[Kleftiwallah]

Our annual (ish) trip to our local asian supermarket to stock up went well.  We grabbed all our usual packets, pots, potions and packs but there are so many other ingredients on the shelves.

Rather than jot down the names of 'interesting things' to be googled when at home, is there a website to tell us what all these 'wonderous' items are and how to use them?

Cheers,  Tony.

[sunshineband]

http://www.thekitchn.com/11-essential-spices-for-indian-cooking-223152

Here are the most commonly used, Kleftiwallah, which I hope helps a bit

[Kleftiwallah]

Hello there sunshineband

It wasn't the raw spices I was referring to but all the packets and jars of of prepared pastes with peculiar  names.  Cheers,  Tony.

[whitehill1]

Kleftiwallah,


Its good you bought powders and pastes. I use them every day, in mnost of the things so not easy to say with out knowing what you like.

for example I use tamaring paste/sause in many chutney/relish/stews ..and now I am using frozen rasberries in substitute and they really replace it.


I use corriander/currypowder or masala in any roast. and corriander and mint with stir fry types too

and if you taken a prepared paste, then temper the oil and add onion and let it cook in oil, then add veg/meat..fry it with onion for 3 or 4 mins and then add curry paste + water to your consistancy. then cook till the bubbles appear or oil saparates at the edges.

hope it helps. but but if you mention a curry paste and your other ingradients..I can be your  nigel salter

[mrs bouquet]

I find these supermarkets absolutely fascinating, we have a very good Chinese one as well.  I do ask them to explain stuff to me, but what a good idea to be able to look it up there and then.   
Dinner at your's then  regards, Mrs Bouquet

[sunshineband]

Hello there sunshineband

It wasn't the raw spices I was referring to but all the packets and jars of of prepared pastes with peculiar  names.  Cheers,  Tony.

Sorry, I hadn't realised...my mistake

[DanielCoffey]

I love these types of shops too... generally the further towards the back you go, the less English there is on the packets!

There's a big Chinese one in Edinburgh and I had great fun trying to find Belacan when they were still allowed to sell it. Their whole spices were unusual too. Have you ever *really* looked in the freezer cabinets?

[mumofstig]

Have you ever *really* looked in the freezer cabinets?

  Weird looking stuff in there, last time I looked! Hate to think what some of it is - so avoid looking now 

[Blewit]

From the Chinese supermarket I bought what looked like a dried cauliflower fungus to make soup and stock. Turned out it was supposed to be used in the bath like a loofah.

[mumofstig]

That made me LOL!

[mrs bouquet]

From the Chinese supermarket I bought what looked like a dried cauliflower fungus to make soup and stock. Turned out it was supposed to be used in the bath like a loofah.

Totally intrigued, how did you find out    Mrs Bouquet

[sarajane]

I always stock up on a couple of bottles of Chinese Rice wine. Makes an authentic flavour to stir fries rec.

[wighty]

I'm glad we don't have one on the Island as I would be like a kiddie in a sweet shop!  We have a very good Chinese takeaway near us and if I need anything special she'll get it for me.

[Blewit]

From the Chinese supermarket I bought what looked like a dried cauliflower fungus to make soup and stock. Turned out it was supposed to be used in the bath like a loofah.

Totally intrigued, how did you find out    Mrs Bouquet

After boiling a piece and taste testing, on my next visit to the shop I asked the till assistant (as casually as I could) how best to use it. She looked at me a bit strange and gestured washing under her arm while saying in the bath.

Edit to clarify quote

[Kleftiwallah]

Well... we are still here!  Let me explain.  We had a clear-out of our asian shelf and found packets of:-

(1) Brahim's Indonesian Rendang Sauce(use by 12/11/2013)
(2) Brahim's Kuah Sambal Tumis sauce, (use by 24/06/2004)
(3) Coconut King coconut cream powder (use by date in Chinese)
(4) Tesco Raw Peeled King Prawns (use by 20 Oct)
(5) The Fishmonger cooked and peeled Large North Atlantic prawns (use by 15/12/2015)
(6) A plain plastic bag of raw prawns that might have been bought as bait for a sea fishing trip. (??)

Along with some pilau rice, half a naan, mango chutney and some curry sauce left over from our last Indian takeaway, it made the best asian meal we have had in years.

USE BY DATES... Ha! ! !  Cheers,  Tony.