Curry Recipes Online
Curry Chat => Lets Talk Curry => Topic started by: Secret Santa on May 31, 2023, 06:07 PM
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https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/31/the-culture-has-changed-end-of-the-boom-for-birminghams-balti-triangle
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I should be reviewing the Shahi Nan Kabab (mentioned in the article) Balti chicken this weekend. If it's good (I mean spectacular good) it will go head-to-head with one of Mick's MKI masterpieces.
I think the article is not dissimilar to the Rusholme curry mile scene. If anything, the transformation in Manchester seems to have been quicker. So many curry houses gone. Many were proper balti houses too, just not in name.
But Manchester gets all those new and wonderful authentic kebab places, whereas Birmingham settles for god-dammed burgers, and a knickerbocker glory.
Rob
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An enjoyable visit to the Shahi yesterday, returning home with a top notch Birmingham balti (takeaway). I am starting to see there appear to be two quite distinct types of the real-deal balti. Thus, depending on where you go to get one, there are sparkling or non-sparkling varieties. Both truly wonderful in their own way. Absolutely fascinating stuff. Review with photos and expert analysis soon.
Rob
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Where "sparkling" implies what, exactly ?!
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Where "sparkling" implies what, exactly ?!
4 days later and it's still no clearer, especially as he says both are wonderful.
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Apols. Just about recovered from Ride London 100 a couple of weeks ago, and the weather is good so making the most of it :).
Sparkling, in the context of the balti spicing, where nothing takes over, yet the flavours seem to be darting everywhere, dancing if you like. You just can't figure out what they are. For example, Mick's Al Frash balti. This is how I see it anyway. Perhaps it's just my imagination. Also, in my defence, I have mentioned the balti spice sparkle/dance once or twice before, over the years.
Also behind with the Shahi review. Have planned a new thread with reviews of the remaining balti houses in Birmingham. This will be the first one. Here are a couple of photos to be going on with. So this is one of the places described in Santa's newspaper link.
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/3fcda9ea2238cc8fce64b3146bb1fc5a.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#3fcda9ea2238cc8fce64b3146bb1fc5a.jpg)
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/8ce3a1629bb7283f75310c6012bd3381.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#8ce3a1629bb7283f75310c6012bd3381.jpg)
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/a2b32551de834024db68b9410d515f79.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#a2b32551de834024db68b9410d515f79.jpg)
Top notch Balti chicken, absolutely stunning. Heavily spiced with massive depth and a lovely sweetness. Ultra-lush, but it's not a sparkler. Black pepper and clove up front. It will come highly recommended though. Perhaps worth while waiting a little longer for the review, before rushing over there. Incidentally, it is also one of Andy Munro's top recommendations.
Hoping to get over to Khan's Fish Bar (Ladypool Road) later today. A bit off the radar this one. However, apparently, one can purchase a rather special Balti lamb (and chips) from here. Served in a yellow polystyrene TA tray. I quite like the sound of this.
Rob
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Look forward to the coming reviews Bob. Have just finished cooking the MDB mk1 base having exhausted all base in the freezer. Hopefully I haven't botched this :Clown: Will provide some feedback on the resultant curry. Whether I can rave about the results this base produces remains to be seen as I've not experienced a "real" balti against which to compare it. I'll just have to make the comparison against the one one I cooked using the mk2 base.
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Hi all. Apols again. Been a little under the weather. Minor issues with my giblets.
Normal service should resume soon. I did visit Khan's Fish Bar. Hmm. Wasn't impressed with the Balti lamb. Wishy-washy affair with very little lamb in it. Miles away from the balti magic. To top it off, I found a big lump of potato hiding in there. Binned it all. It could perhaps been better to have it with chips, as advertised, but had a naan instead. Their fish and chips looked good and based on this curry offering likely a better option.
