This evening Hector headed out towards Old Kilpatrick and Bowling, I was convinced I spotted an Indian Takeaway driving past a few weeks ago. If it exists, it needs better illumination, back to the tried and tested.
As was noted earlier this year, New Cafe Punjab is no more. The Curry Operation has moved in to Hot & Spicy (18 Alexander St., Clydebank, G81 1RZ) which has been a Curry Front for Cafe Punjab for who knew how long? Hector had his suspicions about where the Hot & Spicy Curry was being prepared, latterly they made no secret. Now the Curry Chef is firmly ensconced in the Takeaway Venue, Hot & Spicy it is.
The Young Chap who always recognises me was getting into a car, supposedly off to make deliveries, but no. He came back into the premises and announced something along the lines of – We’ll make you a sexy Curry. The Chap behind the counter was then instructed to take special note of my order.
The Curry Menu remains that for the New Cafe Punjab, I suppose if there are hundreds leftover they may as well be used. Buffet available 7 nights – 3 course business lunch / buffet lunch – no more. Lamb Karahi (£7.50) was the choice, the Capsicum withheld. For extra bite ask for green chillies to be added – I did. I also asked for Methi to be added on top at the end. Multani Rice (£2.60) was the Accompaniment, this includes Egg and Mushrooms.
The Bill
£10.00. I had asked if my selections qualified to be part of the – Tea Time Specials – alas not. So no mountain of Pakora for Hector at £9.20 inclusive.
Back at Hector’s House, the contents of the Blue Bag were carefully arranged on the worktop, no plastic containers then. Still, these traditional foil trays hold more. The volume of Rice was enough to share, the Curry was an appealing Deep Red, the Masala was clearly Tomato Rich.
A Sufficiency was decanted, the Meat Count was well into double figures, each piece was double the size one would normally be served in a Glasgow Restaurant. In effect, this was a Double Portion, a Feast for The Hector, to be eaten now and later. Marg was at a work social event, I had all night. Work….
The Seasoning was exactly how I would have it; the Green Chillies had been lost in translation, still the Spice Level was adequate. The Abundant Tender Lamb occasionally gave off its own Flavour, oftentimes not.
The Masala was Thick and not Excessive, indeed the photos prove this; the Flavour of Tomato was very much to the fore. The Egg and Mushrooms provided a Diversity of Texture, Different. What appeared to be Frozen Methi had been added on top as asked for, more Methi please. Perhaps I prefer a Sprinkling of Dry Methi.
A – Sexy Curry? Competent to Good, it still had the – Clydebank Curry Taste – which mysteriously prevails.
The Aftermath
The Remnants were – Dinged – a somewhat carefree action. Hector has always been wary of reheating Curry in a Microwave. In the past one could hear the Salt Crystals destroying the Flavour. Perhaps the technology has improved in the twenty plus years since I did this? Anyway, I know that the Curry Cafes I frequent must be employing this method to produce Hot Versions of what is on display. Tonight there was no destruction/contamination, Pleasant. Still I did not finish what was before me.
In future I will more than likely be ordering my occasional Kebap from Hot & Spicy, however, Hector has a Takeaway Venue nearby, but across the Glasgow Boundary, which makes Curry closer to the Hector Curry.