Hi,
I was going to make SoberRats Dhansak last night but had a takeaway instead so I have just whipped up this little beauty for later.
It's SoberRats recipe http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,13673.0.html but I had no pineapple or Shakker so I just left them out. Everything else was the same.







It is really tasty. Has a nice earthiness from the lentils and is a perfect winter curry. I wouldn't have with rice, just a garlic naan and salad. Great recipe SoberRat

Plates were clean. Hubby said he prefered it over the usual chicken madras. Had with leftover H4ppy naans from the freezer

Yum!!
Recipe= http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,6248.0.html

But made with lamb

First base was Zaal to spec (maybe slightly over spiced by my over zealous hands)and the second was Zaal to spec (correct spicing) and 20grams coconut cream and 1.5 cloves garlic tarka added.
new base at the top (slightly lighter)


I then made exact copies of Madras. Weighing everything exactly....
Original (first) base


New (second) base


Photos dont really do them justice(They look gloopy and they weren't)  they were both lovely and smooth. The new base produced a lighter fresher curry and I think I shall stick to that base (with the tweaks)as it hasn't changed it too much, just enough for me.
I did have an epiphany though as I made two curry sauces after.
I usually put my oil, then onion/chilli, then garlic/ginger but with one sauce I fried the chopped garlic in a mini frying pan, put this in the main pan and then did my usual routine and this made a MASSIVE difference. You could taste and smell a hint of nutty sweet garlic in the background and especially this morning when I have tasted it stone cold.
It is a flavour that was definitely in the Madras I ate at the local Indian restaurant last week.
I will be doing that again for sure.
So glad I have sauce left for today:)

So these are what we chose last night. I didn't have time take a pic as I was too busy dishing it up BUT I did manage a doggy bag as we had poppadoms, starters and mains



The vindaloo is at the back, Madras at the front.


Vindaloo


Madras


Mixed starter for 2


Date night

We also had Pilau rice (standard) and garlic naan which was exceptional. Not that different in texture to H4ppy naans but think there was yogurt in there and also there were tiny pieces of freshly roasted garlic on top which was amazing.
Currywise they were lighter that my attempts. Smooth to the point of mildly thick soup and the base was lighter than mine (Zaal). Will be making a lighter base tomorrow if anyone has any recommendations?
The madras was the same colour as mine and I can tell they used ghee, it sort of gave a light buttery background, so I will also give that a whirl.
All in all a really tasty meal
Lou

Hi Guys,
Just wondered if any of you are hosting an event for The big curry night for the soldiers charity?
http://bigcurry.org/