Topic: Three baltis

[Naga]

Thanks, Jerry! I made up the spice mix powder and garam masala as per your spec to use in my attempted Baltification of CBM's Garlic Chilli Chicken last night. My grinder broke last week, but so keen was I to try the Balti mixes, I resorted to drying/roasting the whole spices in the oven and grinding them using a mortar and pestle. Never again! I doubled up on your suggested quantities and it took me over an hour to get anywhere near a fine grind!

Anyway, your suggested mix powder and GM worked well and the curry was very nice indeed! Bear in mind, of course, that I've never had a "proper" Balti curry, so I wouldn't know what taste to expect. But, notwithstanding that caveat, it was a good curry.

I think I'll try a stripped-down curry next time, though, as it was difficult to get a handle on what was what with all the competing flavours in the Garlic Chilli Chicken. I'll probably try your own Balti Chicken recipe as it's relatively straightforward and looks pretty good to boot!

[JerryM]

Naga,

real dedication - pestle and mortar. i've thrown mine out to prevent such an occurrence. ebay for an electric version.

not sure if i stated anywhere that i've used bassar as the curry powder. i think any curry powder would do but bassar just feels a tad more accurate.

stripped-down curry sounds right to me for balti. someone wrapped it up saying layers of flavour - these are already in so to speak. it's probably another key difference between Balti and BIR - the competing flavours seems to suit BIR. Balti chicken or even chicken and mushroom would be as far as i would go.

best wishes

[Naga]

Made your Balti Chicken for the family tonight, Jerry. It was great!

(No photos this time around as I was also in the middle of making Aussie Mick's highly-recommended Karahi along with chips, fish fingers and sweetcorn for my grandson!)

If you reckon that this was a decent stab at a Balti (bearing in mind I've never knowingly had one), and you rated it 8/10, then I can say for sure that I definitely like balti curries!

I changed/added a couple of things according to what I had handy and what I read in this thread:

1. I used the spice mix you specified in the spreadsheet, which I think is your bassar mix. I would normally use Abdul Mohed's 8-Spice mix powder.

2. I used mickdabass's chicken tikka.

3. I substituted salt with a tsp of light soy sauce.

4. I added a tsp of kewra water at the end of cooking time.

5. I used my interpretation of Rob's base gravy. As far as I know, it hasn't been transcribed in full here, but with a little scouting around and some informed guesswork, I managed to create a light and sweet golden-coloured base which wouldn't overpower the final dish with intrusive flavour or heat.

I'll be making this again very soon in (hopefully) less hectic circumstances and I'll get some photos up.

Thanks for your specific work on this, Jerry, and thanks to everyone else who has pushed this thread along.  Onwards and upwards!

[JerryM]

Naga,

well pleased it went well.

the mix in the spreadsheet calls for curry powder - i use bassar in place of this ie it's part of the mix powder. you could add whatever curry powder anyone has to hand ie rajah and it would still work. the bassar just gives some dishes including this one an edge.

the only thing i guess on my balti wish list that i've not mentioned is to crack the naan bread but i don't see that being any easier.

[Naga]

Good luck with the naan bread, Jerry. I wish I could help, but I seem to have no skill when it comes to all things dough. Quite the reverse!

[curryhell]

Nice to see all the hard work paying dividends. Rob and Jerry have put a lot into working this issue. Good to see some feedback from their own results too.  When i get a bit more time i'll explore the balti.  At present have enough to be going on with.

[mickdabass]

Excellent work Bob and Jerry.

Thanks you both for helping me with this dish too. Much appreciated

Regards

Mick

[Kashmiri Bob]

Had another TA from the Adil today, consisting of sheek kebab, Balti meat (requested madras hot), and mushroom naan.










Scores. Naan (5/10), kebab (8/10), balti (10/10).


Rob 

[Kashmiri Bob]

Check this out. Last night's dinner.  100 % real-deal Birmingham balti.  Home made.  Thanks Jerry!


Balti chicken (madras hot)












Heavenly. Even with an Asda naan.



Rob 

[curryhell]

Does this mean the balti has now been cracked Rob  ;D
Very tasty looking dish.  Shame about the naan though.  I could have e-mailed you a better one