANGO LOUNGE RESTAURANT 9, Datchet Road, Windsor, Berkshire. SL4 1QB. 01753 855 576.

'AWARDED - Best in Home Counties'

RESTAURANT REVIEW - Wednesday 14th March, 2013

DALCHA RESTAURANT 636, Fulham Road, London. SW6 5RT. 020 7731 6066.

 

'Inspiring Hyderabadi cuisine'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER

SESAME INDIAN AND THAI RESTAURANT 216, Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey. KT3 3RJ. 020 8949 2211.

'AWARDED - Best in Outer London'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Tuesday 29th January, 2013

THE AMBRETTE RESTAURANT 44, King Street, Margate, Kent. CT9 1QE. 01843 231504.

'AWARDED - Best in South East'

INDUSTRY AWARDS - Sunday 27th January, 2013

ASIAN CATERING FEDERATION New Year Celebration 2013 - Hilton London Paddington Hotel, 146, Praed Street, Paddington, London. W2 1EE.

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Monday 14th January, 2013

INDIAN DINING RESTAURANT 6, The Green, Warlingham, Surrey. CR6 9NA. 01883 625905.

   

'AWARDED - TOP 100'

PAT CHAPMAN COOKERY COURSE

Karen helps Kevin celebrate his birthday by cooking Tikka Masala Sauce in our Haslemere Kitchen.

    

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Thursday 20th December, 2012

RAJPOOT RESTAURANT 5a-6, Gabriel Street, St Ives, Cornwall. TR26 2LU. 01736 795307.

'AWARDED - Best in Cornwall'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Tuesday 11th December, 2013

THE MINT ROOM RESTAURANT Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road, Bath. BA2 3EB. 01225 446 656.

'AWARDED - Best in the West'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER

CALCUTTA BRASSERIE RESTAURANT 7, St Paul's Court, High Street, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. MK11 1HA. 01908 566577.

'AWARDED - Best in Home Counties'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Tuesday 4th December, 2012

CURRY FEVER RESTAURANT 139, Belgrave Road, Leicester, Leicestershire.  LE4 6AS. 0116 266 2941.

'AWARDED - Best in Central England'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Monday 3rd December, 2012

BENGAL DYNASTY RESTAURANT 106, Chester Road, East, Shotton, Deeside. CH5 1QD. 01244 830455.

'AWARDED - Best in North Wales'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Monday 3rd December, 2012

GULSHAN RESTAURANT 544-548, Aigburgh Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L19 3QG. 0151 427 2273.

'AWARDED - Best in Merseyside'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Monday 3rd December, 2012

INDIAN OCEAN RESTAURANT Stamford Street East, Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire. OL6 6QH. 0161 343 3343.

'AWARDED - Best in the North'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER

ASHOKA RESTAURANT 307, Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. S11 8NX. 0114 268 3029.

'AWARDED - Best in Yorkshire'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER

NEW BALAKA RESTAURANT 3, Alexandra Place, St Andrews. KY16 9XD. 01334 474 825.

'AWARDED - Best in North Scotland'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER

BRITANNIA SPICE RESTAURANT 150, Commercial Street, Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, Lothian. EH6 6LE. 0131 555 2255.

'AWARDED - Outstanding Restaurant'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER

VERANDAH RESTAURANT 17, Dalry Road, Edinburgh, Lothian. EH11 2BQ. 0131 337 5828.

'AWARDED - Best in Scotland'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER

MYA RESTAURANT 92, Commercial Street, Leith, Edinburgh, Lothian. EH6 6JA. 0131 554 4000.

'AWARDED - Best in East Scotland'

COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE AWARD WINNER - Tuesday 27th November, 2012

AKBAR'S THE RESTAURANT 573-581, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. G3 7PQ. 0141 222 2258.

'BEST IN UK GROUP AWARD'

INDUSTRY AWARDS

BRITISH CURRY AWARDS 2012 Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London. SW11.

    

'Ludo Miah from the Madhuban, 94, Station Road, Liss, Hampshire. GU33 7AQ with Pat Chapman and Andy Vama from Vama, 428, Kings Road, London. SW10.'

