Topic: A 'red' onion salad (Manchester BIR's)

[SnS]

I was discussing curries with a friend in the local.

He's originally from Manchester and was describing a red onion salad that a lot of the restaurants in central Manchester supply as part of their pickle tray (to go with poppadoms).

It would appear that this is a speciality of this area. He says that the onions are bright red and spiced with something sweet, which gives it a really special flavour.

I've never come across this and would be interested in knowing more please.

SnS

[Unclebuck]

Yep Ive seen this its like this one but prob more ketchup and red food colour, red wine vinegar unlikely thou.

[Davy]

Are we talking about actual Red onions here or just the colour of the salad? I managed to emulate a lot of our local BIR spiced onions up here in Glasgow area and the secret is IMO a cheap tomatoe sauce that you can buy in the local Chinese supermarkets by the gallon drum. It's actually made in Glasgow too. You just ad mint sauce, chilli powder etc as usual but it does appear bright red. No need for vinegar as the sauce has plenty. That's probably why! 

[JerryM]

i've seen a red onion salad in quite a few restaurants (mainly in Brum).

from tasting - i've always thought it is just white onion and tom puree.

if there are any other ingredients then it would have to be sugar in some form.

i would agree it's very good and goes well with poppadoms. i don't think it's quite as good as a top notch onion salad when its obvious fresh ingredients have been used including mint and cucumber. the trouble it's rare to find the top notch stuff (last place was in Bridgenorth on the seven).

[Razor]

Im from Manchester, and I didn't realise that these "red onions" were typical of Mancunian T/A, BIR's (that is, I thought you had them everywhere).

It is defo, white onions, tommy ketchup and a pinch of paprika!

Great with the massive crisp's as my youngest calls them ;D

Ray

[rozzi]

My mate is Bangladeshi and has is own takeaway, simple recipe Onion finely diced, enough tomato puree to colour and a pinch of chilli powder to spice, Enjoy

[Secret Santa]

Hello rozzi.

Blimey mate where have you been, your last post was in 2007! 

Do you still have contact with your BIR chef friend and have you progressed with your curry making?

[rozzi]

just been busy getting use to a land downunder. yes still have contact with my mate he has the red spice in Bolton. He sent me a book with some of his recipes in and customs confescated it but later let me have it. Think I'll have to find time to contribute to this site, cheers

[Domi]

Im from Manchester, and I didn't realise that these "red onions" were typical of Mancunian T/A, BIR's (that is, I thought you had them everywhere).

It is defo, white onions, tommy ketchup and a pinch of paprika!

Great with the massive crisp's as my youngest calls them ;D

Ray

They do it over in Yorkshire too so it's not particular to the wa...oops! I mean MANCs Never been in a restaurant or takeaway that hasn't sold it TBH...Can't remember where SnS is from though lol

Looking forward to more posts from Rozzi too! ;D Any chance of a sly peek into that recipe book of yours?

[Secret Santa]

Think I'll have to find time to contribute to this site, cheers

Look forward to it. Have you found any restaurants in Australia that compare favourably with BIRs?