Chicken Tikka Masala is apparently the UK’s favourite curry.  That’s as maybe, but it’s not one of mine.  I prefer the Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala as served by the excellent Cinnamon Lounge in Ripponden.  Notice the difference?  You will when you eat it!

Chicken Tikka Masala - It's a bit red isn't it

Apparently the Chiken Tikka Massala was invented in Glasgow by an industrious chef who, when asked for some sauce by a customer who’d ordered Chicken Tikka without knowing what it was, mixed some spices together with a can of Heinz Tomato Soup.

So what is Chicken Tikka Masala (or “CTM” as it is sometimes known)?

It is basically chucks of Chicken Tikka marinated in yoghurt in a spicey tomato masala sauce.  Masala pretty much means a “mixture of spices”, so there are many many different versions of this classic curry, some of which are great, but in my experience they are usually at best average.

The other issue is that we curry snobs in the know say its not a proper curry etc etc.  And we are of course correct, it isn’t a proper curry.

It is the devil’s own spume of spew and bile and was solely invented to pacify drunk jocks

Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala Yum Yum, Its Curry-tastic

(Just a little tip, I wouldn’t search for the that term on Google images unless you are a man who prefers the company of a man…)

But I’m glad to say that even the most anal curry snob such as myself would agree that’s not case with the Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala at Ripponden’s Cinnamon Lounge.

I first tried the Cinnamon Lounge’s Chicken Tikka Chilla Masala over Christmas when we went there with some friends.  I saw it on the menu and was tempted by the chillis, but was put off by the Tikka Masala element.  Anyway, one of our party ordered it and we all had a try and I have to say it was fantastic – I normally like curries slightly hotter and the Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala certainly was that….

Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala Extreme Close Up - Can you feel the heat?

Last weekend Mrs Currytastic and I decided to have a take out and opted for the Chilli Masala from the Cinnamon Lounge and I’ve got to say I’m glad we did.  Rich, full of flavour and spicey enough for the very spicey people I wasn’t at all disappointed.

Chicken Tikka Chilli Masala Currytastic Official Score: 4.0 out of 5 – That’s Currytastic!

Hmmmm Chicken Madras Curry. Does it get any better than a hot, spicy Chicken Madras? Well, it probably does, but not at Elland’s Caddy Shack!

Chicken Madras...nom nom

We’ve been frequenting the Caddy Shack for a number of years now and have outlasted previous owners.  As a rule we attend most Friday lunch times to partake of it’s varying treats in our varying size of group – We have an entirely select lunch time club where membership is frequently revoked for non-attendance:-)

Some time ago, some of us started having curry with rice for lunch, which at the time was cooked (at least I think that’s how it began) by the Thai wife of the then owner.

Since then, Mandy has taken over the kitchen and as well as learning the Thai recipes, has developed her own curry related style and skills.  In fact you might say she has become almost a curry ninja – although I’ve not as yet seen her lobbing throwing stars at any of the patrons…

Today, as a group we pretty much all had the chicken madras excluding Ginger Craig who had a pie – bear in mind that he is from Wakefield and pie is standard fare in that part of the world.  Anyway, after requesting extra hotness when we placed the order, Mandy certainly delivered and by halfway through we were puffing and panting (not in a sexual way), as well as enduring the usual head sweat that comes with a fine madras.

As usual, the chicken madras was great although (for me personally because I’m a bit weird and don’t like chunks of tomato) there was far too many chunks of tomato in it!  In any case I’m sure Some of our more eagle eyed (hands up if you remember!) visitors will have noticed the “wrap” supplied instead of a chapati and / or naan and purely because of this I have to deduct some marks…

Caddy Shack Chicken Madras Currytastic Official Score:

4.2 out of 5 – That’s Currytastic!