Balti lamb
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/fa863c529810687e2813e5538d7c28aa.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#fa863c529810687e2813e5538d7c28aa.jpg)
But hang on to your hats. I seem to have found another top-notcher this week. Had an Uber Eats delivery from a place called Desi Roti & Khana. Will have to check, but think geographically this one is outside the Balti Triangle.
Balti chicken
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/ad50439382510e222f1bf6266d31a494.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#ad50439382510e222f1bf6266d31a494.jpg)
Fabulous. Just 2 miles from me. Popping over later today for more. Expect the prices will be a fair bit lower for collection too. Struck me this balti looks not unlike the Shahi's (TA) I had. See photo earlier in this thread. Both nothing like regular BIR, appearance and taste. Both authentic Birmingham Balti. Quality wise the Shahi will have edged it, in my opinion. The DRK balti was (as usual) ordered medium hot, but felt it needed a little more oomph. I split it into two portions. Reheated the second portion with 1 tsp Jalpur GM added. This hit the spot and although unable to make a side-by-side comparison, felt the additional GM made the DRK taste incredibly similar to the Shahi.
Better than Mick's Al Frash (and Adil's)? No. Made differently? Yes. I am thinking extensive pressure cooking for these, but not sure. Plenty salt. It will be fun having a dabble.
Proper Balti review thread soon, giblets withstanding. "Four Baltis". Keep reading online there are four remaining Balti (Triangle) houses still going. I can only see three named (Andy Munroe's blogs). These being: Shabab's, Shahi, Popular Balti. So not sure about the forth one. Not to worry though. I'll go with the Khyber Pass, a little out of the Triangle, but so is DRK, I think. Rusholme too.
Rob
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Went to DRK on Saturday. Wow! Reckon this place will be in my top 5 Birmingham balti houses recommendations. Currently, it's position #1 or #2 in close competition with the Shahi.
This is what I got. 4 seekh kebab, 1 seekh kebab roll, 2 rotis, 1 naan. Balti chicken ginger. The kebab roll consists of 2 seekh kebabs in a naan with the dips and salad. The chef offered to wrap everything separately, so I could put it together when I got home, which was a nice touch. The roll kebabs are in the paper bag on the left in the photo. The 2 rotis come free with any large curry, or you can have a free naan, or rice. Nice! Saw they had some rather fine looking multi-coloured boiled rice on display. Think I'll have a portion next time as my freezer is filling up with rotis. They are a lot thicker than they look.
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/1442a516891287e845aa3c62addddd1c.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#1442a516891287e845aa3c62addddd1c.jpg)
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/841e923b397a96b4e107361cba45f8e4.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#841e923b397a96b4e107361cba45f8e4.jpg)
For the balti I requested hot. Got the option of how hot and went for not vindaloo hot. Now this balti was world class, a 10/10 all day long. The ginger. How has he done that? Beautifully balanced, absolutely bang on the money. So fragrant. A stunning dish. Sparkly spicing. I think it's ground ginger, mainly, there is root as well. Must try this with MKI base.
Rob
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Was back at DRK again on Sunday. Loving this place. Ordered 5 seekh kebabs, a large portion of chicken pakora, sweet boiled rice and a Balti chicken (madras). Also got the 2 complementary rotis (not shown).
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/397fd5f8cdeeb5e6b97f00b3486f9b66.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#397fd5f8cdeeb5e6b97f00b3486f9b66.jpg)
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/fc3fffff1aa4d41735520e82ac8075e7.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#fc3fffff1aa4d41735520e82ac8075e7.jpg)
Another superb balti. Perhaps a little too much chilli heat for me. Felt there may be a Basaar masala in this one.
The previous Balti chicken ginger from here will take some beating. Made a fair few MDB MKI Balti chicken ginger dishes myself recently. Oh my word, top notch! Rough chopped fresh ginger and garlic to start, cooked in balti oil for a couple of minutes. Then the chopped onion/green pepper is added. Next, pre-cooked chicken and all the base gravy. I don't think multiple reductions are needed. Halfway through cooking the balti add as much julienned ginger as you like. When reduced to desired consistency sprinkle with 1/2 tsp ground ginger, to finish. If making Balti jalfrezi ginger dishes I have also been sprinkling 1/2 tsp Jalper GM. Mind-boggling quality.
