Last month, Zahir, Mein Host at Shahi Mahal (452 Cathcart Rd., Govanhill, Glasgow G40 7B2) and Hector were discussing the Daily Specials. After Ramadan, Bateera (£7.50) would be available once again on Mondays. 
Today, a holiday Monday, the Hector set out to verify.
Entering at 13.10, Zahir was on the phone taking a complex Order. He interrupted the call to acknowledge my entrance and my speculative cry of – Bateera?
One of four containers in the glass counter was duly removed.
Bateera in Shorva! – was his positive response.
The phone-call continued, this gave me time to consider a Bread accompaniment. Why have a Roti (£1.00) when one can have a Nan (£1.25) for a few pennies more? The Glasgow Southside Curry Cafes, the land of affordability and sensibility, as the Hector looks back two Blog entries to Bombay Darbar (Miami FL).
I took a seat in the booth where the table mysteriously looks truncated. The time it took the kitchen to reheat the Curry and prepare a Naan, was minimal. Zahir brought the goodies on a tray.
Salad and Raita are always part of the meal at Shahi Mahal, and one pays for these. Empty plates were brought, for the bones.
The splendidly huge Naan, served whole, was approaching – Rogni – in style. With multiple perforations to prevent it rising, well fired, burnt blisters just about forming.
I warned Zahir that I would do well to manage half. This he misunderstood, took the Naan away and cut it. The two – quarters – I might manage.
Bateera
Two – Birds – sat in the steaming hot Shorva. Coriander Leaves and Stems would add that bit extra. What I had seen in the original plastic container appeared to have swelled in portion size.
Bateera has featured semi-regularly in these pages, a Wednesday treat at Kabana Cheetham Hill (Manchester). Always a pair, one would be insulting, three too many. The legs and torsos were separated, I cheekily rearranged the layout.
Always a Shorva, so the spoon would be put to good use. Prior to this, a dipping fest. Pieces of Naan were duly immersed, the Spice Level of the Shorva took me a bit by surprise. The Seasoning was a la Hector. This was quite a Shorva.
Zahir asked if I was familiar with – Shorva.
I assured him I was used to having it with Kofta Anda.
I related to Zahir that I first had Bateera on my first visit to Sheerin Palace back in 2010. Sheerin Palace no longer serve Bateera. It is possible that Zahir had cooked it, or even served me. Bird – was how this poultry was described, before establishing that Bateera is Quail, a word neither of us used today. Zahir told me he first presented Bateera at Karahi Palace back in 2004. Having met him there subsequently as a visitor, I never knew he had worked there. Back then, the Hector had yet to discover the adjacent – Village – never mind – Karahi Palace – which, sadly, has well and truly gone.
A Bullet Chilli cut lengthways, was unearthed in the Salad. I added the two halves to the Shorva then ate one. Oh, why did I do that?
Having retreated to the kitchen, Zahir returned with a glass of Natural Lassi. A different experience for the Hector who is used to Mango Lassi. I would have this for – Dessert.
So taken was I with the Shorva, Naan and Bateera Legs, the torsos almost became an afterthought. The spoon halved the Bird, the carcass soon revealed. Not a lot of eating here, a fraction of what one would have in a Chicken Curry. However, this was not Chicken Curry. Bateera absorbs, the Meat is way more porous than its larger counterpart. Gamey in Flavour, and dipped back in the Shorva, even more flavoursome.
Cinnamon, I had already recorded, then a second distinctive Spice was recognised – Anise.
Nibbling at the Salad, dipping the Naan, fiddling with the footery Bird, the antithesis of the fayre enjoyed a few days back at Yadgar. Hector cannot live by Karahi alone.
With the bones sucked dry, the Soup supped, and as much Bread as could be accommodated taken on board, the appetite was sated. A young lady cleared the table. Time for Dessert.
The Lassi turned out to be Sweeter than anticipated, but still close to drinking Yoghurt. As much as I love Mango Lassi, having it with or after Curry surely counters the Flavours of the Spice? Relief for those who may require it, unnecessary otherwise, Plain Lassi may actually complement Spice.
For Hector this was the end, but nearly not so. Zahir appeared at the table with a modest plate of Lamb Chops Aloo, a deluxe Aloo Gosht. I assumed he was offering this for me to sample, but no way could I tackle it. Fortunately the food was not wasted, Zahir sat in the next booth and had this for lunch.
The Bill
£13.00
The Aftermath
There was mention of Karahi next Monday, tempting.
Apart from the persistent rain, did anything else happen today?