The Federation of Bangladeshi Caterers (UK)

Grosvenor House Hotel, 86-90, Park Lane, London. W1K 7TN

Sunday 25th November, 2012

   

Pat Chapman announces the 'Best Restaurant Award - London and Home Counties,' at FoBC's The Asian Curry Awards 2012. Pat Chapman congratulates Ashwani Kumar, Executive Chef at The Mango Lounge, Windsor, Berkshire. read more

 

Painted Heron

112, Cheyne Walk, London. SW10 0DJ

020 7351 5232

 

Chef Patron Yogesh Datta, was waiting for us just inside the entrance of his multi award winning Chelsea restaurant - The Painted Heron. It was a wintery October evening and raining! He cheerfully welcomed us, (we hadn't seen each other... read more

 

Celebrate Halloween

31st October, 2012

         

All Hallows Eve or Halloween, will soon be here. So after 'trick and treating' come home to these 'spooktacular' festive recipes - 'Spooky' Looki (pumpkin) Kalia and 'Severed' Bindi - Crispy Okra (ladies fingers) - recipes from India: Food and Cooking

 

St Stephen's Church, Shottermill

Raising Funds for St Stephen's Church, Chennai

Saturday 29th September, 2012

 

On Saturday 29th September, St Stephens Church of Shottermill, Church Road, Haslemere - opened its doors to raise much needed funds for St Stephens Church of Chennai. Volunteers decorated the church beautifully with bright 'sari' colours and twinkling 'Diwali' fairy lights. One hundred and twenty diners enjoyed an Indian feast cooked by Pat and Dominique, bid at the auction and there was entertainment too!

 

Namaaste Kitchen

64, Parkway, Camden and Primrose Hill, London. NW1 7AH

020 7485 5977

Tuesday 14th August, 2012

 

Billed as a, 'Modern Indian Grill and Bar,' but infact, so much more than that. Namaaste Kitchen is a contemporary Indian restaurant, serving authentic regional Indian food from the sub-continent.  It is an excitingly vibrant... read more

 

Ristorante Pizza!

 

Dr Oetker Ristorante gives the ultimate Pizzeria taste 'click the pic'

 

Haslemere Beer Festival 2012

7th and 8th September, 2012

Buy your tickets at www.haslemerehall.co.uk

 

Manuka Honey and Root Ginger

 

Manuka Honey Products direct from the beehives of New Zealand 'click the pic'

 

Bombay Bay

Indian Bar and Restaurant

Southsea Marina, Fort Cumberland Road, Southsea, Hampshire. PO4 9RJ

023 9281 6066

Sunday 29th July, 2012

Bombay Bay is uniquely situated within the glamorous location of Southsea Marina. It occupies the former Club House which is accessed by a covered staircase, and serves Bangladeshi curry house food, superior in quality and... read more

 

Hason Raja

84, Southampton Row, Holborn, London. WC1B 4BB

020 7242 3377

Tuesday 17th July, 2012

 

The Hason Raja Restaurant stands out on Southampton Row, despite its comparatively small plate glass window frontage. A comfortable waiting area greets you with a substantial purple and cream striped sofa, with matching arm chairs and a wonderfully grand... read more

 

Bangalore Express

103-105, Waterloo Road, London. SE1 8UL

020 7021 0886

Monday 16th July, 2012

 

There are several striking things about the Bangalore Express - apart from, obviously, the very talented Chef Patron - Yogesh Datta from, 'Painted Heron,' fame. One is the restaurant's menu which is a printed paper table mat. Another, is the unusual elevated read more

 

Taste of Mogul

45-47, York Street, Twickenham, Middlesex. TW1 3LP

020 8892 9841

Wednesday 11th July, 2012

 

York Street has many restaurants serving cuisines from around the world. In fact in just a few yards, the Taste of Mogul, which is situated opposite a rather dull looking government building, has fierce competition from a Vietnamese Cafe - right next door, Thai - across... read more

 

The Kohinoor Tandoori

11, Adelaide Road, Chichester, West Sussex. PO19 7NB

01243 778605

Monday 9th July, 2012

 

The Kohinoor Tandoori has become rather an institution for us, when we visit Chichester Festival Theatre. We had tickets to see Bernard Shaw's - 'Heartbreak House,' starring Derek Jacobi, Emma Fielding and Ronald Pickup, (which I hope you all remember from the very funny film, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). The play started at 7.30pm, so we needed somewher... read more

 

Moksh - Divine Indian Cuisine

Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay. CF10 5AN

029 2049 8120

Sunday 1st July, 2012

 

