It’s Saturday, Curry-Heute is expected. My 14.00 arrival at Karachi Restaurant (15 Neal St., Bradford BD5 0BX England) would mean a fourth Bradford Curry in forty six hours, in keeping with the spirit of this Blog. One cannot always be here, enjoy Bradford Curry whilst one can. After last night’s midnight Curry at International, one thing would be certain about today: no Curry #3!
A youngish chap greeted me from behind the counter as I entered the near empty restaurant. Hector is not known here. The mature serving chap was hardly engaging, asking for the menu felt a step too much. In time, further front of shop staff would arrive and he retreated to the kitchen, preparing vegetables, his next chore. This year’s prices had to be established, same menu as last year as it turned out, so inflation at Karachi has been absorbed.
The Rickmeister, aka – The Man from Bradford – had assured me that his Kofta Palak – Meat Ball Spinach (£10.50) was particularly outstanding on Thursday. This has been my go-to Curry when I get to Karachi for many years.
In planning this trip, there was the consideration that whilst I have watched Chapatti John, and maybe others, devour the Rick Stein made famous – Meat Spinach Karahi (£11.50), I have never had this at Karachi. Dr. Stan was also of the opinion that the version shown on the Karachi dedicated page in Curry-Heute looks to be particularly light.
After Handi, Aloo Gosht and last night’s Meat and Ginger Karahi, it was time to add some Saag to my diet. How much Mutton can a man eat? If there’s a tomorrow, Fish. Did man evolve to eat leaves and grass?
Chapattis (£0.50) – were agreed, inclusive of course, the traditional Bradford way.
A jug of water and the token Salad with a splash of Raita were duly presented. Rehydration got underway, I would leave the Salad until later. No cutlery anyway, it only comes with the meal, if at all.
My chap brought the food, no ceremony. The dinner plate would remain unused. The – willow pattern – took me back to my infancy, before I had heard of – Curry.
Proper Chapattis, and once again, I would manage two of three.
Meat Spinach Karahi – as ordered here by Rick Stein
The thick covering of Coriander stood out on top of the mass of Meat and Herb-rich Masala. The peripheral Oil let me convince myself that this Curry was somewhat along the lines of my preferred Spinach in a Masala, not just a mass of Herbs.
The Meat was larger than I have come to expect in this city. Have the butchers stopped cutting it – Bradford-small? Or was this always done in house?
Hot food, an even hotter karahi, take care, Hector. I spooned some Masala on to a valley of Chapatti. The spoon, the only utensil provided.
Antiseptic – this happens on Hector’s palate, and why I never order Dolmades in Hellas. Who wants to eat Vine Leaves anyway? Whether this was totally down to me, or had the Spinach been kept so long it was fermenting, the kitchen may comment should they choose.
Fortunately, this subsided so the Curry took on more of an Earthy feel than a Chemical one. The Seasoning was decidedly – low, the Spice Level a cinch after last night’s – beyond Vindaloo – experience.
Not the greatest of starts.
As pieces of Tomato surfaced, the beginning of another taste dimension. I appear to be over-enjoying Tomatoes of late. Two weeks in Hellas then Italia can do that. I am faced with cooking for a house guest next week who cannot eat Tomatoes, a challenge.
Finally, the Meat, Tender as it should be. For once I have to be neutral about whether it was giving of Spice, but once certainty emerged: Meatballs are better!
Well Seasoned, well-Spiced Kofta surely complement a Saag/Palak way more than straightforward pieces of Meat. I recall the halcyon days at Cafe Salma (Glasgow) when Dr. Stan and Hector would wind up Hassan/Lachen by sharing a Kofta Palak as Dessert. The Village (Glasgow) remains my reliable source for Kofta, and they’ll even add the Anda, if one asks.
So, did Rick Stein order the wrong Curry? The Rickmeister and Hector would say so.
Remember the slivers of Salad? Dessert.
The Bill
£11.50 Cash only.
The Aftermath
My chap had to interrupt his Potato/Onion peeling to take my cash. He may have said little, but was certainly keeping his eye out.