More than just a Glasgow Curry Blog
It is ten years ago today since the first Hector post under the banner – Curry-Heute. 
In the previous months I had found myself spontaneously writing about Curry in Jonathan’s – Bier-Today – blog. The thought of writing a Curry blog had never been considered. Curry-Heute is therefore a play on – Bier-Today. Since the start of T-internet, I had parked the domain – Bier-Traveller.com. Bier-Traveller was only activated ten months after Curry-Heute, on St. Valentine’s Night in Brugge, – how womantic.
The original host and format was quite restricting, the photos were all over the place, the narrative too. Acquiring the – .com – was remarkably simple, learning WordPress, something else.
I have always liked the Germanic capitalisation of nouns and so set about incorporating this into the writing style. Even the Hector has to admit this has been taken too far, more italics and fewer capitalisations somehow became the compromise. I still miss the coloured background, it has apparently gone forever.
April 8th, 2010, the first post was an introduction to my favourite German Curry House – Indian Mango (München). I was meant to be there today, however, COVID-19. Mein Host, Mr. Jolly Kunjappu retired earlier this year, Indian Mango continues. They assure me the fayre will remain the same. Hopefully by November, at the latest, I shall confirm this. Nowhere else that I know of serves a Fish (Chettinad) Curry to match Indian Mango. Ironically, on Day #1 of Curry-Heute, I had yet to experience their Chettinad in either Lamb or Fish.
Trips to Bradford since @1996 had invigorated my enthusiasm for Curry. (Back in 2010 I had never tasted a Manchester Curry.) Since Akbar’s opened in Glasgow, people here can enjoy Bradford Curry. On the first day of Curry-Heute, I had Curry with Marg at Cafe Salma [closed], a recently discovered Glasgow Curry House which rivalled the intensity of flavour at – The Village. Cafe Salma and The Village had flavours which simply were not encountered in the – Mainstream – Glasgow restaurants.
The Village “Curry House” had become home from home, at least two visits a week became the norm. Once Curry-Heute was established, I had to break away from my comfort zone, I am still about five restaurants short of having reviewed every Curry House in Glasgow. Around a third have [closed] in the past ten years.
It was Curryspondent Neil who had made Hector aware of Cafe Salma, he then came up with another venue. On August 14 (2010), Marg, Dr. Stan and Hector set foot in Yadgar – Kebab House for the first time. Hector was back days later with Howard, the rest is not only history, every visit is blogged, the #100th in particular.
Every visit to – The Village – had involved walking past (New) Karahi Palace. It took until May 2011 to finally try their Curry. The Clydebank Curry Taste – is what came across. A Karahi Gosht full of Capsicum, was this why? Perhaps there were changes behind the scene, the Karahi Gosht soon rivalled Yadgar and yet was a totally different interpretation. The Desi Revolution is coming – I was brave enough to write when reviewing Karahi Palace #1. In 2019, Hector presented the certificate for Visit #100, this remains on display.
My last Glasgow Curry before I embarked for Polska was at the recently opened – DumPukht Lahori. Dr. Stan and Hector shared a kilo of a stunning Lamb Lahori Karahi which could have come straight from a Manchester Desi kitchen. I promised to return after my trip. With Polska in – lockdown – a week before the UK, the journey back approached nightmare proportions. Hopefully when we are all set free, the chaps at DumPukht will still be in business.
Aloo Gosht
My last two home-cooked efforts have been below par. Fortunately, Hector was able to raid the freezer: two portions of the ready made Curry from Yadgar have been held in reserve. There must be Curry-Heute!
The Manchester trinity of – foliage – topped the Curry from Glasgow’s top – Top Rated – Curry House. I felt more than just Basmati should accompany, Jeera Mutter Rice was called for. Mango Lassi would also help mark this special day.
Strangely, I did not combine the thawed portions and so reheated them separately. This proved to be a good decision. One portion had decidedly more Masala, actually it was closer to Shorva. The – Sucky Bones – were in here. The drier Curry would suit the Hector perfectly.
With the foliage in place and the Rice plated, it was time to savour the Curry.
The Lamb was on-the bone and reached double figures, seriously Tender Meat. My portion only had one piece of Potato. The Seasoning was instantly apparent, the extra Chillies added to the bite. The root Yadgar taste was there, so easy to identify, familiar – comfort food.
Good as this was, it was not Karahi Gosht, there lies the true treat.
Marg made a ring with her thumb and forefinger, a sign of approval.
It’s not my Curry – I had to admit.
Marg looked puzzled.
It’s from Yadgar!
In a recent survey, one out of one Margs like Yadgar Curry.
Deliveries during COVID-19: which Southside Desi-Curry Houses, if any, will deliver to Hector’s House north of the river?
May you travel even farther in the next ten years.
Hector replies:
Greetings, Ahmed, and thanks for your blessing.
The British media are tending to focus on the plight of selected nations, Pakistan not being one of them. How are things in Islamabad?