It’s a Sunday Evening. Hector is out. What’s more, Marg has joined The Hector and has agreed that going home to cook was futile. We were few blocks from Yadgar (148 Calder St., Govanhill, Glasgow, G42 7QP), time to phone Shkoor. A Half Hours notice was given, a Curry fit for Hector, and something Non-Ballistic for Marg. What would we be served?
The Teatime Trade was brisk with the usual throng in the doorway. Taking the small table at the rear, we were greeted by The Quiet Man who has until recently stayed in very much in the background. He has taken to acknowledging me of late and so I asked his name – Ahmed. One day a photo. Softly, softly. I don’t want to make Minor Celebrities – was the response when I informed Shkoor that I had finally found out Ahmed’s name. There are still some staff to go.
Marg remarked on my meeting – The Son of Shkoor – last visit. I asked if he had read The Blog, he had. Hi, Son of Shkoor!
The Anticipated and Complimentary Spiced and Poppadoms appeared with the customary efficiency. As we munched through these Shkoor placed a late of Mixed Starters on the table. Wonderful, but would we now eat The Curry?
A Pair of Chicken Seekh Kebabs, a Chicken Chapli Kebab and a Mysterious Dark Patty. Shkoor was trying to see how much Chicken he can make Hector eat. The Dark Patty was a Shami Kebab. The Ground Meat was beyond Mince, very finely ground Meat and Chickpeas. Interesting. Somehow I had to eat the majority of this Platter. On a normal visit to Yadgar one tends to starve oneself beforehand. But then I had no knowledge of what was coming after other than the Lamb would be on-the-bone.
Chicken Curry
Not for Hector, for Marg! The Boneless Chicken came in a Substantial Portion. The Minimal Masala was decidedly Red, different from Hector usually receives. This was for Marg. The Citrus was to the fore – I was informed. The Spice Level was well within the Lady’s Tolerance. The accompanying Chapatti was put to proper use. Marg enjoyed her Curry but had to leave less than half. Doggy Bag!
Lamb Karahi
A Large Karahi filled with Lamb was studied closely. There was substantial Red Oil already forming at the Base. I knew what pleasure lay here, however I used the spoon to squash the Curry and most of the Oil was instantly reabsorbed. It will be back.
The Masala was decidedly different from The Yadgar Norm, however the Yadgar Taste was still in there. White?, an Onion-Tomato Mash, the Masala hailed from further West than what I am typically served. Slices of Large Green Chillies permeated the Dish, another Punjab-Afghan Trait. (How soon before Curryspondent Ahmed) advises us further?) The Green Chillies had more Flavour than I have ever experienced.
Have you a new Chef from Afghanistan? I asked Shkoor. He said he would relay my comment to the kitchen. So, is there? Chef – Mr. Arshad – took the Thumbs-up as he moved from kitchen to storeroom. Who had prepared this? Ahmed?
The Curry was Wonderful, how could it not be? It is pleasing to note that within these premises lie many pleasures from seemingly the same Ingredients. Doggy Bag!
The Bill
There was one and it was paid in full. BHHIP.
The Aftermath
There was discussion about Marg and Hector’s planned trip to India in 2016.
You won’t like the food – said Shkoor. You should go to Pakistan.
Hector has survived Lagos and even Athens when Marg and I walked into the riots. Islamabad?
April or October would be a good time to visit.
Hector replies:
I will be away for part of both of these months, but we may be lucky.