thanks Kev i also found masala bazaar on st helens road very nice and helpful i planned to give pathia a shot and having never used tamarind before when the gentalman helped me find it he could see i looks somewhat confused.
he kindly explained how to use the tamarind( i have it as a solid block that needs to be left to soak over night in walm water and then drained to remove the seeds) he also wished me luck i will go there again puerly because of the service.
middle asia market is very highly priced and limited amount of items. Exsotica was late opening so never bothered to go back there.

I have started using Masala Bazar on St Helens Rd friendly and reasonable. there are a few others on St Helens Road on left as you drive down from City centre keep your eyes open lol

Add yoghurt; it can't work miracles but it will certainly help.
** Phil.
[/quote]

Cheers Phil Having guests tomorrow will let you know what happens 

Hi when i make a curry and i have guests if the curry turns out to be too hot for 1 of my guests is there any way that i could tone it down without them wasting it or burning thier mouth. thank you all.

Thanks all again in your debt.

I think i said that wrong. I have raw chicken cubed ready to fry but before i fry i thought i needed to marinate it in lemon or garam masala or chili powder, but not sure what to put over the chicken. The last time i used chili powder sprinkled over the chicken but that was to hot  lemon seems like the norm but what else.