Missing my chilli heat ‘fix’

Food & Drink, Events and Entertainment
41
Vindaloo is not supposed to be as hot as you think. It’s a southern dish, and is cooked using vinegar, garlic and spices; it’s sour. Britain has its own bastardized version of curries. ‘Like a madras’ is probably about right.

Speculation is that since the south of India was used as a port by the spice trade, and in particular the Portuguese, the wine that they travelled with was not yet fortified to last (where Port wine comes from) so as it turned into vinegar it was used for cooking. Vindaloo, vin (wine) + ahlo (garlic) vinahlo -> vindaloo...

If you want a proper curry, buy a saucepan and spices 😊

42
I like authentic Indian food very much (I've had a real vinegary Vindaloo in a Sri Lankan place in Tooting, London), but I'm equally fond of the bastardised british versions. Unfortunately I'm an awful cook, work long hours and have a baby so just wanted something quick and spicy in a jar - any ideas?

43
I hear you :-)

https://www.britshop.ch/product/list...20%26%20sauces

44
Another quick update: my large COOP now has their selection of chillis back. I got so excited that I bought way too much!

45
May I recommend COOP finest bird eye chilli powder.. In a little tin.

I sprinkle it on everything, wonderful nice heat..Quick substitute for real chillis.

46
That's nothing. I've got 30 chilli plants on the go and seeds ready to plant in Jan.

47
I had the same problem when we first moved here. Where to get decent chillies in a country full of cheese? We cook lots of dishes with chillies and they need to be very strong. We use them in salads and cooked dishes and just to munch on with lunch. Yep, addicted.

Luckily, I discovered that every Migros has very, very good birdseye chillies from Thailand. They are red birdseyes, fresh and lovely fragrance and flavour. I’ve been using the Migros ones all through this year and only rarely saw them out of stock even during the lockdowns. The price for about 10-15 chillies in the pack is good.

I thought the COOP range of chillies to be pretty ordinary both for heat and flavour so we stopped using them.

48
Save the seeds from a couple and plant them indoors in January

49

Thanks. I might just do that!

50
Do.

They take ages to grow, so you're best planting them in Jan, then harden them with a few hours a day outside when spring comes. Don't over water, give tomato feed once a fortnight in summer, and sit back. Just label them well so you're not an idiot like me and get your plants mixed up, which I did with the jalapenos and cayennes this year.