This is the last Curry of November, I promise, and the last Manchester Curry for at least a week. December is due to start with a Glasgow Curry Feast, a modest lunch at Kabana (22 Back Turner St., Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1LQ England) was the objective today. Rizwan, Mein Host, had promised Lamb Biryani (£6.30) on-the-bone. Hector may not have ordered a Biryani since The India Trip when ordering Vegetable Biryani was the best way to get Interesting Vegetables to accompany a Meat Curry.
Mags was up for this also, what, no Aloo Gosht? The rendezvous was at 13.45, enough time to let those on a lunch hour have their chance. Howard was just leaving as I walked up on his blind side on Back Turner Street. Maybe he didn’t receive the text on his unreliable Samsung.
The queue was half those wishing to sit in and half for those requiring Takeaways. The chap in front of me must have been buying for his entire workplace. Lamb Biryani, served with Masala or without? Hector’s cunning plan: I decided to reverse what I did at The Silk Route (Agra, India) and asked for Lamb Biryani with Mix Vegetables on top. Mags opted for the Lamb Biryani alone.
As the photo shows, the Lamb Biryani pot was nearly empty, Rizwan had a backup. Masala from the Lamb Karahi pot was poured over the Lamb and Rice. A decent portion of Mixed Vegetables then covered this. I took the intermediate photo then covered my lunch with the Foliage: Chopped Ginger, Green Chillies and Fresh Coriander. This is what Curry in the Northern Quarter is all about.
With seats at a premium it looked as though Mags and Hector may have to sit separately, Rizwan was on the case. He spotted two chaps about to leave and went over and claimed the seats for us next to a couple who had taken the – Dall – option. Veggies? I had more Vegetables on my plate than they did!
Lamb Biryani
Spicy Rice and Lamb on-the-bone, it needed the Masala to give it life. The Seasoning in the Lamb impressed instantly, Curry has to be like this to release the full Flavours. Sucky Bones, lots of Flavour, lots of fun.
Mags was finished long before me:
A perfect moisture level – she declared. I concur.
Well done, Hector, another good one. First I’ve had a Biryani in a long time, no dryness whatsoever, brilliant.
Mixed Vegetables (on top of Lamb Biryani)
The Masala complemented that from the Biryani beneath, again any fear of – too Dry a meal – was thwarted. Too Dry? This was a rare concern for Hector.
Potatoes, Cauliflower, Diced Carrots, Peas and two bright red pieces of – contamination – were present. Mission accomplished, the Biryani had the stronger overall Flavour, the Vegetables did their job and added the intended – Diversity.
The Works
If Kabana opened on Saturdays, I would be back for the Keema Spinach.
The Bill
Mags went up to pay first: £6.30.
Same for you, Hector – announced Rizwan.
But I had the Vegetables on top.
That’s OK.
Rice and Three costs £6.30, this appears to be the maximum one can pay for a mass of Curry at Kabana.
The Aftermath
Rizwan gave me a special 50p piece in my change – Peter Rabbit. Perhaps someone will tell me when it’s worth more than 50p?
Congratulations another million under your belt. Are they coming up quicker? Hope all is well. Keep up the great work.
Thanks
Ed
Hector replies:
I was once told it’s naff to have a counter. I have not seen a counter which does eight figures.
The more I post, the faster the count goes up due to the greater number of venues covered, I assume.