July 10th, 2020, note the day well. Lockdown continues, however, some restrictions have been lifted. Today, we were finally permitted to drive north and stay over at a family household. Graeme announced yesterday that Lamb Curry would be served this evening. With green peppers – appeared in one text. Noooooooo!
Graeme was studying his recipe book as Hector entered the kitchen, one of the many Madhur Jaffrey publications. I’m sure every home has one.
The main course tonight was – delhi-stye lamb cooked with potatoes – or – Aloo Gosht – as has appeared oftentimes in these pages. The recipe is posted below, I assume this is permitted given it is clearly stated who the author is? The Curry featured Shorva almost to the brim of the pot. Graeme has cooked this often but was puzzled as to why it had not become thicker. There was a pile of chopped onion beside the pot, this was for the – rice and peas. I suggested Onion Powder, not available. We could have waited another half hour whilst the Shorva reduced, but what would this have done to the Lamb and Potatoes? The Lamb Curry recipe does feature a huge amount of Water, and much less Oil, than in any of Hector’s Curry Recipes. Hector has an inbuilt resistance to doing what is necessary to create Shorva, even when it is tradition, a la Kofta Anda.
Interestingly, the Lamb Curry recipe does not feature Ginger. Prior to Clive Anderson’s unfortunate interview with the Bee Gees back in 1996, he made a series of progammes about notorious cities: Our Man in – Heaven and Hell. Like Hector, Clive survived Lagos, however the relevant episode was – Calcutta. A goat was shown being ritually slaughtered and then cooked – without Ginger. According to the lady guide, this meant it could be classed as – Vegetarian. Hector decided that Graeme and now the Reader should know this.
Graeme’s Tarka Daal, which has featured here before, would also be served along with – gujerati-stye green beans – and supermarket Naan. A lot of effort, we were being honoured.
It was help yourself, so I did, quite a plateful.
delhi-stye lamb cooked with potatoes
The Lamb had been cut approaching – Bradford-small – and was delightfully Tender. The Seasoning was fine but perhaps the Spice had been set at a level to accommodate our wives. The Shorva, was, well, Soupy. Rice was therefore required. The recipe for the – rice and peas – (below) was beyond the usual Jeera Rice. I did not think the Onions added here made a significant difference, they might have thickened the Masala, however.
gujerati-style green beans
Graeme had expected the Beans to come out – black – as I understood his remarks. Everyone was happy with what was presented. Still al dente, the Green Beans provided a different Texture to the other Dishes on the plate. On using the term – Interesting Vegetable – Kath thought Hector was being derogatory, she was assured otherwise.
Daal
Without the Tarka – admitted Graeme.
Thick, Yellow and well Seasoned, I cannot recall being served a better Daal anywhere else. The piece of Naan which came my way was put to good use. Marg enthused about the Daal, a Dish Hector has never attempted. Daal Makhani is still on the radar.
The Daal pot was scraped clean, that should tell all.
So, quite a change from that which Hector usually posts. Tonight’s Aloo Gosht was very much a – Curry – and therefore distant from Hector’s customary Karahi Gosht.
Not only did Hector go back for more, this commentator was last to stop eating.
