Quote from: vin daloo on November 04, 2005, 07:57 PM
i have never been to birmingham.  So whats the difference between A regular BIR and a birmingham balti house? 

The difference is or atleast was quite a lot, the balti houses usually were very basic cafe type restaurants where you were served curries in a balti dish, made of cast iron and very large (BIR used plates in those days). The curries had a different base sauce than a BIR, and relied usually on lotsa fresh coriander and garam masala,the menu would include a  combination of different meats and pulses, for example; lamb,chicken and chickpeas in the same bowl. The sauce was thick and the idea was you eat it without cutlery,scoop up with a nan bread (no rice included). The curries weren?t very hot but they were spicey. The original balti houses were not licenced so you could bring your own alcohol and they would provide glasses. I think they were originally designed as a cheap cafe for the asian community. Of course non asians got to know about them and they became popular, popularity spawned into a kind of gimmick and soon any curry that was served in a balti dish and had a bit of onion and pepper was called a balti.

100 BEST BALTI CURRIES, Diane Lowe and Mike Davidson: Pavilion Books, 1994.
ISBN: 1-85793-221-8

Is a good book for traditional baltis

Should be an interesting read....can't wait to get the book and try the recipes as we have no Balti restaurants in the colonies . 

CC

Quote from: vin daloo on November 04, 2005, 07:57 PM
So whats the difference between A regular BIR and a birmingham balti house??

The biggest difference, literally, are the 'table naans'. They are as big as a table and I would love to know how they cook them in the Tandoor.

Not just the nans, although yes, ive had HUGE nans in balti restaurants,1 nan would be enough for 3 hungry people.
Here is a fun guide to the differences.

http://www.jdbg20436.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/balti/balti.html

Quote from: vin daloo on November 04, 2005, 07:57 PM
i have never been to birmingham.  So whats the difference between A regular BIR and a birmingham balti house? 

The difference for me has been simple -  I've enjoyed the vast majority of BIR curries which I've had, and have been quite indifferent to nearly all balti curries I've had! Sad but true.

Regards
George

Balti is like any BIR in that, there are good and bad ones, sorry to hear you?ve only had bad, if you?ve had a balti at a BIR, then it isn?t the real deal, although even the real deal is hard to find even in Birmingham these days. I?m hoping the authentic balti cook book is a little more than KD?s "add extra onion slices and pepper balti". Although that recipe was quite good, but it wasn?t a trad balti.

Hope you find a good balti restaurant as there are several that produce really good food.

Latest: just recieved this email:

Many thanks for pre-ordering the book "Authentic Balti Curry :
Restaurant Recipes Revealed".

We are pleased to be able to inform you that your order will be
despatched by first class post on Monday 21st November 2005.
----------------------------------------
I realy cant wait for this, i just hope its worth it's wait in gold. i suspect there will be a lot of experimenting in the coming weeks! and this maybe the main topic. keep em peeled for the latest!

Me too  ;D

Quote from: John on November 15, 2005, 11:05 PM
...your order will be
despatched by first class post on Monday 21st November 2005.

Why are people so taken in by 1st class post? Anybody buying that book has been kept waiting for several months, and they may have been searching for 'the secret' for decades. Then they go and waste your money, or theirs, on 1st class post, as if it's urgent. In my experience, 2nd class post is normally just as fast and no less reliable. I know it's only a few pence, bvut who are they trying to impress?

Regards
George

Hi,

I don't care if it comes by pony express or carrier pigeon, so long as they get it to me A.S.A.P.
The wait has been a long haul, so lets hope it comes up with the goods.

Ray