Chef Patron, Stephen James Gomes launched his new menu at the eclectically furnished, waterside restaurant - Moksh - Divine Indian Cuisine. Cardiff Bay, which is only a few moments from the city centre, has been extensively redeveloped and is now a chic and cosmopolitan meeting place for the fashion conscious, who wish to eat, drink and be... read more

 

Sesame Restaurant

216, Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey. KT3 3RJ

020 8949 2211

Thursday 28th June, 2012

 

On a warm June evening, we decided that a trip to New Malden's Award Winning restaurant, Sesame - Indian and Thai Fine Cuisine was needed. It was just 6.30pm when we arrived, and we were the first customers. Smiling waiters greeted us and seated us on a table for four - very generous and very comfortable. The restaurant was clearly expecting... read more

 

Nayaab Restaurant

309, New Kings Road, Fulham, London. SW6 4RF

020 7731 6993

Wednesday 27th June, 2012

 

Authentic Home-style Indian Food 'click the pic'

 

'Eclectic Wines from the Indian Subcontinent'

La Porte des Indes

32, Bryanston Street, London. W1H 7EG

020 7224 0055

Tuesday 26th June, 2012

   

La Porte des Indes Wine Ambassador Introduces Ritu Wine from India 'click the pic'

 

June 2012 - Special Offers

       

Pat is devouring 'Thai Green Papaya and Long Bean Salad - Som Tom' 'click the pic'

 

Massala Indian Dining

19, Anyards Road, Cobham, Surrey. KT11 2LW

01932 865 005

Tuesday 15th May, 2012

 

Fine Dining in Lucky Cobham! 'click the pic'

 

The Akash

99-101, Albert Road, Southsea, Hampshire. PO5 2SG

023 9229 1813

Friday 11th May, 2012

 

Albert Road - The Alternative United Nations! 'click the pic'

 

Brilliant Restaurant

72-76, Western Road, Southall, Middlesex. UB2 5DZ

020 8574 1928

Wednesday 2nd May, 2012

  

Punjabi Kenyan Curries with Home-made Chutneys and Pickles 'click the pic'

 

Dagarful or Black Stone Flower

 

Widely used in Chettinad Cuisine - Chettinad Mutton Curry

 

Mango Lounge

9, Datchet Road, Windsor, Berkshire. SL4 1QB

01753 855576

 

Meet The Talented Team! 'click the pic'

 

Indian Curry Cookery Course - Hands On

 

 

Jill Peters Cooks Murgh Makhani with Pat 'click the pic'

 

Royal Halal Frozen Curries Press Launch

Bombay Halwa, Southall, Middlesex.

Friday 16th March, 2012

 

Pioneering a premium range of delicious frozen ready-cooked Halal meals for the UK market 'click the pic'

 

March 2012 - St David's Day - Newsletter

This months Special Offers

   

 

Book Launch

Mridula Baljekar - The Food & Cooking of India

Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey. GU25 4LS

Tuesday 21st February, 2012

Mayor Asghar Majeed, Mayor Tim Dodds and Mridula Baljekar 'click the pic'

 

February 2012 - Newsletter

This months Special Offers

Pat Chapman's Saturday Morning Group BBQ Cookery Class 'click the pic'

 

Recipe - February, 2012

Chicken Biriani

 

Pat and I never refuse an authentic Lamb Biriani. Traditionally cooked, it is quite delicious and a meal in itself, served simply with a generous bowl of Jeera Raitha. However, it is rather tricky to get right, so kick everyone out of the kitchen and don't answer the phone - you will need to concentrate. On this occassion, I have used chicken breast (it was all I had in the fridge!). And, just by chance Mark Millan requested a recipe for Biriani using chicken thigh. Well, you will have to make sure that the chicken thigh is skinned and cooked through to the bone, so adjust the timing, but apart from that, it should work well. Click the pic

 

Cobra Beer On-Pack Competition Winners

Monday 16th January, 2012

 

'click the pic'

Lucky Winners - David and Shelia Jamieson from Gateshead, shared their winnings!

An Indian Feast cooked by Pat Chapman in their own home - with their three daughters and partners.

 

New Years Honours List 2012

Congratulations to Bajloor Rashid - Restaurateur and President of the Bangladesh Caterers Association. Bajloor has been awarded an MBE for services to Bangladeshi Catering. He also owns the highly successful Zarin Restaurant in Ashford, Kent and regularly holds Elvis tribute evenings. So, if you fancy a little entertainment while tucking into your favourite curry - then this is the restaurant for you!

