A Menu drops through the door of Hector’s House periodically then usually goes in the recycling. This time I had a gander, anything new? The recurring problem is that Clydebank Curry tastes pretty much the same and tends towards an excess of Red Food Dye.
Under the banner of – Special Tikka Dishes – lies the subheading of – Hot Dishes – and – Desi Style (£9.00) in Lamb. This is one of a dozen – new – Dishes on Raja’s Menu (144 Duntocher Rd., Parkhall, Clydebank G81 3NQ). Desi Style (off the bone) could be along the lines of what I have been searching for in Clydebank. A couple of years ago I thought I had found it at nearby Little India, alas that went pear shaped when the Lamb on-the-bone was withdrawn, it didn’t sell, I was told.
Menu B is what I chose last time I tried Raja’s. Four years ago this was £8.95, now it is £11.50. To add Rice to the – Desi Style – would take this up to the same price, so one may as well have the Pakora etc. 
Arriving just before 17.00, Mohammed served me, he confirmed that – Desi Style – could be part of – Menu B. Vegetable Pakora and Rice were confirmed as the options, just in case, I asked for – no Capsicum. It was this dreaded green mush which spoiled Raja’s Karahi last time.
With a bag containing Poppadoms attached to the main bag of goodies, the mass of food was driven home. Unpacked, there was once again way too much for one person to eat at a single sitting. The Vegetable Pakora, Spiced Onions and Poppadoms were set aside. Some hours later, the Poppadoms went in the bin, Hector is bored with UK Poppadoms.
The Rice was decanted, a massive plateful. The Meat and Masala was arranged on top, around twenty pieces of Meat. This serving was enough for two, already I knew that this would be finished at another time.
Lamb Desi Style
Meat and Masala only, not the Hector ideal, at least the Masala had a decent consistency. I have been served – Bhuna – that have had thinner Masala. The Lamb was very well cooked Soft, Tender.
I have bought so few Indian Takeaways in Clydebank over the many years I have been resident. They usually disappoint, I feel I can cook better, but am not inclined to do so – for one. This had a big Spice hit but was woefully lacking in Seasoning. At least it did not have the ubiquitous – Clydebank Curry Taste – but then it didn’t taste of anything distinctive at all. Desi Style – the hopes were raised, the hopes were dashed. This was no more than bog standard Curry.
A couple of hours later I took half of the sixteen pieces of Vegetable Pakora and did the terrible thing by putting them in the microwave. Only by making Pakora freshly in the house is one going to experience the real joy of this snack. In restaurants Pakora is, I fear, always double fried. Microwaving Pakora does the Gram Flour batter no favours, the results were rubbery. The Spiced Onions did impress, Cumin came across, real Flavour at last. But why the artificial – Red?
A Saturday Update
For lunch, the leftover Pakora. This time the Pakora was reheated in the oven bringing much better results. Heated through properly, and without the feared drying out, this was a much more pleasing eating experience than last night’s. The raw Onion slices that had topped the Pakora had also cooked to the point of sizzling.
For dinner, the leftover Curry. Hector finds Curry with Meat alone to be less desirable than the mix of Meat and Vegetables, here was the opperchancity to rectify the shortcomings of last night’s Desi.
Frozen Peas were defrosted in some hot Vegetable Oil. Then Tomato, Mushrooms, Methi and the leftover Spiced Onions were stir fried. Salt was added as is permitted under Hector’s rules when cooking. The outcome matched what I had in mind at the outset. The Masala in the leftover – Desi Curry – had long soaked into the Rice, in went the lot. The result, a Lamb Biryani!
Here was a sensible Quantity. The Vegetables provided the required Diversity. The Spice and Seasoning were there, but still a fundamental lack of Flavour. More Methi!