I've been sent a press release - why me? Heaven knows - informing me of a new way to beat the recession and its attendant stress and gloom: get outside of a takeway curry, and the spicier the better. Now, you may scoff, but hark! Scientists are on hand to flesh out this at-first-sight extravagant claim with hard facts. Oh yes. Red chilli peppers, you see, release stress-busting feelgood endorphins, and tomatoes are rich in mood-enhancing serotonin. So it must be true. And there's also - as this report on a study of 1,185 curry eaters acknowledges - the little matter of not having had to cook the stuff yourself. No wonder 92 percent of people say they feel 'happier' after eating a takeaway curry (at least until the digestive effects kick in). I feel it incumbent upon me to pass on this helpful list of the 'top five mood-improving curries'. They are:
1. Chicken/beef Madras.
2. Vindaloo.
3. Thai red curry.
4. Pasanda.
5. Jalfrezi.
Happy eating!
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Yes, chili is said to be good for you. Encona hot pepper sauce here. Not that keen on regular curry-house fare, though - it all seems to have been sourced from the same 25,000-gallon vat in a factory in North London. I think I'd be ill for a week after eating your list.
ReplyDeleteCould be the answer to network prayers: a British poets' curry-eating competition. Giles Coren gets to play Tennyson ("an old style grandee with little contemporary relevance" says the Beeb - huh?) and we marvel at Simon Schama's pronunciation after a triple-strength Vindaloo.
Have you tried that chilli chocolate, now?
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's the ultimate serotonin-booster (well you've got to try something when you've given up sex, haven't you?). Pity it's so horrid.
Apparently tomato ketchup is very good for you. So those people who like ketchup with their fish & chips should be happy bunnies.
ReplyDeleteGood news if you're a terrible cook like me. As I'm stirring meat+tomatoes+chili in a pan I can claim to be embarking on a neurochemical journey to a fiery euphoria.
ReplyDeleteAnd no better place to put them to the test than a wonderful family-run postage-stamp sized outfit in Vauxhall, near Sainsburys. Name? Hot Stuff.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Mark - you should be in TV (maybe you are)... And yes Brit I've tried chilli choco and rather liked it, but I think the hit of a straight 85 pc can't be beat. Tomato ketchup is indeed a wonder food Dearieme - and you're right about that combo Anonymous (obviously a nice Anonymous this time) - and that was quick work by that outfit nicking the name of my post Mahlerman - have they never heard of intellectual property?
ReplyDeleteYears ago I had a colleague who explained men and hot peppers to me. We were all out to eat at some Mexican place and he was eating Jalepeno and other peppers raw -- his face was turning red and he could hardly breathe. "Why are you doing this?" I asked. His answer: Because after enduring a certain amount of pain, the rewards would come in the form of an endorphin rush (or something -- maybe adrenalin 'cause the body thinks it's being attacked).
ReplyDeleteHe went on to explain this is very male behavior and is the reason for the phrase "No pain, no gain."
Highly recommended includes a plane trip though.
ReplyDeleteThe Scottish equivalent of the takeaway is the carry oot, involves, at weekends, standing in line with some distinctly odd people.
The ultimate has to be tandoori, Indian for food that's been to the tanning parlour.
Malty, mein mann has finally gotten on the stick. We will be in Scotland Aug. 17-27, with several of those days at the Apex Int'l on Grassmarket in Edinburgh. Thank you so much for the walking recs -- we will do 'em! If you hear of any good Fringe shows, lemme know...My son the theatre freak will be with us.
ReplyDeleteAfter a lunch of Thai green curry I'm a god for two hours. That evening in the restroom, however, I find I have to spend a half hour in hell. It's a good rule for life in general, I find: It's going to be as spicy on the way out as it was on the way in.
ReplyDeleteI once visited a chinese doctor due to lethargy and depression, and he advised me not to eat spicy food as i had to much heat (or yang) in my body. And it worked. So it's probably more of an individual thing (i.e some people will feel ill and rundown if they eat curry regularly, whereas for others it may well be beneficial.)
ReplyDeleteAh, Hot Stuff in Vauxhall - couldn't agree more Mahlerman, I was in there just last night and had possibly the best Indian meal I've ever had... definitely a euphoric experience.
ReplyDelete