Ben's Madras Curry

I thought I'd share my curry recipe.

I've been playing with curries since I got over here but only recently settling on a recipe and ingredients for my liking, though it is widely adaptable.

My favourite meat to use is lamb. Chicken is also pretty good and as a treat some fish, though I've not explored that often.

Basically, I find the attributes of a good curry to be soft meat, rich flavours in a slightly thick sauce, a perfect balance between vegetables and meat and a good amount of spice/heat that builds throughout the meal rather than blow your head off at the start and ruin your comfort levels of the next day.

So here we go:

To begin with, crack open your favourite beer. I like a lager with curries. Cobra Beer is nice, but any lager will probably do. (I usually like to, if I can, start cooking any meal with a drink of choice. I find cooking a relaxing and rewarding thing to do, so enjoying a drink along the way adds to that.) A few pappadums with some mango chutney are nice to munch on while you're at it too.


Ok, the curry. This generously serves 2 adults. Here's what you need:

400g diced lamb (marinade this in 2 tsp of Patak's curry paste in a bowl and leave covered in the fridge for an hour or for as long as you like. This really softens up the meat.)
2 Medium Onions
Garlic
Olive oil
A further 2 tsp of Pataks curry paste for the sauce (the Madras paste is fine but I go 50/50 with that and the Extra Hot paste - up to you.)
Garam Masala
Lemon
Tin of chopped tomatoes
200ml hot water
Snow peas/or regular peas
Mushrooms
Capsicum
Potato
Greek style yoghurt
Fresh chillis


Chop the potatoes into cubes and half boil in a seperate pot to soften.

While the spuds are-a-boilin', lightly fry the onion and garlic in some oil or butter. Use very little oil as there's already some in the curry paste.

Add in the curry paste, up to you how much but I think 2 tsp is a goodly amount. Mix well.

Add in 1/3 tin of chopped tomatoes. Mix well and allow to simmer.

Check your spuds, don't want them mushy.

Add in around 200mls hot water. Start with a small amount and add more as necessary but keep in mind the veggies will release water themselves while cooking.

Mix in the raw marinaded meat, allowing it to broil in the mix. Bring to the boil for a few minutes then simmer.

Add in the half-boiled potatoes, halved mushrooms, long and thin sliced capsicum, peas etc.

Bring to the boil for 5 mins then simmer for a further 5 mins. Check back to see how much is covered by fluid, add more water if necessary. Continue to simmer for probably another 10-15 mins, checking back and stirring. In time the potatoes will help thicken the sauce.

You can probably eat it now, but if I have the time I like to let the curry brew a little, up to you. Adding some yoghurt will help thicken if need be. Otherwise it's great dolloped on top when serving.

Just before serving, mix in a few pinches of Garam Masala for fragrance, a few squeezes of lemon and your choice of chilli.

Serve on some basmati rice. A few pappadums are a good side and probably 2 beers to wash it down :)

Enjoy!

B

London Photographers Protest

Today with Steve (*isteve) I attended the protest against the UK Government's introduction of a law which is unjust, power abusive and frankly paranoia inducing. The National Union of Journalists organised the event for professional press photographers and hobbyists alike to show our opposition to (as of today, February 16th 2009) being able to be stopped and questioned by Police, simply for taking photographs in public under the supposed risk that we are terrorists, without *ANY* grounds for suspicion.

I must say, it was very scary. If a Police officer can stop 1 photographer because they're seen as a threat, imagine how I scared I felt that the 150 photographers who turned out, could all have been terrorists!

It was a peaceful protest, many media outlets being represented and more DSLR's (and some film cameras :) snapping away than you've ever heard or seen before!

A few images below, more can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10510635@N07/sets/72157613967041952/

Snowy London

London and the UK had the biggest snow fall since 1991 today, halting almost all transport in and out of the city. "Happy Snow Day" pronounced from many folks who weren't able to get to work or school. Snowmen made, snowball fights had and a bright blanket of joy spread across the streets and parks.

(You can see some video of us here and more photos here)

Our street at 1am.




What a great idea Denny!


Cheers!




This from our bedroom window around 0130.


And around 10am.

London Walkabout January 2009

Had a walk around London today. It was a balmy 10C so quite pleasant to wander in.

Southbank book market.


St Paul's Cathedral from Southbank.


Taken on the Millennium Bridge walking towards St Paul's Cathedral.


St Paul's Cathedral.


The Blackfriar pub near Blackfriar tube in, wait for it...Blackfriar (what a coincedence!) served me 2 delicious pints of Timothy Taylor's Landlord pale ale. What a top drop.


Tired old Bilbo Baggins...

Xmas 2008

Hope everyone had a happy and relaxing Xmas. Here's a few snaps of the festive season over here:



-3degC when I took these this morning!


Bethie and Santa Ted :)


Bozo.


Ahh Xmas, time to veg with bev's in front of telly!


Very proper boys.


Yo.


Chef Jane.


Xmas dinner and also for Tom's 27th birthday, young bugger.

The Midlands and Peak District December 2008

Our first UK road trip! Was great to be behind the wheel again. We had a night in Middleton Hall where Beth got to meet her ghost hunting hero, David Wells of Most Haunted fame. We both took part in a seance which brought mixed results but Beth's soothing radio announcer voice was popular amongst the half-passed.


Do something!








Hehe, Penis.






Mmmmm, laaaaaamb.


We were local!! We made it to Hadfield, location for many scenes in the brilliant comedy The League Of Gentlemen.















Check out this flickr page for more photos.