Archive Article: 1999/09/10
FANCY a curry? Then why not try a Blackface bhuna, a Highland beef madras or a venison vindaloo.
These are among the 50 curry dishes made with prime Scottish ingredients by Ian and Kathy Smiths Caledonian Curry Company at Bonar Bridge.
The firm can make up to 3000 curries a week – available from the site, retail outlets, mail order or the Internet. The hottest is the beef phall. "Strictly for the hairy chested," says Ian.
The business could turn over between £60,000 and £80,000 this year – and curry demand is on the up, he reckons. "Britains national dish nowadays is probably chicken tikka masala."
The firm, which moved into new premises earlier this year, was established in 1997. "I was tired of the poor-quality ready meals on offer in supermarkets and saddened by an increasing public indifference to food production methods," says Ian.
His favourite is the Blackface mutton bhuna. "Wonderful," he says. "People have a pre-conceived idea about mutton – they assume it will be tough and meaty. But it wont if its treated properly."
Another popular dish is rabbit rogan josh. "Wild Highland rabbit is a delicious organic meat. We have prepared it in a classic Kashmiri style, full of flavour and mouth-wateringly hot. This one will definitely impress dinner guests."
Farm Womens Club
CARMARTHEN
Mon, Sept 20, 12 for 12.30pm. Meet for picnic lunch at Joy Jones home Geryllan, Llanegwad, Carmarthen, followed by 2.15pm visit to Aberglasney Gardens. Small entry charge, names to Margaret (01267-241453) or
Joy (01267-290731).
DERBYSHIRE
Tue, Sept 21, 2pm. Meet at Shirland
village hall for demonstration of paper quilling. Please bring a plate tea. Contact Dorothy Shardlow (01773-832488).
DEVON
Tue, Sept 21, 12.45pm. Meet at Hestercombe Gardens for picnic or light lunch available before meeting Taunton members at entrance at 2pm. Tea at Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall at 4pm. Sun 26 Sept, 12 noon. Meet Wilts and Glos group for lunch at Gipsy Hill Hotel. Contact Dorothy Sellick (01884-256983) by Sept 16 for Hestercombe and
Sept 23 for Gipsy Hill.
DORSET
Fri, Sept 24. Coach trip to Kensington Palace for guided tour of state apartments and to view flowers. Cost £12.50, price of coach according to numbers. Details of pick up times from
Kay (01202-883303).
ISLE OF WIGHT
Wed, Sept 22,10.30am. Meet for coffee at the Bargemans Rest. Little London Quay, Newport. New members are welcome. Contact Sheila Brownrigg (01983-756612) or Ann Baird (01983-522507).
MERIONETH
Mon, Sept 13, 7 for 7.30pm. Meet at Fronoleu Farm Hotel, Dolgellau, where Gwyn Davies will be discussing antiques. Please bring along small items for the benefit of his expertise.
Contact Rona (01678-540643).
NORFOLK – NORTH
Tue, Sept 14, 10.30am. Meet at Christine Pointens home, Grange Farm House, Stody, Melton Constable for talk Say it with Cheese followed by tour of the yogurt-making plant. Contact Christine (01263-860291).
NORTHUMBERLAND
Wed, Sept 22, 2pm. Meet at Thirlestane Castle, near Lauder, for tour. Names as soon as possible, £1 discount for pre-booked groups. Contact Dorcas (01434-601822) or Lorna (01434-683359).
OXFORDSHIRE
Thu, Sept 23, 12 noon. Meet at Castle Pub, Edgehill, for bar meal followed by garden tour at Upton House. Contact Doris Burton (01993-702433).
ROXBURGHSHIRE
Mon, Sept 13, 7 for 7.15pm. Meet at Mount Holley Golf Range for an evening of golf practice with a professional coach. Bring your own golf club, no less than a No 6 iron. Contact
Margaret Allen (01835-823747).
SOMERSET – MENDIP
Wed, Sept 29, 12 for 12.30pm. Meet at Bishop Sutton village hall for talk Farming in New Zealand by Mary James. Contact Mary Withers (01761-453814).
SOMERSET – TAUNTON
Tue, Sept 21, 2pm. Meet Devon FWC at Hestercombe Gardens entrance for tour followed by tea at Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall at 4pm. Contact Mary Lowe-Willetts (01823-698222) or
Susan Bell (01278-722559).
SOMERSET – YEOVIL
Mon, Sept 20. Coach leaves Wincanton 8.15am, Sparkford 8.30am, Ilchester 8.45am for visit to Brannams Terracotta Pottery, Barnstaple and Arlington Court. Contact Sylvia Reed (01963-350431).
WORCESTERSHIRE
Tue, Sept 14, 10.30am. Meet at Noken Farm, Sinton Green, for craft demonstration and bring and buy, followed by lunch. Contact Mary Pritchard (01905-840531).
YORK
Tue, Sept 21, 12 for 12.30pm. Meet at Stamford Bridge Pavilion for plate lunch
followed by talk Between the Lines by Bill Robson Contact Joan Hall (01757-248592) or Mary Liversidge (01759-371140).