In the six years since I last visited Asian Tandoori (5 Duntreath Avenue, Knightswood, Glasgow G13 4JG) the exterior has been re-branded as – The Asian, yet Google maintain the original name. The on-line ordering app has – Asian Tandoori Yoker – which adds further confusion as the given address is Knightswood. Bottom line, anyone driving along Alderman Rd. in Knightswood heading to/from Drumchapel, Clydebank and beyond knows – The Asian. Parking outside is never a problem.
New Kismet Tandoori, across the Boulevard in Drumchapel, is the closest source of Curry to Hector’s House. It may be only ten visits in ten years, however, I know their Curry well. In Clydebank, the fayre tastes pretty much the same in all the Curry Houses. Sadly, the Hector feels this problem arises with the majority of his home-cooked Curry also. Something different was required this evening. Marg also needed to choose her own given it is only four days since her last Curry. In the spirit of Lockdown, and with no summons this week to supply mother with the necessaries at her Southside Care Home, I considered the extra kilometre across the boundary from Clydebank into Glasgow to be OK.
Lamb Methi which I had last time has gone from the Menu. Pardesi featuring Spinach, is the only Curry on the Menu with Herbs. Having just unearthed the Palak Gosht recipe from my Curry Course back in the noughties, this may well be my next home-cooked Curry. It definitely will taste different from my usual Methi overloaded creations.
Ordering online was not an option. There is no place given on apps I have seen to ensure that one’s necessary tweaks can be accommodated. I wanted to ensure that no Capsicum would appear in the Order. We chose our Dishes accordingly, but one never knows. For Hector, Village Lamb Tikka (£10.50).
All of the Chef’s Specials feature Lamb as Tikka only (£10.95). I can never understand why this happens. For me, Lamb Tikka is too good to put in Curry and is best savoured otherwise. A Tender Lamb option in all Curry please. I could have chosen from the more limited and standard Popular Dishes list (£7.95), but was determined to establish what Chef is capable of.
Marg firstly mentioned Keema, not on the Menu. She then mooted Karahi. I advised that an overdose of Capsicum, or consequently Onion, was likely. Lamb Rogan Josh it would be.
I arrived just after 18.00, social distancing was evident, fortunately the rain had just stopped. On asking for Vegetable Rice (£3.20) I was informed that the Chef’s Specials come with Rice (£2.50). Not a problem, I could use the extra plain Rice later. Rogan Josh appears on the menu twice, in the Chef’s Specials and in the Popular Dishes. Lamb Rogan Josh was recorded without comment. A Naan (£2.50) and a Chapati (£1.10) completed the Order. I was told – fifteen minutes – and so went out to wait in the car. Fifteen minutes later, the Order was bagged and waiting behind the counter.
The Bill
£22.10. I had to use cash, the first time I have done so in two months. Cards can only be used if one orders online.
The fresh Coriander was pre-bought.
On doing the sums, I concluded that Marg’s Rogan Josh was not from the Chef’s Specials and so I expected to find two trays of Rice. Nope, just one.
Everything was put in the hot oven for a few minutes to give the heat a boost. Not a good idea for the Bread as it happens.
The Naan lost its flexibility, the Chapatti turned crispy, a Roti. Thirty seconds in the microwave, for once, would have been better.
Lamb Rogan Josh
On decanting the contents of the plastic tray into the karahi, something very unusual was observed. This Curry was created from two different Masalas. The lighter, brown, I took to have Yoghurt added, even Daal. The other half was unnaturally – Red. Food colouring, yeuch! The Menu shows one can buy Curry Sauces alone. Was this the Chasni? Whatever, I was glad I was not eating it. I wonder that any Chef would have let this leave the premises, this is shooting oneself in the foot.
Unusually, Marg ate all her Meat and could not tell me if it was Tender Lamb or Tikka. I conclude – Tender – the difference is most apparent. Eventually, Marg mixed the two already blended Masalas to create a still too Red combination. The abundant Masala at least had a decent viscosity, this Curry was not quite – Soup – by Hector’s reckoning. Marg gave her verdict:
I’m enjoying it, even the crispy Chapatti – Marg assured me.
I think it’s lovely. I’m going to leave some, a lot of soupy sauce. Quite tomatoey, quite sweet.
In time I had a dip of the two Masalas. Far too sweet for the Hector, but hey, this is what Marg likes.
Vegetable Rice
There was more than enough Rice to share given that we both had Bread. Had the Curry not been – Mainstream – I wouldn’t have ordered any, however, given the quantity of Masala, Rice was necessary. Carrots, Peas, Sweetcorn and Green Beans were mixed through the Rice. The Mushrooms of 2014 have gone.
Village Lamb Tikka
Until I spotted the pieces of Tinda/Khadu protruding from the Masala, I was not certain as to which Curry was which. Again the colour of the Masala was dubious. I counted nine very large pieces of Lamb and conclude a whole Tinda had also been added in pieces. Is the – Village – the only Curry on the Menu which manages to include an – Interesting Vegetable – whilst simultaneously avoiding the dreaded green mush? Tomato seeds very prominent in the blended Masala. The Thickness of the Masala was again far from Shorva.
Sliced Green Chillies were present, this added the required bite. The Seasoning was at an acceptable level. Tikka Lamb is always more chewy than Tender. This Lamb was enjoyable, a smokey flavour coming across, one which Hector particularly enjoys. I hadn’t quite ruined the Naan, the surplus Masala was scooped from the karahi, tasty. This was my first Khadu since last October in Athena at the hopefully now famous – Pak Taka Taka. It too may be soft but doesn’t repeat which is one of my issues with Capsicum. Hector had his – Interesting Vegetable – so much more enjoyable than eating Meat and Masala only.
There was never a chance of achieving the – Wow! – status even with the added – foliage. The Curry was decidedly Mainstream, enjoyable, it was Curry.
Maybe, next week, Nicola will let us all drive a bit further?
The Aftermath
Whilst Sparkling Water remains Hector’s preferred accompaniment, afterwards, Cider has become the norm when dining out. The sister website to Curry-Heute is not called Bier-Traveller by chance. Hector rarely drinks at home, and here is the proof. Behold a Cider bottle top, it’s about time this was consumed. And fine it was too.
