Americans and Curry

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

You Americans won't know what a "real" curry's like till you've had your taste buds burnt off 
I remember when travelling in Sumatra and trying a Padang curry...26 years later and after heaps of  taste bud therapy, my taste buds are just starting to grow back now...


Metta Zenda

[justmeinoz]

If you want a hot Thai curry, ask for a "pet" curry apparently.  You will know you are on the right track if it uses the tiny "bird's eye" chillies.    

Karen.

[Pica Pica]

I have to say that I really dislike Thai food, I went to this Thai restaurant in London that was voted as the finest in the country (near Finsbury Park somewhere) and it was too hot to have any flavour. I live above a Vietnamese place for a year, that was nicer, and Korean nicer too (I love a bit of fermented kimchee stuff).

But I think curry, I think Indian or Pakistan, I think Brick Lane or Birmingham or Salford. Although these curries can be hot, I prefer the milder but more flavoured dishes. I like a nice creamy coconutty thing, and a slow cooked Saag Gosht where the flavours mingle is fantastic. Of course, most of the curry in Britain is of British invention - but I love me a bit of Balti (and having lived in London and Coventry I probably have had the chance to eat some of the best of British curry - and my trips to Salford have always made my taste buds happy).

Proper Indian curry is also nice, but I have grown up with the Indo-Brit type stuff, so prefer that.

[justmeinoz]

Thanks for the reminder Pica.  The best  Indian is certainly found in the Midlands and North. 
My ex grew up in Kenya, with Indian cooks, and is aghast at the Malays putting fruit in a curry!

Karen.

[Padma]

Red, green, yellow is thai curry (and awesome). I have a thing for thai red curry at the moment. But the Indian stuff is great. My big shout out is for the Diwana Belpuri on Drummond Street (round the corner from Euston Station in London). Go there on a Sunday/Monday night to get their Panir Muttar, which has the most amazing sauce in the history of history. Their Masala Dhosas are killer too.

The two worst curries I've ever had? One was in a really fancy-schmancy place in New Orleans. My friends took me there like it was a real treat, and it was horrible - and slightly burnt. The other was in a town in western Ireland - and that one was like they'd taken a packet of white sauce and added curry powder to it. Brrr. Where I live now in Dawlish has a nice Indian restaurant that does a great ceylon (gingery, garlicy, lemony) - so long as you tell them to put in about a quarter of the sugar they usually do, otherwise it's teeth-achingly sweet.

If you want a hot Indian curry, get a phal. Mwahahahah!!

[justmeinoz]

Phal is the fevered creation of a diseased mind, only to be eaten by UK drunks in competitive curry-eating contests!

Karen.

[Padma]

Well, yes - it's classed as a spectator sport .

[mimpi]

Phal is the fevered creation of a diseased mind, only to be eaten by UK drunks in competitive curry-eating contests!

Karen.

Lol! There goes what little remains of of our national reputation!

Really hard to find decent curry despite the proliferation of offerings. Nothing beats a fresh fluffy Biryani or a Nihari imho. Thai food is lovely but not that crazy on their curries (or is it currys?) perhaps they are very different in Thailand, have eaten Thai in Indonesia quite a few times and it tasted very different from what we get here.

Anyone eaten at Ruby's in Green Street, Forest Gate or the on the other one in Leyton High Road? Haven't eaten there for a few years but they used to be excellent with delightfully surly pakistani waiters and stainless steel glasses for the water for that authentic touch

[Padma]

Steel glasses in the Diwana Belpuri too . Sabras South Indian place in Willesden is pretty damn good too, especially the green banana curry.

I like heat in a curry, but once it stops tasting and just hurts instead, what's the point? So I don't go above medium hot. And as for puddings, you can't beat a good kir .

[justmeinoz]

Padma,
           you will be glad to know that if you are ever in this part of the world and need a good home made curry, you can do what Indian housewives in Indian cities like New Delhi or Bradford do.
Open a jar of 'Patak's' Vindaloo!  and a jar of eggplant or lime pickle.   

I did tonight with the Beef strips I actually bought for a stir-fry.  It was very very good! 

Karen.

[Padma]

Patak's lime pickle is great on toast in the morning, with some yeast extract (e.g. marmite, or something less cringlingly salty). Yum! Going out to buy some right now!

[Pica Pica]

Steel glasses in the Diwana Belpuri too . Sabras South Indian place in Willesden is pretty damn good too, especially the green banana curry.

I live in Harlesden, just down the road, will wander up one day.
I haven't been up here long, I like the Arches (Golden Arches? Curry Arches?) - the one in Elephant.

I have a jar of lime-pickle, I like it on pasties. However, I will not be joining it with marmite and toast in the morning. Not unless I want the morning off.

[JungianZoe]

Anyone notice that since Lee (a fellow Coloradan) posted in here, the Americans have abandoned this thread?

[Padma]

Nah, it's just that we Brits are like flies on... curry, when it comes to curry .

[justmeinoz]

Don't forget us in the Antipodes!  Simon Schama did say Australia is the only truly British nation, using the geographical definition that takes in the Irish as well.  Must try the Brinjal Pickle with Vegemite, now that is a Multicultural concept!

Just reheated yesterday's Beef  Vindaloo , a good curry is always so much better after it has marinated overnight in the fridge.   

Karen.

[Padma]

+1 to mature curry . Not a big fan of the brinjal pickle myself - but I love okra/bhindi!

[justmeinoz]

I have to admit it was a toss-up between Lime and Brinjal.   Should have got both really.

Karen.

[Padma]

I love lime because it's tangy/tart/zingy rather than just hot. Plus it's good for you! Mango is great too, of course. I've never been a fan of chutney, but then it's really just spicey jam with onions in, and I'm not a jam fan. Mind you, onion marmalade... (sorry, feverish, viral, and bored at home, food gets fascinating - craving something very, very garlicky right now).

[justmeinoz]

Garlic is good for colds. Lots of Sulphur in it, hence the smell.  And things like Onion Marmalade  are probably all you will be able to taste anyway.
I generally try and have more Vegemite than usual when I am sick as it is quite high in several vitamins, especially the B group.  Either that or have a few chillies and really clean your sinuses out! Get well soon.

Karen.

[Padma]

Thanks - raunchy lovin' foretexts from my new ladyfriend are boosting my immune system no end .