Brick Lane and the orgasmic virtues of a good curry...

It was ages since I had last been to Brick Lane (and for a foodie, I am ashamed to say that I have yet to visit the market on Sundays which, I am told, is something else...) so meeting up with María, my Spanish friend, last Wednesday presented the perfect occasion as she is quite mad about food herself and especially spicy, authentic Indian/Sri Lankan/Pakistani/Bangladeshi curries. After some research online, we decided to try the much raved-about Gram Bangla. As pointed out by many, from the outside it looks like any old greasy spoon but once you enter and check out the counter, it is a whole different story. 6 or 7 simple yet gorgeous dishes to choose from (and thankfully, helpful staff to decipher the lot for you in lay terms). We shared a portion of lamb curry, one of vegetable curry, some basmati rice and a type of bread similar to a chapati but thicker (he said the name twice but neither of us could make heads nor tails of it!) This is what fast food should be like...delicious, wholesome, filled with fresh ingredients (not a processed thing in sight) and ridiculously cheap! We paid less than £6 each for that feast and left with the undescribable feeling of warmth and happiness that only great food can ever provide.

As I had plenty of time to kill before catching my train back to my suburban parallel existence, I decided to venture into the marvellous universe of Bangla City and what a colourful dimension that is. If money and weight of goodies were no object, I would have probably done one of those supermarket sweeps from those ghastly, naff 80's shows but instead of Bisto, Beans and ready meals, mine would have been packed with a million different types of spices, rice and condiments. Considering the circumstances, I think I did pretty well...after examining every single item on offer drooling and panting as I went along imagining the many flavoursome combinations possible, I forcibly packed myself off with a few bags of spices and some poppadoms. From that moment and until Friday evening, I could not stop mentally projecting the curry I was going to create and I have to say that it certainly paid off as my homemade chicken tikka masala with sag aloo, coconut-infused basmati rice and just-out-of-the-oven freshly made naan bread was just the ticket. I think I was on a high for quite some time from inhaling the aroma of multiple spices sizzling and simmering whilst the cooking was taking place.

And now it's the Christmas menu to think of...We are having a dual celebration at home so more food to plan! The Christmas Eve dinner is entirely my responsibility so I'm thinking of something quite light to leave room for the inevitable stuffing (and I don't mean the turkey's) on the 25th. Christmas Day will be roast duck and pheasant with all the trimmings prepared by my better half and the starter and dessert provided by yours truly. I'm thinking of making some Argy-style empanadas to start with and a decadent dessert with loads of dulce de leche to top it all off in style. As Nigella would say, this is no time for restraint...although I cannot say I am very familiar with the meaning of that word at any time of year but hey...Christmas is the perfect excuse to throw caution to the wind and indulge without thinking about the ensuing pangs of guilt and tight waistlines as there will be plenty of time to tackle those or other new excuses not to so what's the point anyway? For me, a merry Christmas is one with lots of scrumptious home-made food to share with your nearest and dearest and this is the only religion I swear by as it certainly lifts my spirits and fills my heart (and stomach) with utter joy...