 

Join me on Facebook – just click on the icon below

 

Indian BBQ Cookery Class

! Great Gift for FATHERS DAY !

 

'click the pic'

Spice up your summer BBQ! Join a small group of like-minded curryholics and learn Indian BBQ cooking. This presentation will include: Tandoori, Tikka, Kebabs, Chutneys, Salads and bread. If you have been on one of our Saturday Morning Cookery Classes before, please take a £10.00 discount at the Checkout Page. Please type DISCOUNT in the Notes Box.

 

Recipe - January, 2012

Curry Puffs

  

One of the best examples of east meets west! Curry Puffs make a delicious lunch time or afternoon tea snack, served with a mixed salad and pickle. Make a good stock of the spicy minced filling, it freezes very well and don't be ashamed of ready made puff pastry - I'm not! 'click the pic'

 

Christmas Recipes - December, 2011

If you feel like a change from a Roast Turkey with trimmings Christmas lunch, then why not spice it up. Try Pat Chapman's Indian Inspired Recipes. However, if you can't bear to beak with tradition, then perhaps a spicy Boxing Day lunch or New Years Day brunch would fit the bill.

 

Cobra Beer On-Pack Competition Winners

Friday 9th December, 2011

 

Lucky Winners - Charlotte and James from Penzance, Cornwall, shared their winnings! 'click the pic'

An Indian Feast cooked by Pat Chapman in their own home - with their friends.

 

 

Bangladesh Caterers Association - The BCA Winners

Park Plaza Westminster Hotel, London

Sunday 4th December, 2011

  

Lodue Miah of the Madhuban Restaurant with Pat Chapman

 

Book Launch

Anirudh Arora and Hardeep Singh Kohli

'Food of the Grand Trunk Road'

Moti Mahal, 45, Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, London. WC2B 5AA

Thursday 10th November, 2011

 

 

Recipe Requests - November, 2011

Oonbhariou (Parsee Roast Root Vegetables) - requested by Nick and Shirley Bertram

 

Secretts Thai Festival 2011

August 27th, 28th and 29th August, 2011

 

Delicious Chicken Satays! 'click the pic'

 

 

Recipe Requests - July, 2011

Emma Shilling has requested - Chicken Dhansak Restaurant Style

Gretchen Thomas has requested - Peshwari Naan Bread

 

Recipe Requests - June, 2011

Cachumber from New Curry Bible by Pat Chapman - requested by Lynda Chantler

Tandoori Raitha from India: Food and Cooking by Pat Chapman - requested by Lynda Chantler

 

Cobra Beer On-Pack Competition Winners

Saturday 14th May, 2011

'click the pic'

Lucky Winner - Chris Lorek from Eastleigh, beautifully dressed in a turquoise silk kurta suit and looking just like a Maharaja!

He shared his Indian Feast cooked by Pat Chapman in his home with his partner, Kim and their family. All took the evening very seriously and dressed in traditional attire!

 

 Recipe Requests - May, 2011

This months recipes are from Curry Club 250 Favourite Curries and Accompaniments by Pat Chapman and Curry Club Favourite Restaurant Curries by Pat Chapman

Chicken Tak A Tan and Pili-Pili Chicken

 

The Lord Mayors Big Curry - The Army Benevolent Fund

The Soldiers Charity

Wednesday 6th April, 2011

 

'click the pic'

Book your tickets for the Lord Mayors Big Curry, held at Guildhall's Great Hall, Gresham Street, London. EC2. Don't forget to take your credit card for the aution and raffle and your passport for the security check.

 

Recipe Requests - April, 2011

Onion Bhajias

This months recipes are from Curry Club Indian Restaurant Cookbook

 

  

Everyones favourite Curry House starter and so very easy and quick to make. Delicious served with mixed salad and Mint Raitha - wonderful! 'click the pic'

Mutton Xacutti

Try this wonderfully authentic Goan dish - it's not all Vindaloo!

 

Our Inaugural Indian BBQ Cookery Class

Saturday 21st May, 2011

! Great Gift for YOU !

Spice up your summer BBQ! Join a small group of like-minded curryholics and learn Indian BBQ cooking. This presentation will include: Tandoori, Tikka, Kebabs, Chutneys, Salads and bread. If you have been on one of our Saturday Morning Cookery Classes before, please take a £10.00.