Rob
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Some tasty looking dishes there Bob but I think i'd be spooning off the excess oil as there's plenty of it. May be i'll get to Manchester to try some of these once I retire. I'm sure kebabs easily pass muster and those rotis look perfect for scooping. Any chance of you putting up your recipe of balti chicken ginger along with some pics of the stages?
Off topic, I was trawling the site recently and happened across your post on the day you spent cooking with chef Moike and Goncalo. Went to view the vids but not available :sad: Any reason for taking them down??
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Once again Bob rubbing it in. “Oh they’re only a few miles from my house”….😂
Yeah, yeah, well I live in Chicago now Bob and BIR is a little further for me.
Love seeing those foil containers filled with beauty though. So jealous.
Robbo
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Will do Phil. Making a batch of MDB MKI base this weekend and will be straight on the Balti chicken ginger. It's essentially Mick's basic balti recipe, with the ginger twist(s). I'll try to do some weights and measures.
Not guilty on the videos. Youtube did it. I had uploaded them so that only those you had the link could view them. Recall ages ago Youtube informed me there was some change in privacy policy, which is why they disappeared, I guess. Looked at my account today, I can still watch the videos. There is now a "sharable link". Can you (anyone) open/view this? It should be Ex-hot Vindaloo (aka Phal). Seems I also have the option to "download to device", so should be able to unload them all again, if needed.
https://youtu.be/e6e5X0F316o
Robbo, yes, sorry. Although I am actually quite envious of your location. Birmingham or Chicago? Hmm. Sod the curry. Do you want to swap houses? :)
Rob
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Robbo, yes, sorry. Although I am actually quite envious of your location. Birmingham or Chicago? Hmm. Sod the curry. Do you want to swap houses? :)
I'm either having hallucinations or I've eaten too many magic mushrooms. Am I really correct in thinking that you (Kashmiri Bob) would prefer to live in Chicago than in Birmingham ? This seems totally incomprehensible to me. What appeals to you about Chicago, and what do you dislike about living in Brum ? OK, I've never lived in Brum, but I used to stay in Smethwick every weekend for two and a half years, and my regular trips to Brum and its environs are amongst my happiest memories ...
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** Phil.
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Well I actually live in a little town called Batavia, about 45 mins outside Chicago. But I have to tell you, Chicago is a great city, if you like cities. Couldn’t live in the hustle and bustle myself, but yes, beats Brum hands down. Apart, that is, from the BIR.
Robbo
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Saturday evening's home delivery. Seekh kebab sizzler and Balti chicken courtesy of Shababs. Complementary multi-dip and mayo.
(https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/e57113b7c57bc0a73192902cbfd3d6fb.jpg) (https://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#e57113b7c57bc0a73192902cbfd3d6fb.jpg)
Much better than the previous two instalments I had from here. This time managed to eat 3 whole tsp of the balti before depositing it in the freezer. Defrosting as I type. Will see if it can be repaired tonight.
Rob
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I visited Shababs for the third time, a couple of months ago. I don't know why I bother returning, really. I've never thought the food was anything special but the Balti chicken somehow seemed quite tasty, before. This time, I thought it reminded me of times at home when things go wrong and I end up with a sub-standard anonymous tasting curry. Even worse was the keema naan bread I ordered. The filling in 95% of places is good but not here. They must have their own recipe for the filling and I thought it was awful.
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Even worse was the keema naan bread I ordered. The filling in 95% of places is good but not here. They must have their own recipe for the filling and I thought it was awful.
The same is true of the Ghurka restaurant in St Austell. I complained the last time I dined there, they made me a new one on the spot, with the owner preparing/cooking it, but sad to say it was not better ...
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** Phil.
