Michael Parkinson

[Chauncey]

I’ve got a Iceland at the bottom of my road yoonited and I might give that kebab a go,for £4 it’s got to worth a try and I will get back to you on it,now then,these sauces that you recommend,I suppose that the one place that you can buy it is Waitrose or somewhere equally as posh?

[yoonited]

Nope, I spotted them in Home Bargains in Carlisle a couple of months back. Nobody else is selling them, (except those buying them from there and putting them on Ebay or Amazon for a vast profit). They're called Indi Grand, they're in black pouches, there's a range of at least a dozen of them. I bought three initially to try, I currently have about thirty in my cupboard, they've a long lifespan. One pouch makes enough for two people. They vary a few pence in price depending which one you get, from £1 to £1:15 if I recall. I cannot work out why every supermarket chain isn't selling them, they are far superior to anybody elses. I have cooked them following the standard instructions (fry your meat in oil for five minutes, add the sauce and simmer for 20 mins) and they're great. However, if you like cooking, and you want to take them up to a level where you wouldn't be disappointed eating this in a good curry house, just spend a little more time preparing your meat. I fry mine in butter rather than oil, which immediately adds a nicer flavour (cook on a lower heat so the butter doesn't burn). I add a big dollop of garlic puree out of one of those squeazy tubes, a tablespoon each of tumeric, garam masala and cumin seeds, cook that gently for about 15 minutes, then douse it all with lemon juice, give it stir then add your curry sauce pouch. Simmer for 10 minutes. Absolutely lush. I'm cooking this for eight next weekend so I'll be putting in four 'murgh makhani' pouches (these are medium hot as not everbody likes them too hot). I'll be adding onions and chickpeas to go with it. If you like them hot they do vindaloo and a chennai madras.

[postmanpete]

I’ve been to the Kirkstile loads and it’s always been good scran and decent ale. It used to be Hunter Davies’ local and some great walks round and about.

Had a parcel for Hunter many years ago and he asked me if i wouldn't mind putting it on his kitchen table as it was rather heavy,after putting it down i had a nice chat with him and his late wife Margaret Forster about being brought up in Carlisle,really nice down to earth couple.

[Chauncey]

However, if you like cooking, and you want to take them up to a level where you wouldn't be disappointed eating this in a good curry house, just spend a little more time preparing your meat. I fry mine in butter rather than oil, which immediately adds a nicer flavour (cook on a lower heat so the butter doesn't burn). I add a big dollop of garlic puree out of one of those squeazy tubes, a tablespoon each of tumeric, garam masala and cumin seeds, cook that gently for about 15 minutes, then douse it all with lemon juice, give it stir then add your curry sauce pouch. Simmer for 10 minutes. Absolutely lush. I'm cooking this for eight next weekend so I'll be putting in four 'murgh makhani' pouches (these are medium hot as not everbody likes them too hot). I'll be adding onions and chickpeas to go with it. If you like them hot they do vindaloo and a chennai madras.

I think that you’ve greatly overestimated my cooking skills yoonited so I will stick with the kebab from Iceland,however I am available next week to join in dinner party and give your nosh I go,I mean if you are cooking for eight then one more won’t matter will it,will it be formal wear?

[Chauncey]

Had a parcel for Hunter many years ago and he asked me if i wouldn't mind putting it on his kitchen table as it was rather heavy,after putting it down i had a nice chat with him and his late wife Margaret Forster about being brought up in Carlisle,really nice down to earth couple.

How long was it before you mentioned The Beatles Pete,I would have brought them up before the parcel had hit the table

[griff]

He was a Vice President of the London Branch and I was forever sending him newsletters.

[postmanpete]

How long was it before you mentioned The Beatles Pete,I would have brought them up before the parcel had hit the table

I wouldn't have wanted to upset him by saying how overated they were,give me deacon blue or prefab sprout anyday.

[Chauncey]

He was a Vice President of the London Branch and I was forever sending him newsletters.

Did you mention The Beatles? His book is well worth a read if you are a fan of the band

[Chauncey]

I wouldn't have wanted to upset him by saying how overated they were

I don’t know what to say,overrated? 😮

Deacon Blue and Prefab Sprout are indeed fine bands though Pete

[griff]