 

Cobra Beer On-Pack Competition Winners

Saturday 19th May, 2011

 

Lucky Winner - Michelle from Aldershot, Hampshire 'click the pic'

Michelle shared her Indian Feast cooked by Pat Chapman in her home with her partner and their friends. 

 

Jeff and Linda's Step-by-Step Pizza

  

Delicious Madras Meatball Pizza! 'click the pic'

Jeff and Linda made Pat Chapman's Madras Sauce Recipe and made the most delicious pizza! Take a look at their step-by step instructions.

 

Sesame Indian and Thai Restaurant

216, Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey. KT3 3RJ

020 8949 2211

March, 2011

 

'Laal Maas' - Rajasthan's signature dish and yes! it is hot! 'click the pic'

14th February to 27th March, 2011 - Rajasthani Food Festival

 

 Recipes - March, 2011

Tuesday 7th March - Shrove Tuesday - Pancakes Day! Try these delicious pancake recipes. Ok, so it's been and gone, but pancakes are wonderful all year long! Both recipes come from Vegetable Curry Bible by Pat Chapman.

Patishapta Pitha - Pancakes with a Creamy Filling

Pothittu - Pancakes with a Sweet Sauce - and don't forget me email me - I want to know how they tasted!

 

Zar Bar and Restaurant

214, Ifield Drive, Crawley, West Sussex. RH11 0DQ

01293 560606

February, 2011

 

'click the pic'

 

Thermomix

The Kitchen Revolution - If you are looking to update your cooking techniques and/or replace kitchen equipment, then please have a chat with Annabel Khurshid before you do anything else! Annabel is an independant Thermomix demonstrator and will happily and calmly show you a different way of cooking, with minimal fuss.

Thermomix is the intelligent blender and processor that also weighs, cooks and steams! Fast, easy, healthy and creative cooking. Save money, time, space, and energy. Stunning textures, flavours and aromas. More than 10 appliances in one compact unit. One bowl, one blade, one whisk does it all! Contact her on 07803 137408 or email annabelkhurshid@yahoo.co.uk

 

Obituary - 23rd December, 2010

Shanta Pathak - The Curry Queen

Shanta Pathak, who died aged 83 is best remembered for founding the mighty Patak brand. Read the full story including Pat Chapman's comments in the Daily Express

 

Madhuban Tandoori

94, Station Road, Liss, Hampshire. GU33 7AQ

01730 893 363

Thursday 9th December, 2010

 

Dine with Friends 'click the pic'

21st to 27th November, 2010

Pat Chapman has spiced up the nation's favourite regional dishes to create

Lancashire Hot Hot Hot Pot

Devonshire Cream Chai - 'click the pic'

and Yorkshire Chilli Pepper Pudding to name just three!

Check out My Recipes or log on to www.facebook.com/welovecurry

 

Kings World Trust for Children

Saturday 20th November, 2010

'Just a brief note to thank you for all you did for the Kings World Trust Charity Dinner. The food was great and the donation of the cookery course and the cookbook was appreciated. You will already have heard that the event was a great success. We raised over £10,000 and found sponsors for 15 children.' Kind Regards, Nick Pasricha, Chairman, Kings World Trust for Children.

 

Indian Zilla Restaurant

2-3, Rocks Lane, Barnes, London. SW13 0DB

020 8878 3989

November, 2010

 

Chef Proprietor Manoj Vasaikar - 'click the pic'

 

Sesame Indian and Thai Restaurant

216, Kingston Road, New Malden, Surrey. KT3 3RJ

020 8949 2211

 

Seafood Festival 4th October to 24th November, 2010

 

Recipes To Try - November, 2010

Aloo Podimas - South Indian Potatoes

 Haakh Gadh - Fried Fish and Spinach

Erachi Ulathiyathu - Beef Coconut Fry

Sambar Masaladar - Lentil and Vegetable Curry

 

Price rises in the Recession

4th January 2011 ... VAT rises from 17.5% to 20%.  All the more reason to cook yourself.  

If you are tightening your belt and feel that eating out at your favourite Curry House has become a little bit of a luxury (after all, who can afford £20 or more, per head, every week?). Not to worry, why not cook your favourite spicy dishes yourself at home! Remember...

"Dining In Is The New Dining Out"

And Pat and Dominique are here to help you! We are in the process of adding recipes to our website. Please be patient, it will take some time, but we will be looking out for your recipe of the week requests. Please email Dominique at chapman.curry@btconnect.com with your requests and she will make sure that your recipe gets added to this website.

