Celebrate National Curry Week with The Spice Tailor 

This week is officially National Curry Week and with the colder nights drawing in, we think there’s no better way to warm yourself up then with  Britain’s favourite spicy dish. Of course there are many fantastic Indian restaurants to try around the UK but why not try your hand at making something yourself. But fear not readers, The Spice Tailor have come up with a super range of ‘cheat’ sauces which are packed full of all the authentic spices and flavours to recreate your own authentic curry at home. Perfect for the most discerning cook, modern lifestyles and if you’re wanting to whip up a quick family meal which will impress your diners in less than 15 minutes. 

Developed by Anjum Anand in 2011 she set herself a mission to re-create the authentic flavours of India in a simpler, healthier and more accessible way. There are over 8 sauces to try in the range with something for each taste from Delicate Korma to Fiery Goan Curry. We tried our hand out at the Keralan Coconut Curry and not only were the directions incredibly easy to navigate, the flavours were out of this world and miles apart from any pre-made sauce we’ve tried before. The main difference is that the packet comes with not only a sauce but you are also provided with a sachet of the all important spices for toasting, the thing that really provides the depth of Indian flavour.

You might even fool yourself into thinking for a minute that you are a top chef with the flavours and aromas which emanate from this while you are cooking and the refined and complex flavours. The Spice Tailor sauce kits are priced from RRP £2.90 and available from most large retailers. Whats more, if you wanted to create an Indian feast, The Spice Tailor also has a range of Chutni’s, Naans, Daal and Street Food Kits. 

We paired our Keralan Coconut Curry with the Villa Maria Private Bin Gewürztraminer which was simply a marriage made in heaven. If you’re a fan of the Gewürztraminer you already know that the subtle hints of lychee and rose flavours are perfect with spice and the combo of the sweetness of the wine is just the antidote to the heat kick of the curry. This particular offering from New Zealand Winery Villa Maria was excellently balanced with a unique and rounded flavour due to the fact that the grapes are crushed and soaked for a time with the skins on to extract every bit of flavour. The only trouble I had with this wine was that it was over a little too quickly. Priced at only RRP £11.75 per bottle and available from Majestic wine we’re just off to buy ourselves some more. 

For more information on The Spice Tailor visit thespicetailor.com 

Villa Maria visit villamaria.co.nz 

Celebrate Chinese New Year at School of Wok

Ken Hom with SOW Logo

Chinese New Year is just around the corner and true to Eastern traditions, it is to be celebrated with a feast of delicious cuisine. We’re delighted to announce that our friends at Jeremy Pang’s School of Wok are here to enlighten you on all the culinary delights they have to offer from February 8th when Chinese New Year begins, all the way up until The Lantern Festival on Feb 22nd. Not only will you get the chance to try all the delicious dishes, but you’ll also get a masterclass in how to prepare the dishes yourself. So celebrate The Year of The Monkey and learn some new skills with School of Wok.

Saturday 13th February, join in the school’s popular Flavours of China, for a special Chinese New Year feast. Participants of this class will be whisked around a lantern-lined Chinatown, for delicious samples from some of the longest-standing Chinese bakeries and markets, followed by a celebratory cooking class back at in the School of Wok kitchens. Create warming, mouth-watering and symbolic dishes such as Lionhead Meatballs (signifying strength and power) and classic Chilli & Garlic Clams (signifying good wealth) to feast on along side a glass of wine, once the cooking is complete. This full-day class is sure to get you into the true spirit of Chinese New Year!

Chilli and Garlic Wealthy Clams Jeremy Pang's Chinese Unchopped (Quadrille £19.99) Photography by Martin Poole

Chilli and Garlic Wealthy Clams
Jeremy Pang’s Chinese Unchopped (Quadrille £19.99) Photography by Martin Poole

On the 19th February we have a truly unique experience for you to enjoy. Join head chef and founder Jeremy Pang and Michelin starred chef Alfred Prasad for a journey into the world of Indian Chinese Cuisine; a popular micro-cuisine of India that merges Chinese dishes with Indian spices and ingredients. With very little known about this cuisine outside of India, this one-of-a-kind class is unlikely to be duplicated anywhere in London. And with two passionate chefs combining forces as well as ingredients, you can count on delicious dishes and unique cooking techniques such as Spicy Momos (Tibetan dumplings) with Red Chilli & Garlic Sauce, Indian Chinese Chilli Chicken, and more. For more information on this exciting class, click here.

Celebrity Chef Alfred Prasad

Celebrity Chef Alfred Prasad

Other classes running during Chinese New Year include;

Authentic Chinese Cooking on 10th February

Understanding the Wok on 13th February

Understanding the Wok; Lantern Festival Special on Saturday 20th February.

Some of the dishes made and eaten during these classes will include ‘Longlife’ Lobster Noodles in Ginger & Spring Onion, Crispy Gold Bucket Wontons (for good wealth), Prawn & Pine Nut Lettuce Wraps (signifying rising fortune), Blanched Greens in Roasted Garlic & Goji Berry Broth for good health, and more!

For more information on how to book your Chinese New Year class click here.

For further information on the variety of classes, supper clubs, guest chef classes or corporate events, visit the School of Wok website at www.schoolofwok.co.uk