Ruby Murray: The Secret Story of Curry - (2010) [BBC Radio (MP3 160kbps)] - dearleuk

Ruby Murray: The Secret Story of Curry 09-04-2010

The British are mad about curry - 'Ruby Murray' in Cockney rhyming slang. Alkarim Jivani speaks to curry lovers north and south of the border to find out how curry came to be so intimately linked with the British sense of identity.

Historically, the English have been seen as distrustful of foreigners and wary of foreign food. So the nation's long love affair with curry - which is as much working class as colonial - is a surprising one. Even more curious is how this passion for curry is now recognised as part of the British identity. Vindaloo was the unofficial song of England's 1998 World Cup team - an unlikely battlecry for English football fans. In 2001, Robin Cook, then Foreign Secretary, declared that chicken tikka masala was the nation's most popular dish. Chicken tikka masala is even included by the Ministry of Defence in its operational ration packs to bring the troops some home comfort.

Contributors include: Madhur Jaffrey, whose enormously popular 1982 BBC series Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cookery revolutionised British Indian cuisine; Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochhar (Great British Menu, Saturday Kitchen), known for his masterful use of spices and the Indian twist he brings to modern British cuisine; Namita Panjabi, Group Director, Masala World (Veeraswamy, Chutney Mary, Amaya, and Masala Zone); and Neil Hind at Defence Food Services, Defence Equipment and Support, Ministry of Defence (Defence Equipment and Support buys equipment and supports the UK army, navy and airforce around the world).

Presenter Alkarim Jivani

Producers Catriona Oliphant / Ian Willox

Executive Producer Simon Berthon

"I could murder a Ruby." Not the plans of a nascent assassin, but the mating cry of the British liquored-up male on a Friday night. The British love affair with Ruby Murrays (cockney rhyming slang) dates as far back as the 18th century, as our guide to the Brits and the art of curry, Alkarim Jivani, tells us. Fantastic facts, like chicken tikka masala is not the nation's favourite meal and what Mrs Beaton could do to a periwinkle, are what make this gorgeous little dish of history, memories, and recipes, a very tasty morsel indeed.

-- Frances Lass

Type                : mpeg 1 layer III

Bitrate             : 160

Mode                : joint stereo

Frequency           : 44100 Hz

Length              : 00:27:56

Encoder             : Lame 3.97

Source              : iPlayer