Better still ... come for a cookery lesson.  An investment for life.  And we've kept our 2010 prices.

! OLD NEWS, BUT ... !

A Good Laugh With Virgin

Virgin's brilliant ad celebrating the airline's 25th birthday, with the red uniformed honeys in killer, red patent high heels (Dominique wants to know where can she buy a pair - even though she already has four pairs or red heels, but hey! you can never have too many shoes!), the 1984 icons and the smug pilot, hit the ratings with a thumbs up from most viewers. (Dominique loves it!) Days after its launch comes what has been lauded as the world's best passenger complaint.

Advertising exec Oliver Beale, returning to London from Mumbai on Virgin in December 2007, was so disgusted by the state of his in-flight food and entertainment, he sent a six-page rant to Sir Richard himself, to convey his disappointment. The letter, which also included five photographs of the “offending” dishes, has since been circulated around the world and has been almost universally praised for its pointedness and humour.  This is Mr Beale's comment about one dish.

"Answer me this Richard, what sort of animal would serve a desert with peas in." [see image]. "I know it looks like a baaji but it’s in custard Richard, custard. It must be the pudding. Well, you’ll be fascinated to hear that it wasn’t custard. It was a sour gel with a clear oil on top. It’s only redeeming feature was that it managed to be so alien to my palette that it took away the taste of the curry emanating from our miscellaneous central cuboid of beige matter."

 

Read the piece yourself?  Go to: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/blog/editors_corner/article/11975/

PS:  The Daily Telegraph asked readers which airline provides the best meals.  Virgin Atlantic currently lies third (15 per cent) behind Singapore Airlines (40 per cent) and British Airways (20 per cent).  We rate Air India, their curries travel well and taste good. (Pat always orders a vegetarian meal while Dominique has meat, and then we share!).

Our Comments: Mr Beale is probably Sir RB himself, or one of his staffers, to whom all publicity is good publicity!  As for the dish, it is Carrot Halva with green pistachios!!! Dominique makes a wonderful Halva and will be requesting this recipe for the website. Serve it warm with Vanilla Ice Cream - delicious!

 

! Good News ! What You Say !

Thank You for Your Letters and Emails

 

on 16 April, 2010, Molly Sheridan wrote:

The Curry Bible has arrived, please thank Pat for his signature. It looks superb and I look forward to experimenting. I always wondered it is is possible to curry wild boar! as we have plenty around here, the Pyreenes.

on 10 April, 2010, Una Greene, St Andrew's School, Totteridge, London. N20 wrote:

On behalf of St Andrews PTA I would like to thank you for your signed book. Our Bollywood evening was a great success. We had a vast selection of Indian food donated from local restaurants and from some of our parents at the school. We had a clothes sale beforehand and the majority of the people who attended wore Indian attire. It was a great night and spoken about in the playground for weeks. We raised over £1,500, which is fantastic, all money will go towards our new resources room and school library. Events like these would not be possible if it was not for the support from people like yourself. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

on 28 February, 2010, David Owen wrote:

May I say how thoroughly I, and July, enjoyed our morning session with you last Saturday. All the way back to Steyning we spoke about the morning and the meals we were to make together from what we learned and from the recipes in the book we bought. The whole session was an eye opener and the Coleman's jar was the only trade name in sight. How marvellous to learn how to make the Sauce's and Marinade's but using the basic vegetables and spices and not from tins and jars. Our friends will be in for a nice surprise and will only be annoyed with us by not making contact with you earlier. Again many thanks and more powder to your elbows.

on 1 February, 2009, Dan Fox wrote:

I love curry. I'm sure you've heard that before. I've spent some time in India and grew up in the Midlands, UK where I enjoyed regular take-outs! I own two of your books. (Indian Restaurant Cookbook and your full colour Curry Bible) but it was always easier just to phone the local delivery people. Four months ago my wife and I moved to Vancouver Island, Canada. No Indian takeaways. One local restaurant serving bland 'Canadian curry' Oh dear oh dear. There was only one thing for it. I dug out your books and decided to give them ago.

I went to the mainland. Spent $160 on whole spices. $50 on an electric grinder and $100 on air-tight plastic containers. Quite an investment! Then I set about making Tikka Madras Curry (page 89 of the Curry Bible).