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I complained the last time I dined there, they made me a new one on the spot, with the owner preparing/cooking it, but sad to say it was not better ...
So they took your curry away, faffed around for ten minutes, and brought the same curry out to you again. :lol:
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This time, I thought it reminded me of times at home when things go wrong and I end up with a sub-standard anonymous tasting curry.
You've just described exactly what I thought after having made balti.
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I complained the last time I dined there, they made me a new one on the spot, with the owner preparing/cooking it, but sad to say it was not better ...
So they took your curry away, faffed around for ten minutes, and brought the same curry out to you again. :lol:
Tut tut, dear boy — you really should read the thread before replying ... We are discussing keema naan, not curries !
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Saturday evening's home delivery. Seekh kebab sizzler and Balti chicken courtesy of Shababs. Complementary multi-dip and mayo.
Much better than the previous two instalments I had from here. This time managed to eat 3 whole tsp of the balti before depositing it in the freezer. Defrosting as I type. Will see if it can be repaired tonight.
Rob
Am I reading this right Rob? So, you buy a home delivery balti from Shababs but you can only eat 3 teaspoons of it before freezing it. You then need to defrost it and repair it, and you add that this was much better than the previous purchases.
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Tut tut, dear boy — you really should read the thread before replying ... We are discussing keema naan, not curries !
Yes indeed! I did actually read it but somewhere between reading and replying I had a brain-fart. I blame old age. The last keema naan I had was equally awful, almost poppadom thin with a misting of keema filling. This was from a place I used to eat at some fifteen years ago when they were truly wonderful at everything. The state of the industry is depressing for people with memories long enough.
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Saturday evening's home delivery. Seekh kebab sizzler and Balti chicken courtesy of Shababs. Complementary multi-dip and mayo.
Much better than the previous two instalments I had from here. This time managed to eat 3 whole tsp of the balti before depositing it in the freezer. Defrosting as I type. Will see if it can be repaired tonight.
Rob
Am I reading this right Rob? So, you buy a home delivery balti from Shababs but you can only eat 3 teaspoons of it before freezing it. You then need to defrost it and repair it, and you add that this was much better than the previous purchases.
Yes, 3 whole tsp livo. Just another one of my failed attempts at light-hearted sarcasm. It was a dud balti, 0/10. The kebabs were soggy too. Also, I placed my order at 7.00 pm. It arrived shortly after 11.00 pm. Still shaking my head in disbelief at the sachets of mayo. A slice of fresh lemon would have been more appropriate, surely :)
Rob
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You wouldn't go back again would you? Reading about your experience along with George's most recent and I'd have to imagine they won't be around for long. I certainly don't feel I'm missing out on much.
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One reason for making return visits was that's included in places where I can get 25% discount through a scheme/app called Gourmet Society. Every listing states you must phone to book in advance but I never do, and I doubt if other people do, either. It's almost unheard of for anywhere to object, except at Shababs. The guy on the front desk sounded like he didn't want to give me the discount. I said if he preferred, I could book for 30 mins ahead, then return. It didn't come to that but I didn't like their attitude. I certainly won't be going back again.
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Was going to to add a pile of chilli powder to the balti, but thought better of it, as likely would have spent most of the following morning parked on the throne. Not a good prospect during the hot weather we have had recently. So I just reheated it. I guess I can see the attraction for some. This offering was a quite neutral and sweet balti. I just don't particularly like the taste and it also lacked the necessary depth. I could still spot the signature Kasuri methi and mustard oil, but more subtle this time, hugely, with the pungency of these ingredients balanced by sweetness, presumably via the base gravy. Anyway, I won't be ordering again. A boring balti, soggy kebabs, sachets and a 4 hr wait, to boot. No thanks. To be fair, the Shababs multi-dip sauce was very good, and quirky. I look forward to having a go at making it.
Next dish for me will be another Balti chicken royale. Made one last night. Oh my word! Sublime. I think it will go on my tasting menu.
Rob