As good as take-away?

[MrsFionaCharming]

I really love Chinese and Indian, but I find cooking a real chore and I'm not great at it. So a lot of the time, it doesn't seem worht the effort, when I know a takeaway would taste better!

But for the sake of my waistline and wallet, this needs to stop. So I was hoping for recipe suggestions for meals you think are just as good as a takeaway curry?

Thanks

Hairy Bikers do a diet recipe book with takeaway curry and chinese options made healthy. Haven't tried them yet - but friends have and say they are good.

www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sweet_and_sour_chicken_52908

Oh and a simple thing to do is buy a jar of Pataks curry paste, mix a tablespoon into half a cup of yoghurt and leave chicken breasts in it to marinate. I'd cut them into chunks or 3rds. Leave for an hour or more then wipe off excess marinade and grill. Serve with pitta, salad, some raita and mango chutney.

(YOu could buy the ready tikka-ed ones from the supermarket instead).

Innocent veg pots especially the lentil sambar are really nice. I mix with a bit of meat chicken or roast lamb normally. It's my happy fakeaway option.

My friend cooked me a curry from a book called The Takeaway Secret. It was better than my local curry house!

This prawn curry is quite quick and not terribly complicated

tyne-teas.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/chilli-prawn-curry.html

and this marinade for chicken drumsticks or thighs is pretty easy

tyne-teas.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/spicy-chicken-drumsticks.html

and this isn't too far off a cauliflower or potato curry side dish

tyne-teas.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/potato-andor-cauliflower-curry.html

and a few things to go with poppadoms

tyne-teas.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/things-to-have-with-poppadoms.html

Yep - I vote for the Curry Secret book. Bit of a faff to make the basic 'gravy' but it freezes and adding meat / veg = delish.

Another vote for the Takeaway Secret but it might not be any good if you don't like cooking, it takes a bit of effort.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I'll take a look at the books next time I'm in a shop, and see if I think I could cope. Meanwhile, I'll start with the sweet & sour recipe at the top

I really like the spice tailor sauces. Probably total expensive bollocks but the 3 part spice/sauce/base really seems to give proper punchy flavour to my curries (whereas before mine always tasted like slightly spivey gravy). I've enjoyed all the varieties I've tried.

The Hairy Dieters korma is so delicious and it's easy to make. I make it weekly

This Nigella chicken curry is so easy and just as good as the take away! I make it in batches and freeze it using old takeaway containers just to add to the effect!!!!

www.nigella.com/recipes/view/chinese-chicken-curry-3396

Since I now never eat out, I buy a selection of curry packs from Rafi's spice box every 6 months. They are about £4 a pack but they taste authentic and can just live in the freezer.
spicebox.co.uk/

Ooh, I tried the Spice Tailor Rogan Josh and really liked it, I'd forgotten about that!

I think I'm going to try Nigella's one tomorrow night, I think I can cope with that. Do you do any special rice with it?

Those spice boxes look amazing. They are a little on the pricey side, but I suppose it's still a saving over a meal out, so would be a goood start.

Madhur Jaffrey's Curry Easy book is brilliant - really authentic Indian food made easy - no faff. Much better than takeaway. At least 5 dishes have become staples in our house and are all quick and easy to prepare.

Also, Ken Hom's Simple
Thai and any of his Chinese recipes books are great.

Meant to say - you may need to invest in a spice grinder (Braun do a good one which can also be used for coffee) and some spices. I visit the Indian supermarket a few times a year and stock up on the basics - much cheaper than in your normal supermarket.