Today’s Lamb Desi Qorma (£14.95) at The Village “Curry House” (119 West St., Tradeston, Glasgow G5 8BA) was very nearly Kofta Palak (£12.95), but as I travelled around the Inner Circle on the Subway to West Street, I wondered why I was denying myself my favourite Curry. This was especially so after Dr. Stan managed to secure one on Friday at Balti BLVD (Crawley) and it’s a couple of months since the Hector last ordered Desi Qorma at The Village. I could eat this Curry every week, but then what would become of Curry-Heute?
Entering the near empty restaurant at 14.00, a mere seven diners were in situ. A new waitress brought the Lunchtime Menu, no Dr. Hanane today. She seemed a bit surprised when on her return, I announced my Order without having had to consult the main menu.
On-the-bone – was confirmed, and a – medium-plus – Spice Level. Depending on the duty Chef, asking for above – medium – can lead to a challenging Curry. Mushroom Rice (£3.95) would accompany, a jug of water was asked for also.
The other waitress brought my drink, a pint. Had I received the requested jug, I would have torn in, for reasons I cannot work out, I decided to leave the glass untouched. Self denial kicking in again.
The wait was appropriate. A hot plate was brought to the table. The food delivered, photographed, the feeding frenzy was underway, well almost.
The Rice bowl was too hot to touch. With a napkin protecting the fingers, I managed to tilt the bowl on to the hot plate and arrange the Mushroom Rice accordingly. Once upon a time I felt the quantity to be a bit stingy. Now I appreciate that on a normal day, I should manage every grain.
Fresh Mushrooms, hot Rice, an excellent base for the Curry.
Lamb Desi Qorma
The aroma is distinctive, Citrus-Clove, as is the appearance, the Yoghurt flecks always stand out. The Meat count just reached double figures. Sucky Bones, plural, and others, quite a lot of Bone here today. Still, plenty of eating. I was here for lunch, not – to dine.
Big Spice, Low Seasoning. Both would hinder today’s enjoyment. Biting into the first of four whole Cloves encountered, proved the palate was at least receptive to this intense blast of Flavour. The Spice-heat in this Curry was masking too much otherwise.
A blended Masala with added whole Cloves, enough to be considered – Desi. The Bones no doubt had played their part too. Today I felt the Tender Meat was not giving enough back, but with a mouth on fire and a nose streaming, what chance did I have?
Adding the retained Masala towards the end was a game changer. I have found myself writing similar words at this stage of a Curry with increasing regularity. There was distinctly more Seasoning coming across in the Masala at the base of the karahi, There was even a hint of – The Village Curry Taste. Much better.
With every morsel that could be eaten taken care of, it was time to put out the fire. The pint of iced-water provided instant relief, but as everyone should know, this can only be temporary, the Spice comes back, with a vengeance.
The Hector had had his Desi Qorma fix, it could have been better, but there’s more…
The Bill
£18.90
The Aftermath
On the bus back across the river, my lips were in a lovely place. Salty, the range of Flavours from the Desi Qorma were revealing themselves, and some. The kick from the unseen Chillies in the Masala had subsided, I should have risked sipping water as I ate, but therein lies madness. That’s how not to eat a Vindaloo strength Curry.
An hour later, cue the reappearance of not one, but two Cumin Seeds. Liquorice, man!
Next time, Hector, stick to – medium.