TIPS

MY CURRY POWDER

Make your own basic curry powder: Mix equal quantities of powdered Turmeric, Coriander, Cumin, Chilli (mild or hot), Paprika. If you like it hot > increase the amount of Chilli; if you like it red > increase the amount of Paprika.

If you dont want to do that your next best choice is to buy one of the Mixed Curry Powder available in Asian shops in UK. I found the Pakistani Bassar Curry Powder is the best, it's not too hot and it has good colour. Bangladeshi Radhuni or other curry powder is also good if you like it hot. 

MY BIRYANI MASALA

​Children and many adults hate biting into whole spices. Store-bought biriyani masala contains whole spices. You can use a spice/coffee grinder to grind them into powder. 

Better alternative is to make your own by mixing the indicated portion of powdered spices below, they will keep for a long time:

Cumin. 1

Cinnamon. 1

Cardamon. 1

Bay leaf powder. 1

Black paper 1

Nutmeg 1

Mace. 1

Clove.1

Coriander 1

Optional: Meat seasoning 1

ONION

If you are very sensitive, like me, this is how to deal with onion:

1. Soak peeled onion in warm water for couple of hours before chopping.
2. Or chop them using a small fan blowing the air away from you.
3. To make onion pulp > put fresh onions in the freezer > defrost frozen onion > peel > blend.

GARLIC / GINGER

Use paste widely available in Asian shops or in some supermarkets. I like the frozen ones. They smell better than those in jars with preservatives added.

Later I will only use the Curry Powder or Biriyani Masala for most Indian simple and student-friendly recipes; you wont have to rummage through your cupboard to find this and that, grind that, chop that and so on, oh no! Where possible, I do away with all kind of measurements, instead I use 'cups & spoons'.

My recipes will require minimum skill and time in the kitchen. I am not a chef, and I don't intend to make anyone a chef either, just simple fuss-free cooking to enjoy yourself or with friends.

My blog is not for accomplished cooks, rather it is to help those who has an interest in cooking, but struggles like the student's just moved to uni, far away from mom's (or dad's) cooking!

DIET:
If you are on diet of just health conscious but love curries. Use a slotted spoon to serve yourself, you will avoid the sauce with salt and oil. Use a fork to eat, that will make you eat slowly.